ijgordon

The cab line at Terminal B can be a half hour. Not sure whether that's any faster than the remote pickup; I've yet to do that.

Here's a whole thread on the ground situation in the NYC forum:
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/new-...le-pickup.html

jordyn

True, from this perspective it's a push or slightly better since you can't accidentally go to the wrong terminal, but...

All of these are pretty bad with no real upside.

Moreover, the car service restrictions in the Central Terminal Building (and associated long taxi lines) mean that AA fliers are now basically guaranteed a much worse arrival experience unless they drive themselves.

I forgot about what a debacle arriving into the CTB was and accidentally ended up there on a recent trip. I will definitely choose a different airport or airline to avoid landing there, even if it costs any money, until the construction is complete.

ijgordon

FWIW, my periodic experience in concourse A of Terminal B (the JetBlue gates) is that PreCheck seems to never be open. There's not usually that much of a line though, but still annoying to have to take out the laptop.

I guess it's unclear whether the AA shuttle flights will specifically move to the A concourse, the C or D concourse, or be random.

ty97

Fair, there's really no upside (except for AA I guess, since they can consolidate check-in, etc). I'm normally in the AC (in either B or C) and I generally use public transportation to/from LGA, so the pain points probably aren't keying for me the way for others because they don't impact me as much as others. But definitely agree there's no real positive for informed, frequent travelers.

tphuang

agreed, this imo is a huge downgrade for AA. Flying to ORD this weekend. Going to hate the ride share restrictions and the taxi line.

Really disappointing.

On another note, another sign AA is not putting out any effort in NYC.

jordyn

I think more a sign that they don't care about customer experience. But this assumes that they had significant choice in the matter, which I don't think we necessarily know here.

AANYC1981

Yup....

Score8

The Shuttle, from what I understand, is among the more profitable routes for AA and other airlines where many folks will shell out good money for a short route and who are ambivalent towards which airline they take. I know a few folks who will book Delta instead of AA if the time suits - even by 30 minutes. If TSA and other terminal related issues are as bad as we suspect, it will potentially affect the bottom line in a meaningful way as that will undoubtedly sway travel choices. That said, I've seen prices go down for shuttle flights in a meaningful way recently, and perhaps there is less meat on the bone on this route.

I do wish that my travel allowed me to fly JetBlue. I just can't get to where I need to go, and in my experience IRROPS can cascade into days lost. It's just so much less of a stupid game between the airline and loyal passengers.

Adelphos

There is a lot of competition on the shuttles, especially with Jet Blue entering. Shuttle pricing is now similar to New York hotel prices, which can be very cheap or very expensive depending on the timing. The problem is that airlines like United, Delta, AA can't not fly the routes as business travelers want them.

ClipperJCM

Was in the LGA Terminal C club this morning and the agent confirmed that AA most definitely will be moving to the main terminal in December. Her words: "It's definitely not a rumor--just a question of timing. We're being kicked out."

AANYC1981

Per AA:

http://news.aa.com/press-releases/pr....z6jYg7OL.mjjo

LDVFlyer

According to a post on A-net, JetBlue sent a letter to its employees stating that AA, Delta, and the PA will be paying for JetBlue and the others to move to the MAT. That doesn't sound like AA did not have a choice.

It was a good choice too. The new B will offer the best customer experience at LGA.

jordyn

Why will the new B be better than then new Delta terminal? How is it going to be better than MAT, for that matter?

AANYC1981

So it's apparent we're now down to one Admirals Club, and a total of 20 gates moving forward. The AC is going to be a madhouse

ty97

There's a schedule (and current construction) to rebuild B. While there are plans to rebuild C/D, I haven't heard anything about a schedule on that and sense (though this is guessing) that it may not happen until after Terminal B is complete. Terminal B will be far better than MAT for facilities, etc. (Obviously the argument about location and ease of use for MAT will continue).

And note that Jetblue, in its press release, plans to move back to B from MAT post-construction.