COU Shut Down Over Apparent Runway Issue
#16
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 163
I've flown out of similar places, however, the crossing was never near the takeoff point, most were in the first 1000 feet of the runway. You feel the bump when you go over the other runway, and most were a lot closer to 90 degree intersections. As the plane was still far from ready to fly, it was a bump, bigger than the expansion joints, and certainly not around Vr where the bump would feel the plane get very light, but not leave the ground.
#17
Join Date: Apr 2019
Programs: Delta GM, Southwest A-List
Posts: 41
Looks like AA 385 was cancelled today. Did they rebook you?
#18
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 1,107
Airport completely closed now.
Will fix the bump over the crown over the next week on 13/31, at which time traffic will be reopened. The main runway (2/20) maintenance will be completed in about 6 weeks.
Full story: https://www.komu.com/news/airport-cl...ter-complaints
Will fix the bump over the crown over the next week on 13/31, at which time traffic will be reopened. The main runway (2/20) maintenance will be completed in about 6 weeks.
Full story: https://www.komu.com/news/airport-cl...ter-complaints
#19
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: COU
Programs: AA EXP, Bonvoy Ambassador, Hertz PC
Posts: 499
Sure did. Interestingly, it looks like they moved some equipment from COU to STL and added flights? When I booked AA 385 I was looking at expertflyer, and the flight I ended up on (AA 9405) wasn't in the list at that point (or I was blind or misconfigured my EF search, or...). Actually was a more convenient time (vs. 385) as well, and they rebooked me directly into J. It was on a CRJ, which is not what usually does STL-DFW, and the flight attendant was talking about the COU closure, which is what made me think they moved them over there.
Also, said FA blatantly misinformed some pax about the situation...told them COU was going to be closed for 75 days. I spoke up and said he had mistaken the 2/20 closure time for the airport closure time and the airport would only be down a week, but he continued to swear he was right even after I pulled up the news article on it. Complete with the predictable appeal to authority argument because he works for the airline and I don't. Awesome.
Hehe, yeah, indeed. Luckily I haven't been actually stuck...but I'll be happy when it's back up and I don't have to drive out to STL.
Last edited by HLCinCOU; Apr 11, 2019 at 8:23 pm Reason: mixed up posts and misattributed skywardhunter's explanation to autdi
#20
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 1,107
Thankfully Im good for a couple more weeks, so things should be rolling again by then.
#21
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 579
I would definitely be annoyed if I was suddenly expected to drive 2 hours for my flight booked out of COU, especially if I paid a premium to fly out of the local airport. I don't know if that's still true, since the few times I flied out of COU I think the only service was to MEM on Delta and airfares were usually significantly higher than flying out of STL.
Interesting note, Columbia says they expect the FAA to cover 90% of the cost of the repair.
Interesting note, Columbia says they expect the FAA to cover 90% of the cost of the repair.
John Glascock, Columbia's interim city manager, told members of Regional Economic Development Inc. on Wednesday that the Federal Aviation Administration would pick up 90 percent of the cost.
He estimated the price tag to be between $400,000 and $500,000.
We built it to their standards. We did everything properly. Theyre going to have to pay for it, Glascock said.
He estimated the price tag to be between $400,000 and $500,000.
We built it to their standards. We did everything properly. Theyre going to have to pay for it, Glascock said.
#22
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 163
That's standard, local picks up 10% of the tab, feds pay the rest. I've seen the exact same 90% split multiple times at multiple locations for taxiways, runway extensions, lighting, most direct use of the airport things.
#23
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 1,107
I would definitely be annoyed if I was suddenly expected to drive 2 hours for my flight booked out of COU, especially if I paid a premium to fly out of the local airport. I don't know if that's still true, since the few times I flied out of COU I think the only service was to MEM on Delta and airfares were usually significantly higher than flying out of STL.
Interesting note, Columbia says they expect the FAA to cover 90% of the cost of the repair.
Interesting note, Columbia says they expect the FAA to cover 90% of the cost of the repair.
There is still a premium, but not quite as bad as when DL was the only option, nor as bad as when AA was the sole option after DL pulled out. With AA and UA competing, its slightly better. It can be outrageous at times though, depending on destination.
I typically draw the line at a $350 difference, and rarely hit it. It does happen though, especially with F/J. Sometimes it can even be cheaper.
#24
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: COU
Programs: AA EXP, Bonvoy Ambassador, Hertz PC
Posts: 499
I would definitely be annoyed if I was suddenly expected to drive 2 hours for my flight booked out of COU, especially if I paid a premium to fly out of the local airport. I don't know if that's still true, since the few times I flied out of COU I think the only service was to MEM on Delta and airfares were usually significantly higher than flying out of STL.
#26
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 1,107
Airport reopened. UA expects to resume Sunday afternoon, AA on the 16th.
Local news story with more info: https://www.komu.com/news/columbia-r...-modifications
Local news story with more info: https://www.komu.com/news/columbia-r...-modifications