Why do people dislike CLT so much?
Feb 22, 2024, 9:48 pm
#17
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Live: IWI; Work: DCA/Everywhere; Play: LAS/SJU/MLE
Programs: AA EXP, DL PM, Hyatt Glob, Marriott Ambassador/LTP, Nat'l Exec Elite, LEYE Gold
Posts: 6,711
I asked ChatGPT to chime in, and it did not disappoint:
(For the curious, my search term was: "Write a song, in the style of Melissa Etheridge, that laments the difficulties of connecting between flights at the Charlotte Douglas International Airport," followed by "Include more detail about sweaty masses of travelers in unfinished corridors, rolling delays, and nowhere to sit.")
(Verse 1)
In the heart of Carolina, where the planes touch the sky,
Sweaty masses of travelers, tired souls passing by,
In unfinished corridors, where the echoes ring loud,
We navigate the chaos, in this transient crowd.
(Chorus)
Oh Charlotte, Douglas, you're a maze of confusion,
Lost in your corridors, searching for a solution.
Rolling delays and nowhere to sit,
In this transient town, where patience is a requisite.
(Verse 2)
The departure boards flicker, teasing with hope,
But rolling delays leave us hanging on a tightrope.
With every passing minute, frustration grows strong,
In this labyrinth of uncertainty, where we don't belong.
(Chorus)
(Bridge)
From gate to gate, we wander in despair,
Seeking solace in the promise of open air.
But the seats are all taken, and the floors hard and cold,
In Charlotte, Douglas, where the weary unfold.
(Chorus)
(Outro)
So here we are, in this limbo we tread,
In Charlotte, Douglas, where weary souls are led.
But when the time comes and our wings take flight,
We'll bid adieu to this transient plight.
In the heart of Carolina, where the planes touch the sky,
Sweaty masses of travelers, tired souls passing by,
In unfinished corridors, where the echoes ring loud,
We navigate the chaos, in this transient crowd.
(Chorus)
Oh Charlotte, Douglas, you're a maze of confusion,
Lost in your corridors, searching for a solution.
Rolling delays and nowhere to sit,
In this transient town, where patience is a requisite.
(Verse 2)
The departure boards flicker, teasing with hope,
But rolling delays leave us hanging on a tightrope.
With every passing minute, frustration grows strong,
In this labyrinth of uncertainty, where we don't belong.
(Chorus)
(Bridge)
From gate to gate, we wander in despair,
Seeking solace in the promise of open air.
But the seats are all taken, and the floors hard and cold,
In Charlotte, Douglas, where the weary unfold.
(Chorus)
(Outro)
So here we are, in this limbo we tread,
In Charlotte, Douglas, where weary souls are led.
But when the time comes and our wings take flight,
We'll bid adieu to this transient plight.
Feb 22, 2024, 10:19 pm
#18
Join Date: Feb 2022
Programs: AA EXP; SQ Gold
Posts: 196
I avoid CLT/PHL like the plague. For east coast connections, DCA is my preferred airport by far. Both CLT/PHL suffer from the same old US Airways problems: they obviously try to squeeze every last dollar out of the passenger experience by minimizing costs. This is true for both AA (see lounges) and the airport authorities (see crowded gate areas, airport upkeep, restrooms, etc.).
Also, I find the legacy US mainline FAs to be rather churlish. At DCA you often fly on Republic or PSA and despite Republics historic operational ineptitudue, the FAs are at least friendly. As for PSA I think they have very well meaning FAs more often than not.
Also, I find the legacy US mainline FAs to be rather churlish. At DCA you often fly on Republic or PSA and despite Republics historic operational ineptitudue, the FAs are at least friendly. As for PSA I think they have very well meaning FAs more often than not.
Feb 22, 2024, 10:19 pm
#19
Join Date: Feb 2022
Programs: AA EXP; SQ Gold
Posts: 196
I asked ChatGPT to chime in, and it did not disappoint:
(For the curious, my search term was: "Write a song, in the style of Melissa Etheridge, that laments the difficulties of connecting between flights at the Charlotte Douglas International Airport," followed by "Include more detail about sweaty masses of travelers in unfinished corridors, rolling delays, and nowhere to sit.")
(For the curious, my search term was: "Write a song, in the style of Melissa Etheridge, that laments the difficulties of connecting between flights at the Charlotte Douglas International Airport," followed by "Include more detail about sweaty masses of travelers in unfinished corridors, rolling delays, and nowhere to sit.")
Feb 22, 2024, 10:25 pm
#20
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: AUS
Programs: AA Exec Platinum/MM, DL Gold/MM, Hilton Diamond, Accor Platinum, Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 7,012
It feels like it is over capacity in almost every respect. Lounges are always crowded, the concourses are always crowded and very tough to move quickly through, you will usually encounter at least one non-moving travelator, there can be some very long taxis, and you often have to wait for a gate to free up. The C lounge is perpetually in some state of dysfunction (currently it's the temporary bar and grab and go food only). If you come in or go out of an E gate you're guaranteed a long walk. And there are no premium facilities for international travelers (Flagship Lounge, showers, etc).
Feb 22, 2024, 10:27 pm
#21
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 58,119
My criticisms with CLT are chiefly around its capacity and it being a bit run down. It was never designed to handle the sheer volume of people that it does, and that takes its toll.
That said, the way people go on about it, youd think it was the worst of the worst.
Ill take Charlotte as a home airport over a huge chunk of other airports. Big enough that it has direct flights to almost everywhere domestically, and decent connectivity internationally. But, crucially without a lot of the issues of bigger airports. Hourly parking for $26 per day. TSA is usually easy. Easy to walk between everywhere in the terminal. Landing internationally with global entry means with hand luggage, I can be off the plane and in the car within 15 mins of the door opening.
That said, the way people go on about it, youd think it was the worst of the worst.
Ill take Charlotte as a home airport over a huge chunk of other airports. Big enough that it has direct flights to almost everywhere domestically, and decent connectivity internationally. But, crucially without a lot of the issues of bigger airports. Hourly parking for $26 per day. TSA is usually easy. Easy to walk between everywhere in the terminal. Landing internationally with global entry means with hand luggage, I can be off the plane and in the car within 15 mins of the door opening.
I avoid CLT as aggressively as I avoid EWR and MIA when travelling internationally.
Feb 22, 2024, 11:01 pm
#23
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Washington, D.C.
Programs: AA, but I play the field
Posts: 1,444
Feb 22, 2024, 11:07 pm
#24
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: SFO, CLT
Programs: AA Bonsai EXP (2.9 MM), AS MVPG
Posts: 1,399
The AA lounges (using that term very generously in CLTs case) are abysmal.
Terminals are way too crowded.
Food choices are substandard.
On the good side, the Rental Car Center at CLT is super convenient - usually 20 minutes from landing to sailing down the freeway. By comparison, the bus ride itself at LAX is longer than the entire process at CLT, and dont even get me started on the MIA mover.
Terminals are way too crowded.
Food choices are substandard.
On the good side, the Rental Car Center at CLT is super convenient - usually 20 minutes from landing to sailing down the freeway. By comparison, the bus ride itself at LAX is longer than the entire process at CLT, and dont even get me started on the MIA mover.
Feb 22, 2024, 11:08 pm
#25
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Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 58,119
Feb 22, 2024, 11:57 pm
#26
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Earth
Posts: 914
Its an aviation planners nightmare. 3 north/south runways and a rarely used crosswind that blocks direct taxiway access to the hodge podge E concourse. Landing on 18R after a 30 min flight from a close by SE destination, one is often treated to a 20-25 min stop and go taxi to E. The usual route takes you around the outskirts of the D ramp where aircraft pushing back stall your progress. After deplaning you then start to deal with the less than stellar facilities and slow walkers as you run from E to your now tight connection in A.
Feb 23, 2024, 2:02 am
#28
Join Date: Oct 2021
Location: PHL/LAX
Programs: American Airlines Executive Platinum, AmEx Membership Rewards
Posts: 908
1. Far too overcrowded, both in the terminal and in the lounge. Echoing what others have said, transiting through any part of that airport other than the grand hallway is like trying to get past an offensive line.
2. I dont have to go through CLT that much, but Id say just once in my last ten flights through there was an early landing converted to an early arrival. At no other airport do I sit on the tarmac so often waiting for our gate to open. My girlfriend connects through CLT much more than I do and her experience is the same.
DFW is by far my preferred connection airport.
2. I dont have to go through CLT that much, but Id say just once in my last ten flights through there was an early landing converted to an early arrival. At no other airport do I sit on the tarmac so often waiting for our gate to open. My girlfriend connects through CLT much more than I do and her experience is the same.
DFW is by far my preferred connection airport.
Feb 23, 2024, 2:05 am
#29
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: East Coast
Programs: AA CONCIERGE KEY & 1MM, HILTON DIAMOND
Posts: 11,970
Feb 23, 2024, 2:14 am
#30
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: BSL
Programs: AA (EXP); among others :)
Posts: 2,539
My AA flights are (almost) always international connections. mostly Europe-West Coast.
- no premium lounges (unlike JFK, DFW, MIA)
- no premium transcon product (A321T, the occasional widebody 773 MIA-LAX).
- no premium lounges (unlike JFK, DFW, MIA)
- no premium transcon product (A321T, the occasional widebody 773 MIA-LAX).