MCI - The Definitive Thoughts....
#31
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: The World
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Posts: 205
I've used it in MO at some coffee shops... maybe not home based yet? https://fiber.google.com/cities/kcmo/#header=check
#33
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: MSP
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Posts: 2,303
#34
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Join Date: Oct 2006
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If I could get the app or website to give me a mobile BP I'm sure it would scan at the gate, it's the checkpoint that doesn't have a scanner. So instead of the app or site saying you'll need to print out a paper BP for MCI (or any similar airport without checkpoint scanners) but other airports are okay for mobile, it forces you to paper on all segments.
#35
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Earth
Posts: 912
It's not Grand Central Station, not a lot to walk to but for the most part everything you'd ever want to eat is available within a 5 min drive of most of the "airport" hotels.
#36
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Oklahoma City, OK,USA
Programs: DL Plat,AA Plat,UA 1Peon,SW(WN) Passing Grade
Posts: 902
....for Southwest flights, MCI works well....all SW gates are inside one security zone, so crowds are spread out through lots of seating (although bathrooms are way too small)....and there is now a full bar/restaurant "upstairs" above the gate seating area....so MCI is also a good spot for Southwest lengthy connections!
----from Aug 2012-----
If it helps make a decision about a Kansas City (MCI) connection on Southwest......there's now a sit-down table-service restaurant inside security for the Southwest gate area. It's upstairs, with elevator access across from gate 41.
It's called the "Pork and Pickle" --- menu has the usual burgers ($11), big cobb salads ($7-15), sandwiches, brats and an emphasis on BBQ ribs, chicken and brisket . Unexpected are mussels from PEI ($16), and a list of a dozen distinctive beers.
Serves breakfast all day......Run by HMS/Host, although I dreamed of a branch of Arthur Byrant's BBQ.
----from Aug 2012-----
If it helps make a decision about a Kansas City (MCI) connection on Southwest......there's now a sit-down table-service restaurant inside security for the Southwest gate area. It's upstairs, with elevator access across from gate 41.
It's called the "Pork and Pickle" --- menu has the usual burgers ($11), big cobb salads ($7-15), sandwiches, brats and an emphasis on BBQ ribs, chicken and brisket . Unexpected are mussels from PEI ($16), and a list of a dozen distinctive beers.
Serves breakfast all day......Run by HMS/Host, although I dreamed of a branch of Arthur Byrant's BBQ.
#37
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: New York, NY USA
Programs: DL DM/ 2MM, BA Silver, Amtrak Select Executive, SPG Life Plat/Amb, Fairmont Preferred
Posts: 1,056
My two cents as a KC native and still a frequent traveler there:
1) Agree with most of the pros and cons of the airport given here, although my experience has been:
--better with regard to DL gate security wait times (mine have almost always been short and DL Skypriority line normally enforce
--Worse with regard to a weird fixation on really, really inspecting the driver's license. (I mean three times through the purple light, and then squinting at it, every time?)
2) Won't veer too far OT on the new airport debate, but in summary I'm against it. I can't see the value in spending $1B when the only hard dollar benefit is reduced security staffing. The payback on 50 or 100 fewer agents per year isn't going to cover that expense. Boosters IMHO have relied on "comparable" cities of similar population like Charlotte (which is a hub) to justify high estimates for incremental concession costs, while downplaingy stories of other airport redesigns that have failed to generate new revenues (STL). Bottom line: much as I wish it were otherwise, a new terminal won't bring a hub operation to KC.
3) Barbecue barbecue barbecue.
1) Agree with most of the pros and cons of the airport given here, although my experience has been:
--better with regard to DL gate security wait times (mine have almost always been short and DL Skypriority line normally enforce
--Worse with regard to a weird fixation on really, really inspecting the driver's license. (I mean three times through the purple light, and then squinting at it, every time?)
2) Won't veer too far OT on the new airport debate, but in summary I'm against it. I can't see the value in spending $1B when the only hard dollar benefit is reduced security staffing. The payback on 50 or 100 fewer agents per year isn't going to cover that expense. Boosters IMHO have relied on "comparable" cities of similar population like Charlotte (which is a hub) to justify high estimates for incremental concession costs, while downplaingy stories of other airport redesigns that have failed to generate new revenues (STL). Bottom line: much as I wish it were otherwise, a new terminal won't bring a hub operation to KC.
3) Barbecue barbecue barbecue.
#38
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Join Date: May 2008
Location: CHA, MAN;
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--Worse with regard to a weird fixation on really, really inspecting the driver's license. (I mean three times through the purple light, and then squinting at it, every time?)
OMG- you are correct. Now that you mention it I do remember they always do this - crazy. Wonder why?
3) Barbecue barbecue barbecue. No need to say anymore
#39
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: MCI
Programs: DL PM; AA EXP
Posts: 215
[QUOTE=PersonalFlotationDevice;20990610]My two cents as a KC native and still a frequent traveler there:
2) Won't veer too far OT on the new airport debate, but in summary I'm against it. I can't see the value in spending $1B when the only hard dollar benefit is reduced security staffing. The payback on 50 or 100 fewer agents per year isn't going to cover that expense. Boosters IMHO have relied on "comparable" cities of similar population like Charlotte (which is a hub) to justify high estimates for incremental concession costs, while downplaingy stories of other airport redesigns that have failed to generate new revenues (STL). Bottom line: much as I wish it were otherwise, a new terminal won't bring a hub operation to KC.
As to Point 2 (and I'm not sure I buy it 100%), but City and Airport claim TSA/Homeland Security has issued a number of warnings that MCI can't support the number of TSA (FirstLine or whatever they're called, but paid by TSA) officers and they're going to get cut off at some point. They also claim the $$ for new terminal is to be fully paid by existing airport revenue and Fed. funds (albeit backed by Muni Bonds). They aren't quite this explicit, but the argument is basically "We can build it and other people will pay for it vs. if we keep what we have, security lines may increase dramatically if TSA/Homeland Security cut the number of officers. Locally, I haven't heard comparisons to STL or CLT, more IND, which I think is a better comparison. CLT and STL have hubs (albeit very small AA "hub" at STL these days) vs. IND & MCI generally have multiple daily flights to all carriers' hubs.
2) Won't veer too far OT on the new airport debate, but in summary I'm against it. I can't see the value in spending $1B when the only hard dollar benefit is reduced security staffing. The payback on 50 or 100 fewer agents per year isn't going to cover that expense. Boosters IMHO have relied on "comparable" cities of similar population like Charlotte (which is a hub) to justify high estimates for incremental concession costs, while downplaingy stories of other airport redesigns that have failed to generate new revenues (STL). Bottom line: much as I wish it were otherwise, a new terminal won't bring a hub operation to KC.
As to Point 2 (and I'm not sure I buy it 100%), but City and Airport claim TSA/Homeland Security has issued a number of warnings that MCI can't support the number of TSA (FirstLine or whatever they're called, but paid by TSA) officers and they're going to get cut off at some point. They also claim the $$ for new terminal is to be fully paid by existing airport revenue and Fed. funds (albeit backed by Muni Bonds). They aren't quite this explicit, but the argument is basically "We can build it and other people will pay for it vs. if we keep what we have, security lines may increase dramatically if TSA/Homeland Security cut the number of officers. Locally, I haven't heard comparisons to STL or CLT, more IND, which I think is a better comparison. CLT and STL have hubs (albeit very small AA "hub" at STL these days) vs. IND & MCI generally have multiple daily flights to all carriers' hubs.
#40
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A compromise interim solution may be to close one terminal down so at least security is more concentrated. C terminal would make the most sense and move existing to A.
#41
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AA, though not as large as UA, could probably use three or four gates. Still would leave plenty of space at Terminal A if another airline were to start service to MCI in the future (B6 or VX)
#42
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Join Date: May 2008
Location: CHA, MAN;
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When I first moved there were Vanguard, WN, Midwest, UA, AA, US, Frontier, Northwest, DL, CO, Skybus - remember them they lasted a few months at best. I am sure there were others. So with consolidation etc, some form of terminal consolidation seems sensible IMHO.
#43
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: New York, NY USA
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I took SkyBus once or twice MCI-CMH (I think--that was 6 years go). What a weird airline--anyone know why they even tried to operate?
#44
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Their business model was all wrong. Silly cheap fares with no chance of being profitable. I had a flight booked but manged to get my money back when it was cancelled.