MCI - The Definitive Thoughts....
 

OK, I get a kick out of the many DEFINITIVE THREADS that exist. In fact, I have always wanted to create a DEFINITIVE THREAD DEFINITIVE THREAD but have not for fear that mods will toss me :D


So about MCI....It has been a while since I have been in this terminal (1998 last time) and have never connected through. Ended up with a cheap fare option and with budget cuts, am trying to save where I can and take one for the team.

So - Sunday, June 23....MSP-MCI-ATL-FLL

I can see the appeal for local MCI travelers to have the TSA right at the pod of DL gates and basically walk from the curb. On the other hand, if you want to find food, you are really stuck. MCI-ATL was delayed and so I went up to the KC Crown room lounge thing at gate 58 and they had already closed their kitchen. The little snacky area had nothing but garbage.

Besides that, MCI baggage decided to put my bag on the claim vs. moving it the 20 feet to gate 57 for my connection so I am without luggage today.

MCI based travelers, I am sure it works good for you - but for anyone needing to connect though, I would suggest skipping MCI.

I fly into MCI a good bit and it is what it is.

Pros:
-Nice to be able to get out of gate area quick on arrival
-Not many medallions/great upgrade chances
-Pretty good aircraft
-Courteous staff everytime (personal experience)
-Boulevard beer stand prior to security

Cons:
-TSA lines here are slow, unorganized, and Skypriority for them is a joke
-Not enough terminal waiting room. Lots of standers and no room to move with the gate lice who seem to be mostly kettles. Also noticed this as one of the few airports where people needing pre-boarding have a hard time due to the congestion
-Food options past security are horrible
-Baggage takes forever to acquire from baggage claim. Skypriority tags on bags often ignored
-KC snowstorms can shut this place down quick

I used to be based out of MCI, but was primarily a UA flyer at the time. No experience with DL at MCI. That said, MCI as an airport is a joke. Yes, you can get out of the gate quickly, but that's about it. I find security lines there to be worse than anywhere else, because there are so many TSA lines they're all insufficiently staffed. I've had the longest TSA wait ever waiting for an F9 flight at MCI.

Restrooms and food are scarce, if your flight is delayed. So it means back out through the security, unless you see the line stretches all the way around the terminal. In that case, suck it up and deal.

KC's trying to build a new, single terminal. I sincerely hope they get it approved (despite considerable, crazy, local resistance) because I expect I'll fly into there before too long. I have lots of family in the area.

It is my home aiport but giving a balanced reply, I agree with the above. OTOH IND was my home airport for a while -and it is a TOTAL DREAM --IMHO. As a PM my UG out of MCI is indeed good.

I travel MCI about twice per year as PM and all the above is spot on.

Weekday UG's are easy but TSA and gate seating (or lack of) is joke.

Can't Disagree At All
 

I'm a KC native, and when the airport was built, it was ahead of its time, and fantastic for local traffic. Today it's way behind the times, and just fair for local traffic. As noted, transferring in KC is uncomfortable. Post security restrooms and food options are improving, but still bad and very limited. There is indeed strong local sentiment to keep it as is, and the $1 billion estimated price tag on a replacement may cause that sentiment to prevail. Perhaps there is a compromise position to be found, combining the best of what is, with the reality of today's travel and security requirements. I recently flew through the new Love Field terminal in Dallas, and thought it was fantastic! We need some bright minds to get to work being creative and resourceful, instead of being entrenched in a position and just saying no (hmmm........kind of sounds like Congress today).

Better still are the OFFICIAL THREADS... started by very non-official FT members.

Mostly Agree
 

As a MCI-based DM, I agree with most of the comments. MCI was designed and built before airline security started (actually, I think security started almost the same time the terminals were finished; but were designed and mostly built prior to the early 1970s events that led to security). It'd be a dream if there was no security, but now it's a mess (and nearly intolerable) for any connecting passenger. As a local, the ability to park in the underground garage and take an escaltor right to your gate is awesome.

TSA is generally pretty good at the entrance to the Delta gates and usually enforce the SkyPriority, but I have seen them let this slide from time to time.

It's actually much worse now than it was a few years back prior to all of the airline mergers. Now Terminal B has DL and SW (both had significant presence pre-merger and both moved their acquisitions to Terminal B instead of spreading it out a little. So the two largest carriers at MCI are crammed into one terminal while A & C are barely half-used.

Now MCI is just going to close Terminal A and force everyone except DL & SW to C.

The good news is there is a new terminal being proposed, but the Mayor and the Airport Administrator need to do some PR work to get the locals on board with a new terminal--they claim it will still provide for convenient parking and access. Parking is key at MCI. A local columnist at the KC Star had an article in the past few months (and I don't have the actual numbers handy), but the numbers were something along the lines of annual revenue for MCI: $20 million landing fees/gate rental, etc. from airlines; $15 million in concessions and non-airline income; and $60 million in parking fees--leading the columnist to quip that the MCI Administrator isn't running an airport, he's running a parking lot that happens to be adjascent to some runways!

At any rate, I feel sorry for anyone who has to connect at MCI (especially after DL closed the SkyClub), but hopefully we'll get a new terminal in the next few years.

I'll repost my recent comments on MCI (and the current proposal to demolish and rebuild terminal A) from another site:

Could, theoretically, all of the current KCI daily flights operate out of one of the three terminals currently in use?

If so, perhaps the redevelopment of KCI could utilize the existing structure of one terminal.

The big problem now as discussed above, is flight departures. Flight arrivals are a piece of cake -- you are on the curb a few moments after leaving the plane. Departures are crammed into areas that are probably less than 10% of the terminal space. But if the entire terminal were secure, there would be plenty of room.

DFW was originally architected quite similarly to KCI, but the plans were later altered slightly to enlarge the secure area. At DFW the horseshoe terminal buildings, with the exception of a few entrance points, is wholly the secure area. The exit doors are one way revolving doors. If KCI could consume a few yards of the inner circle drives for structures for the nonsecure functions (ticketing, baggage claim, and TSA), they might be able to turn one (and eventually two) of the existing terminals into a mini DFW.

I don't know about everyone else, but personally I like KC and think it is primed for growth just by having Google Fiber. Lots to do, lots to eat, and relaxed atmosphere. I think a new airport or significant changes to MCI could really boost that city and surrounding area....

I have wondered the difference between definitive and official. I guess that makes this the OFFICIAL DEFINITIVE THREAD on MCI! But with a title like that, it may need to be locked down for minimally double diamonds, possibly triples.

I was raised and lived 35 years there. 300 days per year you will deal with some sort of icky weather event. If lucky it will only be 35F and grey but it can be well over 100F with high humidity, storms, etc. Or, maybe -20F and 10" of snow? Ice, Hail, etc.

BBQ, incredible musical range of styles and midwest hospitality abound. But the weather, the weather. Not sure how Google Fiber can make up for the weather???

http://www.kmbc.com/news/kansas-city...x/-/index.html

Local news report April 2013

Techsters don't care about whether... we are inside programming all day :P

KC is actually becoming a startup hub because of GF. Could make a push for more investment dollars. Bunch of articles talking about people flocking there for the internet alone; crazy I know but makes a difference.

Agreed, weather is bi-polar in KC but that is half the fun hah

And if you have a few hours layover there is always Smokin Suns BBQ -AWESOME FOOD

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HoR3TLZFWWY

Okie Joe's. 'Nuff said.

Agreed but it is easier to get to and easier to get served at Smokin Guns

There are a number of comments here about TSA at Kansas City (MCI). Because of my horrible need to be pedantic, I have to add that there is no 'TSA' at MCI. That airport is one of the handful of places that uses independent private subcontractors for security. In this case, it's a company called 'FirstLine'. They wear similar blue shirts and follow TSA training guidelines, but they don't work for the gubmint.

Hey, I appreciate the corrected info and the kind, polite manner in which you provided it. Thanks!

Good find- it is my home airport - I should have remembered and picked that up. ^

So no one is an Arthur Bryant's fan?

Thanks for the info OP. I fly MSP-SLC a lot in the winter and have thought about doing and MCI connection as it can be a little cheaper or offering it as a suggested route to the GA in case of a VDB. Guess I'll have to think twice about that option.

Slightly off topic, but any idea onwhy are there so few restaurants in the area around the airport? If you stay at any of the airport hotels, there's nowhere to go out to eat...

Maybe not late hours but Zona Rosa is close to airport hotels and offers many places to dine.

Arthur Bryant's a classic - nothing compares to stopping by on the way to a Royals game back in the day! Gotta hand it to the well known Gates family too for all the amazing work they've done for the community! And best Smoked Brisket IMO.

My favorite is/was the American Royal BQ contest. Worked with many a musical group performing there and to wander around and sample, yum, yum!

That new concert hall downtown is pretty dang sweet too! Nice sounding stage....

I couldn't see that happening without quite a bit of modifications. As it stands, DL & WN take up quite a bit of terminal B, and that would leave too little space for AA/AC/F9/UA.

I thoroughly enjoy being able to park 50' from the terminal, though that is not possible with Term. B.. All of the DL & WN traffic take up the majority of the parking garage, and finding spots is often a big challenge.

Another issue with connecting through MCI is DL's website forcing my whole itin onto paper boarding passes when I would prefer to use my phone.

I know the people manning the checkpoint are contractors, not TSA employees, but they follow the same SOP. They also follow the same :rolleyes:, such as the Trained Document Checker deciding he wanted to play some behavior detection voodoo with me recently.

DL doesn't support mobile BPs @ MCI? Strange, as AA & UA are able to accept them.

Google Fiber is just in KC, KS I believe.

It is OK - the other two mentioned are much better IMHO

Poor planning- not good inside the airport either. That is why it needs rebuilding even though I love the airport.

[QUOTE=Ti22;20988628]Maybe not late hours but Zona Rosa mall is close to airport hotels and offers many places to dine. QUOTE]

Yes it is 5 exits away south on 1-29 - a really good selection. The Hereford House is a really nice steak restaurant and not too pricey.

I've used it in MO at some coffee shops... maybe not home based yet? https://fiber.google.com/cities/kcmo/#header=check

This was a good discussion prior to my trip there friday... at which I get in around midnight so it shall be even worse

At KCI, they request the last passenger off flights that get in around midnight to please turn off the lights as they leave security.

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.

I guess it would have to depend what your take on "area" is. As noted you can travel a distance of 3 miles from 112th St. down I-29 to Barry Rd. where the Zona Rosa outdoor mall is adjacent to at least 3 others on all sides of hwy with a number of food options. For somewhat late night food Minsky's Pizza (essentially an Sports Bar w pizza) is right off the highway. There is a 24 hr Waffle House at Tiffany Springs Pkwy only a mile or so south of 112th St. It's adjacent to the Hyatt Place and I think there is or at least was another full service rest there too....Ruby Tuesday maybe?

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.

....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.

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.

[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.

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.