I had forgotten the architectural gem MEM is.
Feb 20, 2018, 2:41 am
#16
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Orlando, FL Area
Programs: Delta SkySponge ExtraAbsorbent, SPG Gold
Posts: 29,988
The only thing I can think of is that maybe the rent is cheaper the further away your gates are from the terminal and security. It always seems silly walking past all of those empty gates to get to Delta's gates at the end of B.
Feb 20, 2018, 5:24 am
#17
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Mid Atlantic
Programs: Delta Plat, one-time United Plat, Amex Plat, Marriott Plat, Hertz Prez Circle, Bus Pass
Posts: 1,237
National Airport is close -- the "main hall" is quite spectacular, but with the current security setup (due to change in a few years), people quickly pass through the main hall to go to/from the gates, and spend most of their time in the less architecturally dramatic gate areas or baggage claim area. Maybe the new security setup will allow people to enjoy the main hall at leisure.
Feb 20, 2018, 6:12 am
#18
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Washington, DC, Chapel Hill, NC (RDU)
Programs: DL Plat (won't hit DM again) 2MM (2.5), HH Gold, PC Gold, Hyatt Plat
Posts: 5,626
But the original Terminal A that you walk through to get from A to B now must have been wonderful, for the 1930s.
The CO, now UA lounge is what was the first class restaurant on top of the north end of the terminal. Again, haven't been in there since CO left SkyTeam, but it was a beautiful room with great views. Much nicer that the old NW lounge in old Term A.
DCA original Term A interior
DCA original Term A landside
Feb 20, 2018, 7:15 am
#19
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: MEM
Programs: Starbucks Green Card
Posts: 5,431
FWIW, the gates and the end of B make it a lot faster to taxi in and out since the south end of C makes a bit of a choke point.
Feb 20, 2018, 8:06 am
#20
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: DTW/FNT
Programs: Delta (nee NW), Hilton Diamond. IHG (PT)
Posts: 4,823
I haven't been there in a few years, but MEM has the shortest escalator I've ever seen something like 6 or 7 steps. By comparison,the Dupont Circle station on Metro in DC has one of the largest.
Bob H
Bob H
Feb 20, 2018, 8:09 am
#21
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2001
Programs: DL 1 million, AA 1 mil, HH lapsed Diamond, Marriott Plat
Posts: 28,190
As a former Memphis resident - and frequent user of MEM in the day - when I saw the OP's thread title I thought she was being sarcastic. Sure, the drop off and ticketing area have some height and visual drama, but the concourses (B, anyway) are narrow, dark, dreary, low-ceiling brown brick - and it's the concourses where passengers spend the most time. IMHO it's telling that the rework plan calls for wider concourses, higher ceilings and more natural light in B, and tearing down most of Concourses A and C.
They're spending a fair amount of money ($200+ million) for an airport that doesn't see many passengers, about 2.1 million domestic passenger arrivals in 2017, #62 among U.S. airports. It will be a better experience for the passengers who use it but facilities aren't free.
They're spending a fair amount of money ($200+ million) for an airport that doesn't see many passengers, about 2.1 million domestic passenger arrivals in 2017, #62 among U.S. airports. It will be a better experience for the passengers who use it but facilities aren't free.
Feb 20, 2018, 8:12 am
#22
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Washington, DC, Chapel Hill, NC (RDU)
Programs: DL Plat (won't hit DM again) 2MM (2.5), HH Gold, PC Gold, Hyatt Plat
Posts: 5,626
Dupont Circle is long -- 188 ft for the North end, but Wheaton is the longest in the DC Metro at 230 ft.
Feb 20, 2018, 8:26 am
#23
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: LIT
Programs: Blinged Out
Posts: 716
Love MEM as well. The walk between the economy parking deck and main terminal is the best- Great water features abound- very chill and relaxed vibe under the awnings. The SC is also a hidden gem in the system.
Feb 20, 2018, 12:12 pm
#24
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Trenton NJ
Programs: UA Gold MM, Honors Diamond, Marriott Gold, Hertz President’s Circle
Posts: 3,668
As a former Memphis resident - and frequent user of MEM in the day - when I saw the OP's thread title I thought she was being sarcastic. Sure, the drop off and ticketing area have some height and visual drama, but the concourses (B, anyway) are narrow, dark, dreary, low-ceiling brown brick - and it's the concourses where passengers spend the most time. IMHO it's telling that the rework plan calls for wider concourses, higher ceilings and more natural light in B, and tearing down most of Concourses A and C.
They're spending a fair amount of money ($200+ million) for an airport that doesn't see many passengers, about 2.1 million domestic passenger arrivals in 2017, #62 among U.S. airports. It will be a better experience for the passengers who use it but facilities aren't free.
They're spending a fair amount of money ($200+ million) for an airport that doesn't see many passengers, about 2.1 million domestic passenger arrivals in 2017, #62 among U.S. airports. It will be a better experience for the passengers who use it but facilities aren't free.
Feb 20, 2018, 12:25 pm
#25
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: MCO
Programs: DL PM, UA Silver, Marriott Titanium, Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 4,319
The 1960s Terminal A at DCA is/was a dump. I've not been there since the merger.
But the original Terminal A that you walk through to get from A to B now must have been wonderful, for the 1930s.
The CO, now UA lounge is what was the first class restaurant on top of the north end of the terminal. Again, haven't been in there since CO left SkyTeam, but it was a beautiful room with great views. Much nicer that the old NW lounge in old Term A.
DCA original Term A interior
DCA original Term A landside
But the original Terminal A that you walk through to get from A to B now must have been wonderful, for the 1930s.
The CO, now UA lounge is what was the first class restaurant on top of the north end of the terminal. Again, haven't been in there since CO left SkyTeam, but it was a beautiful room with great views. Much nicer that the old NW lounge in old Term A.
DCA original Term A interior
DCA original Term A landside
Feb 20, 2018, 1:20 pm
#27
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: UA Plat 2MM. DL Plat, AS MVP
Posts: 12,752
I'm now saying it makes sense today. But nostalgia took hold of my heart. Here are additional photos I took of the gates, right down to the plastic signage for my flight - signage you just don't see in these days of computer screens.
Feb 20, 2018, 8:08 pm
#29
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Orlando, FL Area
Programs: Delta SkySponge ExtraAbsorbent, SPG Gold
Posts: 29,988
Yeah and that short escalator was in the newest part of the airport built in the early 2000's off of Concourse A for NWA Jet Airlink. It was torn down about a year ago.
Feb 20, 2018, 10:04 pm
#30
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: West of CLE
Programs: Delta DM/3 MM; Hertz PC; National EE; Amtrak GR; Bonvoy Silver; Via Rail Préférence
Posts: 5,384
I've lived in the DC area so long I actually remember them opening the Dupont Circle station. Between 1984 and 1992 I worked in the 1920 N building, about 3 blocks from the escalator you mentioned (at the corner of 20th and Q streets).