SEA using bus/shuttle gates from B20 and B21
Jun 25, 2019, 9:48 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: DL DM/1MM, Natl Exec Elite, Bonvoy Plat, Hyatt Glob, Hilton Diam
Posts: 382
SEA using bus/shuttle gates from B20 and B21
I just received this notice on a July 12th VS operated / DL ticketed booking. I assume it's just displayed for all SEA departures- maybe followed up with an email (will report back) closer to departure. However, it looks like DL has succumbed to the growing pains at SEA and has one of my least favorite airport attractions, at least this summer- the dreaded bus gate.
SEA NOTICE: GATES B20 And B21Customers departing out of gates B20 and B21 from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) will be required to take a shuttle from the holding area to the aircraft. Please note that boarding will end 15 minutes prior to departure.
Jun 25, 2019, 9:59 pm
#2
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: MCO
Programs: DL PM, UA Silver, Marriott Titanium, Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 4,314
I just received this notice on a July 12th VS operated / DL ticketed booking. I assume it's just displayed for all SEA departures- maybe followed up with an email (will report back) closer to departure. However, it looks like DL has succumbed to the growing pains at SEA and has one of my least favorite airport attractions, at least this summer- the dreaded bus gate.
https://www.portseattle.org/projects/concourse-d-annex
Jun 25, 2019, 10:53 pm
#3
Join Date: May 2009
Location: SEA
Programs: AS MVPG, DL FO, Marriott Gold, Hertz 5 Whatevers
Posts: 1,099
Does DL use the CUTE bus gates in A (A20/21)? DL's ops increase substantially at SEA during the peak travel season, and I'd imagine the gates that they have aren't enough.
Jun 26, 2019, 3:29 pm
#5
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 1,885
I just received this notice on a July 12th VS operated / DL ticketed booking. I assume it's just displayed for all SEA departures- maybe followed up with an email (will report back) closer to departure. However, it looks like DL has succumbed to the growing pains at SEA and has one of my least favorite airport attractions, at least this summer- the dreaded bus gate.
Jun 29, 2019, 4:10 pm
#7
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: PHX, SEA
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Posts: 4,422
I would seriously doubt that, if timed, you would really save those cumulative hours.
Jul 1, 2019, 11:22 am
#8
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 1,885
Bus gates are dreaded because overall disembarkation is slower via stairs, and priority order (a perk of being seated further forward) is eliminated. And then there is the delay of waiting for a full bus and the transit time to the terminal. Passengers with reduced mobility are also impacted. It's Seattle too so a good portion of the year it's raining. And from an airport management standpoint risk of FOD is increased too.
I would seriously doubt that, if timed, you would really save those cumulative hours.
I would seriously doubt that, if timed, you would really save those cumulative hours.
Aug 29, 2019, 11:07 pm
#10
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: SJC
Programs: DL PM MM, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 3,276
It seems that only CP gets the bus gates at SEA. So, they aren't going to send a wide body to a bus gate.
However, the bus gates suck big time. It takes a long time from the time you leave the gate until you get to the bus terminal and they put the bus gates at the very end of the B concourse, so you can either ride the horrible train or have a long walk to baggage claim. But what else do you expect form the PoS?
However, the bus gates suck big time. It takes a long time from the time you leave the gate until you get to the bus terminal and they put the bus gates at the very end of the B concourse, so you can either ride the horrible train or have a long walk to baggage claim. But what else do you expect form the PoS?
Aug 29, 2019, 11:52 pm
#11
Join Date: May 2016
Location: ATL
Programs: DL GM, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 1,240
I've gotten the warning for my recent SEA flights, but haven't actually had to use a bus gate yet. However I had a Delta (regional) flight out of A13 today - not a bus gate, but all the way at the very end of the A concourse, which I thought were for United flights, or other CUTE uses. I'd never actually been down that far in A before! (Also in strange gate uses, I had a late night Southwest flight several days ago arrive into an S gate rather than a B gate. Lots of passengers who I think were not used to taking the train!)
Aug 30, 2019, 10:10 am
#12
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Seattle
Programs: DL DM, Marriott Gold
Posts: 609
I'm SEA based, and although I haven't used a bus gate yet, I've observed that it seems to be for regional Delta Connection flights. Those are a little better because the planes are smaller. All the long-haul flights are still being handled out of S or A.
Overall, bus gates are a pain, but I've had the opportunity to fly EK in F a couple of times and one time I had to use a bus gate at DXB. Your bus to the plane is a full on rock-star tour bus kind of affair with an interior that matches the (admittedly gaudy) interior of the F suites. The bus has a capacity of 8 passengers if I recall, but I was on it with one other person for my fairly substantial ride out to a 777.
Overall, bus gates are a pain, but I've had the opportunity to fly EK in F a couple of times and one time I had to use a bus gate at DXB. Your bus to the plane is a full on rock-star tour bus kind of affair with an interior that matches the (admittedly gaudy) interior of the F suites. The bus has a capacity of 8 passengers if I recall, but I was on it with one other person for my fairly substantial ride out to a 777.
Aug 30, 2019, 10:29 am
#13
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Seattle
Programs: DL DM; Hyatt Globalist; etc
Posts: 540
I'm SEA based, and although I haven't used a bus gate yet, I've observed that it seems to be for regional Delta Connection flights. Those are a little better because the planes are smaller. All the long-haul flights are still being handled out of S or A.
Overall, bus gates are a pain, but I've had the opportunity to fly EK in F a couple of times and one time I had to use a bus gate at DXB. Your bus to the plane is a full on rock-star tour bus kind of affair with an interior that matches the (admittedly gaudy) interior of the F suites. The bus has a capacity of 8 passengers if I recall, but I was on it with one other person for my fairly substantial ride out to a 777.
Overall, bus gates are a pain, but I've had the opportunity to fly EK in F a couple of times and one time I had to use a bus gate at DXB. Your bus to the plane is a full on rock-star tour bus kind of affair with an interior that matches the (admittedly gaudy) interior of the F suites. The bus has a capacity of 8 passengers if I recall, but I was on it with one other person for my fairly substantial ride out to a 777.
I had KLM put me on an EK flight in J to get to AMS from DXB and even the bus gate situation for J pax was very nice. They let everyone in Y jostle in crowded busses, and then called up J/F passengers last. Our bus had more seats than pax, and it was generally a very civilized experience.
I really don't mind bus gates - I would rather get off of the plane and take a bus than sit waiting for a gate 99 times out of 100 - barring heavy rain or something of the sort.
Sep 4, 2019, 1:32 am
#14
Join Date: Feb 2007
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Yeah, the AVgeek in my really want to the bus gate, so I can take some close up of the A350, but nope... boarded a recently flight through the jet bridge,