Most Difficult DL Non-Hub Stations to Navigate
Dec 12, 2023, 9:29 am
#31
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: ORD/MDW
Programs: BA/AA/AS/B6/WN/ UA/HH/MR and more like 'em but most felicitously & importantly MUCCI
Posts: 19,719
The robo-train still fails in adverse / very cold weather, requiring diesel shuttle buses to come online as replacements, which makes getting to the other terminals or CTA rail terminus a nightmare and a half. It broke last Christmas when we had polar vortex temps and gridlocked terminal access roads, so that was nice.
Dec 12, 2023, 11:21 am
#32
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: STL
Programs: DL DM; HH gold
Posts: 554
While I travel a lot, the number of airports I frequent is relatively limited, but for me CDG is far and away #1. After you do it a few times, it's no longer difficult, but it still is a massive PITA.
The worst scenario I regularly face there is when arriving on HOP (usually with some delay) at terminal G, wait for the bus, trundle like a sardine in a can for 10-15 minutes, get off at some non-descript door under terminal 2F (half the bus looking confused bc they're expecting 2E), walk, escalator, MASSIVE line waiting for another escalator, that leads to massive and slow lines for passport check, escalator back down, wait in line for another bus, trundle back in the sardine can 10 minutes into the direction you originally came from, another non-descript door, escalator and FINALLY... finding out your 2 hour connection was just not quite long enough (and forget about going to the lounge). This year I'm 1/6 in making the G>2E connection with 90-150 min connections, and that is with knowing how to navigate that torture device they call an airport. AMS isn't perfect but I'll take it over CDG any day of the week.
The worst scenario I regularly face there is when arriving on HOP (usually with some delay) at terminal G, wait for the bus, trundle like a sardine in a can for 10-15 minutes, get off at some non-descript door under terminal 2F (half the bus looking confused bc they're expecting 2E), walk, escalator, MASSIVE line waiting for another escalator, that leads to massive and slow lines for passport check, escalator back down, wait in line for another bus, trundle back in the sardine can 10 minutes into the direction you originally came from, another non-descript door, escalator and FINALLY... finding out your 2 hour connection was just not quite long enough (and forget about going to the lounge). This year I'm 1/6 in making the G>2E connection with 90-150 min connections, and that is with knowing how to navigate that torture device they call an airport. AMS isn't perfect but I'll take it over CDG any day of the week.
Dec 12, 2023, 11:30 am
#33
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Paris
Programs: AA LT Plat (4m+), AF Plat, A3 Gold, Hyatt Lifetime Globalist, Marriott Plat, IHG Plat/Ambassador
Posts: 2,648
While I travel a lot, the number of airports I frequent is relatively limited, but for me CDG is far and away #1. After you do it a few times, it's no longer difficult, but it still is a massive PITA.
The worst scenario I regularly face there is when arriving on HOP (usually with some delay) at terminal G, wait for the bus, trundle like a sardine in a can for 10-15 minutes, get off at some non-descript door under terminal 2F (half the bus looking confused bc they're expecting 2E), walk, escalator, MASSIVE line waiting for another escalator, that leads to massive and slow lines for passport check, escalator back down, wait in line for another bus, trundle back in the sardine can 10 minutes into the direction you originally came from, another non-descript door, escalator and FINALLY... finding out your 2 hour connection was just not quite long enough (and forget about going to the lounge). This year I'm 1/6 in making the G>2E connection with 90-150 min connections, and that is with knowing how to navigate that torture device they call an airport. AMS isn't perfect but I'll take it over CDG any day of the week.
The worst scenario I regularly face there is when arriving on HOP (usually with some delay) at terminal G, wait for the bus, trundle like a sardine in a can for 10-15 minutes, get off at some non-descript door under terminal 2F (half the bus looking confused bc they're expecting 2E), walk, escalator, MASSIVE line waiting for another escalator, that leads to massive and slow lines for passport check, escalator back down, wait in line for another bus, trundle back in the sardine can 10 minutes into the direction you originally came from, another non-descript door, escalator and FINALLY... finding out your 2 hour connection was just not quite long enough (and forget about going to the lounge). This year I'm 1/6 in making the G>2E connection with 90-150 min connections, and that is with knowing how to navigate that torture device they call an airport. AMS isn't perfect but I'll take it over CDG any day of the week.
Connecting to 2G is the absolute worst of the worst.
Aéroports de Paris is laughing stock. The lines are horrendous even with an EU passport.
I’m used to it though I shudder at the idea of having to leave from 2G… even without a connection!
Dec 12, 2023, 12:46 pm
#34
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Back in Reds Country (DAY/CVG). Previously: SEA & SAT.
Programs: DL PM 1MM, AA PLAT, UA Silver, Marriott Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 10,358
I found landside at DCA very confusing and difficult to navigate, especially trying to find the Rental Cars my first time arriving there. Airside is no issue and much improved after the revamp to connect all terminals airside. It took a few visits to DCA before I felt like I knew where I was going and where stuff was.
Dec 12, 2023, 4:53 pm
#35
Join Date: May 2008
Location: NYC
Programs: DL PM; UA 1K; AA 1MM
Posts: 4,518
While I travel a lot, the number of airports I frequent is relatively limited, but for me CDG is far and away #1. After you do it a few times, it's no longer difficult, but it still is a massive PITA.
The worst scenario I regularly face there is when arriving on HOP (usually with some delay) at terminal G, wait for the bus, trundle like a sardine in a can for 10-15 minutes, get off at some non-descript door under terminal 2F (half the bus looking confused bc they're expecting 2E), walk, escalator, MASSIVE line waiting for another escalator, that leads to massive and slow lines for passport check, escalator back down, wait in line for another bus, trundle back in the sardine can 10 minutes into the direction you originally came from, another non-descript door, escalator and FINALLY... finding out your 2 hour connection was just not quite long enough (and forget about going to the lounge). This year I'm 1/6 in making the G>2E connection with 90-150 min connections, and that is with knowing how to navigate that torture device they call an airport. AMS isn't perfect but I'll take it over CDG any day of the week.
The worst scenario I regularly face there is when arriving on HOP (usually with some delay) at terminal G, wait for the bus, trundle like a sardine in a can for 10-15 minutes, get off at some non-descript door under terminal 2F (half the bus looking confused bc they're expecting 2E), walk, escalator, MASSIVE line waiting for another escalator, that leads to massive and slow lines for passport check, escalator back down, wait in line for another bus, trundle back in the sardine can 10 minutes into the direction you originally came from, another non-descript door, escalator and FINALLY... finding out your 2 hour connection was just not quite long enough (and forget about going to the lounge). This year I'm 1/6 in making the G>2E connection with 90-150 min connections, and that is with knowing how to navigate that torture device they call an airport. AMS isn't perfect but I'll take it over CDG any day of the week.
Dec 12, 2023, 7:10 pm
#36
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: SEA
Programs: DL Gold Medallion, Avis President's Club
Posts: 192
Dec 16, 2023, 9:44 am
#37
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: New York, western US
Programs: DM/3MM
Posts: 4,246
Dec 16, 2023, 10:12 am
#38
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Paris
Programs: AA LT Plat (4m+), AF Plat, A3 Gold, Hyatt Lifetime Globalist, Marriott Plat, IHG Plat/Ambassador
Posts: 2,648
Add to the fact that most US flights are placed at the last gate at the very end of the fingers... just to be extra annoying...