Connection in MCI
Jun 22, 2011 | 12:01 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: NRV, VA
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Connection in MCI
It has been years since I had a connection at MCI (back in the YX days) but I remember that it was not good for amenities, such as restrooms, on the secure side and that food was not plentiful. I now have an upcoming connection through MCI on F9 and am wondering if things have changed, such as if there is a place to get a meal and use the restroom without leaving the secure area while making a F9 connection. Thanks in advance for your input and advice.
Jun 22, 2011 | 12:23 pm
#3
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: MKE
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I believe they built new bathrooms recently, but you are correct that there is little in terms of dining on the secured side. Also, be careful not to walk directly out of the secured side unless you intend to; one of the doors is immediately across from a gate and a lot of people just walked right on out and had to rescreen.
Jun 22, 2011 | 3:40 pm
#4
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Colorado
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What was a brilliant design in 1972 is now utterly bad due to all of the air travel security requirements.
Last edited by Stumblefoot; Jun 22, 2011 at 5:43 pm Reason: More current information provided by others.
Jun 22, 2011 | 4:42 pm
#6
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: MKE
Posts: 2,161
Restrooms, pre packaged food and drinks are the only amenities offered inside security.
Thinking back to the mid 2000's none of that existed. Then the bathrooms were added. Following that concessions came.
Midwest didn't allow the airport to sell food, only drinks. As they wanted passengers to buy the onboard food.
Frontier allows everything to be sold. Overall, an easy connection provided things are running on time.
Thinking back to the mid 2000's none of that existed. Then the bathrooms were added. Following that concessions came.
Midwest didn't allow the airport to sell food, only drinks. As they wanted passengers to buy the onboard food.
Frontier allows everything to be sold. Overall, an easy connection provided things are running on time.
Jun 22, 2011 | 5:07 pm
#7
Join Date: May 2003
Programs: AA (1MM), Marriott (LT Gold)
Posts: 1,769
As much as I hate going through security, I wouldn't let this be the determining factor where I was going to eat at MCI if I had a reasonable amount of time between connections. Clearing security at MCI is not the same as clearing security at ORD or LGA.
Jun 22, 2011 | 5:16 pm
#8
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: MKE
Posts: 2,161
If you've got a really long connection at MCI feel free to venture out.
I don't know about the food options in Terminal C, but when YX was in Terminal A, there was a great BBQ outside the secure area. It was worth the walk.
I don't know about the food options in Terminal C, but when YX was in Terminal A, there was a great BBQ outside the secure area. It was worth the walk.
Jun 22, 2011 | 8:16 pm
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: NRV, VA
Programs: DL, WN, US, FL
Posts: 65
Thank you all for your assistance. I guess I was hoping things would have changed. I guess I was wondering if those of you with more experience would think that with an approximately 1:45 layover if that would be enough time to get to a good restaurant and maybe get an adult beverage (I haven't had good Midwestern, not to mention KC BBQ since moving to Virginia) outside of the secure area. Thank you once again for your input.
Jun 23, 2011 | 10:58 am
#10
Join Date: May 2003
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If you want to stay at the airport, in the recent past, there was a bar/restaurant outside of security that served a limited menu from Arthur Bryant's. I cannot recall what terminal this bar/restaurant was in or what it's name is/was, so if it still operates, it may require you to ride a bus between terminals. Maybe this is the place that RSVP references in his/her comments. I'm sure someone will give you a definitive answer on this.
I don't think I would chance leaving the airport if you only have 1:45 between connections. If you do decide to do this, there is a shopping area with restaurants that is south on I-29 called Zona Rosa. It has a Smokehouse Barbeque, but I'm not familiar with their offerings.
I don't think I would chance leaving the airport if you only have 1:45 between connections. If you do decide to do this, there is a shopping area with restaurants that is south on I-29 called Zona Rosa. It has a Smokehouse Barbeque, but I'm not familiar with their offerings.
Jun 23, 2011 | 11:41 am
#11
Join Date: Apr 2000
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There is an Arthur Bryant's operation next to the AA gates (terminal C). But if you have time, it's only a half hour to downtown, and the original Arthur Bryant's is worth a detour at 16th & Brooklyn (about 1 mile east of downtown on I-70). They will wrap a half or full slab for airplane travel. Great for dinner parties in NYC!
You've got to ship the sauce separately or in checked baggage.
You've got to ship the sauce separately or in checked baggage.
Jun 23, 2011 | 11:51 am
#12
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To where? The airport is in the middle of nowhere, public transport is scant at best, and it takes forever to go get (and return) a rental car.
I'd hunker down at a landside restaurant (hey, they're all landside) and wait things out.
Jun 23, 2011 | 12:43 pm
#13
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: MKE
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Jun 23, 2011 | 1:04 pm
#14
Join Date: Apr 2000
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They had airport security in 1972, too. MCI's layout didn't make much sense then or now, especially as it was conceived as a potential transfer hub (the MC standing for Mid Continent). The designers prioritized minimal steps from dropoff curb to aircraft, but cost themselves a fortune in requiring multiple security checkpoints. Dumb then, dumb now.
Airport screening of all passengers started in late 1972 to early 1973. Citation
President Nixon ordered all airports into compliance in December 1972. The proximate cause was hijackings. Before then security personnel (FAA) were performing traditional police work in airports, what we today might call profiling. There were no security checkpoints.
MCI was the last major airport built under the old paradigm.