Diamond Lane generally works OK--although that does not solve the Aerotrain problem.

Unfortunately for me, my itineraries rarely synch up with Diamond Lane's hours of operation.

Last week I went over to the Other Side--booked through DCA, even though that meant a connection at ORD instead of a direct flight.

It was worth it. Which just goes to show how much I dislike the IAD experiences.

For example, on the return last week, from wheel's down at DCA to arrival at my front door, using Metro, was 45 minutes. It is not unusual at all for me to spend 45 minutes from wheels down at IAD to getting my car out of the #2 garage--and then another 45 minutes to drive to my home in DC.

This you just discovered???? :rolleyes: And you live in DC???? :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

I knew about it, I was just being stubborn. If United is making IAD its hub, I figured, surely they'd demand upgraded operations from the airport authority, especially as the "new" security and Aerotrain came on line. Now, with both those "improvements" actually proving to be a step back from an already intolerably bad airport experience, I finally gave up and started booking through DCA again. :mad:

I cannot believe I have to book a one-stop (much longer time to get where I want to go, lugging carry-on through another airport) instead of a direct flight on UA because IAD is such an incompetent operation. Worst airport in the U.S.A.!

Well, DCA isn't an option for international flights except a couple to Canada. I am not a big fan of BWI-- dearth of restaurants, no shops that even sell TSA locks, etc.-- but it sounds less chaotic than IAD (an airport I never did like much, at least until I got to the concourses). The wild card, of course, is fares. For some routes, flying into DCA can be more expensive. IAD is certainly the worse in terms of transportation options.

The way that it is currently configured, neither is IAD. :rolleyes:

I've done DCA-ORD-FRA and DCA-ORD-CDG. As I live in D.C. itself, there is a transportation advantage to using DCA. But another important reason is that the DCA experience is markedly superior to IAD. Also, I like the longer flight from Chicago than D.C. for transatlantic so I can get enough sleep. And this being Flyertalk, of course you get more miles...

I have not quite gone that far yet....I will book through DCA for cross-country flights to avoid IAD, but to Rome or France, I still choose the IAD nonstop over DCA. The experience with IAD gets worse and worse. :mad:

AlanInDC, perhaps you'll be my inspiration to switch to the DCA-ORD-FCO routing. You are right, the miles are nice.

But mostly, curse you IAD!

I'm still using IAD over DCA. DCA is less than convenient as its a long drive from the Virginia suburbs, limited international routes, and if you want to take metro you have to have someone drop you off since there is no overnight parking at metro. When metro finally makes it out to Dulles it might make sense since one could park at Dulles and metro down to DCA.

security lines
 

not sure if all security routes through the same place now, but always found that if the diamond line downstairs is closed, the main lines you get to from the delta ticket area and then down the escalator are much faster than those that used to be on the United side since there are many less Delta passengers crossing through iad.

Don't you mean the exburbs? :p

DCA is quite convenient for those of us living in the suburbs of Alexandria and Arlington. :D

And for those of us working as far out as Falls Church-Merrifield. :)