Whatever the past, DCA is hellhole no more. It is a fabulous airport.

Just when I got good at ignoring IAD and just getting through it, they put in Aerotrain. I HATE the hike to and from C.

That sure reminds me of when we used to go in the delivery entrance to the lower level and wind around coming out near the entrance to the Shuttle desk.

We had those lovely 10 trip tickets and ET cards and never did any agent who saw us coming from the "wrong" direction not immediately smilingly issue us the BPs for the next flight while the unwashed masses watched from the stairway wondering who we were.

Back to the topic. ...Only a few times have I needed to use the gates out at the "temporary" terminal and in those cases, I thought that I was "In a Dungeon."

^ Agreed. Well, except for the original terminal...

Fortunately DCA is closer for me than IAD. I'll cope with IAD for my int'l and transcons, but that's it.

Dulles is closer for me, but I'd rather fly out of DCA. The time savings for non-stop transcons is negligible or non-existent when you factor in the people movers, shuttle bus delays, security wait times, etc.

We're one on that, ITRADE.

Will

I just can't be as down on Dulles as most of you. Yes, it has its annoyances, but many other airports do as well. Even the highly regarded National has a number of design flaws. Certainly I have not yet been to an airport that really is effectively designed for post-911 security. I do agree that Terminal C is pretty lame, but much of Laguardia and JFK are as well.

Don't give me the line - it isn't about comparisons - of course, it is. It is only because the IAD design isn't the best out there, that causes you to complain. If every other airport in the world was like Brazzaville's Maya Maya International (randomly selected horrible airport) , you would think Dulles the height of modernity.

What I like about Dulles - the glorious view of the Saarinen building as you drive up to it on a winter afternoon; the BA and LH lounges; the numerous non-stop international flights on a variety of airlines, certainly far more than one would normally expect for a city Washington's size;

What's OK about Dulles - Terminal B; Immigration and Customs - I know others have their complaints, but I have never had a difficult experience coming into Dulles, unlike both San Francisco and Chicago; the new train system;

What's I don't like about Dulles - Terminal C & D; they still haven't got the TSA setup to run efficiently, even after the restructuring (or maybe this is just a staffing deficiency); mobile lounges (sometimes)

While the mobile lounge system isn't great, I have managed to get from touchdown on an international flight to curb in 22 minutes - something that you would be hardpressed to do in a lot of other airports. Unfortunately, the mobile lounge system is more likely to be a bottleneck rather than the time-saver that it could be if they deployed enough of them.

Based on what people are saying about the airport, it sounds like it is worst if you are flying United (not necessarily because of the airline but because of its terminal), or if you are transiting. I find flying LH, BA, AF, and ANA to be a not-too-painful experience.

It's funny, I just had a great experience but I probably had a somewhat unique perspective as I was there on a connecting flight. Flew into the A terminals on a UAX flight with enough time to walk about half-way down the International terminal. As it was mid afternoon, the place was pretty much deserted.

On my return, my connecting flight had a two hour delay so I got a longer walk through the International terminal. Got to do some plane spotting and peeked into the lounges through the glass doors.

Was my first time in IAD (since I was a teenager heading to HNL). I thought it was pretty nice. Of course, I didn't have to go through security or encounter the mobile lounges.

I Avoid Desperately

I prefer to take more expensive connecting flights out of National than travel to the hellhole that is Dulles. After factoring in the trip from downtown DC ($10-$80 depending on the method available at the time of day traveling) and the hours of additional time, it is just not worth it unless there is a substantial fare difference or I need to travel direct internationally for work

I Always Deplore

1. My employer wouldn't allow me to take more expensive flights to avoid Dulles, but are happy to pay the taxi fare.

2. All my flights are international, and it is always unwise to build a connection into an TA/TP flight, especially on this side of the ponds - irreg ops are much more likely on a connecting flight, and much harder to resolve because of the limited number of trans-pond flights.

I would much rather put up with Dulles than deal with the hell of a missed connection, especially since I am not permitted to fly United.

I'm A Dolt...for transitting here

i notice that a very large number of the complaints about iad and preference for dca are based simply on the proximity of dca and iad to the complainer's location.

don't blame the airport for being out in the boondocks.

in my experiences, LHR, LGA,cdg, mxp, istanbul, fco, vce, are all out in nowhere. some have decent rail transport in. mxp did not until recently, and taxi fare was €100.

who takes the people mover anymore?? not me

I
Avoid
DCA

I
hAte
DCA

Truly now, IAD is getting much better. And I'd rather go out of IAD than ORD or JFK.

But I'm so spoiled by DCA's design, convenience, etc., etc., that I often forget that IAD is not so bad after all.

IAD I am dumb

IAD might be better for drivers who pick up passengers. IAD is worth at least one unhurried trip just to see the building. Ditto for JFK. See JFK before the Pan Am Worldport is demolished.