Unfortunately, the last time I was in STL, the first impression I got was stale deep fried food smell from the Wendy's (or was it Burger King) down at the beginning of that terminal.

On the other end of the spectrum, I flew into SMF (Sacramento CA) a few months ago for the first time in years. Everything was spacious and modern, sort of like SNA was 20 yrs ago, or DIA was about the same time.

SJU? It will become a tropical island with sandy beaches?

Of course, if you prefer a jumpin' joint, like LGA where you often cannot find two empty chairs next to each other at the AC, then STL isn't for you.

STL was built to be a hub airport. With few connections, it is much larger than needed to support the origin/destination traffic it has. The chances of anybody putting a hub in STL anytime in the near future are remote. Those who like huge crowds and long lines will be disappointed. Those who prefer ease of access will be OK with it.

In addition to the things others have mentioned, STL has light rail from the airport to downtown, something that many airports lack.

I lived in STL for 12 years before moving to Europe and then RDU. I spent most weeks coming in and out of Lambert. It was always pretty easy -- even after 9/11 made travel more challenging for frequent flyers. While the terminal was never at the top of the quality lists, it was easy and per an earlier post quick from a car-to-gate perspective.

It now is truly a shell of what it was in those days. I don't need the hustle and bustle, but I do appreciate having enough traffic to drive airport management to keep on their toes. Most of the Lambert "upgrades" became mandatory with the tornado a few years back. The TWA concourses were never particularly enjoyable and were heavily damaged as I recall.

The WN terminal is much nicer as it is relatively new still. Once upon a time there were plans to make major changes to the main terminal. This was in conjunction with the new runway they added and now don't need. Now the traffic numbers just aren't there anymore.

If you want a more lively experience, fly UA/DL/AS/AC. Prior to US Airways moving out of A, every single gate was being used. Now without them, it's cleared 3 gates, but even so, there aren't very many amenities at those gates. Lines can be long at the checkpoint and crowds regularly block the narrow terminal hallways. STL sure has heck doesn't seem "quiet" when you're at the A gates.

Even though AA isn't what it used to be at STL, consider yourself lucky that you don't have to deal with the throngs of people at the A gates on a typical afternoon.

I took that light rail once downtown to STL... didn't feel especially safe and I wouldn't do it again...

Try us...SAT (San Antonio International Airport)... 7th largest city in America ...no AC club

It's not that bad - I take it every day.

And yeah, the A gates suck bad enough to make me avoid flying any airline that inhabits A. Having to wait 45 minutes in line for security in the middle of a week day is ridiculous.

What didn't feel safe?

As this conversation seems specific to a particular airport and not to AA or AAdvantage, we'll ask everyone to continue the discussion in the appropriate Destination forum. Thanks! /JY1024, AA forum co-moderator

The last time I flew in and out of STL was a connection to ATL back when it was an AA hub (when Pittsburgh beat Arizona to win the Superbowl I believe..)

Anyway, it was a major dump back then so I can imagine what it's like now..

Sad indeed.

^ Nice to hear.

Maybe it's the fact that there seems to be a crime problem on the MRT @:-)

http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/c...a4bcf6878.html

http://www.kmov.com/home/Police-resp...180447851.html

http://budgettravel.about.com/od/des...ap_stlouis.htm

Don't let St. Louis' crime reputation frighten you away. Many can cite statistics showing St. Louis to be a dangerous city. Much of the crime occurs in areas you are unlikely to visit, but you can be a victim anywhere. So do use caution, but don't let all the frightening statistics spoil your trip.

I feel that way about CLE (CO/UA). I liked it before because it was relatively small and connections were not at a great distance.
I feel that way about CVG (DL). A great, efficient terminal facility sitting mostly idle.
Even MEM (DL/NW) is sad. Even if it is the pork BBQ capital of the world.

Unless I'm missing something (entirely possible), you've posted two reports of crime on or near the MRT, and one article discussing stats showing St. Louis to be a dangerous city (but not -- again, unless I missed it -- stating that the MRT is dangerous or has a crime problem). That doesn't support a statement that the MRT has a crime problem, and it doesn't answer the question of why someone might feel unsafe while riding the MRT, unless they witnessed something dangerous or happened to be reading those articles while riding the train.

One person's feeling of 'safety' doesn't necessarily equal another persons. I simply sited two serious crime incidents from the MRT in the last three months. I know you were trying to insinuate something else - via the comments that have been removed.

St. Louis is a great city but has significant crime problems. The MRT has had its fair share of incidents.