MEM is goota be the worst NW hub
Mar 7, 2009, 3:10 pm
#16
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Motown
Programs: DL, WN, AA, IHG Diamond, Hertz 5*
Posts: 3,408
I guess one that won't fly thru MEM.
Mar 7, 2009, 11:38 pm
#17
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: eastern Europe & NC
Posts: 4,527
And I agree that duty free in the US is a joke.
Mar 8, 2009, 5:01 am
#19
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: St. Louis MO
Programs: Marriott PP, UA 1K, DL Plat, AA Life Gold, WN A-List
Posts: 382
I actually prefer MEM for some of the reasons already given as well as some unique to me:
1) Decent WC (although I concur that showers would be nice)
2) Excellent BBQ (Neely's Interstate and Corky's)
3) Most of the time, it is centrally located between where I am and where I need to be.
4) If IRROPS break out, enough flights to DTW, MSP, and ATL to generally get me where I need to go in a timely fashion, even if it means a second connection.
5) It ain't the ATL, so as a PM I'm likely getting the u/g.
6) If WX or IRROPS stick me there, I've got a number of friends and family in the area who will pick me up, but I'll call only after I've had some pork sandwiches.
1) Decent WC (although I concur that showers would be nice)
2) Excellent BBQ (Neely's Interstate and Corky's)
3) Most of the time, it is centrally located between where I am and where I need to be.
4) If IRROPS break out, enough flights to DTW, MSP, and ATL to generally get me where I need to go in a timely fashion, even if it means a second connection.
5) It ain't the ATL, so as a PM I'm likely getting the u/g.
6) If WX or IRROPS stick me there, I've got a number of friends and family in the area who will pick me up, but I'll call only after I've had some pork sandwiches.
But, as for actually flying in and out, MEM is also a great hub - for an airport of its size - because of its runway structure. Having FedEx's worldwide hub right next door has its benefits...especially during IRROPS.
Mar 8, 2009, 5:56 am
#20
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Roanoke, VA
Programs: DL Gold Hilton Gold
Posts: 2,436
We have a section of the board devoted to helping folks construct a "mileage run." Never thought about doing a "duty-free run." Gosh...I've been missing out on the REAL joy of travel all this time!
Guess it depends on whether you are a "Kramer" or a "Costanza"...
Kramer: I'll have a chance to go to the Duty Free shop.
George: The Duty Free Shop? Duty Free is the biggest sucker deal in retail.
Do you know how much duty is?
Kramer: No, I dunno how much duty is.
George: Duty is *nothing*. It's like sales tax...
Kramer: I still like to stop at the duty free shop.
George: I like to stop at the duty free shop.
They start to "sing", growing more excited after each iteration: I like to stop at the duty free shop! I like to stop at the duty free shop!
Guess it depends on whether you are a "Kramer" or a "Costanza"...
Kramer: I'll have a chance to go to the Duty Free shop.
George: The Duty Free Shop? Duty Free is the biggest sucker deal in retail.
Do you know how much duty is?
Kramer: No, I dunno how much duty is.
George: Duty is *nothing*. It's like sales tax...
Kramer: I still like to stop at the duty free shop.
George: I like to stop at the duty free shop.
They start to "sing", growing more excited after each iteration: I like to stop at the duty free shop! I like to stop at the duty free shop!
Mar 8, 2009, 12:14 pm
#21
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Chicago
Programs: AA ExecPlat, UA Silver, Marriott Titanium, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 1,446
Its not as much for price vs USA as convinence and price vs Mexico. We were conncecting to Cancun where a lot of normal liquor are considered import and ridiculously expensive. Yes we can buy before we leave but going to the airprt with 2 bottles is a pain in the .... I just don't see any reason for an international airport not to have duty free shops.
I guess our flight getting delayed twice did add to my frustration.
I did go to inernational bbq and it was delicious, except for having only 3 side choices with the ribbs. I was looking forward to some hush puppies.
I guess our flight getting delayed twice did add to my frustration.
I did go to inernational bbq and it was delicious, except for having only 3 side choices with the ribbs. I was looking forward to some hush puppies.
Mar 8, 2009, 6:46 pm
#22
Join Date: Jan 2006
Programs: Skyteam
Posts: 5,759
1 reason I would fly out of MEM:
Footlong dog for $2.50
Footlong dog for $2.50
Mar 8, 2009, 9:07 pm
#23
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Atlanta, GA, USA
Programs: Frontier Gold, DL estranged 1MMer, Spirit VIP, CO/NW/UA/AA once gold/plat/comped gold now dust.
Posts: 38,151
I liked the Germantown Commissary (off-airport) for BBQ as well. Deviled eggs as one of the sides.
Mar 9, 2009, 8:50 am
#24
Join Date: Dec 2005
Programs: DL, AA, US, SWA
Posts: 1,129
hw711, I "gotta" know -- what precious duty free item were you looking for, that you were not able to procure.
Also, the thread title wins my personal award for funniest of the month.
"MEM is goota be the worst NW hub"
I would say that using the word "gotta" is suspect to begin with...
But, "is goota" --- now, that's really funny.
Also, the thread title wins my personal award for funniest of the month.
"MEM is goota be the worst NW hub"
I would say that using the word "gotta" is suspect to begin with...
But, "is goota" --- now, that's really funny.
Mar 9, 2009, 9:13 am
#25
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: HSV
Programs: DL SkyMiles PM/1.2MM, UA Premier gold/1MM, Choice diamond, Marriott gold
Posts: 1,374
Mar 9, 2009, 9:21 am
#26
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Central Texas
Programs: Many, slipping beneath the horizon
Posts: 9,859
Given the current loads of both DL and NW, plus future prospects, projecting MEM's future as an international gateway does not seem positive, and the inevitable trimming and filling involved in the economics of the merger may well threaten its status as a domestic hub. Already, for travelers from the Southwest, non-NWers, fares to MEM are pretty stiff in many cases. I've a destination in 3 weeks between MEM and Jackson, MS requiring a rental car. Both AA and CO will fly me to Jackson for considerably less than MEM (and I made a better deal on a rental there).
The next 12 months are likely to bring substantial, perhaps shocking changes to US (and maybe world) air travel.
The next 12 months are likely to bring substantial, perhaps shocking changes to US (and maybe world) air travel.
Mar 9, 2009, 10:20 am
#27
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: MSP; SM with status & many BIS miles
Programs: AA, WN & many Hotels... avoids UA like the plague!
Posts: 1,019
I can see if duty free shopping on departure is important, than that could be an issue, however I never use duty free shopping prior to departure from the US (returning to US is a different story), so for me, a non issue.
Now as others have mentioned, MEM is the best NW hub when it comes to BBQ and yes, when the oppourtunity presents to connect via MEM vs. say ATL, its a no brainer, BBQ wins. - H