nsx

Yes. The $2.50 fee for a non-stop flight becomes $5.60. That's a 3% increase on a $50 ticket. I'm sure the other airlines like the effect this has on Southwest's core revenue.

Hayden

If you lived in Berlin, you could have spending of billions for a completely new airport (BER) *and* get to keep using the old airport (TXL)!

Berlin's Brandenburg Airport--the quietest airport in Europe!

Exiled in Express

The CRAC is exactly why I don't trust the local authorities to do this right. I am generally in favor of public infrastructure but a new MCI terminal would most likely be poorly designed and overbudget.

InkUnderNails

The CRAC is actually an improvement over the old system of multiple shuttles to almost offsite locations. However, that is more a comment on the pitiful nature of the old system that the glorious nature of the new.

Mentioned up thread is the new SMF terminal. The old terminal was fine. The new one is larger with longer walks to everywhere and there is a huge creepy rabbit hanging sculpture in the entrance/exit atrium. I hate that rabbit. Every time I see it I wonder just how much of my facility fee paid for that ugly rabbit. The old terminal infinite stack of luggage was better, funny and more airport appropriate.

The MCI terminal is almost perfectly designed for 1980's local passengers. If you are flying to MCI from somewhere else, if you must contend with 2014 security, or if it is used as a quasi-hub as it is today, the design does not work that well. It works good enough to function. I go to the airport to get on a plane. That part works.

mile ho

I really dislike flying into and out of MCI. Pitiful airport. But otoh, I don't believe in spending mega monies on new facilities.

A whole new facility might be the right move. But it doesn't need to cost a major fortune. How about creating something utilitarian for once.

hazelrah

Municipalities love to spend money. It creates jobs, gets campaign donations, taxpayers and fee payers, not so much.

The question is is, is it a need or a want? My understanding and recollection (I'm only through there rarely) is that MCI facilities are pretty dated and more suited to the pre 9/11 environment.

On the other hand, MCI's largest airline tenant is saying no, so that ought to carry considerable weight.

Amicus

The CRAC is exactly like the one at LAS, which seems efficient.

MCI is exactly as you describe: it works well enough. It gets us where we need to go, really quite efficiently. IMHO, if passengers don't like the slow security checkpoints, blame the contracted security services who are not TSA. As someone noted in a post above, they tend to over scrutinize everyone, and are very very slow workers.

Not mentioned so far: one of the main reasons Mayor SLY wants to spend a billion dollars to build anew: the concessionaires' complaints that they want to make more money off airport shoppers, diners.

Hmmm, as INK states, we go to the airport to get on a plane. I never go there for the culinary treats and shopping opportunities.

HansGruber

I have to take shuttles to cars at tons or airports so that doesn't bother me much at all, that's pretty normal, especially at a lot of larger airports. I do agree about TPA, it is laid out rather well.

tomhuber2003

Dumbest design I have ever seen. Few if an amenities inside of security, thin walkways inside and out -- typical thinking back then of "we'll build it for the planes -- the hell with the passengers!" (ref: ORD, DFW:ABCE)

InkUnderNails

BNA built a new CRAC. They built it across the street from the terminal. No shuttle, but people mover carts with drivers for those that need them. What a concept!

Then there is PVD. It is a "short" walk from the terminal. It feels like about four blocks. The old National lot was across the street but required a shuttle and was about 3 blocks closer. My car was on level four or five and by the time I hit the street there was over a 1/2 mile on the car.

sorka

I don't agree. I heard that big airlines such as Delta will offer more flights from Oakland. Also, I live in SF and the air bart is a pain in the a**. I always book from SFO (cab ride is $35 more for me to go to OAK) but would reconsider once this bart connector is live (end of 2014?)