Tumbleweeds at EWR
Jan 27, 2019, 4:19 pm
#16
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 129
Passed through Terminal C on Friday afternoon. I can say without exaggeration that there were more TSA officers present in the security checkpoint than passengers. I’ve never had a long wait to clear security at EWR but this took less than 2 minutes from entering the line to collecting my things from the xray machine belt.
Jan 28, 2019, 1:34 pm
#20
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Chicago
Programs: AA EP, UA Gold-MM, UA 1K (former), GS (former),SPG LT Platinum, Hyatt Diamond, HH Diamond
Posts: 2,299
Normally I agree, but this morning (Jan 28), ORD was operating on 1 runway (28R) for takeoffs and landings (10 mile separation between landings) so the delay of planes was almost 13,000 feet long (yes 2.5 miles almost) as the conga line of planes stretched from the departure end of the runway to the other end!
Jan 28, 2019, 1:35 pm
#21
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 3,359
What about LGA?
That may be true, but IME ORD tends to follow the Murphy's law of airport ops, whatever can go wrong will go wrong! Weather wise ORD tends to get the nastiest weather with NYC coming in close second.
That may be true, but IME ORD tends to follow the Murphy's law of airport ops, whatever can go wrong will go wrong! Weather wise ORD tends to get the nastiest weather with NYC coming in close second.
Jan 28, 2019, 4:12 pm
#22
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: United Global Services, Amtrak Select Executive
Posts: 4,107
I have been though EWR several times over the past week or so. It had seemed less busy, but I was always over in terminal A...
Also noticed that my planes were sitting at EWR for a longer then usual, instead of doing quick turns, at least anecdotally.
Maybe just Jan. schedule thinning?
Also noticed that my planes were sitting at EWR for a longer then usual, instead of doing quick turns, at least anecdotally.
Maybe just Jan. schedule thinning?
Jan 28, 2019, 8:02 pm
#23
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 19,518
Tumbleweeds are very brittle. When I hit them on the highway they shatter into thousands of pieces. I don't think an airplane hitting one would suffer much damage. Not sure how much mayhem would ensue If it were ingested into an engine, though.
Jan 29, 2019, 9:53 am
#24
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: SFO/SJC
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 14,898
No question ORD is the winner in almost every category.
The only time I would say EWR is if doing an I-D connection while the ATS is not running at ORD. Also not sure how EWR does de-icing these days - I tend to avoid unless doing NYC O/D - but that’s the only other situation where EWR might be an improvement - ORD doing de-icing at the gate vs. at a pad is a PITA and way behind the times - completely inefficient (in fact, wonder how that will hold up today and tomorrow.
Everything else is better in ORD by far - food options, ambiance, staff, etc. At least being stuck in ORD gives you a ton of decent and not over the top expensive food options - I could probably eat at Fronteras for days straight if it came down to it, plus a number of other great options. With it being basically OTG exclusive at EWR food is not just pricey and mediocre at best, but also makes customization difficult (for those who can’t just order off the menu - those with dietary restrictions, or kids, for example). not to mention a puff of wind tends to bring in delays at EWR.
I avoid EWR for connections unless there really is no other reasonable option.
The only time I would say EWR is if doing an I-D connection while the ATS is not running at ORD. Also not sure how EWR does de-icing these days - I tend to avoid unless doing NYC O/D - but that’s the only other situation where EWR might be an improvement - ORD doing de-icing at the gate vs. at a pad is a PITA and way behind the times - completely inefficient (in fact, wonder how that will hold up today and tomorrow.
Everything else is better in ORD by far - food options, ambiance, staff, etc. At least being stuck in ORD gives you a ton of decent and not over the top expensive food options - I could probably eat at Fronteras for days straight if it came down to it, plus a number of other great options. With it being basically OTG exclusive at EWR food is not just pricey and mediocre at best, but also makes customization difficult (for those who can’t just order off the menu - those with dietary restrictions, or kids, for example). not to mention a puff of wind tends to bring in delays at EWR.
I avoid EWR for connections unless there really is no other reasonable option.