Palmdale Airport: Is it going to be a success?
Aug 18, 2007, 3:55 pm
#16
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Palmdale, CA
Programs: UA 2P, HH Diamond, Marriott Silver
Posts: 157
Just a tip for you guys, even thought the car rental places close at 6pm, if you guys are returning the car to Palmdale airport you can simply leave the car in the parking lot, notify your rental company and they will allow you to leave the keys with UA. TRUST ME THIS AIRPORT IS AMAZING and A GAZILLION TIMES BETTER THEN LAX OR BUR! 
Aug 19, 2007, 11:42 pm
#17
Join Date: May 2006
Location: PMD
Programs: UA*G, NW, AA-G. WR-P, HH-G, IHG-S, ALL. TT-GE.
Posts: 2,911
I agree the promoters (LAWA, Palmdale, UA) have been too focused on the PMD outbound market. They close the 20th St gate at night so parking can be both safe and free. Car rental companies are those who serve the car dealerships and service centers that could also send a shuttle to get you. The inbound marketing strategy, if any, focuses on business travel which would arrive on the morning flight. UA heard the complaints, and they're changing the schedule. LAWA/Palmdale heard the complaints, and they're going to strengthen the car rental availability. At least that's what the local (A.V.) media are reporting.
Regardless, there's always a taxi or two waiting. So if you're checking into a local hotel on business, you won't need a car until the next day.
Currently the terminal is open for about 10-12 hours a day (flights 10-11 am, 6-7 pm), but with the new September schedule, it will be two full shifts for the cops (flights 6 am to 9 pm) but TSA can go home at lunchtime since there are no more departures.
Regardless, there's always a taxi or two waiting. So if you're checking into a local hotel on business, you won't need a car until the next day.
Currently the terminal is open for about 10-12 hours a day (flights 10-11 am, 6-7 pm), but with the new September schedule, it will be two full shifts for the cops (flights 6 am to 9 pm) but TSA can go home at lunchtime since there are no more departures.
Aug 20, 2007, 12:46 am
#18
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Palmdale, CA
Programs: UA 2P, HH Diamond, Marriott Silver
Posts: 157
I am sure that HkCaGu will back me on this statement: Palmdale Airport is probabbly the most smooth and relaxing airport you will experience anywhere in the USA!!! ^
Aug 20, 2007, 12:57 am
#19
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PHL
Programs: AA EXP MM, HHonors Lifetime Diamond, Marriott Lifetime Ti, UA Silver
Posts: 5,037
I agree the promoters (LAWA, Palmdale, UA) have been too focused on the PMD outbound market. They close the 20th St gate at night so parking can be both safe and free. Car rental companies are those who serve the car dealerships and service centers that could also send a shuttle to get you. The inbound marketing strategy, if any, focuses on business travel which would arrive on the morning flight. UA heard the complaints, and they're changing the schedule. LAWA/Palmdale heard the complaints, and they're going to strengthen the car rental availability. At least that's what the local (A.V.) media are reporting.
Regardless, there's always a taxi or two waiting. So if you're checking into a local hotel on business, you won't need a car until the next day.
Currently the terminal is open for about 10-12 hours a day (flights 10-11 am, 6-7 pm), but with the new September schedule, it will be two full shifts for the cops (flights 6 am to 9 pm) but TSA can go home at lunchtime since there are no more departures.
Regardless, there's always a taxi or two waiting. So if you're checking into a local hotel on business, you won't need a car until the next day.
Currently the terminal is open for about 10-12 hours a day (flights 10-11 am, 6-7 pm), but with the new September schedule, it will be two full shifts for the cops (flights 6 am to 9 pm) but TSA can go home at lunchtime since there are no more departures.
When you say that the 20th St gate is closed will it still be possible for taxis to get to the terminal?
With my outbound flight at 6:00 a.m. I guess I'll be dropping the keys with UA as ballsandboards suggests.
Aug 20, 2007, 1:18 am
#20
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Palmdale, CA
Programs: UA 2P, HH Diamond, Marriott Silver
Posts: 157
They dont close the gates until after everyone has left, probabbly sometime near 10pm. There is normally 2 cabs waiting for the flight as it comes in, if not they can be there in 5 mins. Where are you staying??
Aug 20, 2007, 1:41 am
#21
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PHL
Programs: AA EXP MM, HHonors Lifetime Diamond, Marriott Lifetime Ti, UA Silver
Posts: 5,037
I'm probably staying at the Hampton Inn Palmdale unless there is a hotel that operates a shuttle to PMD.
Aug 20, 2007, 8:52 am
#22
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 17,769
Aug 21, 2007, 4:05 am
#24
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Palmdale, CA
Programs: UA 2P, HH Diamond, Marriott Silver
Posts: 157
Aug 21, 2007, 4:08 am
#25
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Palmdale, CA
Programs: UA 2P, HH Diamond, Marriott Silver
Posts: 157
Dec 7, 2007, 1:43 am
#26
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Benicia CA
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Palmdale airport service can't seem to get off the ground
United Airlines faces a lackluster response to its San Francisco flights
As the L.A./Palmdale Regional Airport today marks six months of resumed passenger service, officials are facing some sobering numbers: On average, only one of every three seats is occupied.
United Airlines' June 7 launch of twice-daily service to San Francisco marked more than the reopening of an airport that hadn't seen a flight offered by a major carrier in nearly a decade. It also opened a front in Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's campaign to relieve pressure on aging, cramped Los Angeles International Airport by spreading out air traffic to the region's other airports.
United has agreed to stay at least 18 months.
rest of article:
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la...ck=2&cset=true
As the L.A./Palmdale Regional Airport today marks six months of resumed passenger service, officials are facing some sobering numbers: On average, only one of every three seats is occupied.
United Airlines' June 7 launch of twice-daily service to San Francisco marked more than the reopening of an airport that hadn't seen a flight offered by a major carrier in nearly a decade. It also opened a front in Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's campaign to relieve pressure on aging, cramped Los Angeles International Airport by spreading out air traffic to the region's other airports.
United has agreed to stay at least 18 months.
rest of article:
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la...ck=2&cset=true
Dec 7, 2007, 9:56 am
#28
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Dec 7, 2007, 10:24 am
#29
Join Date: Jan 2005
Programs: UA 1K; SPG Plat; Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 2,179
It would work for LAWA to take the poilitical pressure off while they move forward with fixing up LAX by promoting "regionalization".
Dec 7, 2007, 10:31 am
#30
Join Date: May 2006
Location: GA
Programs: VA-PLT, QF-GLD, DL-GM, UA-ex1K, AA-exPLT, HH-DM, IHG-PLT, MR-GLD
Posts: 8,242
http://www.metrolinktrains.com/stati...ail.php?id=114
I've ridden this line and it is a very nice train and good scenery. Might be a good option if PMD ever gets a foothold.
If I lived downtown and could take a nice train ride that puts me at the doorstep of an airport, that would be worth considering for sure.