Consolidated "UA Operations at Detroit (DTW)" Thread [Merged]
#16
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Los Angeles, CA USA
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It's a shame the city is such a hole. A new terminal almost makes me want to visit again... almost.
#17
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RCC card get access to this lounge? Ditto guests?
#18
Original Member, Moderator: Hotel Deals and MilesBuzz
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Washington, DC
Posts: 14,257
I am looking forward to the new terminal. The old Smith Terminal is truly the skankiest airport in the USA.
Think about it... the car rental terminals at airports such as PHX and FLL are nicer!
Think about it... the car rental terminals at airports such as PHX and FLL are nicer!
#19
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Not that it needs an endorsement, but man, you are right about that decrepit place. I think the last time they put new monitors in the airside portion of the terminal, the Detroit Lions were good.
#20
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#21
Join Date: Feb 2008
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actually the new macnamera terminal is, i think, the nicest domestic terminal in the US. Easy to use, open/spacious, but just skyteam.... (and LH flights)
I remember connecting on NW in like 2002 just before NW moved, and the old smith terminal was not only dingy, but the most cramped place i had ever seen... its bad now, but then it was like a 3rd world terminal. now just 2nd world...
I remember connecting on NW in like 2002 just before NW moved, and the old smith terminal was not only dingy, but the most cramped place i had ever seen... its bad now, but then it was like a 3rd world terminal. now just 2nd world...
#22
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: ORD | Chicago O'Hare
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The new NW/LH/etc terminal MacNamara - IS pretty nice. I hear the new UA/AA/etc one will be pretty good too. Good to hear there will be an RCC/*A club, as DTW is bad for delays/OTD etc in the winter.
Everyone's still saying September-ish...
#23
Join Date: May 2005
Location: DCA
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Posts: 218
The Smith terminal was absolutely terrible 15 years ago. Nothing has changed since. It's funny how varied an experience it is from the McNamara terminal which certainly is one of the nicest terminals in the country.
#24
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: MBS/FNT/LAN
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I guess thaty makes you and me the only ones.
So under what conditions will a United pax with C or F BP, *G card, or
RCC card get access to this lounge? Ditto guests?
For those who didn't know LH has had a lounge in the Mac terminal.... If you were *G (and could talk your way through security) flying intl you could gain access (I never had an opportunity to try, but a cowroker reported success).
IME it has always been deployed, just never ever marked. Just flash your card/BP to the rent a cop at the front of the line, and they open the "line" But YMMV
Originally Posted by mre5765
Originally Posted by BCH
Does anyone know when the new terminal at Detroit Metro Airport will open? United is scheduled to move into that one, and it will have a joint Star Alliance lounge. Thanks.
RCC card get access to this lounge? Ditto guests?
Originally Posted by nsx1164
Security is quick, and they have Elite line (rarely deployed).
#25
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I figure once NW started to build their new terminal, the DTW authorities decided it's easier to scrap Smith and build a new one, thus letting it go to all hell.
Makes sense, no reason in keeping it in some sort of decent shape if it's going to see the bulldozer anyways.
McNamara is easily one of the top terminals in this country. I love flying through there. It's long, but it works.
#26
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#27
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Silicon Valley
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Posts: 339
I second this...with Smith Terminal closing, does UA's midfield terminal at IAD now rank as the skankiest terminal at a major airport in the US?
#28
Original Member, Moderator: Hotel Deals and MilesBuzz
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Washington, DC
Posts: 14,257
For those who have never visited DTW Smith Terminal, it is truly disgusting. Imagine an airport terminal with the ambiance of a city center bus terminal. Mold growing on the ceiling, buckets distributed to catch rain from the leaky roof, windows with cracks, missing floor tiles, filthy bathrooms. The only unique aspect I like about the SMith Terminal is the ticketing area. Oh, don't get me wrong, it is skanky as well but... for an old guy like me, it brings back memories of flying as a small child in the late 1960's. Excluding signage, nothing has changed! It's kind of cool if you are intro retro design.
#29
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#30
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: second-tier member of various hotel and airline programs
Posts: 143
Once when delayed at that terminal involuntarily for several hours and unable to find a single working power outlet, I repaired to the bar area, hoping that alcohol would dull the overall forlorn impression. As I sat there with my sad little Bloody Mary watching the flickering screen of the 19" television I made eye contact with the staff and they, too, looked sad. I hope some of them find jobs in the shiny new terminal.