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The Worst Airport In America
More than 46 million Americans will travel further than 50 miles for this week's turkey-based festivities, and many of us will do it via air. And while very few airports deal well with holidays swarms, some of them excel at misery. (gizmodo.com) Más...Sort type: [Top] [Newest]
So many bad airports -- so little time. Had this experience at ORD. Arrived on-time from HSV. Had a 30-minute connection to PHL (I was going to meet my son in Philly to attend the Army-Navy game the next day).
Found my connecting flight's terminal and gate -- two terminals away -- and walked briskly to the gate, There were still 4 minutes left before departure time, but the plane was GONE. I had a WTH (being nice here) moment.
I asked an American Artlines gate attendant why my plane wasn't there. She said they closed the door 5 minutes ago and she walked off. Already renowned amongst family and fiends for my patience, I blew up. I asked for a supervisor but none was available. I was told that I should've arrived at the gate earlier. I showed the idiot-of- the-moment my reservation -- that had been made made through AA. "
"Not our problem", she shrugged. I asked her to look up where my HSV-ORD flight had docked. She did. I then asked her if she could walk from there to this gate in 30 minutes. She responded "Probably not, but we didn't write your ticket."
She suggested I call AA reservations about it so I did. My call obviously must've been their #1 priority because the recorded voice told me so 8 times before a human came on. The lady apologized but said that when these connections are being figured out it wasn't AA's, but ORD's responsibility for establishing the connection times. I politely told her that even if the airports at which connections were being made (ORD is big on this) wouldn't the airlines have enough sense to to tell the airport authority that 30 minutes for a two terminal transfer isn't reasonable tight?
Anyhow she sent me a $100 gift certificate (which I still have) and got me a seat on the next plane -- 2 hours later.
Found my connecting flight's terminal and gate -- two terminals away -- and walked briskly to the gate, There were still 4 minutes left before departure time, but the plane was GONE. I had a WTH (being nice here) moment.
I asked an American Artlines gate attendant why my plane wasn't there. She said they closed the door 5 minutes ago and she walked off. Already renowned amongst family and fiends for my patience, I blew up. I asked for a supervisor but none was available. I was told that I should've arrived at the gate earlier. I showed the idiot-of- the-moment my reservation -- that had been made made through AA. "
"Not our problem", she shrugged. I asked her to look up where my HSV-ORD flight had docked. She did. I then asked her if she could walk from there to this gate in 30 minutes. She responded "Probably not, but we didn't write your ticket."
She suggested I call AA reservations about it so I did. My call obviously must've been their #1 priority because the recorded voice told me so 8 times before a human came on. The lady apologized but said that when these connections are being figured out it wasn't AA's, but ORD's responsibility for establishing the connection times. I politely told her that even if the airports at which connections were being made (ORD is big on this) wouldn't the airlines have enough sense to to tell the airport authority that 30 minutes for a two terminal transfer isn't reasonable tight?
Anyhow she sent me a $100 gift certificate (which I still have) and got me a seat on the next plane -- 2 hours later.
What more do you expect from TSA considering its run by the government and empowers the inept?
Larry: If you were responding to my squawk, TSA wan't involved. I was "airside" the whole time. AAA and ORD shared the responsibility for that debacle.
Newark is worst, hands down, even considering third world airports.
No matter what - ALL airports in USA are NOT that great. There are many great airports outside the USA. Have you try ICN, NRT, AMS, FRA and several more... their systems are excellent for everything. If USA airports borrow their design, systems, etc - for example... Baggage carts always free for everyone. More spaces in the concourses or more control for incoming / outgoing passengers, etc.
The booths for exchange, their rates are better than Travel-ex'$ rate.
The booths for exchange, their rates are better than Travel-ex'$ rate.
Also a sign that airlines largely don't care about your comfort or security by loading more and more flights into these third world airports.
For what its worth my worst ten are:
1)PHL 2)EWR 3)LGA 4)ATL 5)ORD 6)DCA 7)LAS 8)PHX 9)DFW 10)MIA
Ten best?
1)MCO 2)TPA 3)PIT 4)SEA 5)BWI 6)MSP 7)IAH 8)DTW 9)LUV 10)SFO