XPost: rec.travel.air   
   From: sdfsteve00@nospam.hotmail.com   
      
   "Not the Karl Orff"  wrote in message   
   news:canwine-9F2F03.10390107032004@news.vf.shawcable.net...   
   > In article ,   
   >  "james_anatidae"  wrote:   
   >   
   > > LAX.  Every time I go though there, it looks and feels like a bus   
   station.   
   >   
   > MSP - flight change can be a bear   
      
   I really like MSP; perhaps part of it is I used to live there and one gets   
   attached to their home airport, or in my case, my ex-home airport.  Needless   
   to say, I agree with you about the flight changes, especially if coming in   
   on a commuter in the A/B area and flying out of mid G or end of F.   
      
   On the bright side, a tram has been built (currently INOP), which will make   
   transfers at MSP much nicer - especially along the C corridor.  I don't   
   think they built one on the G side, but it would be a nice compliment if   
   they did, or if they do in the future.  However, I find most of the long   
   walks involve the C corridor/concourse area where the tram has been built.   
      
   However, god only knows when the train will go into operation.  The opening   
   is way behind schedule because it derailed after they started the test runs.   
   MSP has required the tram to run 30 consecutive days without problem before   
   opening it.  It's come close, but hasn't made it yet.  For the sake of   
   everyone, I hope they get it opened soon.   
      
   I connected at MSP last week and got lucky; arrival pulled into G11, I   
   deplaned & inquired about my connecting flight -- was told G11 :)   I had   
   just enough time to get to the WorldClub by G/F for a couple of smokes, some   
   coffee, and back to the gate for boarding.  I do find many of the   
   airport/airline agents at MSP are quite nice vs other cities -- the   
   "Minnesota Nice" factor perhaps?   
      
   The tram will be a great improvement once operational.  For MSP O/D, I find   
   it's a great facility and I like the on-site auto rental facility -- but I   
   feel your pain with changing flights from one end to the other.  I try to   
   avoid MSP unless MSP is my destination or I'm doing mainline NW to NW -- but   
   as a NWA FF, the facility at DTW is great and when given a choice between   
   MSP or DTW, I take DTW 100% of the time.   
      
   > LHR - too dang many shops and inconveniently-located transit points   
      
   Agreed.   It'll be interesting to see T5 when it's finished though.   
      
   > SYD - luggage carousels too small   
      
   Never had any gripes with SYD, but it's been awhile since I've flown there   
   (pre 2000 Olympics).  I don't recall having any issues or gripes with the   
   luggage carousels and I've flown through both domestic and Intl many times   
   in the mid to late 90's.  I'll have several flights to SYD later this year   
   though, both Intl (KUL-SYD, LAX-SYD) and domestic QF & Jetstar.   
      
   Earlier in the thread I commented on LAS, SFO & JFK.   
      
   One I wouldn't mind adding is MAD -- long walks from T1 to the metro station   
   and a confusing setup with respect to baggage claim lounges.   If flying   
   into T2, getting to the Metro isn't bad... but once becoming familiar with   
   MAD it isn't all that bad.  The Metro station is nice and the metro between   
   the city and MAD is superb.  Like BCN, I could see where MAD could be   
   confusing to a first time user -- but on my last visit to BCN I noticed a   
   new baggage claim area being built which looked quite nice.   However, it's   
   my feeling airports should be easy for everyone, including first time users   
   of an airport.   
      
   Another airport I *really* dislike is MEX... and with good reason for anyone   
   here familiar with it.  :)   
      
   Best,   
      
   Steve   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)