View Full Version : World's worst airport? - LAX
https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/news/2019/06/12/fodors-travel-awards-best-worst-airports-airlines-cruises/1421927001/
most large ones suck, to varying degrees.
DFW - stupid layout
O'Hare - just busy
Mike Mercury
06-12-2019, 1:50pm
O'Hare
Laguardia
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D2IIZ2jW0AAHqP9.jpg
StaticCling
06-12-2019, 2:01pm
As a resident of Los Angeles, I can attest to the fact that LAX is an absolute cluster-****.
By contrast though, SFO is actually pretty good. :island14:
Cybercowboy
06-12-2019, 2:12pm
Atlanta doesn't have much to recommend itself either. I hate the large airports where you have to transport via tram/train at some point. I've missed a flight at DFW before when my tram came to a stop and we just had to sit there for like 45 minutes.
Datawiz
06-12-2019, 2:21pm
EWR usually tops these lists. Of course, this is the shithole I fly into every other week.
StaticCling
06-12-2019, 2:37pm
Atlanta doesn't have much to recommend itself either. I hate the large airports where you have to transport via tram/train at some point. I've missed a flight at DFW before when my tram came to a stop and we just had to sit there for like 45 minutes.
Yeah, that airport sucks. I don't like it at all.
Airports I like:
Salt Lake City
Buffalo
Newport News
San Francisco (believe it or not...it does have a rail thingy though)
Rental car return at San Antonio is fuggin weird. I can't remember exactly how it goes, but I remember it was stupid.
Looking forward to seeing how Kansas City (MCI) is when they get the new terminal completed, right now that airport is extremely dated and depressing.
Dan Dlabay
06-12-2019, 2:37pm
When me and my wife fly into California we fly to Santa Anna John Wayne airport. It cost a little more but it is worth it not to put up with LAX. We only use LAX to change planes when we go to S.E. Asia. For a large airport Singapore is nice.:cert:
StaticCling
06-12-2019, 2:41pm
When me and my wife fly into California we fly to Santa Anna John Wayne airport. It cost a little more but it is worth it not to put up with LAX. We only use LAX to change planes when we go to S.E. Asia. For a large airport Singapore is nice.:cert:
Burbank is good as well. It's quick and easy...at least if you are picking a person up.
Last time I took my wife to LAX was on a Sunday night at around 11PM. Departures level was JAMMED. Took me 45 minutes to drive through the terminal after I dropped her off. I was driving a stick too. That sucked balls. :ohnoes:
LAX might get a little bit better once they have the new International Terminal built, but right now it's pathetic.
99 pewtercoupe
06-12-2019, 2:57pm
Yeah, that airport sucks. I don't like it at all.
Airports I like:
Salt Lake City
Buffalo
Newport News
San Francisco (believe it or not...it does have a rail thingy though)
Rental car return at San Antonio is fuggin weird. I can't remember exactly how it goes, but I remember it was stupid.
Looking forward to seeing how Kansas City (MCI) is when they get the new terminal completed, right now that airport is extremely dated and depressing.
Kansas City (MCI) is one weird airport. They have multiple areas that may be only half a dozen gates that is where you clear TSA. So once you have cleared TSA you may not have access to a restaurant or bar, just a food kiosk. I used to fly in there regularly but now that I am retired, not so much.
Cybercowboy
06-12-2019, 3:22pm
Looking forward to seeing how Kansas City (MCI) is when they get the new terminal completed, right now that airport is extremely dated and depressing.
It really is. Last time I flew from there it was amazing that you pretty much couldn't even get a cup of coffee or something beyond a vending machine item to eat once you made it through security. SLC airport is much improved from what it was just 15 years ago. Oakland has a terrible rental car situation too, and Phoenix isn't much better really.
StaticCling
06-12-2019, 3:23pm
Kansas City (MCI) is one weird airport. They have multiple areas that may be only half a dozen gates that is where you clear TSA. So once you have cleared TSA you may not have access to a restaurant or bar, just a food kiosk. I used to fly in there regularly but now that I am retired, not so much.
Yeah, it was designed well before the post 9-11-01 "improvements" and it was just poorly situated to accommodate those things. It's a product of the 1970's, and it shows.
Should be better in a few years though.
Cybercowboy
06-12-2019, 3:26pm
I've been to O'Hare before when it was so busy that even though I had a 5 hour layover, it took me two hours to even get inside a bar/restaurant to get something to eat and drink. Lots of pissed off people that day.
boracayjohnny
06-12-2019, 4:33pm
So the best and worst is in L-A? Does the writer live in L-A? I mean, there are airports other than in L-A. Manila for worst quickly comes to mind. Frankfurt for best is huge but easy to get around for me. It also has a sit down Chinese restaurant, a grocery store, and a train station just for three quick examples of variety and convenience.
R.I.B.S.
06-12-2019, 4:33pm
You should put MNL on the lists....It has 4 terminals dating back to the 40's(WWII era) and a couple of shuttle busses to transfer you from 1 terminal to another....
:dance:
99 pewtercoupe
06-12-2019, 4:48pm
I have been able to avoid it throughout my career but I have seen multiple surveys that rate LGA as the worst airport in th country.
Flew out of IAH today. Terminal A was easy, peasy, as it is relatively small. Had to change plans at CLT, which is a cluster ****.
Mike Mercury
06-13-2019, 7:57am
https://img.memecdn.com/bad-luck-brian-at-the-airport_o_326411.jpg
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/INhJa848UVKBaiO6pEiAhAe9CIrVzucvdnWHiXJHJ2V69irosxvWk6Hm1BkaJAbAPJoufNUWagOysP-ztbhwzFf025vRKBJEso5ZjWhsfPaM3YT-MkxstByhN5rg2jrEH6UoYb3icTj9gGdb
https://static.fjcdn.com/pictures/Think+us+airport+security+is+bad_698b49_5216901.jpg
Burbank is good as well. It's quick and easy...at least if you are picking a person up.
Last time I took my wife to LAX was on a Sunday night at around 11PM. Departures level was JAMMED. Took me 45 minutes to drive through the terminal after I dropped her off. I was driving a stick too. That sucked balls. :ohnoes:
LAX might get a little bit better once they have the new International Terminal built, but right now it's pathetic.
You’re doing it wrong. I try and never drive into LAX. I either take the Van Nuys Shuttle or an Uber from an offsite parking facility. I wouldn’t allow anyone to either drop me off or pick me up directly at LAX. I try and direct them to the Van Nuys Flyaway instead and pick them up there.
StaticCling
06-13-2019, 9:14am
You’re doing it wrong. I try and never drive into LAX. I either take the Van Nuys Shuttle or an Uber from an offsite parking facility. I wouldn’t allow anyone to either drop me off or pick me up directly at LAX. I try and direct them to the Van Nuys Flyaway instead and pick them up there.
We use the Flyaway quite a bit. I just elected to take Heather down to the airport once earlier this year to spend a little time with her because I wouldn't be seeing her for a week. :)
After the last fiasco, it's Flyaway only. :Jeff '79:
I do have a buddy with a Helicopter Hmmm.
mrvette
06-13-2019, 9:26am
about 4 years ago, flipped out to see my first Grandson out in Ca. so Ohairy for a conn flight, 2 hrs layover to Reno landing at midnight or so.....so the Ohairy apt of course told me the rong CONNcourse to pick up the Conn flight.....so I was at end of either one, next to each other....look out and see the plane at the other end of the other Conncourse.....SO of COURSE I had to carry my duffle bag of junk about a mile down to center terminal, over to other walkway, and of COURSE the end of that one.....bastards....I waited another few minits to call about the plane not being there, I just about made the effing flight as it was,.....WTF!! I was tired and PISSED having to carry my ~40 lbs overloaded duffle all that way......
never again, no more harey airports for THIS man......
:issues::issues::issues::issues::issues::issues::issues::issues::issues::issues:
ZipZap
06-13-2019, 10:12pm
As someone who flies in and out of LAX 30-40 times a year, this is BS. If you are a one or two times a year traveler, then I'd suggest studying up on the options.
I have no problems with LAX. The Lyft drivers sometimes take the less advantageous route, but it only adds 10 - 20 minutes.
If you have to stand in the cattle line to check bags, and then again because you're too cheap to buy pre-check, then you have determined your own destiny.
boracayjohnny
06-13-2019, 11:04pm
As someone who flies in and out of LAX 30-40 times a year, this is BS. If you are a one or two times a year traveler, then I'd suggest studying up on the options.
I have no problems with LAX. The Lyft drivers sometimes take the less advantageous route, but it only adds 10 - 20 minutes.
If you have to stand in the cattle line to check bags, and then again because you're too cheap to buy pre-check, then you have determined your own destiny.
I often drive to drop off/pickup at LAX. But I make it fun. If it's a drop off and in the morning, we'll stop by the IHOP kinda/sorta near. A good breakfast, some conversation about nothing but yet everything, and a leisurely stroll to the drop off point. If it's a pickup and 5pm, well, it's gonna be a while so enjoy that too. Park at the Burger King at where ever it is, I just know where to go and I'll look up the cross streets next time I need to go. Get out a book or the cell phone and I'm good. When I get the call, "I'm here". Then I make my way to arrivals. On the way back, we'll stop for dinner somewhere and again, talk about nothing but yet everything.
Datawiz
06-14-2019, 2:29am
As someone who flies in and out of LAX 30-40 times a year, this is BS. If you are a one or two times a year traveler, then I'd suggest studying up on the options.
I have no problems with LAX. The Lyft drivers sometimes take the less advantageous route, but it only adds 10 - 20 minutes.
If you have to stand in the cattle line to check bags, and then again because you're too cheap to buy pre-check, then you have determined your own destiny.
I take my 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19th round trip flight (next five weeks starting this Sunday) and I too am pre-check, and agree with your assessment. EWR is a shithole, and the lines are LONG...BUT pre-check is usually extremely quick. :yesnod:
ZipZap
06-15-2019, 12:30pm
I take my 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19th round trip flight (next five weeks starting this Sunday) and I too am pre-check, and agree with your assessment. EWR is a shithole, and the lines are LONG...BUT pre-check is usually extremely quick. :yesnod:
The biggest reason for pre-check can be found at MCO. All of the kids, foreigners, etc. drawn by the theme parks make the standard security lines about an hour long, when the pre-check is 5 minutes. Also, they won't serve you a beer before 0700 on Sunday.:rofl: Went through there this week, as well as BOS. BOS has really gotten better over the years but I ran into a flaw Friday; all of the restaurants and bars on the 30's gates are closed until fall 2019:issues: Had to haul back around the horseshoe to get fed.
LGA is a pit, but the only real problem I have with it is that getting a taxi can be a bitch during prime time.
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