Results Are In: Best and Worst U.S. Airports

#4
#4
Coug said:
How is that even possible? We have a tiny airport compared to those others on the worst list.
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Seems like the article places a huge emphasis on percentage of/amount of time flights are delayed. Kinda makes since TYS would be low in that category since most flights are to airports like ATL/DFW/CLT that routinely have ground delay programs in place.
 
#7
#7
ATC_VOL said:
Seems like the article places a huge emphasis on percentage of/amount of time flights are delayed. Kinda makes since TYS would be low in that category since most flights are to airports like ATL/DFW/CLT that routinely have ground delay programs in place.
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And price. Those two kill TYS.
 
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#8
#8
I know the article was from a passenger's perspective, but from the cockpit perspective, TYS is a great little airport. Easy in, easy out, and the view on a visual approach (in the fall especially) is second to none. ATL is the best by far. I used to hate it, but it is a machine. It moves more airplanes, and more people more efficiently than any other out there. It is just that it is amazingly big, and that is why people hate it so much because your flight is always out of another concourse. (We deal with that as well, so we feel your pain... Many times we have to change concourses, preflight another airplane all in the span of an hour or less) Other big airports like LAX and JFK put the fun in dysfunctional. They were built in the 40s and 50s, and it would be far better if they blew them up and started from scratch.
 
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#9
#9
The ranking is meaningless mainly because of what data they used. Delayed and cancelled flights for example. Most people don't seem to realize that adverse weather in parts of the country delay flights and it sort of daisy chains from there.

The reality is weather is the primary cause of flight delays and cancellations and out of an airports hands.
 
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#10
#10
Hate DTW, ORD, MDW, LAX and all of the NYC airports.

Not so bad, MCO, DAL, FLL and BWI

Great, BNA, TPA, MCI and PHX.
 
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#11
#11
crusse10 said:
scared of how low MEM is, before seeing it
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As far as how easy it is to get in, check in, and get to your gate, Memphis is great. I know people who only get there 30-45 minutes before a flight. Don't believe too many get delayed either. If you are looking for amenities or a large number of destinations, it's terrible.
 
#12
#12
SAN and SNA are both awesome! Most time I've ever spent in security line for either of them is probably 3 minutes. Lihue is a nice one. Interesting to see Tri Cities make the top 30. Nice little airport.
 
#14
#14
Whatever Knoxville lacks in airport quality we more than make up for in Best Navaids.

You'll notice GOODL (Good ole) and RKYTP (Rocky Top) on the ILS/Localizer to 23 L
 

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#15
#15
hog88 said:
Hate DTW, ORD, MDW, LAX and all of the NYC airports.

Not so bad, MCO, DAL, FLL and BWI

Great, BNA, TPA, MCI and PHX.
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There's never been a time that I've gone through customs in FLL without it taking over 90 minutes.
 
#16
#16
I have never flown thru Chicago O'Hare (ORD) and not had a cancellation. I have even slept overnight on a cot with about 100 other people. I mostly judge airports based on their sports bars though, so ORD isn't that bad. I have been drunk many times in that Cubs bar.

As far as TYS is concerned, I love that our little airport has a Ruby Tuesday's. I can't get on a plane without a buzz and regardless of the time of day, it never takes me more than 45 minutes from the time I park my car, to get my boarding pass, check my bag and get through security and hit the bar at Ruby's.

My favorite airport is McCarron in Vegas (LAS). I've never experienced a delay. Walking past the slot machines and the big board ads always gets my adrenaline flowing. Although, baggage claim is a nightmare.
 
#17
#17
True story:

So my family planned a trip to Hawaii a few years ago. I'm all excited and of course barely slept the night before so I get up and think about what I'm going to wear. I wanted to be comfy and it's typically hot on planes, at least for me. So I throw on a t-shirt, some shorts, my socks, shoes, grab my bags, didn't even think about a jacket. So I board the plane in Ktown(Merrrrrrville) on my way to Hawaii without a care in the world. So then the plane lands at our layover in Chicago, we're taxiing to our gate, you look out the window and it's snowing like hell. I get up, grab my carry on and proceed to make my way to the door to find out that we didn't pull all the way to a gate, we're walking the rest of the way to the gate. It's like mid 20's, it's snowing, winds blowing like hell, and there I am with my summer outfit on. I killed it though, I made that walk like a boss. Why are you guys all dressed up, it's not cold out here?! :)
 
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#18
#18
Cons
I don't like ATL, LAX and ORD and I never will. I hate sitting on tarmacs for long periods, struggling to get to gates, and missed/cancelled connections. I confess ATL is somewhat tainted due to my crappy Delta experiences. DTW, STL and the NY area airports depress me and would be the second tier of dislike. I can tolerate EWR better than the others - but, man they always seem to be nasty and a hassle to me.

Pros
Tyson is a nice airport for the region. The ticket cost and Delta have to be the only reasons to rate it so low. Like MCO, LAS, SLC, TPA, JAX, anything in Hawaii, and Reagan. Many do not like Reagan (DCA). I have always been on time, the facilities are never overcrowded, and I enjoy the flying over and around all of the attractions of the area. CVG, DAY, CMH, MEM, DEN, RNO and SAV are above average IMO.

Hohums
IAD, DFW, CLT, IAH, MIA, and FLL. They offer their share of hassles, but have at least one redeeming feature.

Thankfully, my days in airports are essentially over except for occasional vacation travel.
 
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#19
#19
Coug said:
True story:

So my family planned a trip to Hawaii a few years ago. I'm all excited and of course barely slept the night before so I get up and think about what I'm going to wear. I wanted to be comfy and it's typically hot on planes, at least for me. So I throw on a t-shirt, some shorts, my socks, shoes, grab my bags, didn't even think about a jacket. So I board the plane in Ktown(Merrrrrrville) on my way to Hawaii without a care in the world. So then the plane lands at our layover in Chicago, we're taxiing to our gate, you look out the window and it's snowing like hell. I get up, grab my carry on and proceed to make my way to the door to find out that we didn't pull all the way to a gate, we're walking the rest of the way to the gate. It's like mid 20's, it's snowing, winds blowing like hell, and there I am with my summer outfit on. I killed it though, I made that walk like a boss. Why are you guys all dressed up, it's not cold out here?! :)
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Funny stuff. Pulled it off, though.

My quick Hawaii story did not relate to the flights. We flew to Maui for our honeymoon. Decided we would visit the observatory on the dormant Haleakala volcano. We dressed like you except for sandals instead of shoes. Did not realize until we got out of the car at the top after two hours of hairpin curves that it was 10,000 feet above sea level and around 40 degrees with 15-20 mph winds. Needless to say our observation time was limited outside!
 
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#20
#20
The Ron Mexico said:
Whatever Knoxville lacks in airport quality we more than make up for in Best Navaids.

You'll notice GOODL (Good ole) and RKYTP (Rocky Top) on the ILS/Localizer to 23 L
Click to expand...

Nashville has a VOLLS arrival as well. Unfortunately a couple years ago they made a new arrival named after Taylor Swift that overlaps it.
 
#21
#21
Recently, we've "blocked out" of the gates at TYS and then sat for 30 minutes due to ATC into ATL. That always makes me mad. I know the computers like that, but we'd be much more comfortable at the gate.
 
#23
#23
ATC_VOL said:
Nashville has a VOLLS arrival as well. Unfortunately a couple years ago they made a new arrival named after Taylor Swift that overlaps it.
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DAWGS and SUMIT departures out of ATL.
l love flying into CVG and getting a clearance from air traffic controllers to "cross DRESR" at altitude ___. Also like being cleared to fly "direct to HEVVN" when headed to the west side of FL coast.
Hate flying into NYC airports, ORD, MEX, DCA, JNU, SNA, MDW. Hate all FLORIDA airports because I'm in the state of FLORIDA.
TYS is a piece of cake.
 
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#24
#24
Shakinthefat said:
DAWGS and SUMIT departures out of ATL.
l love flying into CVG and getting a clearance from air traffic controllers to "cross DRESR" at altitude ___. Also like being cleared to fly "direct to HEVVN" when headed to the west side of FL coast.
Hate flying into NYC airports, ORD, MEX, DCA, JNU, SNA, MDW. Hate all FLORIDA airports because I'm in the state of FLORIDA.
TYS is a piece of cake.
Click to expand...

I have pilots check in sometimes and ask if I can send them directly to HEVVN. My response is always, my job description is to make sure that doesn't happen.
 
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