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PostMay 08, 2008#576

ben1040 wrote:If I can get Imo's at Lambert, like this article suggests might be on the way, I seriously couldn't care less about a glassed-in arrival ramp.


This is one of the best and most important things that the Airport Authority can do: tactile marketing of StL and our unique offerings. The taste of an area, from KC barbeque to Philly steak sandwiches, offer a perceptual connotation to wherever a traveler is visiting; the promotion of our best local cuisine offerings (or at least most popularly unique) will do well to enhance the airport's user experience and connotate well to the area culturally.



If travelers look forward to being at Lambert for toasted ravioli, then they may want to prefer landing in StL for at least layover as opposed to DFW or ORD, which is more money for the airport from increased flights (in a long-term projection). Every little bit counts in this day and age.



Of course, this is assuming that they sell toasted ravioli as our local cuisine, as I don't think many commuters would enjoy airport-made brain sandwiches.
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PostMay 09, 2008#577

Anything has got to be better than that "food court" just past security in the C concourse. It is poison right now.
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PostMay 09, 2008#578

Lambert's Main terminal has to have one of the most dsyfunctional curbside pick up/drops off I have ever seen in my travels. It must give one of the worst first impressions I can think.



I would go even further with their plans. THINK BIG. I would relocate Lambert's metrolink station underneath the curbside pickup for arrivals so you have direct access to ticketing and baggage claim via escalators as soon as you walk off the train (Think a Big Bend or Skinker type station on Cross County). Knock down a pathetic and unused concourse D!!! That would accomondate a new route for metrolink to go underground. East Terminal will be just fine and look a lot better as a stand alone terminal. Finally, knock down concourse B and put in new international gates. It would be a huge improvement over what exists at the end D, or is that part of East Terminal? Does anybody use the entrance just west of East Terminal?



Lambert's age, concourses and piecemeal add ons really gives Lambert the look of an old worn out has been. Knocking down concourse D and replacing concourse B along with the new curbside plans would truly give you a lot without building a new terminal in my mind.
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PostMay 09, 2008#579

saminSTL wrote:Anything has got to be better than that "food court" just past security in the C concourse. It is poison right now.


Looks like you're in luck. Link goes to an article with more info.


Under the proposal, a Mosaic restaurant would replace Jody Maroni's Sausage Kingdom and California Pizza Kitchen inside Concourse A. The food court at the connection of Concourses C and D would be refurbished and would feature a Baja Fresh Mexican grill, Imo's and Fitz's Root Beer.
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PostMay 14, 2008#580

Great Lakes Airlines adds flights from its St. Louis International hub to Jonesboro, Arkansas



Great Lakes Takes Over Passenger Service To Jonesboro, AR

Tue, 13 May '08



.....



Under the terms of the new contract, Great Lakes will provide two flights a day to St. Louis, a one hour and ten minute flight from Jonesboro.



"There are some people who are going to miss the ability to go to Dallas" said Mayor Doug Formon. "St. Louis has a lot to offer though. Great Lakes connects to so many other airports once you get to St. Louis. You have your choice of going wherever you need to go from there basically."



Full Article: Aero-News http://www.aero-news.net/index.cfm?Cont ... 0d00fda801

PostMay 19, 2008#581

China’s Hainan Airlines Announces Introductory Business Class Fare for Nonstop Flights Between Seattle and Beijing

General Press Releases May 19th, 2008 (11 hours ago)



Reserve Seats by July 16 for Travel Beginning in June or July on the Only Nonstop Seattle-Beijing Service



Hainan Airlines, China’s fourth largest carrier (airline code: HU), today announced an introductory business-class fare for travel on its new nonstop route from Seattle to Beijing. The non-refundable, non-transferable round-trip fare is US$2,260, including fuel and security surcharges but not including up to $250 for government taxes and fees and the September 11th security fee. Direct Hainan Airlines connections are available to Portland, Oregon, Boise, Las Vegas, Spokane, Austin, Dallas, San Diego, and St. Louis. Seats are limited, and some restrictions apply.



Additionally, Hainan Airlines is offering special business-class fares to travelers who wish to extend their trips from Seattle to other select Chinese cities that the airline serves from Beijing, such as Shanghai and Guangzhou. The dates for travel using these special fares coincide with a number of summer events taking place in China.



Passengers may book reservations either through a travel agent or by calling the toll-free line 1-888-688-8813 for English speakers or 1-888-688-8876 for Chinese speakers. Hainan Airlines currently accepts Visa, MasterCard, UATP and Diner’s Club. Travelers must book reservations by July 16, 2008, and originate travel in Seattle between June 9 and July 31, 2008. Return flights must depart no later than October 31, 2008. The minimum stay is five days; the maximum stay is three months. Tickets must be issued within seven days of reservation. For more information about Hainan Airlines’ special pricing for flights from North America to China, please visit www.hnair.com/us.





--------



Nice China codeshare here and also convenient China to STL with direct connection.

PostMay 21, 2008#582

Great Lakes Airlines adds round-trip flight

By Rajah Maples

Posted: Monday, May 19, 2008 at 5:35 p.m.



QUINCY, ILL. -- Quincy dignitaries were flying high at the Quincy Regional Airport late Monday afternoon.



The CEO of Great Lakes Airlines was in town to formally announce and celebrate the addition of a third round-trip flight to and from St. Louis.



The new flights are scheduled to depart Quincy daily at 6 a.m. and depart St. Louis daily at 8:44 p.m.



The city and airline hope the addition will better facilitate connection flights in St. Louis and increase ridership to and from Quincy.



Quincy News Article:

http://www.khqa.com/news/news_story.aspx?id=136264
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PostMay 21, 2008#583

AMR Corporation Announces Significant Capacity Reductions, Aircraft Retirements and Additional Revenue Growth Efforts



http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/080521/law515.html?.v=7



*Retire 40-45 mainline aircraft

*Cut 30-40 regional aircraft

*Equating to overall domestic capacity cut by 12%

*$15 charge for first checked bag, with tighter restrictions on carry-on allowance
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PostMay 21, 2008#584

Billkn wrote:AMR Corporation Announces Significant Capacity Reductions, Aircraft Retirements and Additional Revenue Growth Efforts



http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/080521/law515.html?.v=7



*Retire 40-45 mainline aircraft

*Cut 30-40 regional aircraft

*Equating to overall domestic capacity cut by 12%

*$15 charge for first checked bag, with tighter restrictions on carry-on allowance


I think we all know what that would mean for Lambert. AA retiring a lot of the old MD80s will hurt Lambert. :?



Tighter restrictions on carry-on? How so? No wonder airlines are skimping on anything so they can make a buck in these tough times. There was a survey out a couple days ago saying airlines received a D in overall service and experience, this will make it go down.:roll:

PostMay 21, 2008#585

Billkn wrote:AMR Corporation Announces Significant Capacity Reductions, Aircraft Retirements and Additional Revenue Growth Efforts



http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/080521/law515.html?.v=7



*Retire 40-45 mainline aircraft

*Cut 30-40 regional aircraft

*Equating to overall domestic capacity cut by 12%

*$15 charge for first checked bag, with tighter restrictions on carry-on allowance


I think we all know what that would mean for Lambert. AA retiring a lot of the old MD80s will hurt Lambert. :?



Tighter restrictions on carry-on? How so? No wonder airlines are skimping on anything so they can make a buck in these tough times. There was a survey out a couple days ago saying airlines received a D in overall service and experience, this will make it go down.:roll:
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PostMay 21, 2008#586

They should start charging fat people more.
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PostMay 21, 2008#587

DeBaliviere wrote:They should start charging fat people more.


Yeah, but that would be discriminating against fat people and lawsuits will come. Not much airlines can do in the age of raising fuel costs and a sluggish economy, passengers will still fly even when airlines continue to find ways to nickle and dime us to death. Flying domestically in the US isn't as pleasant as it was in years past. I am impressed with the level of attention when I flew on various Chinese airlines (China Eastern, Air China, Hainan Airlines, Xiamen Airlines). These airlines I can fly cheap when I am in China, but also they allow you to carry a lot of luggage and even give snacks/breakfast/lunch on board at no charge.



I am just worried about what will happen to Lambert in the 4th qtr after AA makes these cuts. :(
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PostMay 21, 2008#588

DeBaliviere wrote:They should start charging fat people more.


They should start charging bald people more because they have to waste fuel keeping the cabin warmer. 8)
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PostMay 21, 2008#589

bonwich wrote:
DeBaliviere wrote:They should start charging fat people more.


They should start charging bald people more because they have to waste fuel keeping the cabin warmer. 8)


Now that's just an outright lie!
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PostMay 21, 2008#590

passengers will still fly even when airlines continue to find ways to nickle and dime us to death


Only because there is a lack of true competition.



As for the AA cuts, given the number of regional jets in STL, it seems like Lambert may be loosing more flights. I am not certain that the STL will loose destinations, but reduced frequencies seem likely (though perhaps in exchange STL will see some larger jets to maintain capacity on routes).
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PostMay 21, 2008#591

This gives me all the more reason to fly southwest (which I am happy to do so)



I travel EVERY week and I had to book a flight to SEA with southwest because of time contraints. Needless to say it was an eye opening experiance from flying AA for so long. I still dont understand how they get all their employees to be so nice to their customers while AA it seems like to make sure we are piles of poo.



(Seattle American Airlines employees are actually really nice too. Once you get to STL, just get your bag and RUN!)



Also for those that havnt traveled in a while, southwest still has TWO (2) free checked bags. And their "layovers" are super fast.





Other tips. When flying Southwest, most of their planes are the -700 series. This means if you have a standard carry on luggage bag you can stow it vertical so more bags can fit in the overhead. (aka if someone has their bag horizontal taking up to much room, usually they dont know it can fit the other way. So move it so you dont have to keep going back to the plane)

If you flying the -300 series the overheads are much smaller and therefore you lose room
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PostMay 21, 2008#592

10-intuition wrote:


I think we all know what that would mean for Lambert. AA retiring a lot of the old MD80s will hurt Lambert. :?



Tighter restrictions on carry-on? How so? No wonder airlines are skimping on anything so they can make a buck in these tough times. There was a survey out a couple days ago saying airlines received a D in overall service and experience, this will make it go down.:roll:


Ticket agents, gate agents, and lastly cabin staff will have to make sure people do not carry-on 14 days worth of luggage. They're currently entirely too generous on carry-on allowances anyway.



I figured this would have the masses in hysterics. Airlines a business to make a profit, and with soaring $130 barrel oil running through a $50 barrel business plan, the money has to come from somewhere. Browsing through our favorites newspaper's forum reminds me how blatantly ignorant people are of the airline industry. $1,000 worth of service for $100 isn't feasible.
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PostMay 21, 2008#593

^ True, but even for domestic travel I don't ask for much, just:



-water

-No charge for checking my bag

-That the flight is on time



Not a laundry list. Not free food and tons of other goodies. Just basic here to there service that recognizes the fact that charging for the 1st piece of luggage will result in everyone carrying on their luggage, thereby slowing down security lines and boarding. Unfortunately, AA could care less about any of the above. It is a shame Amtrak sucks so much.
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PostMay 21, 2008#594

DeBaliviere wrote:They should start charging fat people more.


When oil is at $134/barrel of crude, making fat people pay more makes all the sense in the world. It's not AA's fault they're "a whole lot of passenger"; why should they and the shareholders have to suffer?
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PostMay 22, 2008#595

JMedwick wrote:^ True, but even for domestic travel I don't ask for much, just:



-water

-No charge for checking my bag

-That the flight is on time



Not a laundry list. Not free food and tons of other goodies. Just basic here to there service that recognizes the fact that charging for the 1st piece of luggage will result in everyone carrying on their luggage, thereby slowing down security lines and boarding. Unfortunately, AA could care less about any of the above. It is a shame Amtrak sucks so much.


Your thoughts are in line with consumer demands the past few years. An absolute cheapest fare demand was great, leaving airlines with the decision to separately charge passengers who wished to consume extra services. The baggage charge is an extension of that train of thought. Many people use only carry-on baggage. The customer is paying for the ability to have their luggage transported, whether it be directly or indirectly. Given this new approach, those who do not choose to check a bag aren't left to subsidize the cost of those who do check bags. But the notion of having ALL the service included in the golden era of aviation with the lowest is simply not feasible at this stage. If a flat fuel surcharge were implemented across the board, it would have been much greater than $15. American is aware of the ramifications of people trying to carry-on 3 weeks worth of luggage. A concerted effort will be made to eliminate that problem. You'll find most business/frequent passenger don't routinely check luggage and know how to pack appropriately.



A few other points of note (some speculate - some not)

-Reduction in coast-to-coast flights just like Southwest did

-All E135's will be eliminated due to their inefficiency

-DFW will feel the biggest hit since it is the largest domestic hub

-DFW/STL flying can be reaccomodated through ORD to sustain slots

-Reallocation of 757's via thinning capacity to replace A300 services

-Favorable reason to believe Las Vegas service would be cut entirely
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PostMay 24, 2008#596

Browsing through our favorite newspaper's forum reminds me how blatantly ignorant people are of the airline industry.


Edits attached:



Browsing through our favorites newspaper's forum reminds me how blatantly ignorant people are.



Wait, further edits attached:



Browsing through our favorite newspaper reminds me how blatantly ignorant people are.



Friday's front page article consisting of hysterics about the cost of gasoline was a peach.
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PostMay 26, 2008#597

Flying domestic in the USA is a joke. I get 10x better service here, and we only have 2 national airlines, 3 if you want to include Tiger Air which just came out of nowhere. I get nice, clean cabins, free drinks, in flight entertainment on flights of all lengths (yes, ALL LENGTHS), relatively quick check in and security.



The US? old, staid dusty cabins, drinks I now have to pay for, and none, zip zilch nada zero bupkiss squat squidoo total nothingness 0 kelvin -273 C entertainment on 4 HOUR FLIGHT from STL to LAX and back. I get my own personal TV with on demand function on a melbourne to sydney flight (2 hrs). If only americans knew how bad they had it.
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PostMay 26, 2008#598

^ Depends what airline you fly. St. Louis is a hub to the airline that has the oldest fleet in the US Market. (AA) If you fly Frontier you get all what you mentioned above. Also, i dont know any airline that charges for drinks, even AA gives you a full can of what ever you want.



Also migueltejada, not sure how much you fly quantas domestic, but they only have "movies" on 3 hours or longer flights, and their shorter ones... well lets just say I would rather read a magazine. Seems like they are a "continental" of Australia.



So... going back, when I fly to denver (your Melborne) i not only get ON DEMAND movies, i get Live TV! So, if you want to fly and get "zip zilch" then you keep flying the airlines you fly :)



One thing.. i do wish the Frontier movies were a little cheaper.
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PostMay 26, 2008#599

I think they do know how bad they have it, it is just that there are no good alternatives. Are you going to take Amtrak from STL to LA unless you have time to waste? No. Are you going to drive that distance? Not likely.
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PostMay 26, 2008#600

Wow,



http://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/stor ... a=from_rss



hehe, not even free nuts!?
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