My preference is mostly personal. My home country's national carrier is part of Star Alliance, and there are direct flights to FRA from my hometown. For that reason I am a captive UA customer in the US. With LH, I would be 2 flights away from home instead of 3. BA or KL/AF wouldn't help me.
I also end up traveling to Frankfurt 2-3 times a year for work (but almost never to London), so professionally it would also help.
^I wonder why Air France-KLM never makes the discussion. I can understand why BA gets the most attention, since they're a Star Alliance member, and thus in American's orbit. But I'm not sure I see what Lufthansa gets you that KLM or Air France wouldn't. I can't immagine Lufthansa would open a route from here to Munich just to serve Bayer or they already would have done so. It'd be to Frankfurt, which means your average business traveler would be making a connection there. Amsterdam and Paris would get you the same one stop to the rest of Europe. But anyway . . . I hope it works out, whoever they manage to entice.
I personally would probably rather have Delta to CDG out of all options but they don't seem to be one. CDG is the 2nd highest European airport by demand.
With Bayer Crop Science headquarters just outside Cologne and world headquarters even a little closer to downtown Cologne .... You can take a 50 minute train ride from the Frankfurt airport to Cologne central station and then a 20 minute (or less) cab to the office. I am sure that would be quicker than adding a connection at any point along the trip to Cologne or Dusseldorf (which still would involve getting from the airport to office).
^For some reason I was thinking Bayer was in . . . oh . . . Bayern. (Bavaria.) Which would basically mean Munich. Didn't realize they were in Cologne these days. Yeah, that makes Frankfurt very convenient. Anyway, I'd take any of the above. Or even American, United, or Delta honestly. Hopefully something works out this time.
Has anyone experienced items being stolen out of checked baggage at T2?
I'm an Electrical Engineer and since relocating to STL in 2016, I've been traveling about 80% of the time. Since June or July of last year I have had 7-8 Fluke meters magically "missing" from my checked pelican. I only have ever had meters missing when fly SW from Lambert. I've never had any items gone missing when flying American or inbound to Lambert. Also, it seems things only ever go "missing" when flying out Sunday evening. Any other time, I've never had anything taken.
Tonight a $500 Fluke meter was gone when I arrived at RDU.
I've filled claims with TSA's website and heard nothing. Calling Lambert directly nets a canned response with SW and TSA's contact info. Calling the local TSA office nets only a voicemail, and no one ever returns my call. In December someone did pick up, and responded with: "Are you the ***** who keeps leaving voicemails? Stop calling..." (From memory, but that about sums up what she said before hanging up.)
At this point I've basically switched to AA with a connection instead of SW direct. It's hard to justify SW when 1 out of 10 times, I "loose" a $300+ tool.
^Have you called WN? Soudsn like they have an incentive to get to the bottom of this, since they'll be the ones losing the revenue. While the TSA doesn't work for them, sadly, maybe they'll have a little more leverage than most of us.
. . . Or maybe not. If there was any one government agency I would very much deeply and richly like to see privatized that would be it.
Trans States Airlines is shutting down by the end of the year. Sad to see them go, but hopeful it means less 145s for UA here. I'll be curious what happens with GoJet. They seem to have a good thing going with the 550s. I wonder if they will stand on their own or get sold off.
PMT257, why not carry on valuables? Your allowed 1 carry on. I would bring the meter with me if one had been stolen once. I
know some items are too big, but I carry on any time I can.
Has anyone experienced items being stolen out of checked baggage at T2?
I'm an Electrical Engineer and since relocating to STL in 2016, I've been traveling about 80% of the time. Since June or July of last year I have had 7-8 Fluke meters magically "missing" from my checked pelican. I only have ever had meters missing when fly SW from Lambert. I've never had any items gone missing when flying American or inbound to Lambert. Also, it seems things only ever go "missing" when flying out Sunday evening. Any other time, I've never had anything taken.
Tonight a $500 Fluke meter was gone when I arrived at RDU.
I've filled claims with TSA's website and heard nothing. Calling Lambert directly nets a canned response with SW and TSA's contact info. Calling the local TSA office nets only a voicemail, and no one ever returns my call. In December someone did pick up, and responded with: "Are you the ***** who keeps leaving voicemails? Stop calling..." (From memory, but that about sums up what she said before hanging up.)
At this point I've basically switched to AA with a connection instead of SW direct. It's hard to justify SW when 1 out of 10 times, I "loose" a $300+ tool.
PMT257, why not carry on valuables? Your allowed 1 carry on. I would bring the meter with me if one had been stolen once. I
know some items are too big, but I carry on any time I can.
I do at times, but I've been stopped many times at TSA check points and get questioned about all the meters. It's also a pain as some have built in leads and a few times those have been not allowed through. Then it becomes a huge hassle as I have to return and check the entire bag. I travel heavily, so it really kills me time wise if I have to return back check another bag, and then go back through security again. Not much point to TSA pre at that point.
I understand that sounds a bit entitled or complaining, but just stop stealing my stuff. Or at least have some form of leadership that actually answers the phone or doesn't just hang up.
I did engage SW, they were much more accommodating than TSA or Lambert, however they admitted there isn't much they can do unless there is evidence that a SW employee was responsible.
Hmm, how would there be evidence if it was a WN employee? Maybe they put a sticker on your bag after they take your valuables letting you know?
Anytime I have had someone question an item in my bag in pre-check they set your bag aside and someone will come over and go thru it with you. I've never had to go back through and check the bag after a TSA agent looks at it.
Has anyone experienced items being stolen out of checked baggage at T2?
I'm an Electrical Engineer and since relocating to STL in 2016, I've been traveling about 80% of the time. Since June or July of last year I have had 7-8 Fluke meters magically "missing" from my checked pelican. I only have ever had meters missing when fly SW from Lambert. I've never had any items gone missing when flying American or inbound to Lambert. Also, it seems things only ever go "missing" when flying out Sunday evening. Any other time, I've never had anything taken.
Tonight a $500 Fluke meter was gone when I arrived at RDU.
I've filled claims with TSA's website and heard nothing. Calling Lambert directly nets a canned response with SW and TSA's contact info. Calling the local TSA office nets only a voicemail, and no one ever returns my call. In December someone did pick up, and responded with: "Are you the ***** who keeps leaving voicemails? Stop calling..." (From memory, but that about sums up what she said before hanging up.)
At this point I've basically switched to AA with a connection instead of SW direct. It's hard to justify SW when 1 out of 10 times, I "loose" a $300+ tool.
PMT257 - I've sent you a private message with some information which might be helpful.
Trans States Airlines is shutting down by the end of the year. Sad to see them go, but hopeful it means less 145s for UA here. I'll be curious what happens with GoJet. They seem to have a good thing going with the 550s. I wonder if they will stand on their own or get sold off.
Is it possible they're just reorganizing? It's always struck me as a bit odd that they had two separate airlines doing essentially the same thing out of the same bases. Honestly, I've expected them to roll Compass into GoJet for years. It would have to make their business easier if they had one operating certificate, a simpler fleet, and could use the same staff at all their bases.
Trans States Airlines is shutting down by the end of the year. Sad to see them go, but hopeful it means less 145s for UA here. I'll be curious what happens with GoJet. They seem to have a good thing going with the 550s. I wonder if they will stand on their own or get sold off.
Is it possible they're just reorganizing? It's always struck me as a bit odd that they had two separate airlines doing essentially the same thing out of the same bases. Honestly, I've expected them to roll Compass into GoJet for years. It would have to make their business easier if they had one operating certificate, a simpler fleet, and could use the same staff at all their bases.
No.. Trans States Holdings owns Trans States, Compass and GoJet. Trans States is low on pilots and is shutting down. Compass has lost it's contracts and is likely to shut down this year. Both airlines aircraft will be reassigned to other non TSH airlines. GoJet is going to operate the "CRJ-550" fleet for United. I suspect many of the TSA and Compass personnel will be offered jobs there.
Trans States Airlines is shutting down by the end of the year. Sad to see them go, but hopeful it means less 145s for UA here. I'll be curious what happens with GoJet. They seem to have a good thing going with the 550s. I wonder if they will stand on their own or get sold off.
Is it possible they're just reorganizing? It's always struck me as a bit odd that they had two separate airlines doing essentially the same thing out of the same bases. Honestly, I've expected them to roll Compass into GoJet for years. It would have to make their business easier if they had one operating certificate, a simpler fleet, and could use the same staff at all their bases.
No.. Trans States Holdings owns Trans States, Compass and GoJet. Trans States is low on pilots and is shutting down. Compass has lost it's contracts and is likely to shut down this year. Both airlines aircraft will be reassigned to other non TSH airlines. GoJet is going to operate the "CRJ-550" fleet for United. I suspect many of the TSA and Compass personnel will be offered jobs there.
Compass still has its AA contract doesn’t it? Although I’m not sure how much longer that will last. With all the consolidating going on, only having 20 planes for AA would be easy to fold into someone else.
Big news for Southwest fans (not me, although I'm ironically flying them this evening):
(Posted on LinkedIn)
Wingtips St. Louis is excited to announce a new partnership with Priority Pass. Now Priority Pass members traveling through St. Louis Lambert International Airport can enjoy an upscale lounge experience with amenities to make their trip more comfortable and relaxing. Wingtips St. Louis is the first and only common-use lounge at STL and offers guests a private space to relax, refresh and recharge while they wait for their flight. Priority Pass, owned by Collinson Group, is the world’s largest network of independent lounges, offering program members access to over 1,300 airport lounges across the world. Wingtips and Priority Pass have a long-standing partnership in their JFK location and are eager to add STL to the collection of lounges. “We are excited to extend our partnership with Priority Pass to our St. Louis location,” said Sally Leible, President and CEO of Airport Terminal Services, which owns and operates Wingtips. “We know travelers are always looking for ways to improve their travel experience. Wingtips is the perfect place for those who want to enjoy exceptional service in a quiet and serene atmosphere. Priority Pass members traveling through St. Louis now have a great option where they can relax and unwind prior to their flight.” hashtag#wingtipsstl hashtag#prioritypass hashtag#travel
Total passengers up 3.9% to 1,140,909 (compared to 1,098,499 last January)
Total aircraft ops up 2.7% to 15,525
Cargo tonnage up 18.7% (!!) to 6,954 vs last year's 5,860 (the Amazon flights likely played a major hand in this)
All-in-all it's nice to see the airport continue to have strong growth despite the MAX issues (and definitely nice to see the increase in cargo).
^ Despite the Browns being notoriously bad, I'm surprised a football themed bar wouldn't work in Cleveland. Lambert sees almost 6 million more passengers a year than Cleveland does though and the Blues are actually a really good team that somehow continue to win games. I think this will do well and to be honest I don't think the bar options are all that great in T2...it'll be nice to have another option.
^ Despite the Browns being notoriously bad, I'm surprised a football themed bar wouldn't work in Cleveland. Lambert sees almost 6 million more passengers a year than Cleveland does though and the Blues are actually a really good team that somehow continue to win games. I think this will do well and to be honest I don't think the bar options are all that great in T2...it'll be nice to have another option.
^ Despite the Browns being notoriously bad, I'm surprised a football themed bar wouldn't work in Cleveland. Lambert sees almost 6 million more passengers a year than Cleveland does though and the Blues are actually a really good team that somehow continue to win games. I think this will do well and to be honest I don't think the bar options are all that great in T2...it'll be nice to have another option.
I was actually just making a Brown Note joke...
Ha! Yep, that went right over my head, my bad lol.
I have flown into other midwestern airports and seen their mothballed terminals recently. Very sad. That makes me ponder what Lambert would be like without SW. Would T2 even be used?
I have flown into other midwestern airports and seen their mothballed terminals recently. Very sad. That makes me ponder what Lambert would be like without SW. WouldT2 even be used?
No. Without SW, St. Louis would only be a stop-n-go airport and we'd all have to make one, two, even three connections to get to all non-hub destinations. Rhonda and her team have done a terrific job with SW, but they need to get another carrier in STL who will commit to more than just 2-5 destinations (like Frontier or Sun). IF Spirit ever comes here, they need to come with a commitment of half a dozen destinations to start, and a plan to include more.
