ABIA Expansion Thread

[Nueces River Rat 5538]

Yeah tried to use them a few weeks ago and they didn’t have any tires for the plane.

They are a joke. Ruined my whole trip to lambeau field.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Well that sucked. Memo to self. Don’t fly Boutique.

[Ghost of LL 15531]

7 hours ago, Armybrat said:

What’s this I hear about SWA starting flights between San Francisco and Hawaii?

They're not doing SFO to Hawai'i out of the gate.  I think the first routes are going to be from OAK, SAN, SJC, and SMF to HNL, and then a bunch of inter-island flights.

[Guest Lobo]

9 hours ago, Handcruser said:

Yeah tried to use them a few weeks ago and they didn’t have any tires for the plane.

They are a joke. Ruined my whole trip to lambeau field.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Dude, are you not familiar with international travel?  Boutique Air's planes are required to change tyres at least twice during a flight.  It was probably raining and they had to switch out from Extra Soft and just didn't have the color match left in the pit.  Not always their fault.

[Stunns38 3460]

Yeah tried to use them a few weeks ago and they didn’t have any tires for the plane.

They are a joke. Ruined my whole trip to lambeau field.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

That airline shouldn’t have gotten discount tire’s cheapest set.

[Pasken 1309]

The first of the new gates in the expansion have opened but most of the restaurants are still being built. All of the new gates are expected to open by May and hopefully Delta will announce some new flights with their new gates.

 

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In terms of the next expansion, If all the funding plans are approved, demolition of the old short term garage will start Jan 2021 and the new terminal and concourse will begin construction that summer for a Jan 2025 opening. It's going to be nice having pedestrians separated on a different level from cars at the dropoff/pickup points. I almost ran over a few this morning dropping off the wife. 

 

 

[Pasken 1309]

 Haymaker is now open near Gate 24!

 

Phase 1 of the East expansion is open which is basically just the north facing gates. Demolition on those long as fuck south facing jet bridges has now started.  Those have to be packed up and then some concrete work has to be done before the final south facing gates in the expansion open. That should happen around May.

Edited February 28, 2019 by Pasken

[Guest Lobo]

Progressing nicely.  Have to throw in my obligatory, "We can now fly non-stop to Biloxi, MS but not Odessa or McAllen."  

[Pasken 1309]

Level 3 of the new Blue Garage now open, the structure now adds a total of 3,000-covered parking spaces at the Austin airport. Construction of the walkway pedestrian bridges that will connect the Blue Garage to the existing close-in garage is underway. The Park Assist parking guidance system, that utilizes smart-sensor technology and cameras to generate information for passengers about the number of available spaces on each level and identifies open parking spaces to customers, is currently in the testing phase for certification. The system will include pathway signage and an app that shows customers the number of spots available in the Blue Garage.

 

 

 

The Administrative building has reached the 25-percent completion stage. The building will allow Aviation Department staff to move out of the Barbara Jordan Terminal to make space available for possible retail, common use lounge services, and concessions in the passenger terminal.

 

Parking lot construction work to resurface, restripe, modernize with LED lighting and new entry and exit control systems are on-going with the reopening of Lot G. Lot G has 1,422 parking spots for economy parking. Lot E is closed, but the 533 parking lot is estimated to be complete before the end of April.

 

-James Avery Opens First Airport Location, Hat Creek Burger Co. and Amy’s Ice Creams Open in West Food Court

 

-Flyrite, East Side Pies have also opened up. 

 

 

-The new southern gates in the Eastern extension are now scheduled to open in June. I would expect some new destination announcements at that time when they are turned over to Delta.   I took these photos of the apron work a couple weeks ago:

 

 

Edited April 22, 2019 by Pasken

[kevwun 15788]

Woohoo, more Delta flights that connect through Atlanta.

Edited April 22, 2019 by kevwun

[BrazilHorn 6605]

The incessant gate announcements in new Delta wing of ABIA are ridiculous. 

Having an announcement for a United flight 30 gates away at 200 decibels is a little much. The volume of announcements and noise are insane  

Cannot wait for the Delta Club to open. 

[Guest Lobo]

Realistically, what additional non-stop routes do y'all expect from the delta expansion/focus city placement?  Obviously, it could just mean additional volume each day/week to/from Atlanta, Salt Lake City (maybe seasonally), JFK, Boston, Cincinnati (not sure if needed), Detroit (doubtful), Twin Cities (doubtful), LAX, SEA (I see Alaska growing in AUS, not them)?  

Raleigh-Durham adding one a day, considering the tech connection seems likely.  Maybe an international route.  What I'd really like to see is Chicago-Midway but the challenge there is gate space at MDW, not here.   Maybe a run to Mexico City?  Harlingen as a competitor to SWA?  I dunno, I guess added volume to existing routes already justifies the added gates.  With an eye towards the future.  

[gecko 1104]

Lobo, look for AUS-AMS in the near future operated w/an A330.

[Texas Jeff 1945]

What is the purpose of the big ass doors you go through you go through your way to baggage claim?  Do other airports have these? Seems like they are intended to make sure people can't sneak past security but I have not seen anything like this in other places.

[Moby Ric 2058]

I normally fly out of Houston, but I just went through ABIA over the weekend on United.  That place can't expand fast enough, that place is nuts.

[Pasken 1309]

24 minutes ago, Texas Jeff said:

What is the purpose of the big ass doors you go through you go through your way to baggage claim?  Do other airports have these? Seems like they are intended to make sure people can't sneak past security but I have not seen anything like this in other places.

https://www.kxan.com/news/local/austin/new-exit-security-system-in-place-at-austin-airport/994999379

[gecko 1104]

27 minutes ago, Moby Ric said:

I normally fly out of Houston, but I just went through ABIA over the weekend on United.  That place can't expand fast enough, that place is nuts.

IAH spoils you in a hurry.....

[Pasken 1309]

10 hours ago, Lobo said:

Realistically, what additional non-stop routes do y'all expect from the delta expansion/focus city placement?  Obviously, it could just mean additional volume each day/week to/from Atlanta, Salt Lake City (maybe seasonally), JFK, Boston, Cincinnati (not sure if needed), Detroit (doubtful), Twin Cities (doubtful), LAX, SEA (I see Alaska growing in AUS, not them)?  

Raleigh-Durham adding one a day, considering the tech connection seems likely.  Maybe an international route.  What I'd really like to see is Chicago-Midway but the challenge there is gate space at MDW, not here.   Maybe a run to Mexico City?  Harlingen as a competitor to SWA?  I dunno, I guess added volume to existing routes already justifies the added gates.  With an eye towards the future.  

 

To be honest, I don't care about that aspect as much. I'm much more interested in infrastructure but a guy who works at the airport that has pointed me to some stuff before identified these as new flights coming which would almost all compete with existing service: PDX, SJC, LAS, PHX, DEN, ORD, BNA, IND, PIT, MSY, TPA, MCO, FLL and International: MTY, GDL, CUN, YVR, CDG

Treat these as rumors that can change but if he said he heard it then I believe him. Delta also has code sharing with AeroMexico which means it makes sense for them to grow together at ABIA. Monterrey would be a new destination while Guadalajara would resume after being abandoned last year IIRC.

[Pasken 1309]

Also, I would treat any new flight from delta to a destination that is only served by Allegiant as a new route. Allegiant should not be counted as a real airline. I hope they shrink their service in Austin once the South Terminal is bulldozed and they have to pay full price when the new center concourse is up.

[Nueces River Rat 5538]

How likely is ABIA to get an Asian based airline to start offering flights to a destination in that part of the world in the near or medium time range?  Seems like they have the major gateway airports to Europe covered save CDG (France)  which I hear is a cluster----- to fly in and out of to begin with.  

Looking at some of the better known names  and the airports that are served here in Texas by Asian based carriers,   Cathy Pacific would be a great airline to target.  They are based in Hong Kong and connect to destinations all over Asia as well as Australia and currently do not fly out of IAH or DFW.  Maybe even Hainan which flies to Beijing and connects all over Asia as well.  

[MFEU93MK9S8IW6K6FV0X 95]

^that would be super awesome

[Pasken 1309]

27 minutes ago, Nueces River Rat said:

How likely is ABIA to get an Asian based airline to start offering flights to a destination in that part of the world in the near or medium time range?  Seems like they have the major gateway airports to Europe covered save CDG (France)  which I hear is a cluster----- to fly in and out of to begin with.  

 Looking at some of the better known names  and the airports that are served here in Texas by Asian based carriers,   Cathy Pacific would be a great airline to target.  They are based in Hong Kong and connect to destinations all over Asia as well as Australia and currently do not fly out of IAH or DFW.  Maybe even Hainan which flies to Beijing and connects all over Asia as well.  

I have no clue but the airport staff anticipates 1 flight a week to Seoul, South Korea via Korean Air on a 777 starting in early 2020 along with Paris via Air France on the Dreamliner in late 2019, daily to Vancouver in late 2018, 4 a week to Costa Rica in late 2020 on a 737 via United. Late 2018 came and went without Vancouver so remember these aren't locks.

The expansion of Apple and Amazon could create more of a demand for a connection to China. Is it hard to get to China if you stop over in South Korea? Does it make more sense to layover in LA and fly direct to China?

Edited April 23, 2019 by Pasken

[Nueces River Rat 5538]

48 minutes ago, Pasken said:

I have no clue but the airport staff anticipates 1 flight a week to Seoul, South Korea via Korean Air on a 777 starting in early 2020 along with Paris via Air France on the Dreamliner in late 2019, daily to Vancouver in late 2018, 4 a week to Costa Rica in late 2020 on a 737 via United. Late 2018 came and went without Vancouver so remember these aren't locks.

The expansion of Apple and Amazon could create more of a demand for a connection to China. Is it hard to get to China if you stop over in South Korea? Does it make more sense to layover in LA and fly direct to China?

That's good to hear, especially about Vancouver.  Is it going to  West Jet or Air Canada?    If it's Air Canada, it would open up some codeshare options on Asian based airlines and an alternative to connecting at LAX, SEA, or SFO.    Not to mention Air Canada has good number of direct flights from Vancouver to Asia destinations itself. I did see  a direct flight is going to start to Calgary via West Jet.  Banff here I come.

I don't see why a Chinese airline like Hainan wouldn't consider  a direct flight the China if the market demand is calling for it.   Air China flies directly from IAH to PKG daily  Hainan flies directly to PKG from San Jose, Vegas and Tijuana.   

[KeysPhoneWallet 807]

I’ve heard that rail to the airport is the kind of thing that makes sense to the average voter, even though it doesn’t make economic sense, so it’s the kind of prestige thing that can get a transportation bond package passed.

I like the idea of rail to the airport bc I can get to and from the airport far more cheaply using the rail system. A cab from the airport to cedar Park would be expensive, but the train would be cheap enough to prefer it to driving down there. I am generally for expanding the rail system around Austin though, especially connecting the suburbs to the city

[Pasken 1309]

22 hours ago, KeysPhoneWallet said:

 

 

I like the idea of rail to the airport bc I can get to and from the airport far more cheaply using the rail system. A cab from the airport to cedar Park would be expensive, but the train would be cheap enough to prefer it to driving down there. I am generally for expanding the rail system around Austin though, especially connecting the suburbs to the city

 

 

 

It doesn't seem like expanding the commuter rail line to the airport is being looked at right now. Cap Metro has the rail up to 183 but would have to acquire land through a lot of private property to get from east of 183 where the current track is, across the river and to the airport.  The focus for an airport connection right now is the new Blue Line  which will most likely be a rapid bus with a dedicated lane which would intersect the current Red Line Diesel Commuter Rail by the convention center. So, you would have to go DT, jump on the blue line to get to the airport.

[clapclapclap 9000]

On 4/23/2019 at 9:58 AM, Pasken said:

Also, I would treat any new flight from delta to a destination that is only served by Allegiant as a new route. Allegiant should not be counted as a real airline. I hope they shrink their service in Austin once the South Terminal is bulldozed and they have to pay full price when the new center concourse is up.

Um, get rid of Allegiant and more poors will be on your flights.

[Pasken 1309]

1 hour ago, clapclapclap said:

Um, get rid of Allegiant and more poors will be on your flights.

Who cares? No Allegiant  means I won't get a plane crashing threw the roof of my house on approach. 

[PilotsError 2287]

does that happen regularly?

[Pasken 1309]

New ABJ Article on how local Austin businesses can help Airport Expansion:

The paint is still drying on the last big project at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.

But there's no rest for the weary when air travel is growing as fast as it is in Austin.

After rolling out the first part of a $350 million terminal expansion earlier this year, ABIA's attention is back on landing more nonstop routes and pushing for further expansions as part of its 2040 master plan.

Aviation officials and experts told an Urban Land Institute audience on April 24 the Austin business community has a crucial role to play in the airport's future — from pushing for the master plan at Austin City Hall to supporting nascent routes through their business travel budgets.

ABIA Executive Director Jim Smith said the new nine-gate expansion lifts the airport's capacity to 15 million passengers, up from the 11 million passengers the Southeast Austin facility was initially designed to accommodate. But ABIA's annual passenger count has already surpassed that benchmark, reaching 15.8 million passengers last year. Smith expects this year's total to reach around 17.5 million.

"Even though we just did a major project, we're already kind of behind the eight ball in terms of keeping up with the rate of growth," Smith said.

Smith said they expect airport traffic to reach between 21 million and 30 million annual passengers within a decade. That will require roughly $4 billion worth of facility updates to handle that spike in demand.

"Right now, we can't afford $4 billion and still have an airport which is cost effective for the airlines to fly in and out of," Smith said. "So it's going to call for a lot of creativity and prioritization over the next couple years to decide what we build."

"We just have to work to try to keep the infrastructure at pace or close to the pace with the potential demand," he added.

ABIA's 2040 master plan, which is under review by the Federal Aviation Administration, calls for parallel concourses similar to airport designs in Atlanta and Denver to handle that growth. Smith said the two concourses would likely be connected by an above-ground bridge, due to issues with building an underground connection related to the water table. The airport will also need additional taxiways and access to whatever form of high-capacity mass transit materializes in Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority's Project Connect, Smith said.

"We're still evaluating what our [financial] options are, everything from what method of project delivery to a public-private partnership," Smith said.

Avenues for business advocacy
Dell Technologies Inc. executive Doug Driskill chairs the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce's air services task force. He said community involvement was critical to the expansion of Austin's network of nonstop routes, pointing to nonstop British Airways service to London and Lufthansa's upcoming nonstop service to Frankfurt, Germany.

"Those things didn't happen by accident," Driskill said. "They happened because the business community and the city and the region, frankly, were working together to really advocate."

He said that same type of mobilization will be needed to push for funding the facilities expansion outlined in ABIA's master plan.

"We are already behind the curve on the most recent expansion," Driskill said. "We don't want to be in a position to miss the next wave of growth or opportunity."

Driskill said there are more European destinations that ABIA could land in the near future, mentioning recent Delta Airlines investments into the Austin airport. He also said securing ABIA's first nonstop connection to Asia was "top of mind for us."

"There are a couple of carriers now I think have moved from interest to probably in the horizon of the next two years," Driskill said of launching Asia service.

Jeff Fegan, an aviation industry consultant and the former CEO of Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, said local businesses should support nascent nonstop routes, even if they're not as cheap as routes that connect through other cities.

"As corporations, I would certainly look at your travel policies and encourage your people that do travel in your organizations to actually use the nonstop service," Fegan said. "That's the only way these things will be sustained long-term."

Fegan said that's because airlines often watch how a rival's route fares in a market before following suit.

"If an airline [route] fails at an airport, that also sends a big strong signal," Fegan said. "So it's very important that our community support these flights. And travel policies [are] one way of doing that."

Fegan also encouraged businesses to advocate for the master plan at the local level and lobby at the federal level that the Transportation Security Administration and U.S. Customers and Border Patrol be fully equipped and "prepared for this onslaught of new [ABIA] travel."

FAA approval of the master plan was suppose to take up to 6 months but there was a federal shutdown that could likely extend that. It'll be real interesting when we get our first peep at the 1st CIP of the new 2040 plan.

[gecko 1104]

Any Asian routes, it would seem to me, would be operated by a OneWorld carrier...that would be either Cathy Pacific or Korean, both of which already serve Dallas.  Asiana, Singapore, Air China, Eva are Star Alliance serving Houston.

Austin may be boxed in re: an Asian route by IAH and DFW....but what do I know....

[Ghost of LL 15531]

2 hours ago, gecko said:

Any Asian routes, it would seem to me, would be operated by a OneWorld carrier...that would be either Cathy Pacific or Korean, both of which already serve Dallas.  Asiana, Singapore, Air China, Eva are Star Alliance serving Houston.

Austin may be boxed in re: an Asian route by IAH and DFW....but what do I know....

If you want an Asian routing--which I still think is very unlikely--I think it would almost have to be a Skyteam carrier because of the nearby hubs for AA and UA.  That would mean either China Airlines to Taipei (unlikely) or Korean Air to Seoul (somewhat less unlikely).

[gecko 1104]

I completely forgot about DL and Skyteam.  With DL's big bet on Austin, one of those carriers would make the most sense.

[dieucla98 2942]

9 hours ago, gecko said:

Any Asian routes, it would seem to me, would be operated by a OneWorld carrier...that would be either Cathy Pacific or Korean, both of which already serve Dallas.  Asiana, Singapore, Air China, Eva are Star Alliance serving Houston.

Austin may be boxed in re: an Asian route by IAH and DFW....but what do I know....

Korean is not OneWorld, maybe you're thinking JAL?

Cathay makes some sense since they don't serve IAH or DFW.

Korean might be the answer... Supposed increase in DL traffic and the Samsung connection is compelling but I doubt they buy up enough seats to move the needle.  Maybe cargo would justify it? The Austin fabs put out quite a bit of cargo destined for ICN but that cargo flies on the DFW-ICN route already so they'd just be moving a revenue stream around instead of creating net new revenue...

In short, who the fuck knows.

[gmr548 16580]

On 4/23/2019 at 9:57 AM, Pasken said:

 

To be honest, I don't care about that aspect as much. I'm much more interested in infrastructure but a guy who works at the airport that has pointed me to some stuff before identified these as new flights coming which would almost all compete with existing service: PDX, SJC, LAS, PHX, DEN, ORD, BNA, IND, PIT, MSY, TPA, MCO, FLL and International: MTY, GDL, CUN, YVR, CDG

Treat these as rumors that can change but if he said he heard it then I believe him. Delta also has code sharing with AeroMexico which means it makes sense for them to grow together at ABIA. Monterrey would be a new destination while Guadalajara would resume after being abandoned last year IIRC.

From a rube's perspective, New Orleans, Denver, Nashville, Portland, Bay Area, Research Triangle and Vegas all come to mind as the low hanging fruit for expansion by Delta. Expansion to Mexico with Aeromexico makes sense as well. 

[Pasken 1309]

Do people care about growth numbers? Growth up %12.

 

 

Passenger Activity: Total passenger traffic for March 2019 was 1,463,016 up 12% compared to March 2018. March 2019 enplanements totaled 724,850, up 13.2%. Southwest Airlines passengers totaled 496,419, up 6.7%; American Airlines passengers 271,837, up 13.2%; United Airlines passengers totaled 223,699, up 6.9%; Delta Air Lines passengers 198,508, up 9.3%; Spirit Airlines passengers totaled 69,937; JetBlue Airwayspassengers totaled 51,163, down 15.1%; Alaska Airlines passengers totaled 51,008, up 1.3%; Frontier Airlines passengers totaled 44,465, up 1.4%;Allegiant Air passengers totaled 20,751, down 31.9%; British Airways passengers totaled 15,707, up 33.9%; %; Norwegian Air passengers totaled 7,656, up 345.4%; Air Canada passengers totaled 5,381, up 33.2%; AeroMexico passengers totaled 3,097, down 19.8%; ViaAir passengers totaled 1,189, up 4.2%; Swift Air passengers totaled 531, up 81.2%; Scandinavian Airlines passengers totaled 423, down 39.3%; Sun Country Airlines passengers totaled 334, down 12.6%; and Lufthansa passengers totaled 259.

March 2019 air cargo totaled 12,231,196 lbs., down 10.4% compared to March 2018.  International air cargo totaled 1,655,081 lbs., down 2.7%. Federal Express carried 8.4 million lbs., down 7.7%; and United Parcel Service carried 3.1 million lbs., down 10.2%.

Air Services transferred 873,142 lbs. of mail, up 48.8%; and 1,926,203 lbs. of belly freight, up 23.8%.

Aircraft Operations: General Aviation operations totaled 3,801, down 17.7%. Combined operations (including commercial and military) totaled 18,164, up 0.3%.

 

 

[Pasken 1309]

Some Port Updates

 

1) Remaining Eastern expansion gates now estimated to open late June or July
 

2) They're going forward with JE Dunn Construction on a 65 million contract to build the consolidated maintenance facility on the NE corner of the property. It's a little campus of multiple buildings.

3) Design of Checkpoint 1 remodel to add two new checkpoints has begun.

4) Design of new IT building is almost done.

5) First 5 levels of new parking garage are substantially complete. Construction ongoing for Admin building, economy lots, new employment center, LED signage and entry/exit plazas.

6) The 2040 Master Plan is still under FAA review (likely delayed due to gov shutdown)

7)Hire Cambell-Hill Aviation Group, LLC. to help market ABIA to new markets.

 

This is the 2nd delay we've seen for the opening of the new gates and I'm willing to bet it's because of the rain since they are working with dirt in prepping the new apron space. They have a lot of concrete to get down.  I've said it before and I'll say it again: Not knowing when you will get new gates is a good reason why airlines shouldn't announce new flights.

 

 

Consolidated Maintenance Facility (In Construction):

 

IT Building (Design):

 

 

[Pasken 1309]

New Delta Club Opens Tomorrow

https://news.delta.com/newest-delta-sky-club-evokes-eclectic-austin

• Covered Sky Deck, an outdoor patio that can be enjoyed year-round
• Full-service bar that includes seasonal cocktails and wine, selected by Delta's Master Sommelier Andrea Robinson, which will be stored in a temperature-controlled custom glass tower, along with the Agave Experience — an extensive selection of tequila and mezcal that can be sampled in individual pours or tasting flights — on the premium bar menu
• Beer to try from around Texas, like Thirsty Planet Thirsty Goat, Hi Sign Violet the Blueberry Blonde and Saint Arnold Fancy Lawnmower, and rotating, seasonal food offerings inspired by the region, like handcrafted tacos and barbecue dishes
• Unique, eclectic interior style inspired by Austin with warm walnut surfaces, metal finishes and rich fabrics
• Select artwork from well-known and up-and-coming artists with connections to Texas
• Comfortable seating areas, high-speed Wi-Fi and power outlets at nearly every seat

 

[BrazilHorn 6605]

34 minutes ago, Pasken said:

New Delta Club Opens Tomorrow

https://news.delta.com/newest-delta-sky-club-evokes-eclectic-austin

• Covered Sky Deck, an outdoor patio that can be enjoyed year-round
• Full-service bar that includes seasonal cocktails and wine, selected by Delta's Master Sommelier Andrea Robinson, which will be stored in a temperature-controlled custom glass tower, along with the Agave Experience — an extensive selection of tequila and mezcal that can be sampled in individual pours or tasting flights — on the premium bar menu
• Beer to try from around Texas, like Thirsty Planet Thirsty Goat, Hi Sign Violet the Blueberry Blonde and Saint Arnold Fancy Lawnmower, and rotating, seasonal food offerings inspired by the region, like handcrafted tacos and barbecue dishes
• Unique, eclectic interior style inspired by Austin with warm walnut surfaces, metal finishes and rich fabrics
• Select artwork from well-known and up-and-coming artists with connections to Texas
• Comfortable seating areas, high-speed Wi-Fi and power outlets at nearly every seat

 

Cannot fucking wait. The gate announcements in the new Delta gate area are out of control. 

[TornACL 7698]

3 minutes ago, BrazilHorn said:

Cannot fucking wait. The gate announcements in the new Delta gate area are out of control. 

How many times did Nick Saban get paged to meet his ride at the arrivals level?

[BrazilHorn 6605]

3 minutes ago, TornACL said:

How many times did Nick Saban get paged to meet his ride at the arrivals level?

Felt like 1000 and he was flying United which is 30 gates away. 

[HenryJames 66052]

53 minutes ago, Pasken said:

New Delta Club Opens Tomorrow

https://news.delta.com/newest-delta-sky-club-evokes-eclectic-austin

• Covered Sky Deck, an outdoor patio that can be enjoyed year-round
• Full-service bar that includes seasonal cocktails and wine, selected by Delta's Master Sommelier Andrea Robinson, which will be stored in a temperature-controlled custom glass tower, along with the Agave Experience — an extensive selection of tequila and mezcal that can be sampled in individual pours or tasting flights — on the premium bar menu
• Beer to try from around Texas, like Thirsty Planet Thirsty Goat, Hi Sign Violet the Blueberry Blonde and Saint Arnold Fancy Lawnmower, and rotating, seasonal food offerings inspired by the region, like handcrafted tacos and barbecue dishes
• Unique, eclectic interior style inspired by Austin with warm walnut surfaces, metal finishes and rich fabrics
• Select artwork from well-known and up-and-coming artists with connections to Texas
• Comfortable seating areas, high-speed Wi-Fi and power outlets at nearly every seat

 

Handcrafted tacos!

[Brisketexan 105139]

I don't follow this thread much....but have we bitched about the new rideshare setup, where you come out of the airport and walk east for 1/2 mile to get to the new pickup point?  That's nifty for out of town folks who are expecting vehicles to pick them up at the natural pickup area.  My Lyft driver said that about 25% of his airport rides are no-shows because they can't figure out how to get to the remote lot.  And it's a real thrill when it's 90+ and humid as shit, and you're wearing a suit.  

[Guest Lobo]

I'm sorry, you didn't get the email about the "Ann Kitchen Ride-Share Lot"?  Conveniently located between the 71 and El Tenampa Bar?  

If you don't think there's some bad feelings baked into that deal, you're insane.  The fucking Silvercar pickup (and I love that rental service, not so much the band) serves about 1/50th the number of people and look how much closer they are than the rideshare pickup.  You tell me.  

[Brisketexan 105139]

1 minute ago, Lobo said:

I'm sorry, you didn't get the email about the "Ann Kitchen Ride-Share Lot"?  Conveniently located between the 71 and El Tenampa Bar?  

If you don't think there's some bad feelings baked into that deal, you're insane.  The fucking Silvercar pickup (and I love that rental service, not so much the band) serves about 1/50th the number of people and look how much closer they are than the rideshare pickup.  You tell me.  

I have no f'n doubt.  The funny thing is, though....the taxi cabs got hosed and jammed over there, too.  Imagine walking out of a major airport and not even SEEING a cab....anywhere.  Just a few signs telling you to walk this way for 300 yards.  And then this way for 200 yards.  And then this way for 250 yards....leaving you to wonder whether you're just following signs to a serial killer's lair or some shit.

I tried to set the pickup point ("Blue 2"), and the app actually said "that's pretty far away, are you sure you want that pickup point?"  When the app itself recognizes that the pickup point is in BFE, that's fucked.

Edited May 20, 2019 by Brisketexan

[Ghost of LL 15531]

1 hour ago, Brisketexan said:

I have no f'n doubt.  The funny thing is, though....the taxi cabs got hosed and jammed over there, too.  Imagine walking out of a major airport and not even SEEING a cab....anywhere.  Just a few signs telling you to walk this way for 300 yards.  And then this way for 200 yards.  And then this way for 250 yards....leaving you to wonder whether you're just following signs to a serial killer's lair or some shit.

I tried to set the pickup point ("Blue 2"), and the app actually said "that's pretty far away, are you sure you want that pickup point?"  When the app itself recognizes that the pickup point is in BFE, that's fucked.

My experience is that the Uber drivers will call you and ask if you want to be picked up at the terminal.  Or if they don't, you can call them now that you're in on the secret.

[Brisketexan 105139]

My experience is that the Uber drivers will call you and ask if you want to be picked up at the terminal.  Or if they don't, you can call them now that you're in on the secret.

Yep, that’s what my driver said - call him, and he’ll meet you at a pillar at the regular pickup.

[Gardner Barnes 1562]

I have no f'n doubt.  The funny thing is, though....the taxi cabs got hosed and jammed over there, too.  Imagine walking out of a major airport and not even SEEING a cab....anywhere.  Just a few signs telling you to walk this way for 300 yards.  And then this way for 200 yards.  And then this way for 250 yards....leaving you to wonder whether you're just following signs to a serial killer's lair or some shit.
I tried to set the pickup point ("Blue 2"), and the app actually said "that's pretty far away, are you sure you want that pickup point?"  When the app itself recognizes that the pickup point is in BFE, that's fucked.

It’s really not that uncommon. LGA has a similar walk to ride share. As does IND and PHL plus several more that I can’t remember off the top of my head.

ORD is close to baggage and it’s a shitshow.

[HenryJames 66052]

How many lawyers does it take to figure out an Uber pickup?

[Native Horn 3504]

The world may never know.

[VolenteHawk 495]

7 hours ago, Gardner Barnes said:

It’s really not that uncommon. LGA has a similar walk to ride share. As does IND and PHL plus several more that I can’t remember off the top of my head.

ORD is close to baggage and it’s a shitshow.

 

 

SFO requires some creativity to find rideshare.

 

[HOOKEM4 5036]

14 hours ago, Brisketexan said:

I don't follow this thread much....but have we bitched about the new rideshare setup, where you come out of the airport and walk east for 1/2 mile to get to the new pickup point?  That's nifty for out of town folks who are expecting vehicles to pick them up at the natural pickup area.  My Lyft driver said that about 25% of his airport rides are no-shows because they can't figure out how to get to the remote lot.  And it's a real thrill when it's 90+ and humid as shit, and you're wearing a suit.  

You are supposed to rent a scooter to get to the uber pickup.