Austin Airport: Why do we have to sacrifise covenience for LOCAL? (Howe: cost, dangerous)

[Alatex]

For whatever it's worth, the four airports I go through most often are Austin's, Birmingham's, Houston-Hobby, and Dallas-Love.

Austin's airport offerings compare quite well to any of those.

[TexasHorseLady]

So, it would appear, rather than chains, that additional local selections, or stairstepping hours open (perhaps rotating so the same chain doesn't get the "dead zone" shift every day) would serve much better to solve the problem than adding McDonald's or any other generic, lowest-common-denominator chain would do.

Other than that, if you simply MUST have your McDonald's, go through a drive through on the way to the airport and eat it before you get there.

A sit down restaurant would be great, but it would need to be outside of the security area in order to survive. It would probably do very well, at that, if that could be arranged.

[twange]

Originally Posted by TexasHorseLady

A sit down restaurant would be great, but it would need to be outside of the security area in order to survive. It would probably do very well, at that, if that could be arranged.

I think so. Remember when hanging out at the airport was fun people watching? The new security requirements have sort of killed that vibe unfortunately.

[mlassoff]

Its no longer required that you show your boarding pass to go through security. Which means someone who isn't flying can easily go through security to meet a relative, see someone off, or eat. I don't know if the official policy is that you need to be flying that day to go through security.

[TexasHorseLady]

Originally Posted by mlassoff

Its no longer required that you show your boarding pass to go through security. Which means someone who isn't flying can easily go through security to meet a relative, see someone off, or eat. I don't know if the official policy is that you need to be flying that day to go through security.

When did this happen? Last time I was in the airport was in March (March 3, to be exact - burned in my brain for eternity because she flew to Canada that day and got married on March 4) to see my daughter off, and they weren't letting people who weren't flying through security then.

[mlassoff]

Originally Posted by TexasHorseLady

When did this happen? Last time I was in the airport was in March (March 3, to be exact - burned in my brain for eternity because she flew to Canada that day and got married on March 4) to see my daughter off, and they weren't letting people who weren't flying through security then.

I've noticed this the last couple of weeks. They're not specifically inviting visitors through, but they are not asking for or looking at your boarding pass when you go though. I would say maybe in the last month or so.

And I agree with your point-- I'd be ok keeping the local franchises if we can expect them to be open during prime hours-- Like between 5 - 7 when there are about 15 flights leaving.

[thesonofgray]

Originally Posted by AustinSpartan

A 24-hour restaurant makes absolutely no sense at ABIA. If you've ever arrived on a flight after 9pm, the entire airport is occupied by the cleaning crew and that's about it. Austin is not a hub city and does not have a lot of late arrivals that would require a 24-hour restaurant.

It's a telling sign when the airport lounges close at 6pm.

Yeah, a 24-hour restaurant would be so silly. I've flown into ABIA at 2:30AM once, and that was because O'Hare was closed for 4 hours due to weather and I was a genius and booked a late flight (out of Columbus, which has a xfer in Nashville - and boy did the delays snowball).

Honestly, I think the handful of employees at the airport were just there waiting for our flight to arrive so they could go home. All the lights in the terminal were shut off, so it was a little creepy. Anyways, 24-hours is stupid. But there should be something selling food open from like 4am to 11pm every day.

[thesonofgray]

Originally Posted by mlassoff

I've noticed this the last couple of weeks. They're not specifically inviting visitors through, but they are not asking for or looking at your boarding pass when you go though. I would say maybe in the last month or so.

Eh? Um, that's not kosher at all, and kind of worries me.

[10scoachrick]

Originally Posted by thesonofgray

Eh? Um, that's not kosher at all, and kind of worries me.

Indeedy, as of Wed. the 10th, a pass was required to get through security to meet 13y/o first time passengers and only ONE pass was allowed...I dutifully waited outside the restricted area while DW met the nephews at the gate. It was never suggested that I could get through security w/o a pass or ticket.

[car957]

I'll be on a Airplane on Wednesday @ 0845. It's on SW to Phoenix. Look for a guy with a white Stetson that has been destroyed by TSA. If you see me, and you can man up, welcome to my travel world. Sorry Steve or Texas Horselady or Love Roses, I am flying.