Charlotte Douglas Airport Expansion Plans (Dallas: rental car, rental, credit)
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I just hope that the overlook area isn't removed. The airport growth is GREAT and will continue to fuel metro Charlotte's growth for years to come. However, Charlotte does have one of the best runway overlooks. Such things are rare, so we're lucky to have it.
The new runway has been sold to the public as a runway that will reduce the number of low flying planes over neighborhoods. This maybe true. However, IMO the 12,000 ft runway (the longest at the airport when completed) will be for direct flights overseas mostly. Those overseas flights carry more fuel (think 63,000 gallons at a weight of 6.8 pounds per gallon for the "big birds" out there). As a result, they need a longer runway in order to reach a proper take-off speed. The bigger airports like Atlanta has a 12,000 footer already. The fact that Charlotte is now getting one is a very good sign.
Last edited by urbancharlotte; 01-09-2013 at 05:35 PM..
Expanding the E terminal? Walking to the current end of E (either branch) is already a long enough hike.
Quote:
Originally Posted by frewroad
I hope they will make better accommodations for people without tickets who come to the airport to wait on people.
What would you like to see in this regard?
The only thing CLT does not have outside of security that some other airports do is any type of restaurant or bar, which would be nice to have while waiting (at least a small cafe or something). But whenever I have gone inside to pick up anyone from the airport, I am usually not there for more than 15 minutes. Its so easy nowadays to track flights in real-time online that it is fairly easy to know when a plane will actually touch down - the only unexpected delays for arrivals anymore is when one gets delayed on the tarmac before taxiing in to their gate.
I feel sorry for connecting passengers who have to walk from Concourse E to the new Int'l Concourse. That will be a nightmare!
You mean the passengers from the end of "E" to the end of "B"? As far as I know, there will be a connected bridge from E to the International Terminal. Charlotte was built to be a transfer Hub so they kept it in mind.
If this expansion gets completed, US Airways would Rival American Airlines Dallas Hub as the 2nd largest airline hub in the world, or probably 8th in total flights in the world. Delta at Atlanta is above and beyond and always will be the undisputed largest airline hub in the world. Charlotte & Atlanta are the best two positioned airline hubs. ATL has size on its side (population wise) hence is bigger than CLT
There's not a city Close to our size that even comes close to the operations CLT has.
Quote:
Originally Posted by GoPhils
So will the whole rental car facility be inside now?
Yes and I believe it will save the airport money from havin to run buses (though I thought the rental car companies paid for it themselves. Guess not?) as you can simply walk right out and they'll all be right there.
Are they going to do anything about the long term parking? I think that the lots they have are disgraceful. Rolling suitcases and walking over the gravel is a pain and people park in every little nook and cranny, along the fences, because there isn't enough places, especially when only one lot is open at a time. I think this would have been something to be more towards the top of the list. It's one thing to be able to have all these flights, but if people don't have anywhere to park they aren't going to be happy. And they surely aren't going to want to pay the high prices for the decks if they are going to be gone a longer time.
Although I don't have experience parking in a lot of different airports, they should take a look at what Pittsburgh, PA did for their long term parking. Paved, very well lit lots, with a set route for the shuttle buses to take and lots of well lit shuttle stops. Plus they are patrolled by the county as well as airport security so you feel a bit safer when you come in late at night or leave early in the AM. Plus lots of booths for paying with cash or credit and they also have a bar code that you can get for frequent fliers that works something like EZ Pass. And the very close long term was within walking access to the enclosed moving walkways.
But then again, I guess CLT would want to be careful about what they spend and build as we all know what happened at PGH.
I thought most of the long-term parking is paved? I've never had a problem with the long-term parking at CLT and actually prefer using it, partially due to cost and partially due to the ease of getting in/out from 85. The shuttles aren't as often, but they have more stops within each lot so you don't have a far walk to your car and as a result, I've never felt unsafe there. As far as people parking in every nook and cranny, I think that is more a result of people ignoring the workers directing traffic. I think every time I go there I see a person in front of me blowing by in the opposite direction that they're being directed.
Admittedly I think I've only used the Daily 1 or 2 times. Is it even walkable from the daily lots to the terminal? All I remember is one of the first times I used the Daily (garage), I was not a fan of how there was only one shuttle stop for 2 garages, and actually had to wait for a 2nd bus to come because the line was so long to get on.
What I would like to see is more sidewalks along the roads. I've parked in long-term and rented a car a couple times, and the walk to the rental car area from there can be pretty treacherous.
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