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IAD and the buses....

Posted:
16 Aug 2008, 17:16
by woggledog
I've been based in DC for a few months now and have been flying in and out of IAD. The first time I used IAD I wondered what the hell was going on, having to take some mutant bus between terminals....
However, after having to take a bus to terminal D, which is a bit of a ride, I've come to the conclusion that I actually quite like them (especially on a beautiful day like today).
You get to see a side of an airport that you don't normally see, get to ride alongside aircraft whilst taxing and get to relax before the integration of US customs!
Am I the only one?

Posted:
16 Aug 2008, 21:42
by Howard Long
yes, you are the only one.
The way they were meant to work was that a mobile 'lounge' (ahem) was to come to the a/c door to remove people. Problem is that the way it 'works' is that people on first and paid the most go to the back and get off last.
It's crap.
H

Posted:
16 Aug 2008, 22:37
by slinky09
Originally posted by Howard Long
yes, you are the only one.
The way they were meant to work was that a mobile 'lounge' (ahem) was to come to the a/c door to remove people. Problem is that the way it 'works' is that people on first and paid the most go to the back and get off last.
It's crap.
H
Unless you know, and then you can squeeze in the little cross alley just inside the door [y].
I had thought that whoever sold this idea to IAD was one of the salesmen of all time, the company maintaining them must be doing well too!

Posted:
17 Aug 2008, 22:09
by Howard Long
Originally posted by slinky09
Unless you know, and then you can squeeze in the little cross alley just inside the door [y].
I had thought that whoever sold this idea to IAD was one of the salesmen of all time, the company maintaining them must be doing well too!
I have tried a number of ways, but however hard I seem to try despite believing my immunity in such locations, I always end up being commanded to the back by the driver. [:?]
A more sensible way for the international arrivals would be to use the lounges where you walk in one end and come off the other.
Cheers, Howard

Posted:
17 Aug 2008, 22:21
by honey lamb
I think they're dreadful. Apart from losing any priority, you lose time while you wait for the d*mn thing to fill and if another lounge from another flight arrives in the Immigration hall just before yours you are made to wait till that one is empty. Precious time gets lost if you are transferring to another flight - as I nearly discovered to my cost last year.

Posted:
19 Aug 2008, 23:38
by mike-smashing
Originally posted by slinky09
I had thought that whoever sold this idea to IAD was one of the salesmen of all time, the company maintaining them must be doing well too!
Basically, from what I can tell, you have the US infatuation about replacing perfectly good forms of transport with the internal combustion engine to thank for the mobile lounge - they were designed by Chrysler.
They also remind me of some sort of contraption you would see in an episode of Space 1999 or Thunderbirds.
Mike