America's most miserable airports

[UK78ALUM]

I was actually shocked that ATL came in at 9. I would have expected it to be higher (worse). I certainly agree with ORD being number 1 though.

http://www.usnews.com/articles/business/your-money/2008/02/11/americas-most-miserable-airports.html

[Will Lavender]

Shocked La Guardia isn't higher. The times I've been there, the workers have looked like they would rather be anywhere else in the world.

Had a guy say once to a line of people 20 deep, "Folks, this is a metal detector! If you walk through it with metal in your pockets, it goes off!"

Uh, not quite. I was virtually strip searched in San Francisco for having lint in my pocket. (True story.) :eek:

[Sir Richard F. Burton]

I really like SFO surprised it had a bad rating.

[The Old School JPS]

I'm surprised to see DFW so high. The place is huge, like Hartsfield, but I've not had any problems there the several times I've been through it.

I also was surprised to see Phoenix as high as it is. I've only been through it four times but each time went like clockwork.

Speaking of air travel, I am concerned about the proposed merger of Delta and Northwest, and the one or two mergers that might follow that. I suspect that the reduction in competition that will result from a decrease in major carriers from six to three, or even just four or five, will increase prices and decrease service (service as in both customer service and service to various destinations). The big airline bailout that Congress passed several years ago was terrible policy. They were, and for the most part remain, terribly run businesses. The worst of them simply squandered those immense taxpayer handouts and went into bankruptcy, where their inefficiencies were allowed to continue, free of paying on their debt obligations, to the hindrance of the well-run airlines that had to compete against competitors with the unfair advantage of spending long terms in bankruptcy protection.

[UK78ALUM]

Speaking of air travel, I am concerned about the proposed merger of Delta and Northwest.

As am I - for a different reason. Logistically speaking, there is no way to justify a major hub in CVG and DTW. And DTW is a major departure point for the Far East on Northworst. So, I see CVG becoming just another airport in their new system. That would greatly impact the economy of N KY.

[KY Blue in Carolina]

Newark gets my vote...

[JDHoss]

If you want to talk misery, try being stranded in Grand Rapids for 8 or 9 hours. You talk about nothing to do except twiddle your thumbs...........

[BrassowFan]

I would move SJC much further up that list, I'd prefer to fly into San Francisco over San Jose any day of the week.

[Chaz]

Chicago Midway is probably the worst airport that I've flown into or out of bar none. It's been a while, but it was the most drab, dirty looking and most unapealing place not a bus station. I can't believe that it wasn't placed higher on the list.

I've not had any problems with Atlanta, Dallas, LAX, or Cinci. I like Nashville and don't mind Atlanta too much even tho it's so large.

[surveyor]

It's been almost 4 years since I've been through it, but it seemed reasonably clean to us.

[dougwhit]

cambridge bay on victoria island. an eskimo village in the arctic, it was one thing to land the plane on a runway full of snow and ice. the airport was one small building and the person who took the bags off the plane also worked the ticket booth, gift shop, snack bar and drove the taxi to and from the hotel. he might have even been the pilot.

[kateyes]

I hate ORD. Been delayed every time I have flown through there.

[The Old School JPS]

As am I - for a different reason. Logistically speaking, there is no way to justify a major hub in CVG and DTW. And DTW is a major departure point for the Far East on Northworst. So, I see CVG becoming just another airport in their new system. That would greatly impact the economy of N KY.

Good point.

I wonder how much attention these issues will get. I suspect regulators have made up their minds already to approve the merger.

"Northworst" - I like it. I detest that awful airline. I will not fly on it.

[gerntz]

Don't use it often, but always delayed at JFK. DFW is a pain for connecting because the gates are only on one side of the concourses so that your likelihood of needing to go a long way to connect is high. I hate Denver's location in the middle of nowhere. I think it's closer to Kansas than Denver.

[BigblueDrew]

The airport in St. Louis is the worst IMO. Parking is about 10 miles from the terminal.

[Niall of the Nine Hostage]

Newark gets my vote...

ditto... last time I was there. We pulled away from the gate and sit on the plane for 5 hours before taking off.