News and notes from around the interweb:
- Profile of Qantas CEO Alan Joyce
- Denver airport is about to get busier (and more crowded) than ever before. Will its trains be able to handle the crush?
- It’s possible to nonrev on the Landline buses operating for American Airlines ex-Philadelphia.
non-rev on the busses? pic.twitter.com/qpYZFwZHmu
— 🇺🇦 JonNYC 🇺🇦 (@xJonNYC) June 13, 2022
- NH Hotels has officially joined GHA Discovery
- Southwest Airlines releases leadership book
- American Airlines now uses two jet bridges to deplane Boeing 777s.
They weren’t doing this already? SMDH That should have been a no-brainer.
“American Airlines now uses two jet bridges to deplane Boeing 777s.”
I can’t think of any domestic airports where this is even a possibility for them, other than TBIT @ LAX. Perhaps some of the gates at HNL? Other domestic hubs that I can think of where no dual jet bridges exist – so then where other than LAX does this really apply?:
-MIA
-CLT
-ORD
-DFW
-PHX
-PHL
What is the implication for international outstations where they are outsourcing to a ground services firm? Also, what about for boarding? I have to imagine this would expedite boarding as much as deplaning. Last question – interesting note about the 787 and the proximity of the pitot tubes to L1. Is this policy in place with all 787 operators or is it unique to American? From my own experience I have never (in real life or pictures) dual jet bridge operation with 787’s before.
The train is the weak link at the denver airport. Getting off the train at the terminal to depart denver is a horrible experience. I feel bad for anyone elderly or disabled because it is a mad dash of people rushing to go up 2 small escalators, 1 of which seems always to be broken and under repair. Forget about even trying to social distance. I never understood why they didn’t build a pedestrian tunnel between the concourses – similar to how atlanta did it. Sure they would be long tunnels, but golf carts and moving walkways could help relieve the walk. Or I’m sure some people would like to walk – especially after a long flight. When the trains break down, there is no option except to use buses to ferry people between the concourses – a huge mess. Building more trains I feel is the wrong solution to the problem – building pedestrian tunnels seems to be the correct solution.
Jerry has a good point about the trains in DEN and elderly/disabled/pregnant people, families, etc., having trouble or getting pushed aside. I’ve been in that mass rush for the train several times since I became disabled. It’s just a free-for-all if it’s crowded at all. When I’m not rushed, I just stand back and let them sort themselves out. I deliberately book extra time on all connecting flights anyway. (I’m a retired dinosaur from the industry. It helps.)
I’ve also helped numerous folks getting on the train s, especially with strollers. It’s really sad how few people help others in that situation.
So premium pax will try to get off first (or be allowed by FAs to get off first) from L2 since that’s the first door to open. Then L1 will open…..but premium pax will have already deplaned from L2 so SHRUG….am I missing something?
@Ben you nailed it. This marginally improves anything.
Also, I’ve seen jet bridge drivers at MIA place the bridge at L1 on MULTIPLE 788 flights, only for them to then be told that is incorrect. Hope the pitot tubes were inspected after those incidents.
@Gary – Any idea if the bus trips on AA count as a flight segment toward the 30 needed to unlock Loyalty Choice Awards?
Wherever possible, two jetways are better than one. This should be common practice.
@Sam and @305
Operators around the world use L1 and L2 for B787s. Not doing so is an AA-specific policy. Surprising it took so long for the B777s though. If not at US airports, it will definitely make a difference at intl stations which tend to have more dual-bridge gates.