Comments

1. I will do anything,including paying more to avoid CLT like the plague.

   Those “new” machines are miserable. The joke about adding half an hour are true.

2. People are pigs

3. Gary,

   I live in CLT and have no problem with the airport. In fact it is very convenient as a starting/stopping point. Agree it is crowded and the existing terminals don’t allow much, if any, expansion (check out the new A gate terminal to see a totally different experience). Also, I know the flight banks at CLT are typically short so tight connections but nice to get from any gate to any other in 10 minutes or less (try that at ATL, LAX or DEN). I never understood the hate for specific airports. Only ones I dread at the third world ones (some in Caribbean qualify) that are crowded, no seating and nothing to do but wait for hours since you have to be there well in advance for customs/immigration processing.

   Someone explain to me EXACTLY what you hate about CLT and I’ll likely be able to list 5 airports that are worse.

4. I’ve been flying a number of ultra long haul flights in steerage in the past 6 months and have noticed that most airlines have stopped caring about the quality/substance of the meals — probably because almost no one picks a flight based on the food. Delta, which advertised good int’l coach food just a few years ago, has quietly retreated to slop. Not better on United or American, or a few European that I’ve flown. The only good coach food I’ve received in recent months was on Qatar. They served me proper, reasonably tasty meals.

5. As I type this, I am testing out one of those collapsible kettles. Because it’s hard enough being a tea drinker – some places have hot water, some don’t, and a lot of times, the water still tastes vaguely of coffee – without worrying the kettle was used to clean someone else’s underwear. Yuck!

6. What kind of animal washes underwear in a hotel room kettle?

7. Thank god I don’t drink coffee or tea in hotel guest rooms
   as for Charlotte cramped crowded and few places to sit and added to that lousy restaurants
   I will pay anything to avoid connecting through there
   Sorry Charlotte cheer leaders

8. @dwondermeant – not a cheerleader for CLT but have lived a number of places and had IAH, DFW and BNA as my home airports. CLT works just fine. Centurion Lounge is one of better ones with, usually no wait. Also not sure what restaurants you reference but some newer breweries and other places to eat as terminal is remodeled.

   Trust me I can find something g to complain about with respect to any airport and frankly don’t understand, outside of flight banks that create short connections, why CLT gets a bad name.

9. I’m fine with CLT, particularly since – for me – the alternative is ATL. I might feel differently if the Amex lounge wasn’t there but overall it’s clean, has moving sidewalks, and offers a lot connectivity. Sure, it doesn’t offer cool features like IAD’s moon buggies or JFK’s TWA hotel but it does the job.

10. Charlotte should be awesome but it sucks. Crowded, tiny lounges, ultra tight connections, super expensive bottled water, like mini bar prices. They should be ashamed. Glad I’m not the only CLT hater.

11. For tea drinkers, use a plastic bag filled with water inside the electric tea kettle partially filled with water. The water in the tea kettle will keep the plastic from getting hot enough to melt. This is assuming that the tea kettle has a lid that is large enough and can be opened enough.

    As for Quantas food, another airline to steer clear of.

12. I find washing my panties in the kettle to be very effective and hygienic. And it leaves them with a slight pleasant coffee aroma.

13. I avoid CLT like the plague. There’s just no room to move around in the B or C terminals. The A and D are improved being there’s some space to move around. I do fondly remember when the Cheers Bar was in there though. Plus, I think you still can’t get an alcoholic beverage before noon on Sunday’s but it’s been years as I avoid CLT. .

14. CLT has me longing for Piedmont. Once U Scare Air/Useless Air acquired PI, CLT went downhill – starting with the US Air employees, extending today to the current American Airlines, operating under the cover as America West.

    Everyday is a ShitShow in CLT.

    Why the CLT local “big boys” in the business community haven’t risen up to demand better with the CLT terminal is beyond any logical business sense!

    SO_CAL_RETAIL_SLUT

15. @DunkinDFDubya – NC passed a law a few years ago nicknamed the “brunch bill” that allows alcohol sales on Sunday in restaurants starting, as I recall, at 10 AM. Still couldn’t get one at 8 AM if you want but I can make 10 AM work.

    Another quirk for anyone visiting the Centurion Lounge early morning. There is a cut off (maybe 10 AM) before which only “breakfast drinks” can be served. Not sure frankly if this is a law or their licensing arrangement. Pretty sure you can get beer or wine before 10 and can get screwdrivers, bloody marys and mimosas but not, for example, a gin and tonic. Even as a resident and someone that loves the weird liquor laws around the country (almost every state has some quirk regarding alcohol sales) this is strange to me.

16. @So_CAL-RETAIL_SLUT – CLT is in the middle of a multi year, $3+ billion expansion/redesign project. They are finally playing catch up from all the growth over the years when the airport was ignored. Almost every time I go there is another new section open now. Can’t do much about width of terminals B-E although adding device charging, redoing restrooms, adding new restaurants, bars and lounges (think we get a Skyclub either late 2024 or early 2025) to make them better. Also, new terminal A (and additional 10 gates that will open in A later this year) are much nicer. Biggest change is expanding main terminal to at least double the width. Part of that is open and rest should be largely done in 2024. New security checkpoints, improved baggage claim area and, eventually, overhead walkways from hourly parking/car rental to the terminal. Finally a new runway is in the works.

    I recognize CLT’s deficiencies but also want to point out it is getting better and if you haven’t been through there in past few years may be worth a visit. Obviously much of this will benefit people originating and ending at CLT versus connecting passengers (especially since AA doesn’t use any of the new, much nicer gates in A) and the tight connections won’t likely go away but much effort (and $) is being expended to improve the airport.

17. @AC – Yes, I have read and unfortunately, been through CLT as it goes through it’s latest iteration of renovations. In my opinion, B through E will never change/widen. The Berlin wall came down – so, something to hope for?

    I blame the city for not being harder on US Air to come up with funds to expand the terminals and needed infrastructure. Although, expansion did take place during US Air’s run at CLT – not enough to balance the additional numbers of flights that US Air was running through CLT.

    CLT is a premier headquarter city, with a very crappy airport – especially for connecting passengers, or when ops go into the dumpster due to weather, irops., etc.

    I always pine for the former Piedmont at CLT – a very pleasant experience!

    SO_CAL_RETAIL_SLUT