Dallas Fort-Worth Airport

Flying by Air Canada Jazz we used the brand new Term D that just opened the week before. I have to admit that i think that was one of the shortest walks I've taken from the gate to get to my luggage. It took about 3 mins tops to get from the gate. I didn't have to wait too long for the luggage to arrive - it took about 10-15 mins. But I guess not alot of others would get this since only flights from Canada don't have to go through customs at Term D. Upon leaving things went by pretty smooth. The check-in area is massive and the ACJ counter is at the very end. Going through security was a breeze. The only knock i had against DFW is alot of shops weren't open at the time - they should have waited at least another week before opening Term D since alot of the shops and stores weren't open yet. I'm sure by now Term D is up and running at 100%. It didn't turn out as bad as everyone said it would be.

I do like the fact that the luggage carousel is just a step away from your gate and that helps things if DFW is your final destination. I wish other airports would do that. Think of the time it would save! I also like that the check in at the curb is no more than a minute or two from your gate. However if DFW is your connecting airport that is another story! The 'airtrain" has to be the slowest way to get to your next gate which of course is on the other side of the airport. The train is fine if you have an hour or so between flights but for some reason you are delayed it is agonizing to be on the train hoping you can make your flight. So if I were giving stars DFW would get four out of ten. Good restaurants shopping etc bathrooms not very clean.

I live in Austin and I have to go through DFW more often than not. Everything they say about DFW is true and I think I know the reason: DFW was designed to be an endpoint not a hub. The horseshoe- shaped terminals are great for jumping out of the jetway go across the aisle get your luggage and get out of the terminal. I don't believe the designers thought the best way to go from point A to B is through a semi-circle. The problem is that DFW would be dead as an endpoint. Let's face it the Dallas/Fort Worth area doesn't receive that many visitors. DFW has grown so much in an attempt to make it more hub-like which is costing a lot of money: three trains (well - two now) none of which actually solves the problem sings all over the place advising you when to walk and when to take the train annoying golf carts asking you to get out of the way and all sorts of gimmicks to make the place more efficient. If out of a sudden AA went bust DFW would be a hot potato in the hands of the two city governments. So now DFW's survival depends on AA remaining aloft or some other airline taking it as a hub if AA went away. The problem is the first thing an airline operations manager will see is that DFW's design is not the best for a hub SkyLink and all.

This airport is not as bad as people are saying. The only negative thing I can comment on is the long walk from terminal to terminal. However after 6 hours flight it was a pleasure to be able to stretch our legs and walk around a bit before our next flight. The check-out counter wasn't as bad bearing in mind we had our kids between us. Even my little on wanted to use the toilet as soon as we got to the immigration counter. It wasn't our turn but the staff asked the rest of the family to stay while I took my daughter to the toilets and back. We did have to collect our bags (route was to Orlando) and recheck them so they could be taken to Orlando. As soon as we left immigration there were airport staff waiting for us asking for bags to Orlando. The other negative is that you always have to check the boards to check which terminal you will be connecting. The announcement on our plane from London gave a different terminal when we were coming out but on getting inside airport the boards gave a completely different one. However I think it is a good airport. Yes the security checks is madness but this is the world we live in. I would rather go through this sort of security checks than be killed by some terrorist. In my opinion it is not a bad airport for its size. The airport is clean the toilet facilities were excellent the cafes restaurants and shops were good maybe a bit expensive but this is what you get at most airports.