AAI Gate arrangement in ATL

[chase]

For my AAI friends,

There are 32 AAI in ATL. What discussions or efforts have been made to take over on entire terminal at ATL vs. the current make up of having two terminals?

I suspect AAI has tried but was wondering what limitations (if any are known) that would prevent future discussions between SWA and ATL officials to negotiate those types of moves. Before money is sunk in to revamping the gate areas with SWA logo and branding, it would seem to make sense that this would be a perfect time to move all of AAI operations into one terminal.

Thoughts and background for those interested cousins and observers?

 

[Ty Webb]

Chase, here is some good info posted previously on the subject:

http://forums.flightinfo.com/showpost.php?p=2065832&postcount=42

 

[BlueYonder]

You would have to convince Delta to move and probably pay for that move. The big opportunity will be when the new terminal opens.

 

[chase]

Blue,

Any details on where, when and who? Thanks

 

[Kharma Police]

For my AAI friends,

There are 32 AAI in ATL. What discussions or efforts have been made to take over on entire terminal at ATL vs. the current make up of having two terminals?

I suspect AAI has tried but was wondering what limitations (if any are known) that would prevent future discussions between SWA and ATL officials to negotiate those types of moves. Before money is sunk in to revamping the gate areas with SWA logo and branding, it would seem to make sense that this would be a perfect time to move all of AAI operations into one terminal.

Thoughts and background for those interested cousins and observers?

Originally, Delta wanted the northern half of Concourse C due to a tunnel that connected C terminal to B. I believe that tunnel has since been closed. Delta has invested quite a bit of money in new jet bridges and remodeled gate areas as well as converting the old Eastern Ionosphere Club into a Delta Crown Room. I would think if Southwest wanted all of concourse C, then they would have to buy out the lease from Delta.

 

[DonVerita]

It might be better to ask SWA to figure out a way to take over all of Concourse A...yes, I said "A", instead of having to tear down all those RJ gate modifications Delta recently did on the north half of Concourse C.

Besides, Concourse A has better restaurants...unless you like Popeye's; to which it is merely a short tram ride.

 

[chase]

I was told there was some real estate, not sure what direction, but a large pad area sufficient in size to build a separate terminal that would have good access to the new runway thereby allowing a carrier to build quite a few gates and operate nearly independently...still connnected to the others but if designed properly could have gates and ticket check-in areas.....not familiar enough with the real estate there to picture it but was wondered if others had thoughts on that scenario?

 

[stall022]

I was told there was some real estate, not sure what direction, but a large pad area sufficient in size to build a separate terminal that would have good access to the new runway thereby allowing a carrier to build quite a few gates and operate nearly independently...still connnected to the others but if designed properly could have gates and ticket check-in areas.....not familiar enough with the real estate there to picture it but was wondered if others had thoughts on that scenario?

There had been plans to build a commuter airlines terminal between 9R and 10. The area was compacted and leveled a few years ago but the project has been put on hold. The area is now just a parking lot for the construction workers building the international terminal just below the ATC tower.

 

[General Lee]

Can someone honestly give me an example of a terminal BUILT by SWA? Not a remod, but actually fully build? (with their own money) There might be one in DAL, but that is probably it. SWA likes to come in and feed off of what others have already built. And, can they afford to build a new terminal in ATL AND pay the Airtran employees SWA wages? ATL will prove to be very expensive for SWA.....


Regardless, YOU GUYS ALL ARE TOP SHELF TYPE OF DUDES! CONGRATS ON ALL OF YOUR SUCCESS, YOU SMELL TERRIFIC.


Bye Bye---General Lee

 

[texman]

Can someone honestly give me an example of a terminal BUILT by SWA? Not a remod, but actually fully build? (with their own money) There might be one in DAL, but that is probably it. SWA likes to come in and feed off of what others have already built. And, can they afford to build a new terminal in ATL AND pay the Airtran employees SWA wages? ATL will prove to be very expensive for SWA.....


Regardless, YOU GUYS ALL ARE TOP SHELF TYPE OF DUDES! CONGRATS ON ALL OF YOUR SUCCESS, YOU SMELL TERRIFIC.


Bye Bye---General Lee

Dude! Where have you been bro! I can't wait for you to buy my coffee in ATL.

 

[StopNTSing]

Can someone honestly give me an example of a terminal BUILT by SWA? Not a remod, but actually fully build? (with their own money)

ISP (a.k.a. Ronkonkoma )

 

[scoreboardII]

SJC.

GEG

LBB

HOU

PHX

and others.

 

[Bwipilot]

MDW

BWI

TPA

MCO

FLL

JAX

BUF

Basically, the list includes anyplace that the Southwest effect creates a ton of PFC (passenger facility charge) income where an old crappy terminal exists or where there aren't enough gates--absent a legacy able to prevent construction. In that case, you often see a bright, new terminal go up paid by the inceased traffice (mostly SWA passengers).

 

[Lear70]

When Southwest management came to visit ATL ops last month to see the operation work first-hand, they also had a meeting with the airport authority.

Word from the Chief Pilot's office was that "He'd never seen anything like it." Instead of coming and asking what Southwest could get, Southwest came in with a solid plan, told the Airport Authority what Southwest planned to do, how they were going to do it, and how the Airport Authority could help make it go more smoothly. The proposal was met positively from the Airport Authority.

From what I gather (I was not given specific details, I heard this 2nd hand from the union rep who WAS present), there *IS* a plan to own an entire concourse rather than stretched out over C and D, increase the footprint of the operation, and of course, increase the frequency. A would be nice, so would B.

And yes, the B/C mid-field connector is closed. Have no idea why, it was useful.

 

[DonVerita]

Lear,

My logic for SWA getting A-Con would be logistics regarding Delta pax.

If SWA got B-Con, then Delta passengers arriving on T or A would have to ride the tram past B to get to C,D,E. That is an unnecessary waste of time for Delta pax.

SWA getting A-Con would prevent this problem from happening. The vast majority of Delta pax would use B,C,D,E in this scenario and the Delta RJ gate modifications on C could be left intact.

 

[Just thinking]

Don't forget the 7 international gates with the new lease negotiated......

 

[BILL LUMBERG]

When Southwest management came to visit ATL ops last month to see the operation work first-hand, they also had a meeting with the airport authority.

Word from the Chief Pilot's office was that "He'd never seen anything like it." Instead of coming and asking what Southwest could get, Southwest came in with a solid plan, told the Airport Authority what Southwest planned to do, how they were going to do it, and how the Airport Authority could help make it go more smoothly. The proposal was met positively from the Airport Authority.

From what I gather (I was not given specific details, I heard this 2nd hand from the union rep who WAS present), there *IS* a plan to own an entire concourse rather than stretched out over C and D, increase the footprint of the operation, and of course, increase the frequency. A would be nice, so would B.

And yes, the B/C mid-field connector is closed. Have no idea why, it was useful.

In a typical Hartsfield Delta hater attitude, the airport just rolls over for SWA, even though Delta pays the bills.

No knock on SWA or AAI management, it's just the sad fact that the airport considers the hometown airline the enemy always.

 

[Lear70]

In a typical Hartsfield Delta hater attitude, the airport just rolls over for SWA, even though Delta pays the bills.

No knock on SWA or AAI management, it's just the sad fact that the airport considers the hometown airline the enemy always.

I don't know about "hater"...

I always thought it was silly to have us in two different terminals anyway and wondered why we couldn't get into one whole terminal. Always thought we were being a little ostracized in FAVOR of Delta from that regard,,,

Just makes a lot more sense for ALL the airlines there. Less back and forth between terminals is a good thing,,, isn't it? Seriously, just asking why it would be a bad thing?

 

[The Prussian]

Lear,

My logic for SWA getting A-Con would be logistics regarding Delta pax.

If SWA got B-Con, then Delta passengers arriving on T or A would have to ride the tram past B to get to C,D,E. That is an unnecessary waste of time for Delta pax.

SWA getting A-Con would prevent this problem from happening. The vast majority of Delta pax would use B,C,D,E in this scenario and the Delta RJ gate modifications on C could be left intact.

For all the years I've been at SWA, our mgmt has been so "right on".

 

[General Lee]

I don't know about "hater"...

I always thought it was silly to have us in two different terminals anyway and wondered why we couldn't get into one whole terminal. Always thought we were being a little ostracized in FAVOR of Delta from that regard,,,

Just makes a lot more sense for ALL the airlines there. Less back and forth between terminals is a good thing,,, isn't it? Seriously, just asking why it would be a bad thing?

Lear,

How about our passengers who park at the T concourse and have to walk or ride the tram to the E concourse? I think our pax have it tougher, but that is the way it goes. Going from C to D isn't that bad now, is it? Riiight? We have gates in EVERY TERMINAL.


Bye Bye---General Lee