delays at MSP cause by train delays?

[xjhawk]

XJ (Mesaba) is changing our parking to a place where we will have to take the train to the airport. From what i hear, if there is a baseball game or an activity at the mall of america the trains get so full, there is not much room on them .....or if there is a car stalled on the tracks anywhere in the system, the trains stop......

Imagine the headlines, hundreds of departures delayed or cancelled at the minneapolis airport because of a car stalled on the train tracks

 

[gnx99]

I don't think those kinds of activities will affect the Humphrey to Lindbergh section too much. If so, we'll only be packed in there for a few minutes Not sure about the car thing sutting down the whole system; you may be right.

Personally, I don't think this whole parking thing is that big of a deal. Either I park in a lot and ride a bus, or I park in another lot and ride a train. I'm thinking the train route will actually be faster. Some people at work are acting like it's the end of the world or something. They just need to settle down.

EXCEPT, commuters having to pay for parking is pure B.S.!

 

[JPAustin]

No one said management was being smart about this. Seems to me that like most current airline managements, reactionary tactical decisions is the name of the game. Lets save buck now even though we have no clue how much it could cost us in the long run because we failed to do proper research.

Long term, and you hit the nail on the head XJHawk, the strategic implications of this damned parking debacle are numerous and many onerous if not down right destructive to the system should the right delay occur. Not to mention, I don't see any crewmember going out of their way to hustle in front of the crowd squeezing onto the trains on one of those delay or high capacity days. And no, it is not acceptable to tell me to anticipate those days in advance and arrive earlier. Sorry Johnny.

PS -- I just ran out of "aviation in my blood", will management please give me a refill? Or do I have to expense it?

 

[Northern Lights]

When does this change go into effect?

 

[filejw]

Guys, lots of people use the train and its no big deal.In fact I prefer it over a crowded crew bus.

 

[xjhawk]

settle down?

I don't think those kinds of activities will affect the Humphrey to Lindbergh section too much. If so, we'll only be packed in there for a few minutes Not sure about the car thing sutting down the whole system; you may be right.

Personally, I don't think this whole parking thing is that big of a deal. Either I park in a lot and ride a bus, or I park in another lot and ride a train. I'm thinking the train route will actually be faster. Some people at work are acting like it's the end of the world or something. They just need to settle down.

EXCEPT, commuters having to pay for parking is pure B.S.!

You do not think this is timed fairly close to the 11th deadline? This is just one more thing to make us worry about one more thing. And as for the train, i was thinking of moving to minneapolis in the future and look for a place close to the light rail so i could take the train. My information comes from a city bus driver and a train driver who know the system and know what works and what does not work in THEIR system!

I think the real reason behind this move is one more way to take our perks away from us, like free parking at the airport, we are one step away from paying for our own parking while at work. Since we are now paying for parking while we non rev apparantly......and those that commute? well, its like the baby steps program......

Pretty soon people will have no idea that parking was once free.....that we once got per diem.......that we once were professionals in this world economy......God i love being reminded that city bus drivers make 20 grand a year than i do.......god i love my job.....but i can still see the light....its a small LED i think....

 

[xjcaptain]

I think people are looking for things to be pissed about. There are plenty of these things, but this isn't one of them. Let me think, I can park OUTSIDE in our lot, and dig my car out of a snowbank at 10 PM after a 4 day when it's -30 in January, or I can get in my car in a covered ramp and be on the way in 10 seconds. Let me think long and hard about that one. I don't see the tram taking any longer than our current bus system, actually the tram runs more often than our shuttle during most times of the day. The only issue that needs to be worked out (and it's an important issue) is parking for commuters. That needs to be addressed.

 

[gnx99]

I think people are looking for things to be pissed about. There are plenty of these things, but this isn't one of them. Let me think, I can park OUTSIDE in our lot, and dig my car out of a snowbank at 10 PM after a 4 day when it's -30 in January, or I can get in my car in a covered ramp and be on the way in 10 seconds. Let me think long and hard about that one. I don't see the tram taking any longer than our current bus system, actually the tram runs more often than our shuttle during most times of the day. The only issue that needs to be worked out (and it's an important issue) is parking for commuters. That needs to be addressed.

I agree 100%. There certainly are things to be pissed about, but for the MSP based people I don't see ANY downside to this situation. People are looking for fights.

A few days ago I heard one of the older disgruntled FAs spewing stuff about the train not running early in the day or late at night. And that if she gets done late with a trip she'll get a cab and charge the company, blah, blah, blah.

I didn't feel like confusing her with the facts, but if she would have done 2 minutes research on http://www.metrotransit.org/, she could have learned a few things.

"Airport note: No fare is required between the Lindbergh and Humphrey Terminal stations. Trains operate 24 hours a day between the airport stations, roughly every 10 minutes overnight." -Quote from... http://www.metrotransit.org/serviceinfo/route055.asp

As for everyone paying for parking to come to work, that's pure speculation as of right now.

 

[DoinTime]

HHH terminal parking is actually pretty nice. IMO way better than either Mesaba's or NWA's current parking set ups. Just the fact that you don't have to dig your car out after a snowstorm is invaluable.

Since we are now paying for parking while we non rev apparantly......and those that commute?

You should get a pass card that allows you come and go as you please regardless if you are on duty. Commuters will have to choose which airport they get their free parking at just like commuters from other domiciles. No more double dipping.

 

[Thedude]

Just give it 60 days until MAC changes their mind yet again

 

[blackbox]

Pinnacle does it. its not that big a deal. yeah it gets tight when there is a vikings game, but i have never not been able to get on the train because it was too crowded.

 

[CubanSmoker]

Guys, lots of people use the train and its no big deal.In fact I prefer it over a crowded crew bus.

I wish we were parking in the HHH parking when I commuted to CVG last year. We'd get on that late Comair flight that would get in after midnight and our shuttle was done for the day. I remember fondly the pissed off cab drivers and Super Shuttles to the other side of the airport just to get to your car and this would have solved all of those headaches.

 

[Crizz]

I heard XJ parking was limited to the top level? Its a huge step up from the current setup if you get to stay in the covered area.