KMCI, Terrible connecting city!

[rvsm410]

Travel through MCI yesterday was the pits, as a paying Pasenger on the cattle car from hell, (my first and last time on SWA). But that is only part of the reason for this Rant....

At Kansas City the old airport has been modified for the advent of security screeners, there are 4 gates to each secured area and no bathroom or food inside these area's. When I arrive for my connecting flight, I know have 40 minutes before it leaves, I get off and we are escorted outside the secured area with everyone else arriving, I now have to find a SWA kiosk to get another boarding pass,(another poor service of SWA) and find my departure gate, once I do this and walk to the end of the terminal I see I have to go through a long security line again. T- 20 minutes to departure.....

I am wearing shorts and tennis shoes, the screens, not even TSA but "rent a screener" announces to the crowd to take off our shoes, now I am diabetic and my feet are very sensitive, I told her when I got there that I just got off the plane at gate 51, my connecting flight has called for boarding, I'm diabetic and would like to keep my shoes and clothing on....I pass the detectors just fine, and these people pulled me aside to do a nice slow frisking...I mean I had to undue my shorts, sit and remove my shoes etc......I am showing my documents, licenses and explaining my situation to the supervisor all the while, T-10 minutes...my plane is about to close out and SWA gives away your tickets to standbys! YOu guessed it....

It just pissed me off that these security fools were going to show me who was boss and my travel plans be dammed....I missed the flight of course, SWA did not have another flight until this morning....and they would not put me up....all this because the MCI airport security set up SUCKS and everyone has to exit the secured area and get rechecked for a connection....Piss poor IMHO, I did send the MCI airport a nice email this morning and SWA for a fine job in scheduling an impossible connection...and further, poor service to a PAYING passenger....

No thanks, to the SWA way of flying...I'll fly a real airline and be glad to pay for the service.....and avoid MCI at all costs.....Rant OFF.....

 

[TR4A]

Pasenger on the cattle car from hell, (my first and last time on SWA).

I take it you won't be applying for a job at SWA?

MCI worked in the 1960's. They are in the process of updating the terminal to be more secuirty friendly. This is one of four test airports that have private screeners.

 

[chperplt]

This is one of four test airports that have private screeners

Didn't we try this test in the past?? Seemed to me to be a big failure!

 

[TR4A]

Didn't we try this test in the past?? Seemed to me to be a big failure!

That was a big charade. The test airports use TSA oversight and criteria.

Later this year, October I think, airports can opt out of the TSA program and go to private screeners.

 

[brew3departure]

KMCI does indeed suck!

Sorry to hear about your experience...I had a similar one:

Non-revving back from Phoenix during Spring Break (yes, I know - save your comments about that for someone else) - took SWA, stopped in KMCI, and, due to the genius terminal design you spoke of, the plane pulls away and we're S.O.L.

I don't have sensitive feet, but going through security before work all the time, I bought "airport friendly" shoes - so I wouldn't have to take them off all the time. I was in non-rev attire (slacks, dress shirt and tie) and had my crew I.D. prominently displayed. I received the exact same treatment you did. At that point, the door on the flight was closing.

This is _not_ a knock at SWA - but, there's a quasi-happy ending. I called SWA reservations and explained what happened, obviously - I'm non-revving, I'm not going to cause a scene or loudly complain, but the reservations agent gave me the phone number for the Kansas City TSA office - it helped that I had the name of the two "security" employees that demanded I take off my shoes...who the heck knows if my phone call to their boss did anything, but it made me feel better. I suggest you do the same, and, like I plan on doing, avoid the *amn Kansas City airport at all costs. My airline flew in there for a time and I bid around it...(rant #2 off)

-brew3

 

[rvsm410]

KMCI....responce, Holdrooms!

I take it you won't be applying for a job at SWA?

MCI worked in the 1960's. They are in the process of updating the terminal to be more secuirty friendly. This is one of four test airports that have private screeners.

No I have not applied with SWA, not interested, and by the way I am working and quite thankful and happy where I am at, thanks. But back to the story:

I sent a similar email as my rant here, and here is what was the manager at MCI sent me today, at least they listened!

"Dear Mr. XXXXXXXXXXXXX,

I apologize that you had an unpleasant experience at Kansas City International Airport. During the terminal improvement project, we gutted the terminals and most airlines now have larger, multi-gate gatehold areas. Currently, Southwest Airlines is operating in a temporary area and we realize that their temporary holdroom is not optimal.

When the Terminal Improvement Project was undertaken, the holdroom design was thoroughly investigated to see if modifications such as adding restrooms and concessions to the holdrooms were feasible. We found that our airport's unique "drive-to-gate" design, a favorite with travelers, would be lost with that kind of redesign.

There are also numerous other reasons for not including these services in the current layout of the holdrooms, such as: airline needs/requirements, new security regulations and cost. In addition, installing these areas would actually take space that is needed for passenger seating. Finally, we have found that security can be better handled without the vendors in our secure areas, which is crucial in today's travel environment. The secretary of transportation has a goal of a maximum of a 10-minute waiting time for screening. When this becomes the norm, going through security to use the restrooms or visit eateries shouldn't be a problem. Currently, the wait time at most screening points at KCI averages from two to three minutes.

I will forward your concerns about security screening to our local Transportation Security Administration (TSA) office. The TSA oversees the private company that conducts our security screening. Your concerns will also be forwarded to the local Southwest station manager.

Again, I regret that you had a negative experience at KCI, but hope that you will give us an opportunity to serve you again in the future. Thank you for taking the time to write to us.

Sincerely,

Michelle Denham
Marketing
Kansas City Aviation Department
816-243-5259"


My reply:

Dear Ms Denham,


Thank you for your thoughtful reply, as a frequent traveler I certainly have seen my fair share of construction at airports and I would agree after what I saw and your explanation that MCI has a formidable problem in today’s world. As to the security screeners, it was obvious to me that they intentionally “picked” on me, for a lack of better words, even when I told them I had just arrived on a flight and I was diabetic, wishing to not remove my tennis shoes. They also knew that my flight was in the process of boarding at gate 45 when they decided to give me the personal attention I received in full public view…..



I have tried to contact Southwest customer service today, however I must put my complaint in writing to Dallas, which is in work, however I would encourage you to strongly suggest to the station manager for SWA to have the flight scheduling reviewed carefully by headquarters to allow passengers the time to work their way through the MCI airport process.
I had 40 minutes from the time my flight pulled into gate 51 to the time my flight at gate 45 was to pushback. For new people this is not enough time to navigate the process, especially when one must get another boarding pass for the connection, find the gate, and go through security again. I hope you would agree that this would make the experience at MCI a very poor one indeed as it was for me.
I would also suggest that the employees attending the security doors directing arriving passengers out of the secured area, have some good basic knowledge of the MCI process and where things are, like the SWA kiosk stations, the people there yesterday just had no information at all when asked.


Thanks again for your reply, I would like to think my experience as an traveler and licensed airman, would help you implement some “POSITIVE” changes for the traveling public, Lord knows everyone in the airline business understands how much things have changed, and it is up to ALL OF US in the community to make traveling fun again for the people that pay our salaries. I was on of those paying passengers and I certainly did not like what happened to me.

Regards,

 

[labbats]

Sorry to hear you had a rough time.

IMO, situations like this and a resurgence in the economy will lead us away from the bottom-dollar carriers and back towards flying the way it was. Instead of seeing which airline has the lowest price on Orbitz or Priceline, I think many people will pause and remember a circumstance like the one mentioned above and vote with their wallets for another carrier. Time will tell.

 

[rvsm410]

Got what I paid for!

I agree with Labbats....at least for me..peopl will get tired of the pack um and crack um service and be willing to pay more to fly in comfort with good service.

I fell for the last minute internet special to fly cross country on SWA for $89 each way (plus fees), so I really can't blame anyone but myself, I got what I paid for....but the treatment by the TSA "monitored Rent-a-screeners" would have treated first class passengers the same...it was just unexcusable IMHO....

If people are going to fly more, pay more, the industry has to put demands on the government to make the travel more fun, quicker etc to keep them coming, otherwise more and more will just stay home or drive....even at $2.00+ a gallon.

 

[TR4A]

IMO, situations like this and a resurgence in the economy will lead us away from the bottom-dollar carriers and back towards flying the way it was.... Time will tell.

Almost 34 years and still makin money.

 

[Lindy]

FAA Medical

Presumption: You are actively flying. If not, disregard.

It is my understanding that you CANNOT obtain an FAA Medical if you are diabetic.

I know in recent years the rule has been relaxed, i.e., if you can control the diabetes by diet and not insulin dependent.

Not familiar with the disease, if your feet are that sensitive, it would lead me to believe that you are (possibly) insulin dependent.


If so, how did you obtain an FAA Medical??

 

[rvsm410]

Your right

disregarded....lost medical.....now dispatcher......this trip traveling on vacation as paying passenger......yes insulin dependant......over and out......

 

[Airpiraterob]

you CAN obtain a medical as a diabetic.....however its only a 3rd class and limited to type...2 i think or 3 or whatever the FAA lists. to get one your counts have to be consistently "within tolerance" for a specific time period. i had 2 students go through this.....one an older gentlemen....the other unfortunately a 16 yr old girl who discovered the source of her suddenly increasing fatigue during the medical for her upcomming solo....(it wasnt basketball practice and extra classes/studying/activities like she thought)...it was the juvinile variety. i dont know how she ended up, i had to leave for a better job right when she started flying again.

but yes you can.

 

[CA1900]

Re: Got what I paid for!

but the treatment by the TSA "monitored Rent-a-screeners" would have treated first class passengers the same...it was just unexcusable IMHO....

I've gotten the same treatment from TSA on occasion: Last time was at CVG, and the same deal with not wanting to take off my shoes. I didn't beep, and was pulled for wanding anyway. Don't blame the fact that it's contracted out at MCI -- blame the specific airport's TSA supervision.

Rochester, NY, is also a contract-screener airport, and they've been consistently professional and efficient at doing their thing. Believe me, TSA at that airport wouldn't be an improvement at all.

 

[Lindy]

And people still travel...

It is so obvious that the TSA does not understand how their behavior reflects upon the flying public. What a sad state.

As for the comment about specific airports, I have been quite lucky at MDW, PHX, STL, and BOS. I have noticed rude behavior at other locations, which isn't as blatantly atrocious as your day.

Keep writing, calling, etc., eventually someone will listen.

 

[dgs]

I connect through MCI on occasion and the design is horrible. I actually thought SWA was already in their new area because it is better than where they were, but maybe it's not their final location. MCI is undergoing major construction, but having to go in and out of security checkpoints for connections and isolating the gate waiting areas from restrooms and food will always make this a terrible airport for connections.

Other airports (DFW. LGA, and even JFK come to mind) also require additional screening to get between concourses or terminals, but at least you don't have to exit security to find a restroom to use before you board.

I've also noticed that MCI's "random" checks are not exactly random. Suffice it to say that the screening agents there are given more latitude than they should have to select people for secondary screening who do not set off the detectors. Such latitude allows for profiling based on the prejudices of the screeners and can lead to an abuse of power. That problem is completely within their power to fix.

On the plus side, the loads are usually light, so it is easy to get into and out of. You just have to plan enough time for the hassle factor of changing terminals and/or screening areas if you are making a connection.

 

[rvsm410]

Planning time, out of our hands.

DGS, you mention to plan for more time to transition to other areas of the airport, remember if I am connect from one SWA flight to another SWA flight, the timing is not up to me,as in my case I had 40 minutes from arrival to pushback, and alot to learn for a new comer to the airport.......thus the crux of my complaint to SWA for scheduling my flight in this manor.

I have not heard from the TSA supervisor that oversee's the "rent a screeners" at MCI, I' am not holding my breath either. From the sounds of it this person gets hit everyday with complaints, and should!

Anyone short of Barny the dinosaur's attitude is subject to a very slow strip search in front of ALL to spectate...I for one will avoid MCI at all costs on the future, especially when I Non-Rev, that must be a real joke to do that, and just begging to get attention.

Col. Bill USAF ret.

 

[eddie]

In 2002, I commuted out of MCI on USAirways and Vanguard. I was impressed by the remodel of the gate area for USAir. I also loved the ability to meet friends at the gate, just like it used to be.

I haven't been there in over a year, so maybe security has become a nightmare. I remember the Southwest system there always left a lot to be desired. The ticket counter seemed to be very far from many of the gates, with the gates of connecting flights spread across the terminal. I can see how it would be tough to get in and out of security there when it's busy and you are short on time.

I believe once the KCI folks work out the potty problems, that airport will once again be enjoyable to fly into.

 

[wildcat]

I live and commute from MCI. The airport should NEVER be used for making connections. As an origin and/or destination, it's an awesome airport. You can meet your party, grab your luggage and be in the car and out the door in a few minutes. Or in reverse, you can check-in, pop through security (if you're not flying Cattle Car in the Sky, SWA) and board the plane within minutes.

 

[rvsm410]

Kmci

I would agree with you, it is noce to be able to go in and out quickly.....not to connect though on SWA...they schedule very little time to do so......still like an airport out of the 60's...

 

[MooseTrax]

Me Too

I fly out of MCI all the time and the set up does suck! Especially when you hit the Starbucks and go through security early to beat the rush and it's one of those mornings that the coffee just goes right through you and you ahve to leave the departure area then get back in the mile long line. I too had the guy say "you might want to take off your shoes". My reply was "these do not have metal shanks in them." And sure enough after I pass through security with out making a peep I get pulled to the side and get the magic wand. I have been doing a lot of watch and some of my own experimenting......bottom line......the shoes are coming off or you are getting the wand at MCI whether you make a peep or not!