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Old 09-21-2009 | 11:05 PM
  #14837  
Scoop
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Joined: Dec 2007
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From: DAL 330
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Originally Posted by buzzpat
The problem with LAX, the way I see it, is this: its JFK without the rats. At least, not of the rodent variety. Much like JFK, LAX is 1960s technology. Operationally, terminals 5 (our primary) and 6 are capable of handling our flights. Which is a huge step up from our JFK ops which I think are the worst in the system. That being said, our ops facilities in terminal 5 haven't changed since we merged with Western in the 1970s. The "pilot lounge" is the same that the Western guys had 3 decades ago. Its a depressing little hole with a few computers. Thank God for Patti who keeps the whole thing running smoothly. The only eating facilities in the terminal are a McDonalds and a CPK Express thing. Actually, the "dining options" in 6 are much better. The problem is that if you have to transit terminal 5 to 6, or vice versa, you have to walk the Green Mile to get there. No tram, no moving sidewalks, nothing. Plus, you're walking in a tunnel that will make you think you're serving in a WWII caliber submarine. When the NW ops came over, the ticketing, baggage, check in thing has become underwhelming. Pax stand in lines that go out the doors trying to get through the tiny little TSA ops there. 2009 meet 1968. Its not pretty.
All true - but when was the last time it took over an hour to depart from LAX? Like you said - operationally it can handle our flights.

Besides that tunnel reminds me of the subway scene in "An American Werewolf in London," everytime I walk through it, I find myself looking back over my shoulder, you know, just in case.

Scoop