Undesirable DCA 737 Destinations

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12-11-2016, 03:42 PM

Slop

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Undesirable DCA 737 Destinations

Hey folks,

I'm approaching the G-line, so I'm trying to get a good idea of what destinations I might want to avoid in the future. I'm DCA based, and I've heard that MEX, SAP & MGA aren't anything to write home about. Any others?

Thanks!

12-11-2016, 04:28 PM

pilotgolfer

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Slop

Do yourself a favor...fly to these places before you take the advice of strangers. I've flown to all of them out of EWR and none of the overnights were as bad as I had heard. MEX was a long ride downtown...I much preferred the Airport Courtyard.

12-11-2016, 04:52 PM

ufgatorpilot

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Quote:

Originally Posted by pilotgolfer

This is good advice. I try to avoid the MEX long layover (over 16 hours I think?) if possible because I like to get out and about and explore, and I'm not sure it's the smartest thing to do down there. Nice hotel though! I don't mind the airport layover at the Courtyard.

12-11-2016, 05:52 PM

Grumble

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Being at the g-line means you get what everyone above you has passed on, you avoid that you may as well just keep bidding reserve.

Agree with above, avoid some place after you've been there a few times. MEX is good experience, it's IAH customs that sucks.

12-11-2016, 06:16 PM

Shrek

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Quote:

Originally Posted by ufgatorpilot

As long as it's not 0200 you'll be fine buttercup.

12-11-2016, 06:35 PM

worstpilotever

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God god....mex is a great downtown layover. Tacos and beer. Enjoy.

12-11-2016, 06:58 PM

RJDio

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+1 on Mex. I've only done the long layover and it's one of my favorite. Good safe location, good food, cheap beer near the hotel. MGA is also great. You just have to venture a bit.

12-11-2016, 10:45 PM

robthree

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MEX is a nice layover. MEX approach control is a complete goat rope. This time of year there are not as many giant thunderstorms for them to vector you right into as there are in mid summer, so its probably not so bad. The airfield leaves much to be desired, any time of year.

STI was a horrible hotel. I think we have stopped laying over there.

LIB is a great hotel, but the van ride to get there is crazy long.
Actually, that applies to almost every Latin American destination, come to think of it.

BQN has great duty free. Not much else of interest.

SAP is the murder capital of the universe. The hotel is supposed to be wonderful. Why ever leave?

12-12-2016, 06:23 AM

HuggyU2

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I never want to go back to MEX unless I have someone that can show me around. I'm sure there are some "gems" in the city... but finding them on my own isn't going to happen.
At least the air is nasty.
What a dump.

12-12-2016, 06:24 AM

#10

gettinbumped

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Shrek

As long as it's not 0200 you'll be fine buttercup.

I've been mugged there in broad daylight in front of hundreds of people, just FYI. I've also gotten an EPIC case of "the trots" from the local taco joint that we all go to. Of course, I spent a decade as a very junior line holder Bus guy so I've been down in MEX a LOT and most of the time, nothing untoward happened. It smells like someone took a dump in your face and the altitude makes it a little rough to sleep if you're old and fat like me. Luis the van driver is FANTASTIC, but there is a reason that he comes and gets you inside the terminal instead of the parking garage like he used to.

Some folks love it down there, but I'm definitely not one of them. Flying in there is challenging especially if you get a crew that hasn't done it before. Especially in the summer.