RDU is superior to PTI in convenience, comfort
Recruiting money for PTI Airport development may help the Triad get better air service, yet I doubt whether the Airport Authority is effective. To question community interest is disingenuous.
We travel to Raleigh-Durham regularly because prices, even after parking, are a lot cheaper -- and because we fly on full-size aircraft instead of the cramped, puddle-jumper excuses for transport at PTI. We're certain that many people from the Triad also drive to RDU or to Charlotte to avoid the local indignities.
In the world of chicken and egg, our local authorities seem to lay a lot of eggs.
Peter Guthmann
Greensboro
Comments (2)
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"To question community interest is disingenuous."
I must have been out of town when this was going on.
I fly out of both airports but prefer GSO. It's 20 miles from my home rather than 75. The parking is cheaper and you can walk from the lot to the terminal without a shuttle bus. RDU does have a garage in walking distance from the terminal but it's more expensive obviously.
Both airports use regional jets and full size jets. Regional jets are easier to board and deplane, takes a lot less time with 50 people than 150 people. They are fine for flights of 2 hours or less.
RDU has only one security checkpoint in the more used Terminal A and it is often backed up. GSO security lines are much shorter.
RDU has cheaper flights for one reason: Southwest Airlines. The legacy airlines will hose customers at GSO for routes with no competition, hence it's high fares. Two weeks ago I flew to Montgomery, AL. The GSO and RDU flights both connected thru CLT. RDU was about $300 less.
I thought about driving to CLT for a direct flight. Ironically it was much more expensive to take one flight, CLT-Montgomery, than two flights RDU-CLT-Montgomery!! The airlines know they can hose you for convenience.
GSO simply needs more competition. Skybus is a good start and hopefully they will expand operatons at GSO.
Gotta go now, I'm driving to RDU to catch a flight.
Posted on October 4, 2007 7:43 AM
Dan is correct about RJ's serving RDU. A cursory check of any number of websites will confirm that a good percentage of RDU flights are also on regional jets. I don't mind the Canada Air RJ's and consided them almost as desirable as an MD-80 or 737. I'm not wild about the Embraer 135/145 with the 1-2 configuration and overhead bins on only one side. I personally believe that RJ's are the future of domestic aviation so everyone should probably be getting used to them. I'm not trying to do a commercial here, but if you haven't tried Allegiant Air you should give them a try.........I was greatly impressed.
Posted on October 5, 2007 6:46 PM