Quote:
Originally Posted by CharlesCO
The ULCC model certainly isn't for everyone, and I would almost never book a ticket on Frontier, Allegiant, or Spirit today, but their effects in the market are much appreciated. I recently booked a United ticket LAX-DEN for $54 one way! So even if you don't fly the ULCCs, at least be glad at the pricing pressure they put on the legacies and Southwest, which has basically become a legacy carrier as far as costs are concerned.
|
As a long time reader, first time poster, I felt the need to add my two cents about Frontier. I fly a lot, both for business and pleasure, and initially I was reluctant to try the 'new' Frontier. I used to be a huge advocate of Frontier. I loved that they touted themselves as Colorado's hometown airline, they served New Belgium beer on their flights, and every seat had its own TV.
When they switched to the ULCC model, I refused to fly them for several years. I stuck primarily to Southwest and United where routes overlapped. However, only Southwest still allows free checked baggage and all airlines are increasingly minimizing legroom.
If you pay the extra 50/60 dollars per leg, you can get all bundled options including extra legroom, checked & carry-on bags, flight refunds and changes at no extra cost, and priority boarding (zone 1). I can't think of another airline in the country that allows all of these options for the same price as a Frontier ticket, and their stretch legroom seats are pretty nice. They're the only seats on the plane that recline, by the way.
I know this sounds like I'm a Frontier apologist or employee, but I'm not! I'm just hoping people don't refuse to fly because of assumptions they have before experiencing it themselves.
Now when it comes to Allegiant and Spirit... forget about it. Don't even get me started. At least Frontier flies planes built this millennium.
Bringing it back to Denver talk: I did notice that the signage at DIA has improved slightly regarding the train. When it first opened there was signage throughout baggage claim with arrows pointing towards "Transit Center" and a small picture of a train & bus. This was just terrible signage as it wasn't clear if this was the only transit center in the airport, and there was no indication that the train to downtown departed from there.
More recently I noticed they've changed the wording to specify "Train to City", but again I wonder... why not just say "Train to Downtown Denver" or similar? Why be vague about it? One of DIA's greatest assets is now the A line and the train to downtown. I wouldn't be surprised if a large percentage of tourists arriving at DIA don't even know they have a train option, and instinctively open up Uber/Lyft or look for a taxi stand. As you ascend the escalator from the airport train from concourses A/B/C to the main terminal, you are presented with a VERY old image of Denver and "Welcome to Denver, the Mile High City" or something similar. How great would it be if that picture could be updated with a new image featuring the train running into downtown, and an LED display listing the next four or five departures for the A line heading to downtown? In the main DIA hall, they could have a large board like a throwback to Grand Central Station with the timetables for the next departures on the A line to downtown. Really shove it in your face that yes, we too have a train option!
I don't know who is in charge of signage at DIA but it is an absolute joke. Beyond way-finding issues to the train for tourists, I find that 'Terminal West' and 'Terminal East' are not easily identified from the main hall, not to mention the impossibility of finding where you're supposed to be picked up at passenger pickup if you're not a local. I can't count the number of times I've seen people arguing on the phone about level 4 (passenger pickup) vs. level 5, which set of doors, are they on the right side of the terminal (east vs west) etc.
Excuse my ranting and raving, I'm done now.