3 replies to this topic

[John T Roberts]

The D/FW Airport Board is apparently studying options on what to do with Terminals A, B, C, & E. They were either built with the airport's initial construction, or within a few years after the airport opened. If you compare them with Terminal D, they don't look very attractive, yet they still function. However, many of their building systems are past their primes, will need replacement, and the replacement parts are hard to find because of their age. The board is exploring changing the horseshoe design and combining terminals. What do you think?

Personally, I would like to see something done to those older terminals. In my opinion they are really starting to show their age. Terminal D looks so much better and it is so much nicer, I think the airport should somehow try to use that terminal as a basis for redesiging the airport.

Here's a link to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram article: http://www.star-tele...ry/1026117.html

[RD Milhollin]

The D/FW Airport Board is apparently studying options on what to do with Terminals A, B, C, & E.

If a decision is made to replace the original terminals priority should be given to incorporating transit terminals into the new facilities. Current plans call for a "T" station and a DART station across from one another at the north end of the complex, these lines should be extended southward if new terminals are constructed. If possible, the lines could meet at the southern end of the airport, and a commuter line extended south down or parallel to SH 360 into Arlington to provide airport access to that area. It would necessarily cross and should provide connections with the TRE rail line.

Another consideration might be designing facilities in which connections between flights are inherently easier than at present, even with the connector train. Any plans for new facilities should be made in close concert with American Airlines, since that company has lots of experience making connections quicker (no smart-alec remarks here please)

[Stadtplan]

The terminals could definitely use some renovation, but one thing I like about the current DFW horseshoe configuration is that it is always very easy to find short term parking when dropping off or picking up friends and relatives, not to mention cheap. Compared to other large airports, this is worth dealing with the dated look and feel of the airport. I would suggest they consider redoing the entrance and exit loops to and from the terminals. The hairpin turns can be intimidating and I only can imagine how it feels to someone new to the airport, especially foreigners.

Also, they might consider making more restaurants and shops available to the general public on the non-ticketed side of the security checkpoints. I remember in Minneapolis, they had just finished building what could be considered a small shopping mall in the airport, and the 9/11 happened and the new security checkpoints prevented non-ticketed visitors from accessing those stores and restaurants. Some of those terminals now you’re lucky if you can find a vending machine.

[David Love]

I think their first order of business should be to connect the TRE Centerport station to the terminal, something other than the current two stop shuttle bus, I’m sure that’s in the works somewhere in the near future.

The way D terminal is lain out, getting from your car to a gate is incredibly fast compared to the older terminals. I’m guessing their future plans incorporate a faster solution to getting from the runway to the terminal because you land on the outside runway and on good days you’re in for a 20-minute taxi to your gate.