Posted on 08/28/2017 2:59:56 PM PDT by Vigilanteman
Pittsburgh International Airport next month will become the first airport in the country to allow visitors to access the airside terminal's shops, restaurants and gates without buying a plane ticket.
Officials say the program will boost revenue for the airport and give Western Pennsylvania residents who don't fly often the chance to experience the airport's improvements.
Under the program, which starts Sept. 5, visitors will be able to enter the airside terminal from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Those days and times were chosen because they are slow periods for the airport, Allegheny County Airport Authority CEO Christina Cassotis said. The program could expand to include more hours and days.
There will be no reduction in security, Cassotis said.
“We're going to check you the way the airlines check you — if you're allowed to get on a plane, you're going to be allowed to go through our TSA checkpoint,” Cassotis said.
(Excerpt) Read more at triblive.com ...
This sounds like a dumb idea. Why the hell would people schlep all the way to an airport and go through the hassle of a security line to eat at an airport restaurant or shop at their expensive shops?
The only incentive that might hold any sway would be access to the duty free shops.
They ran US Airways (American) off with exorbitant leasing prices.
A beautiful new airport, plenty of capacity and they ran off their meal ticket.
‘Duty free’ only sells to you if you are departing the country.
Back in the 1990’s, when I changed planes at the Pittsburgh airport, I would stop at Frank ‘n’ Stein for a hot dog or bratwurst, washed down with a mug of Iron City beer. On my last visit to the airport in 2012, the eatery was gone.
Perhaps next the county jail can open it’s doors to those who want to try the cafeteria.
When I was a kid ‘66-’68 or so the Toledo Airport had a nice restaurant open to non-profits and fliers both. We could eat and watch the planes take off.
Exactly. So I don’t see the attraction. I’ve been through that airport at least a dozen times on my way to my annual Steelers pilgrimage game. It’s an OK airport but nothing going out of the way for.
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The homeless probably could make good use of the boarding areas.
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as a kid 35 years ago the airport in my town had a restraint that was the go to place for prom night or graduation dinners. this was before heavy duty screening that we have today at the airport.
as a kid 35 years ago the airport in my town had a restraunt that was the go to place for prom night or graduation dinners. this was before heavy duty screening that we have today at the airport.
Maybe they are trying to pull people out of the cell phone lot. Get them to come a little earlier, pay to park, come in and wait for who-ever and spend a few more dollars on food/drink. ???
Appeasing the $12 hot dog crowd.
I particularly try to avoid spending money in places where I am treated like a criminal such as airports.
A little restraint on prom night is a good thing.
I don’t think this is really a “first.” When I came home from college, my folks would generally be waiting at the gate for me - hmm....I don’t remember if that was the old PIT airport or the new one.
When I got my first job out of college, my mom flew to New Orleans to visit. I was not allowed into the gate area without a ticket. This was before 9/11.
The practice spread - a lot of airports even before 9/11 didn’t allow non-passengers into the gate area.
A little while after that a Flight Instructor I knew took me for a ride in a Cessna 180 on Amphibious Floats he had access too and landed at what is now called Bradley Intl and got out the plane and went up a staircase with 707's etc around the 180.
It was a very important trip ;-).
The Instructor was trying to make time with the Soda Jerk Girl working at the little restaurant on the 2nd floor, I was too young at the time to get the whole girl thing, but I do remember she was cute with a beehive hair-do. That terminal was recently torn down.
Or where the only individuals likely to be armed are the criminals.
Are they going to charge the locals the same airport prices for all the food and goodies they bilk the airline passengers with?
Nope. No way will a Muslim terroir target this airport. Nope.
What idiots are we electing? These people are completely nuts!
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