John K

Review of Raleigh-Durham International A...

I love the new terminals; they're so beautiful, an...

I love the new terminals; they're so beautiful, and most of the time they function pretty well (but for the lack of selection in pre-security stores and services). But NOW, we learn, the Airport Authority's answer to a complex parking issue is to... (ta-dah).... make parking MORE COMPLEX- and EXPENSIVE!- with their new premier, economy, standard, book online, buy insurance, etc, blah blah blah "options." Whose idea was this? Did someone need a job for a relative, so we made RDU parking even more of a hassle so that someone could be hired to handle it? Is this what happens when suits start taking "monetarization of our business assets" too seriously and forget that their main job is to operate a safe, clean, efficient facility IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST???

I'm used to driving to CLT to take advantage of some better airfares there; one of the side advantages is that parking is cheaper and better than at RDU. Recently got back from an international flight that terminated at Dulles because the RDU options were too expensive- and lo and behold, parking is cheaper and easier THERE, too! Bigger cities, more complex problems, yet easier and cheaper parking? I didn't have to worry about 37 options for booking online, or by telegraph, or what have you- just showed up and pushed the button for a ticket? Someone (or some Board of Directors) in the RDU organization needs to learn from bigger and better airports- or tender their resignation(s) to make way for people who know what the job is about.

The terminal and facilities get four stars (beautiful, comfy, need more services). The new parking and management get two (morons). Hence, a three-star review seems to be a fair overall rating.