Aw, poor Philly. I don't recall having a bad time, but wasn't connecting. However, I do believe Philly is the most friendly airport in terms of the people who work there. It even got me thinking about moving . . . from Florida? Nah. The real worst airport in terms of getting to it: Atlanta; getting around it: Dallas/Fort Worth; worst employees: Detroit; worst condition: Detroit.

I also have had problems connecting through Philly, both coming and going. I avoid it at all costs. That means not flying on USAirways which uses it as its major gsteway to Europe. Too bad since some of the airfares are great.

Those who say Philly isn't bad are the ones who have Philly as a starting or final destination. It's not that bad under those circumstances. Those of us who have or have had MAJOR problems are the travelers with connecting flights. It's a consistent problem that doesn't need a genius to solve. With so many passengers missing connections even when their flights arrive ON TIME and when they have TWO HOURS to make a connection, then there is a serious problem and travelers would be greatly helped if Philadelphians supported them instead of dismissing their problems! If more connecting travelers choose to avoid Philadelphia, it will have an effect on Philadelphians too...for example, passengers will start avoiding U.S. Airways and that's an airline that can't afford to lose many more passengers and still keep flying.

So, hell would be a connection through Philadelphia to CDG and return? All the descriptions of the Philadelphia airport sound just like Charles de Gaulle. I spend a lot of time trying to find creative ways to avoid CDG.

Connecting flights at DeGaulle are often hair-raising, too, but nothing I've ever experienced was as bad as what I went through in Philly.

I just did Atlanta and it was a breeze. In Atlanta a lot depends on your timing. If you hit it right, it is great and if several planes come in at once it is horrid. I expect that is true for most airports. (I have not done Philadelphia, but my JFK experience last fall takes the cake as my worst so far. Apparently, the re-screening was an afterthought and we were shoved into a TINY space with what seemed like thousands of people.)

There are at least a few non-smoking restaurants in Paris. Le Florimond, one of my favorites, is one of them.

Wow! I have no idea how my reply to the smoking in Paris question ended up here!!

Seems Atlanta is the opposite. We always have to connect at Atlanta. but we are already "inside." I understand there is a big problem coming in from the outside & how they do the security.

I forwarded this email stream to Howard Shapiro, the travel editor for the Philly Inquirer. At least you don't have to live here and aren't faced with circling the airport endlessly waiting for arriving guests because of a lack of short term parking spaces. My sister who was visiting last week asked me why there were always so many people parked on the side of the road as you approached the Philly airport and I explained that there is just not enough parking...a very sad state of affairs for a major gateway.

Blah, blah, blah, sweetie. If you don't like it, move to Jersey.

Those drivers parked on the side of the road approaching the airport are a safety threat. One of my friends was almost killed when one blockhead pulled out in front of her, not even using his turn signal. NOW IT IS ILLEGAL TO PARK ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD APPROACHING THE AIRPORT. Dawn Timiney was just announcing this on the local news programme the other day. The Sweeney's gonna getcha!!!! :)

I started this thread and after reading all the comments, I have 2 more thoughts.
1. Yes, this is a USAir problem since it is their hub. In the past I've bought their tickets because the price is attractive (and my only airline loyalty is to price), but have serious doubts if I would fly with them transatlantic in the future.
2. I can't help but think what a terrible welcome to the US this mob scene presents to visitors coming in from other countries. I'm from the US and I speak English and I found this an awful experience; I can't imagine what it would be like if I were confused, from another country/culture, and wasn't fluent in English.

I agree! We will not connect through Philadelphia again! (Or use US Airways) On a returning flight from Amsterdam, we connected thru on our way home to Raleigh. What a nightmare! We had to change departure gates because the arriving plane for that gate was behind schedule. Then when we finally boarded our plane, after the mechanic ran additional tests, we sat on the plane for an hour waiting to take off. The pilot told us that happens often in Philly, they have major congestion problems. Overall, our experience with US Air was horrible.

Auntieapple, did you receive any response from the Inky?

I recommend sending your letter to someone on the business desk at the Inquirer, not the travel desk.

The travel section has been cut to the point that it rarely runs original articles anymore; mostly it picks up stuff from the K-N wire. I doubt they have the staff or the time to look into this, whereas the business section--which does cover the airport and tourism-related issues--might. I'm thinking Tom Belden has this beat, but let me doublecheck.

Regarding this advice from above:
Author: LarryJ
Date: 06/25/2004, 10:06 pm
Message:
"When returning from Europe and connecting through PHL you need to do this:
Go outside the terminal building, walk about 1/4 mile and re-enter the main terminal as though you were not connecting but just starting out. Much much quicker than using the international security facility."

Is the point Larry is making that going through security by coming in from outside the terminal is faster/easier/less congested that going through security between passport/customs and next gate? and there are no repurcussions for handling it this way? (passing thru here in October).

To Travelnut

Yes, just go through immigration and customs, instead of getting in the long line for security at the international terminal, just exit the terminal and walk maybe 1000' or so and re-enter the old domestic terminal building and go through security there. There are no repercussions. How could there be since you have not avoided security at all. Security at the domestic terminal is no different than at the international terminal except that it is quicker and more effecient.

I have done this my last two times connecting at PHL.

Larry J

Thank you..will certainly keep this tip in mind on our return to U.S.

Larry's suggestion is fine, but on my trip through there, it was pouring buckets and windy, not the ideal situation for walking around outside...that I have to leave the airport building to avoid missing a connection when I have two hours between flights just underscores how badly managed the situation is and how much it needs improving.

Wish I had read this before booking my flight to Rome via Philly. Not so concerned about coming home thru here, much more concerned about making my flight to Rome. I have an hour and 50 mins to make the connection, assuming my flight will arrive at Philly on time.