Omaha Eppley Airfield - DISCUSSION

[riceweb]

I get it, I just wish we could get Boston, New Orleans, etc., rather than like a 7th place in Florida.

(I totally get that.... I think we get very little incremental value when we duplicate on destinations rather than adding frequency to hubs or adding new destinations.... as a "United snob" I want SFO and EWR 4x per day plz, but I'm happy with new FLL flights on Allegiant since that might lead to lower fares down that way)

[GrowUpFrances]

I think it'd be nice to get a few more smaller, regional direct flights. Scottsbluff. Rapid City. Wichita. Madison, WI.

[Louie]

Great to have another connection….

…..but my god, can it be somewhere other than yet another Florida destination.

I'm happy to have it, hopefully will put some price pressure on United flights to the area. United and even Southwest are outrageously expensive to Florida.

I get it, I just wish we could get Boston, New Orleans, etc., rather than like a 7th place in Florida.

Boston and NO are definitely my top two domestic direct wishes.

[Stargazer]

Memorial weekend colors on canopy looking pretty slick this morning.

[jjjjhskr]

Memorial weekend colors on canopy looking pretty slick this morning.

Looks like the French flag. Maybe for the French Open

[CrankyOldDude]

This one is probably for Nuke but anyone else can chime in.

Is simultaneous landing possible on the parallel runaways? I know it's not necessary. Just wondering.

[Nosdoc]

This one is probably for Nuke but anyone else can chime in.

Is simultaneous landing possible on the parallel runaways? I know it's not necessary. Just wondering.

Yes, but there are some limitations. With the centerlines being only 1200’ apart it’s dependent on tower applied or pilot applied visual separation unless both aircraft are VFR.

[Mr.Nuke]

May was up 1.3% for the month, up 2.4% YTD.
https://www.flyoma.com/wp-content/uploa ... istics.pdf

[SkyWarrior55]

Cool clip about Midwest Express and Omaha

[skinzfan23]

I had no idea about Midwest and Omaha.

[SkyWarrior55]

https://www.ketv.com/article/omaha-eppl ... s/72646510

More Florida!

[CrankyOldDude]

United to EWR daily. Makes 37 destination airports.

[CrankyOldDude]

I had no idea about Midwest and Omaha.

It was a minor hub for a short time. Almost zero advertising. Ultimately downgraded & the minor hub moved to KCI for a while. Some coast to coast for a while.

[Linkin5]

Growing up we’d take the direct flight to Newark on Midwest Express. My kids cannot comprehend when I tell them that we’d be served freshly baked cookies and a meal on the flight.

[Mr.Nuke]

United to EWR daily. Makes 37 destination airports.

Glad to see that one finally come back. 1X Daily isn't ideal for connections though.

[CrankyOldDude]

United to EWR daily. Makes 37 destination airports.

Glad to see that one finally come back. 1X Daily isn't ideal for connections though.

I haven't seen timing yet. EWR is still twitchy with outbound flights. Delays aren't as bad as last year but still.

[Mr.Nuke]

United to EWR daily. Makes 37 destination airports.

Glad to see that one finally come back. 1X Daily isn't ideal for connections though.

I haven't seen timing yet. EWR is still twitchy with outbound flights. Delays aren't as bad as last year but still.

For a single flight they aren't bad. EWR 12:08 OMA 2:08 OMA 2:50 EWR 6:30.

[riceweb]

If you’re trying to make an international connection the flights don’t really move the needle. A few cities like Lisbon, Madrid and a handful of others become doable without going thru ORD earlier in the day and connecting thru EWR.

[Mr.Nuke]

June was up 1.1% over last June and 2.1% YTD.
https://www.flyoma.com/wp-content/uploa ... istics.pdf

[thenewguy]

this is all strictly conjecture, but the people that fly in for work often comment that Eppley is one of their favorite airports to fly into because it's big enough to have smart connections, but not so big that you have to take a train to get from one terminal to another. I think that once the construction is complete, that sentiment will help boost ridership once people get to experience how smooth the operation really is.

[skinzfan23]

The 530,157 passengers from June was another all-time monthly record for the airport. That’s awesome to see.

[Mr.Nuke]

The 530,157 passengers from June was another all-time monthly record for the airport. That’s awesome to see.

Yeah thanks I forgot to note that.

this is all strictly conjecture, but the people that fly in for work often comment that Eppley is one of their favorite airports to fly into because it's big enough to have smart connections, but not so big that you have to take a train to get from one terminal to another.

And we know this to be true living here and flying to other airports. With that said, the people flying in for work talking about how convenient the airport is are still presumably going to fly in for work in the new airport in the same frequency (and it will still obviously be convenient from everything we've seen).

I think that once the construction is complete, that sentiment will help boost ridership once people get to experience how smooth the operation really is.

This kind of where you lose me. Eppley set an all-time passenger record during construction two years ago and wasn't that far off last year. I can see the potential for a modest bump in passengers for a couple of reasons, but I don't anticipate anything significant.

1) People outside of Omaha but in the catchment area for Eppley may have been avoiding the airport during construction. Those people (if there are any) will likely come back when there is a new terminal with more amenities, especially those on the fringe areas that are driving 1.5 or hours to get here. 2) Ultimately when the FIS gates open up we know Eppley was leaking Cancun traffic to Kansas City. That isn't going to be all that significant passenger wise though.

Fundamentally, the people that fly be it for leisure or business travel are still going to fly. The new terminal isn't going to change that. What it does do, is like you note, make the travel experience even for pleasant. The centralized security is going to be a nice upgrade, the concessions if executed properly are going to be a huge upgrade, etc.

[riceweb]

I'm firmly in the camp that believes absolutely nothing has become more difficult during construction.

[Mr.Nuke]

I'm firmly in the camp that believes absolutely nothing has become more difficult during construction.

I generally agree. I think the food has become more difficult though especially for people from out of town. With that said, this is also why I don't think anyone should expect a "bump" from the new terminal either.

[nativeomahan]

I'm firmly in the camp that believes absolutely nothing has become more difficult during construction.

Hmmm. Try accessing the terminal with luggage while in a wheelchair after being dropped off in an Uber. Or getting to the taxi location in a wheelchair from the terminal. Not fun.

[BuildTaller]

I don't track any numbers regarding MCI, but it is my understanding that their numbers didn't change in any meaningful way after their new terminal was completed. But my coworkers that use it do say it's been very convenient for them and just a much more pleasant experience.

I don't think our numbers will change in any meaningful way, but hopefully we can get a couple of different new destinations, or even just a few connecting flights to help with revenue. Someone had mentioned we may get a few WN connections due to food/drink.

[Mr.Nuke]

Hmmm. Try accessing the terminal with luggage while in a wheelchair after being dropped off in an Uber. Or getting to the taxi location in a wheelchair from the terminal. Not fun.

So I guess my questions not to sound flippant (my mother was confined to a wheelchair for most of the last year and is still using a walker), but 1) how many people does this impact? It has to be a relatively small number of the people using the airport.

And then more importantly 2) What has really changed to make it more difficult to access? On the taxi front, no you can't directly exit door 3 from the terminal to the taxi stand, but I don't know that exiting either door and going to the taxi stand is more "difficult" able or disabled.

On the uber, here is where I'm a little lost. The ride share pickup/dropoff moved, albeit closer, to the garage before the terminal construction. It presumably will stay in the parking garage (moving to the East side again though instead of the West) after the terminal drive work is finished. So that in and of itself has nothing to do with the terminal construction at all. If you want to make an argument that having to go all the way across the parking garage for a ride share is an inconvenience for disabled people, I'd agree. So does the airport.

Customers with disabilities using ride app services are permitted to use the commercial vehicle curbside for pick-up and drop-off when available. These customers should communicate the need for this option with the vehicle driver.

https://www.flyoma.com/passenger-servic ... ssibility/

So arguably, nothing at all has changed for disabled people using a rideshare. They just need to know and be able to communicate that they want to be dropped off/picked up in the commercial lane.

I don't think our numbers will change in any meaningful way, but hopefully we can get a couple of different new destinations, or even just a few connecting flights to help with revenue. Someone had mentioned we may get a few WN connections due to food/drink.

Airlines don't care about new terminals at out stations. And in fact, if anything they don't like them, because their costs to operate out of Eppley, cost per enplanment (CPE), are about to more than double. Southwest already technically started connecting passengers here, but again it isn't likely to be any meaningful number of people in the new terminal either. They have larger operations on either sides of Omaha.

[nativeomahan]

Here’s the deal. Previous to all of this construction starting taxis and Ubers could drop you off along the front driveway next to the building entrances. And you could access wheel chairs and trolleys for luggage close to the drop off points. Curbside check-ins were also possible in the past. Yes we know that now you can ask for the Uber or taxi to drop you off in the easternmost lane of the garage. A year or more ago that was not the case. Sometimes wheelchairs are available along that drop off lane, but sometimes they are not, and no benches or chairs are located near that drop off lane. A trolley dispensing kiosk is present somewhere in the maze of traffic lanes, if you search long enough. For some cockamamie reason luggage trolleys are not offered as a complimentary service at Eppley. I have flown through, by my best guess, fourteen airports in the past year. Some were just used to change planes, but every other airport my husband and I used where we sought use of one of those small luggage trolleys, they were there free for the asking. Except Eppley, where you are docked $6. Not exactly a “Welcome to Omaha!” first impression we should be proud of.
When one exits the Eppley terminal accessing the Uber/taxi line means meandering through a crazy quilt maze of orange construction barriers, zig-zagging past about 6 or 7 lanes of traffic, most drivers not having any idea where they are going, adding to the confusion. Yes, the airlines will assist disabled travelers to the taxi area if you request it, but it is still cumbersome.
When a taxi or Uber drops off a disabled rider along the east side of the garage if there are no wheelchairs available there is one small sign with a phone # to call. However as I recall it’s on a moveable stick post, and if it’s not facing the passenger there is no way to see the information.
I’m a firm believer that every building being constructed should have the architect/ building owners personally utilize a wheelchair to access all public building entrances, restrooms, etc. That is the only way buildings will be constructed in a user friendly manner.

[Mr.Nuke]

Here’s the deal. Previous to all of this construction starting taxis and Ubers could drop you off along the front driveway next to the building entrances.

They still can if you are disabled, where this whole conversation started...

Yes we know that now you can ask for the Uber or taxi to drop you off in the easternmost lane of the garage.

No, again it isn't merely that. You can ask to be picked up or dropped off from the commercial lanes i.e. taxi/parking shuttles for the surface lots without going to the garage if you have a disability. I included said link in my earlier post today. You can't get dropped off any closer than that...

A year or more ago that was not the case.

Eppley has been very accommodating for people with disabilities throughout this entire process.

Sometimes wheelchairs are available along that drop off lane, but sometimes they are not, and no benches or chairs are located near that drop off lane.

Wheelchairs at any airport are reliant on the person needing one requesting one with their airline... This has nothing to do with Eppley or the construction.

When one exits the Eppley terminal accessing the Uber/taxi line means meandering through a crazy quilt maze of orange construction barriers, zig-zagging past about 6 or 7 lanes of traffic, most drivers not having any idea where they are going, adding to the confusion. Yes, the airlines will assist disabled travelers to the taxi area if you request it, but it is still cumbersome.

The airport is under construction this will get better. Again though people needing assistance shouldn't need to be navigating that either though.

When a taxi or Uber drops off a disabled rider along the east side of the garage if there are no wheelchairs available there is one small sign with a phone # to call. However as I recall it’s on a moveable stick post, and if it’s not facing the passenger there is no way to see the information.

Presumably if you are disabled and need assistance, you are already trying to make accommodations before hand. Again, Any disabled passenger can be picked up or dropped off outside of the garage on the commercial lanes (the closest you can get to the terminal now).

I’m a firm believer that every building being constructed should have the architect/ building owners personally utilize a wheelchair to access all public building entrances, restrooms, etc. That is the only way buildings will be constructed in a user friendly manner.

What leads you to believe that hasn't been done here?

[halgy]

FWIW, my mother uses a wheelchair at the airport, and the people at Eppley have been great for her. It is a bit further to/from the current rideshare area, but they don't seem to mind pushing her the extra distance. The last time we traveled together, my parents were through TSA before I had parked the car and gotten inside.

Granted I only fly a few times a year, but construction is always difficult and I think Eppley is doing perfectly fine. I'll be glad when it is done, but mostly so I can get some decent food before my flights.

[Brad]

Why does the TSA have different rules at different airports? Eppley was a breeze and we were through security in no time. Coming back, DCA had different rules that slowed everything down.

[Mr.Nuke]

Why does the TSA have different rules at different airports? Eppley was a breeze and we were through security in no time. Coming back, DCA had different rules that slowed everything down.

Typically it comes down to different security screening mechanisms (i..e. equipment) at a given airport. I'm with you that Eppley is already pretty good at this, and presumably it will be even better because whatever they're doing with the new central terminal checkpoint is going to be top of the line.