Calgary International Airport - New Terminal, Runway, Control Tower

[jeffh]

I talked to a plumber at work today, who was recently working on the new terminal. I asked him, sarcastically, why he/they didn't install any water fountains or bottle filling stations at the airport? He chuckled and said the owner/airport overlooked that at the design stage and he thinks they are now in the process of quoting/pricing/installing them. Hearsay, but that's all I got on the matter.

[Amethyst]

Maybe if everyone takes their water bottles to the concessions and ask staff to re-fill them, the businesses will put pressure on the airport.

[getbak]

Isn't there a law that requires public-access facilities to provide a publicly-available source of drinking water to its patrons free of charge (and bathroom sinks don't count)?

[timun]

Originally Posted by getbak

Isn't there a law that requires public-access facilities to provide a publicly-available source of drinking water to its patrons free of charge (and bathroom sinks don't count)?

Nope.

[polak]

Originally Posted by getbak

Isn't there a law that requires public-access facilities to provide a publicly-available source of drinking water to its patrons free of charge (and bathroom sinks don't count)?

Even just free public washrooms are pretty rare in the world.

[Party Elephant]

Originally Posted by Amethyst

Maybe if everyone takes their water bottles to the concessions and ask staff to re-fill them, the businesses will put pressure on the airport.

Good god, as someone who works in such a business I can tell you first hand how annoying that is.

[Muta]

I'm one of the unique people that flew out of the old terminal and arrived back in the new terminal.

It was super nice! Lots of walking, but definitely world class. Came back through customs early this morning and didn't even have to talk to the CBSA agent; it was all automated.

Looking forward to when the LINK is finished and how it all ties in together!

[TheAlpineOracle]

Not really impressed with the new terminal. Sure it's new and shiny, but there's some serious flaws. The whole automated security line is ridiculous. All your belongings end up getting split up, and you feel very rushed while loading up and collecting them. This whole gate thing is an absolute #### show. No seats doesn't stop anyone from congregating around the gates, and some of the games are a frigging long ways away from all the seats and the amenities....... and my biggest pet peeve of them all....... you still have the ridiculous 15 minute march from our arrival gate to Canadian Customs when you arrive. I can't believe they went with this format again.

In general, it seems like they opened the terminal with a lot of projects still under construction or needing maintenance. Elevators down everywhere, those moving sidewalks don't all look to be complete, etc. I don't know, maybe I was just expecting too much.

The positives:

- US customs was awesome. Very automated. I was in and out in maybe 5 minutes
- Canadian customs (after you've done the 15 minute march) was also a breeze though less automated than the US side.
- Nice food variety for the US gates (though I've heard there isn't much for other international destinations)

When I went through both times it wasn't busy at all. Would be nice to hear from someone that went through during a peak travel time to see if there actually is a substantial increase in customs processing times.

[HotHotHeat]

The new wing is a third world joke. Massive long wing with a dozen gates and sitting for 100 people total. I get their whole 'wait in the main area til you board' , it just makes zero sense when the check in crew are trying to communicate things to passengers, verify passports. Never mind the fact that the listed boarding time really means boarding is about 30-40 minutes away. Meanwhile you've got families with a ton of bags and no where to settle their kids while waiting. I can't imagine a worse way to rethink an airport. But I'm sure they'll just drop 100 million renovating in five years.

[HotHotHeat]

On the plus side listening to everyone complain gives a great sense of community prior to boarding.

[Acey]

Originally Posted by HotHotHeat

The new wing is a third world joke.

lol I made this exact comparison on another board and got roasted for it.

One positive - there is now a water fountain in the int'l food court. Not sure yet if USA area got one.

[Drummer]

It looks like a $99 water cooler from Costco with a hose attached to the cold water line.

[Acey]

Originally Posted by Drummer

It looks like a $99 water cooler from Costco with a hose attached to the cold water line.

Yeah but never has $99 had such an impact on a billion dollar project. They were getting lit up for it.

[Weitz]

I don't know where to post this but:

My GF is flyign back from Toronto tonight. Air Canada. Arriving around 11 pm... I can't find any information and I am trying to surprise her by picking her up (she is out with work so she could cab home for free if anyone wants to question me )

How do I track or does anyone know what flight it would be? Where should I go to wait and surprise her???

[Bigtime]

Originally Posted by Weitz

I don't know where to post this but:

My GF is flyign back from Toronto tonight. Air Canada. Arriving around 11 pm... I can't find any information and I am trying to surprise her by picking her up (she is out with work so she could cab home for free if anyone wants to question me )

How do I track or does anyone know what flight it would be? Where should I go to wait and surprise her???

Air Canada 145: http://flightaware.com/live/flight/A...155Z/CYYZ/CYYC

Gate C56 according to Flightaware for arrival. Probably coming out around Meeting Place C if my memory is correct.

[surferguy]

Originally Posted by Bigtime

Air Canada 145: http://flightaware.com/live/flight/A...155Z/CYYZ/CYYC

Gate C56 according to Flightaware for arrival. Probably coming out around Meeting Place C if my memory is correct.

Nm

[oilyfan]

I flew out of the terminal last week. The new main waiting area is fantastic, lots of food and amenities. But the gates are atrocious. Massive hall and no seating? I flew into Denver and coming back had to spend a couple hours in that airport which is huge but has tons of seating, food and conveniences.

Calgary tried to be too clever.

[I-Hate-Hulse]

Am I missing something or isn't the simple solution to all of this not to show the gate number on display screens until 15 minutes prior boarding time like in other call to gate airports? Keeps all the people in the central area as they won't know where to go.

[TheAlpineOracle]

Originally Posted by I-Hate-Hulse

Am I missing something or isn't the simple solution to all of this not to show the gate number on display screens until 15 minutes prior boarding time like in other call to gate airports? Keeps all the people in the central area as they won't know where to go.

They put it on the board 20 minutes before, but for some odd reason when I checked in they told me the gate at that time.

[Acey]

Originally Posted by I-Hate-Hulse

Am I missing something or isn't the simple solution to all of this not to show the gate number on display screens until 15 minutes prior boarding time like in other call to gate airports? Keeps all the people in the central area as they won't know where to go.

Doesn't work cause the gate is on your boarding pass and in all the mobile apps for the airlines. People just want to be at their gate so they don't miss announcements or anything else, and you're not going to be able to get the airlines to change their systems.

But yes, some Air Canada flights are getting posted 2 hours prior. Obviously waaaay too long.

Originally Posted by TheAlpineOracle

They put it on the board 20 minutes before, but for some odd reason when I checked in they told me the gate at that time.

The shortest post time is 45 minutes for some transborders. Others are 50 min, WestJet transborder is 1:15. Nobody is less than 45.