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San Francisco International Airport
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 6 am - 6 am
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
1149 reviews for San Francisco International Airport
1149 reviews in English
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Review from Joshua L.
San Francisco, CA
2/6/2012 8 Check-ins Here
Do you like commercial airplanes? I sure do! And this airport has, not one, not two, but three whole terminals just full of them! It's awesome! You can go there and watch them take off and land! And if you're feeling really adventurous, you can spend anywhere from sixty dollars to several thousand dollars and actually get to ride on one of them! How sweet is that?
Airplanes are my favorite ride! They are so much better than a stupid boring roller coaster because they last a lot longer and go farther and you can see a bunch of cool things outside the window... not just some lame concession stand selling cotton candy. And most of the time no-one is yelling in your ear and you're not yelling either. And you can buy alcohol and drink it too! Try doing that with some stupid lame ferris wheel.
Airplane rides are cool because the people running it try to scare you, like any good ride should. First you wait in line and then they put you and your stuff through this fakey X-Ray to make sure you aren't "too sick" to go on the plane. Then when you get on they tell you all these ways that things could go wrong, but nothing ever does. Airplanes are awesome!
If you are nervous about riding on an airplane, San Francisco International Airport has a train that goes around the airport which is like an airplane only it's stuck to a track and doesn't move really fast and you probably have to stand but it gives you a small taste of what you're going to be in for! And it's totally frees guys! SFIA is so cool!
Here's an airport tip from me! It's probably best to buy a "round trip" ticket so you can come home without too much hassle. You don't want to buy a "one way" ticket and land in Duluth and then have to walk home. That week sucked!
Take it from me, if you like big airplanes that go in the sky and are really loud and go fast and have chairs that recline and sometimes they give you snacks, you owe it to yourself to go to San Francisco International Airport and try one of their airplanes out. Airplanes are the coolest!
Also, I think they based this airport off the one in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. How weird is that? -
Review from Rheanna F.
2/4/2012 1 Check-in Here
San Fran International is a pretty great airport. I mean, even if it's just on a layover, i'm always excited to be able to say i was in San Fran!!
When you're visiting the city it's great because you have BART access right there. So awesome to just be able to hop on the train instead of having to spend tons of bucks on a cab the moment you arrive! If you're just there on a layover it's a pretty good place to kill some time because they have a huge variety of shops and food places to eat at! It's also one of the prettiest airports i've ever been to and there are tons of things to look at! When i passed through the last time, there was an exhibition on vintage televisions on display along one of the main halls. So random, but it was pretty damn cool!
And of course, one of the best parts about flying in and out of this airport is trying to spot the Golden Gate bridge through your plane window!! -
Review from Mike S.
San Francisco, CA
2/3/2012 1 Check-in Here
not much to say about SFO more than what other fellow yelpers have posted. It's a really nice airport, and parking isn't too bad (expensive, but again it's SFO)...
my only beef is with the "officers" at the security check .... HMMMMM ... let's just say that common sense isn't always so common. ;-) -
Review from Sera P.
2/3/2012 2 Check-ins Here
SFO [greater than sign] LAX.
Enough said. -
Review from Miguel R.
1/30/2012
LAX should look better and be better than SFO but it isn't :(
This is an aesthetically pleasing and organized airport. I love the sculptures they have hanging from the roof.
They have an SFMOMA shop! They have other good shops too!
FREE wifi for 45 minutes!!!! SFO is conveniently linked to the BART via a monorail.
Traffic into the domestic terminal is not as bad as at LAX thanks to the presence of the monorail and BART.Listed in: Magical San Francisco
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Review from Nicole W.
1/31/2012
Nice makeover, SFO!
I had a layover here maybe eight years ago when they were tearing this airport to pieces for remodeling. I must admit, I hated my experience at SFO and I was dreading coming back for a recent weekend trip.
Everything is so bright and roomy! There are tons of food choices, including organic and veg-friendly! Dare I say the bathrooms are as nice as the Aria casino in Vegas? Were those some sculptures I ran by as I was trying to get to my gate?
Plenty of seating, plenty of room to maneuver your carry-on, security went quickly and the TSA agents were nice enough. Although huge, it's very easy to navigate. I might even say that it was a little enjoyable being here. (This is coming from a girl that despises airports) -
Review from Mike M.
Sparta, NJ
2/7/2012 2 Check-ins Here
Great food choices, great BART access, love the Television exhibit they've got there now. And if you forgot to get something for the folks back home, you can get sourdough to go. Sweet!
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Review from Liz R.
1/21/2012
For being such a large airport, I truly appreciate how small each terminal feels...once you're in your terminal, that is. Decent amount of seating at each gate. Some of the rudest gate agents I've encountered.
The tram that transports passengers to/from every terminal, plus BART, the rental car area, etc can be painful if you're flying in to the 1st terminal (Delta), so be patient. Remember that it sure beats walking!
My Garmin got me out of the airport easily enough and on my way to Modesto (but I would have been very confused without her!). I was blessedly going against evening rush hour traffic on my way in to SFO, so it wasn't too difficult to get back either. One thing - I found it difficult to find a gas station where I could top off my rental once on the airport property so if you aren't familiar with the area you may want to gas up a couple exits out. -
Review from Tamar F.
2/4/2012 1 Check-in Here
Since when did SFO get a facelift? I usually fly Southwest in/out of SFO, but this time flew Virgin America, so maybe it was a different terminal or something. But man, this was gorgeous. Between the wide variety of shops on-site, good signage, interesting public art, and really easy access to BART, this airport is a winner. When traveling to the Bay Area for work, I'm always torn between flying out of SFO versus OAK as the BART ride tends to be longer to SFO, but easier than doing the whole OAK/AirBART transferoo. With all there is now going on at this airport, it may make my decision a little easier in the future.
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Review from Will C.
1/16/2012 3 Check-ins Here
I'm coming home
I'm coming home
Tell the World I'm coming home
Let the rain wash away all the pain of yesterday
I know my kingdom awaits and they've forgiven my mistakes
I'm coming home, I'm coming home
Tell the World that I'm coming... home
Always good to be home, SFO.
My frequent stops at the airport include the airline check-in line(Virgin, JetBlue, Cathay Pacific), the security line, the Starbucks, the bathroom, the kiosk in front of the gate, the extra security screening line, and then the plane (if I get this far). -
Review from Mark B.
2/3/2012 2 Check-ins Here
SFO is VERY easy to get to from central SF via BART. Furthermore, the airport, itself, is extremely efficient, clean/modern and easy to use. My only gripe, is, and I never thought I'd hear myself say, but, the lack of cheap food options in Terminal 1. Cheapest option I could find, was $10 and upward. I only had a small amount of cash on me, and was without my debit card. Therefore had to go hungry.
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Review from Elaine Y.
1/18/2012 1 Check-in Here
I liked how this airport isn't as confusing as before, it could also be the fact that I've been here many times that I'm starting to navigate this place from experience. Nonetheless, I liked the updated design of the airport. It's giving SFO more of an identity. Not to mention that Virgin America has finally moved back to the domestic terminal, no more misleading direction driving to the international terminals for Virgin (WOOHOO!)!
Checking in was effortless and TSA was actually very efficient this time. Although, checking in early definitely has its advantages, no chaos and impatient waiting. It was an even better experience when the whole airport was sharing the moment of the 49ers getting their touchdown at the last 14 seconds of the playoff! The whole place was roaring with cheers. What a way to start my travel! -
Review from Rachel L.
Temple City, CA
1/11/2012 7 Check-ins Here
I fly in and out of SFO quite often, and it is definitely one of the nicer airports I've been to.
I was in a newly remodeled terminal during my layover from LAX to JFK last week, and I loved how bright and spacious it felt. It definitely didn't feel like a typical cramped airport.
There was a good variety of food in the terminal as well. I noticed a variety of healthy looking choices (typical SF, haha). I ended up grabbed a lemon poppy seed muffin (it was 9am, and I had been up since 4am) and a roasted chicken sandwich for the flight to NY, both from Peet's Coffee & Tea. -
Review from Jenny C.
1/11/2012 3 Check-ins Here
Great airport. Fantastic. Get to to anywhere you need to go. What more can you ask from an airport?
No, really. It is a great airport, but with the massive traffic coming in and out of SF everyday do get there early 1-2hr for check-in.
Actually, there are a couple decent restaurants in the airport as well. BEST OF ALL there is a SEPHORA here!!! Love! -
Review from Christine W.
San Francisco, CA
2/3/2012 8 Check-ins Here
The food variety in Terminal 2 is great!
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Review from Lanie T.
Hayward, CA
1/18/2012
I feel compelled to add my two cents! WTH people? WTH?
I HATE HATE HATE SF International!
It is dreadfully confusing getting in and out. The signage SUCKS big time! In all ways.
It's a terrible location---lots of traffic each way. Every day.
I live in the East Bay and whenever I can take Oakland, I DO. -
Review from Rach K.
Yay!
Clean, well equipped airport with free wifi and lots of charging stations (clusters of desks with 2 outlets per desk) makes me so happy. There are lots of duty free shopping stores and plenty of places to eat. Might be one of the best airports I've ever been in, though to be fair, I haven't had to deal with security here (I had a layover). -
Review from Yum E.
1/1/2012 3 Check-ins Here
After the international terminal remodel a few years ago, SFO is one of the popping places to fly out of. SFO is my airport of choice for long-haul flights! :)
...with the repaving and remapping of the roads, pick up and drop offs are now easy too! :) -
Review from Kristin G.
San Mateo, CA
1/6/2012 10 Check-ins Here
Here's where you fail me. My parents live in a Delta hub. So once I go through security, I only have a tiny, boring wing to hang out in and wait. I wish you had big general security and then I could move throughout the airport.
:( Boring. -
Review from Philip L.
Redwood City, CA
1/13/2012
Most beautiful airport in america
Love the interior design. International terminal and domestic terminal 2 (virgin, american) look great, wide aisles, tall ceilings. Great selection of restaurants run by local eateries. Fun mechanical butterfly exhibit, soft benches, sweets shops in terminal 2. Sfo has style! -
Review from Daniel D.
1/5/2012 2 Check-ins Here
SFO is the standard for airports. You've got every airline flying out of SFO.
Traffic inside and outside can get crazy busy but in general it is very efficient.
I love that they have FREE wi-fi and that they have health conscious eating and areas within the airport.
Avoid the peak days & hours and you'll have no problems. Get dropped off and picked up or use BART :)Listed in: Non-Food Places, San Francisco Spots
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Review from Steve G.
Union, NJ
1/27/2012
I'll approach this review with a bit of hesitation, as I've only experienced SFO on one arrival and departure. On that limited basis, this airport truly ranks among the elite large airports in America. Everything not involving human interaction was, in my exposure, outstanding. Further, while the exclusion noted would typically invite an opportunity to gripe about TSA security, our TSA experience was quick and painless on weekday mornings. In fact, TSA personnel were actually more cordial and personable than the general self-centered rudeness of the SFO passengers encountered-- we met a completely oblivious group on and around the airport rail system. Yes, I understand the "right coast-left coast" thing; antisocial boorishness knows no geography, and "eco vegan organic rainbow" messages on their tee-shirts doesn't make it better. Otherwise, very poor signage in, and around, the airport and mind-numbing city traffic are my only remaining complaints.
The striking characteristic of SFO is in its design and architecture, the place is visually attractive in spite of very minor maintenance and cleaning deficiencies (that human element again). Airport space is skillfully designed to provide separation of a huge terminal into human-scaled areas. The overall impression is one of small, workable functional areas, and it is done masterfully. Seating is good, and connectivity to the adjacent City, whether by highway or BART system, is very good. The many and varied dining and drinking options vary between terminals, but are consistent with a fully-equipped large airport. Car rental involves an over-sized facility far from the airport, but connected by rail (slow, but adequate); the overall experience took longer than it should have, but was smooth. If it mattered to those who operate the large airports in NYC, Philadelphia, Miami and Pittsburgh (and I'm sure that it doesn't), SFO is the model you should be emulating. -
Review from Teri R.
12/30/2011 1 Check-in Here
How do you rate an airport? For me ... the less memorable, the better. Granted, all I did was fly in and out ... no need to make connection, no car rental, no customs, no checked baggage, yada yada ... but my visit was not a bit memorable. so they did what they do well.
However, on principle, I have to deduct one star as SFO now holds the dubious distinction of being the first airport to body scan me. As much travelling as I do, I had somehow managed to avoid the dang thing. thanks much, SFO ... you broke my body scan cherry. -
Review from Rena C.
San Mateo, CA
1/12/2012 7 Check-ins Here
It's a good airport, I fly in and out of SFO often. The airport is clean and they have many eatery options. I personally like T2 the best. Tons of organic eating options, fast food options, and they have a mini spa in this terminal. T2 also has wifi and mulitple charging stations.
Just know TSA at T2 is slow. Get to the airport early if your flight is located in T2. I got to the airport 1 hr and 30 min before a flight to Vegas and I missed it. I haven't had an issue with TSA at the other terminals, so far, it's just T2. -
Review from Teresa P.
Quick tips:
- so great you can pay for parking with your Fastrak.
- baggage cart rental machines take credit card for payment, and you can no longer return it to get some of your money back. Cost is $5.
- for dual citizens travelling internationally, make sure you bring proof of your citizenship for the other country that claims you. They don't ask for it all the time, but the airlines will bs that its standard procedure. Just be ready with that even if you have a return ticket.
- Virgin America uses the international terminal for domestic flights.
- I weighed myself on of the baggage scale and they LIE. They are off and weigh heavier by *at least* ten lbs. ALL of them. Kidding. On the contrary they are more sensitive and regularly calibrated so if you are using a hand scale or floor scale to pre-weigh at home, give an allowance of minus 3 to 5 lbs to be safe. -
Review from Debby L.
Updated - 12/20/2011
VIRGIN AMERICA
The new Virgin America terminal is much nicer than before, and much more accessible. Before, you had to go around the bend, into the dark corner, through the hallway, down the escalators, and into oblivion to get to your gate.
Now, you go through security, and come out at gate 50-55 in about one minute. So much nicer to go to and from SFO with Virgin America!
FOOD COURT
The food court is very nice with good selection. There's a Peets Coffee, sushi place, sandwich place, and burger joint.
SUSHI
Got the chicken teriyaki bowl so I could take it in the plane. Pretty good actually. Good size portions, and put in a good take out box with chopsticks, fork and spoon. I hated that it was $10 for chicken TERIYAKI though!! Bah! Hate airport prices!Listed in: SAN FRANCISCO
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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5/31/2009
Also great so far. I arrived and found my way super fast around the airport.
Virgin flies in and out… Read more »
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Review from Jo W.
12/18/2011
Now THIS is how you do airports, America.
SFO is beautiful. From their beautiful restaurants to their water station to encourage people to be green, to their shopping, to their beautiful zen-like bathrooms... Love. And I totally saved myself a trip to Kiehl's when I got home, because I was able to restock on some items IN THE AIRPORT. I mean, come on! You really can't ask for more.
I wanted to send a note to Tom Hanks that he should have filmed that stuck-in-an-airport movie here, because then he wouldn't have been so depressed. I sure wasn't.Listed in: That's so fly.
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Review from Regina W.
12/24/2011
I spent years flying in and out of SFO when I lived abroad. One of the last times I flew into SFO, I was living in New York City. My early Sunday morning commute to JFK on the A-train was horrible and my experience in JFK was bleh.
I got the first flight out of JFK, so I slept the whole time during my flight. I landed in SFO and had an attack of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar for those of you lucky enough not to deal with it.) It took me a few minutes to figure it out, search for my sugar tablets and find my way to the right baggage claim carousel.
I'd flown on Virgin from JFK and they land in the international terminal. By the time I got there, baggage claim was closed. Oooops! I went from a low blood sugar haze to slight panic! However, I got lucky and found where they'd moved my bag and then made my way to BART. In an airport like JFK that experience would have been a nightmare. In SFO, I got through it safely and not in tears.
I've flown out of what folks say is one of the world's best: Incheon International Airport in South Korea, and SFO isn't so bad. It needs some upgrades but the transport, wifi, and folks working there make my time there pretty easy. I was so happy to be home and happy to see a nice BART attendant after my nightmare A-train commute in NYC that I was almost in tears and was ecstatic to be back.
So, okay, I've got the "San Francisco is home" bias, but SFO is almost always a pleasure to fly in and out of.
There are some pluses to SFO:
BART (when I first moved to SF there wasn't a BART connection, so this is great; if you have an international flight BART drops you off right where you need to be otherwise you have to take a SFO trains to the domestic terminals.)
free wifi (how does JFK not have this too?)
TSA isn't so bad here (the lines are epic though, so don't be late or you won't make your flight) -
Review from Sherah B.
Peoria, IL
12/8/2011 1 Check-in Here
This airport is decent. The terminals can be pretty far from each other, but exercise is good, so no biggie. I love the selection of restaurants and shops--lots to pass the time when you have a long wait for your flight. I also like the little museum of old television artifacts between terminals that I saw--great idea!
The only downside is this airport is really busy (well it was when I flew in and out, but that was during the week of Thanksgiving), so it's hard to find a place to sit, but I usually just stand in anticipation of sitting during my whole flight. This airport is very clean as well (including the bathrooms) which helps! -
Review from Anastacia S.
New York, NY
1/13/2012 2 Check-ins Here
San Francisco is a NICE airport. International but small and easy to get around, and SUPER CLEAN. There are even Yoga Rooms (which makes me giggle because it seems so stereo-typical California), and great lighting. It has a fun energy, just like the City, and even leaving downtown, financial district, of San Fran on a Friday at 6PM it still only takes about 30 minutes to get here. Best of all, it's a hub for Virgin America and if you've read any of my past reviews you know how I feel about them...
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Review from Vince P.
San Francisco, CA
1/8/2012 3 Check-ins Here
Love Terminal 2! Like a mini Disneyland Mall, even with a great wine tasting bar while you wait (or after arriving too)! Helps do the travel thing greatly!
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Review from Allie A.
12/9/2011
I usually fly to South America from Tahoe, but on a recent business trip to Hong Kong and Thailand, it was easier to connect thru SFO.
It's a large, clean and well-laid out airport with helpful staff and good signage. Best part about it was the free Wifi (available for 45 minutes at a time, and easy enough to log back in for another free go of 45 minutes). I found a desk that was comfy to sit at, prop up my Ipad, and charge my Iphone at the same time. -
Review from Derek N.
San Francisco, CA
11/20/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Always prefer the big SFO compared to Oakland.
Better flight choices.
Better accommodations during wait times.
Better environment.
No hell-hole drive en-route to the airport.
I haven't had a bad experience yet at SFO.
Stressful yes.
Overall good. -
Review from Nat N.
11/21/2011 1 Check-in Here
Because we flew Hawaiian, we arrived and departed out of the International Terminal. As for when we arrived, it was easy to find the baggage claim and it didn't take very long for our bags to arrive (the wait time is way shorter than at Honolulu Int'l Airport!!). Once we got our bags, we stepped outside and a line of cabs were waiting for us to take us to the city. The process was so easy.
As for our departure, it was quite an adventure. The International terminal is so big that you have to check the board just to see which aisle to go to just to check in (I think there were around 10-12 aisles)! After we checked in and passed TSA, we had to board the tram to get to the gates. The tram came quickly and gave us a smooth ride to the terminal. Awesome.
They also have hydration stations where you can fill up your reusable water bottles with fresh water!
HNL could learn a thing or two from SFO about how to modernize! -
Review from Amanda C.
12/13/2011 1 Check-in Here
GREAT AIRPORT AND UNDERSTANDING STAFF!
I had to catch a flight out on Monday morning but unfortunately my whole entire wallet got stolen on Saturday night. I literally thought, "What is a girl to do!?" TSA here is really nice. I had my roomate scan over a copy of my passport and old id, while my mother scaned over a copy of my birth certificate and old pay stubs. I think I made it easy on myself because I had color copies off all of this information with me. I had to wait a little bit for a supervisior and they pulled me aside and made a phone call to a place in DC. After a couple of verfication questions, I was on my way to regular security. I just had to go through the dectector and they checked my laptop for explosives. Super EASY!
This airport also has good options for breakfast foods. Lots of places with fresh cooked eggs and pastries. I was really happy because I got to the airport with a lot of time to look around.
I highly reccomend this airport if you are flying into San Francisco, skip Oakland. Also the Bart being right there makes it so easy to get downtown. The yellow line takes you right smack downtown! -
Review from Leanne P.
12/13/2011 3 Check-ins Here
I've had to fly out of SFO numerous times and I have to say, its a pretty decent airport. There are a lot of amenities, free wifi, and friendly staff. The security is quick and they have the high-tech stuff so I don't have to worry about a TSA person feeling me up. They have the dyson hand dryers in the bathroom and they have overpriced airport food everywhere! haha
Out of all the airports I've flown in/out of (all over the world, mind you!) I have to say SFO is the least sucky of them all. So I guess I'm a fan :) -
Review from T Y.
Playa Del Rey, CA
11/27/2011
All I can say is, give your janitorial staff a raise for their hard work.. Thank You, Thank You, Thank You. After two days of non stop Thanksgiving eating, I needed a place to give a turkey birth.
What a great bathroom. the architecture sings playful notes of exquisiteness. Or maybe I'm confusing it with the classy Jazz playing as you walk in! Designers definitely cranked in the extra hours to make it comfortable. I love the wood finish they picked out for the stalls. It humbly whispers sweet refined urban jungle, I'm better than you. The toilet design was flush. I mean that in all sense of the word. The pipes were concealed and it was just a simple sensor and flush button.
All in all I love this airport. I layered the toilet seat twice, rather than my usual, just holding it in. -
Review from Chris Y.
12/12/2011 13 Check-ins Here
SFO has always been one of my favorite airports. Half the time I'm here, it's the first part of a big trip - exciting! - and every other time I'm here, I'm so glad to be home!!
SFO has been my primary airport for over 25 years now, and I can say that it keeps on getting bigger and better -- especially now that Terminal 2 (the old International terminal) has been reopened!
There's a tram service between all the terminals and the rental car garage, and you never wait for very long for a bus to the long-term parking. The whole airport is directly off 101, so it's very easy to get to. The airport even has a BART station, so you can quickly and easily get between the airport and the city or East Bay.
While you are here, you can check out lots of good concession stands, good food, SF-souvenirs, museum-exhibits, and even a fish tank, too! -
Review from Pat M.
San Francisco, CA
12/29/2011 5 Check-ins Here
It's hard for air travel and airports to be anything other than miserable, but I gotta say SFO is probably the best home airport I've ever had. Very clean and easy to maneuver around. The food selections vary wildly depending on which terminal you're in, but on average they're pretty good.
I should note that my review of SFO probably benefits from having had LAX as my home airport for 5 years. I had nowhere to go but up (of course, I could say the same thing about the move from LA to SF in general :-)). -
Review from Julia W.
12/10/2011 2 Check-ins Here
I have to give props to San Fran for having a pretty efficient airport. From the Airtram to get to the BART and the services offered inside the airport itself.
It was clean and the security checkpoints didn't seem to have as many 'random - aka everyone' body scans that Seattle's airport does.
Knocking one star down due to TSA.
I was happy to see that SF was an airport that allowed mobile boarding passes with AK Airlines. You'd be surprised how many 'major' airports don't actually offer this option and I like being able to use my phone and not having to get a piece of paper that'll be shoved in a bag after 5 mins.
The TSA gate agent couldn't figure it out and so she sent me back to get a paper pass. What is the POINT of having mobile boarding passes if I can't use them? When I complained to the AK Agent as I printed out my pass; he said "huh. It was working earlier." Then ignored me.
If you're going to operate like a major airport, figure out how to train your people so that you can hold onto the title of being a good airport to fly through.
No one wants to become LAX.
