It's not the tunnel itself, but the combined distance from the check-in area to the B gates. Takes about a half hour, more if security is really busy. If you have trouble walking or require a wheelchair it's worse.
Yeah, even though I shot this video not too long ago, in hindsight I wish I had tried to view it more from the lens of others. Hopefully the second tunnel cuts down on some of the distance once it opens!
So if you do take the automatic walk ways then at least cut the time in half. That is assuming someone with a stroller or a wheelchair isn't on it blocking other travelers. Yes, I have seen that. It is so disrespectful to other travelers.
Yesterday (10/22/2024) they opened the new central "river tunnel" in the Salt Lake City airport (they even made the tunnel big enough to be able to add trains in the future) and opened a new section of the airport in concourse B with new stores, restaurants, and art. next time you fly in or out of the SLC airport maybe you should check out the new tunnel; supposedly it shouldn't be as a long walk from A to B gates now.
The current tunnel was constructed around 20 years ago and sealed up, while awaiting the future terminal construction. You have to remember that this is an operating airport. One of 30 core airports that impact air traffic operations nationwide. The new terminal needed to be built in phases, while still operating flights. So, they started the new terminals to the west of the old terminal, thus it allowed the phased demolition of the older spoke wheel terminal while still operating flights. Now as they get closer to the completion of the east side of the terminals, the center tunnel will be opened next year. This will significantly cut down the walk. Yes, it has people movers. Having closely witnessed the construction of the new airport terminal, this 8-to-12-year project started years ago in a very well-organized phasing from the beginning of re-routing utilities, and then constructing new utility infrastructure, rental car facilities, commuter rail, even before they got to the start of terminal construction. There are more construction plans coming that will change taxiways and other airport infrastructure, greatly improving air traffic operations.
Thanks for the insight! It is a massive undertaking to keep operations running and try to upgrade simultaneously. I think about NYC and how much work and funding it takes just to build one additional subway system tunnel at this point in time, when there's already a whole city up above everything. I think the SLC airport has a nice, clean, modern feel every time I go to it; I hope the future tunnel and other enhancements help those with the accessibility needs.
Good depiction of interior. I have done pick up/drop off several times, but never been inside. The exit for the airport at Rome is very long, you can see it on youtube.
Thanks, I'll have to check it out! Maybe I've gotton sonused to the SLC one. Most of the time, I'm checking bus/Lyft schedules as I'm walking it, and before I know it, I'm already finished walking it.
I'm hoping they build the train system like they have at seattle, but they should've planned a people mover like they have at detroit. When completed, the new terminal is going to be reeealy long
It'll be interesting to see how much the new tunnel helps in 2023/2024, but yeah, it sounds like a train people-mover would be years down the road if it happens.
Yes, I just came from Salt Lake Only the fittest of fit can make that trip, to the departure gates, or the out side loading area it was so tough, I had to finally ask for some assistance. What are they thinking! it was miserable, not fun.
Yes, I almost always avoid those moving sidewalks, lol, unless it's empty and I do it just out of boredom. But don't most airports require a similar hike?
I was in that airport a year ago in May and I have issues with my muscle tiredness so required a wheel chair. it took the wheelchair pusher to the transport area outside 20 minutes from the B concourse to A and then out the door. Had this been Atlanta or Denver gotten on a train and cut that down to 5 to 10 minutes max. If there isn't plans for a tram, then they should go back and rethink the airport. It is a beautiful facility but ill thought out. I traveled for 30 years out of ORD and never ever had to walk any distance like that. Even the United B to C concourses allows to jumbo aircraft to taxi etc. without any ;problems what has SLC done?
When they build the new tunnel for next year, it's supposed to have the spacing for trains in the future; but it sounds like the trains themselves will be several more years away, unfortunately.
I think the B tunnel is about half if not 1/3rd the distance of what Atlanta/Denver's tram does though? Looking at Wikipedia Denver's tram covers 1.5 miles while Atlanta's covers 3 miles. The tunnel itself is about 1200 feet (about .25 a mile) and the longest walk in the airport is about .75 miles. Seems it's just a length that's too short to be practical for a train especially since it's a temporary tunnel. Maybe a little shuttle mover thing that doesn't need rails would be better even in the main tunnel. I believe the plan about a Tram is for when they build a 3rd terminal further away. Then that will be about a mile away and more worth it.
I'm connecting through SLC on Friday (hopefully if I get over this nasty bug) I do have a a long connection time but I would hate to see for those who have a really tight connection.
First flight to SLC last Sept. Via Delta gate 43 in A terminal to baggage claim was LONG. Three weeks later, flew Southwest from the B terminal. The people mover in the tunnel was not in service! Miserable. FWIW, 78yrs & walk with a cane. Am returning to SLC in Sept. WILL USE customer service wheel chair service.
Thank you for sharing your experiences. That's a good idea to use the customer service wheel chair service (or the service where they put you on a cart to at least get through the tunnel better). Hopefully in the future, the construction of the additional tunnel and then of the train in lieu of the tunnel will help everyone.
Haha, yes, re-watching the video, I see that there wasn't a single person on it at the time. Sometimes those conveyors are more crowded, though, where people don't really walk while on them (and instead let the conveyor alone move them). There have been instances where me not using the conveyor has actually allowed me to move faster than those individuals -- so I wanted to get a gauge of how long a regular walk of the tunnel would take me.
@@PokoTraveler It will be interesting when the tram between the concourses opens. The main tunnel will eventually link three or even four councourses by 2040. People think SLC is huge now. Just wait. By 2040 it will be as big as LAX.
@@PokoTraveler People that are just standing need to stay to the right side and let other people go by. I don't know if this airport has the little signs that indicate that but the old SLC airport did.
@@dsarmy1 😩" GOOD LUCK WITH THAT!.... In fairness, narrow conveyors weren't built for sidestepping and hurried usage. Users going to bypass those ahead of them, shouldn't be using them. Tunnel are wide enough to walk through. Also, the global problem with signage is that most people don't read or adhere to them yet accuse their whereabouts and others for ' a lack of information ' . "
I was looking so forward to the new terminal, I'm very disappointed. They built the terminal to accommodate planes, not people. They pretty much said screw the disabled.
I'm hoping that when they complete the second tunnel and expanded A Gates & B Gates, they also develop a train tunnel to get from A to B. The website does show an artist's rendering of a future train tunnel, but the word "future" seems to imply that it won't be ready by 2024 and will come in a later phase.
@@PokoTraveler the center tunnel is being built with the platforms and tracks for the automatic people mover in place. I don't think they're planning to install the trains right away, but I hope they reconsider.
@@PokoTraveler right now they say they won’t do the train until the “C” gates are ready and that could be 10-15 years out. However, they are starting on that part of the tunnel right after they finish the East B gates, which should be finished in late 2026. I hope getting the Olympics in 2030 speed things up.
@@PokoTraveler The new central tunnel is being built to accommodate the trains right now, but they've said they don't want a train just for one stop. So that's the reason for the waiting until Concourse C
It's not the tunnel itself, but the combined distance from the check-in area to the B gates. Takes about a half hour, more if security is really busy. If you have trouble walking or require a wheelchair it's worse.
Yeah, even though I shot this video not too long ago, in hindsight I wish I had tried to view it more from the lens of others. Hopefully the second tunnel cuts down on some of the distance once it opens!
So if you do take the automatic walk ways then at least cut the time in half. That is assuming someone with a stroller or a wheelchair isn't on it blocking other travelers. Yes, I have seen that. It is so disrespectful to other travelers.
Yesterday (10/22/2024) they opened the new central "river tunnel" in the Salt Lake City airport (they even made the tunnel big enough to be able to add trains in the future) and opened a new section of the airport in concourse B with new stores, restaurants, and art. next time you fly in or out of the SLC airport maybe you should check out the new tunnel; supposedly it shouldn't be as a long walk from A to B gates now.
Yes! The next time I do a flight from SLC in November or December, I plan on doing a video on the River tunnel. 🌊
The current tunnel was constructed around 20 years ago and sealed up, while awaiting the future terminal construction. You have to remember that this is an operating airport. One of 30 core airports that impact air traffic operations nationwide. The new terminal needed to be built in phases, while still operating flights. So, they started the new terminals to the west of the old terminal, thus it allowed the phased demolition of the older spoke wheel terminal while still operating flights. Now as they get closer to the completion of the east side of the terminals, the center tunnel will be opened next year. This will significantly cut down the walk. Yes, it has people movers. Having closely witnessed the construction of the new airport terminal, this 8-to-12-year project started years ago in a very well-organized phasing from the beginning of re-routing utilities, and then constructing new utility infrastructure, rental car facilities, commuter rail, even before they got to the start of terminal construction. There are more construction plans coming that will change taxiways and other airport infrastructure, greatly improving air traffic operations.
Thanks for the insight! It is a massive undertaking to keep operations running and try to upgrade simultaneously. I think about NYC and how much work and funding it takes just to build one additional subway system tunnel at this point in time, when there's already a whole city up above everything.
I think the SLC airport has a nice, clean, modern feel every time I go to it; I hope the future tunnel and other enhancements help those with the accessibility needs.
Good depiction of interior. I have done pick up/drop off several times, but never been inside. The exit for the airport at Rome is very long, you can see it on youtube.
Thanks, I'll have to check it out! Maybe I've gotton sonused to the SLC one. Most of the time, I'm checking bus/Lyft schedules as I'm walking it, and before I know it, I'm already finished walking it.
I'm hoping they build the train system like they have at seattle, but they should've planned a people mover like they have at detroit. When completed, the new terminal is going to be reeealy long
It'll be interesting to see how much the new tunnel helps in 2023/2024, but yeah, it sounds like a train people-mover would be years down the road if it happens.
Yes, I just came from Salt Lake
Only the fittest of fit can make that trip, to the departure gates, or the out side loading area it was so tough, I had to finally ask for some assistance. What are they thinking! it was miserable, not fun.
Yes it's quite the hike! Luckily they have the moving side walk but even then, people just stand on them and makes them useless.
Yes, I almost always avoid those moving sidewalks, lol, unless it's empty and I do it just out of boredom. But don't most airports require a similar hike?
Was recently there. Heck yeah, it's too far.
Am 78 walk with a cane. First time arriving @SLC the walk to baggage claim from Term A gate43 was bad enough. Second flight
I was in that airport a year ago in May and I have issues with my muscle tiredness so required a wheel chair. it took the wheelchair pusher to the transport area outside 20 minutes from the B concourse to A and then out the door. Had this been Atlanta or Denver gotten on a train and cut that down to 5 to 10 minutes max. If there isn't plans for a tram, then they should go back and rethink the airport. It is a beautiful facility but ill thought out. I traveled for 30 years out of ORD and never ever had to walk any distance like that. Even the United B to C concourses allows to jumbo aircraft to taxi etc. without any ;problems what has SLC done?
When they build the new tunnel for next year, it's supposed to have the spacing for trains in the future; but it sounds like the trains themselves will be several more years away, unfortunately.
I think the B tunnel is about half if not 1/3rd the distance of what Atlanta/Denver's tram does though? Looking at Wikipedia Denver's tram covers 1.5 miles while Atlanta's covers 3 miles. The tunnel itself is about 1200 feet (about .25 a mile) and the longest walk in the airport is about .75 miles. Seems it's just a length that's too short to be practical for a train especially since it's a temporary tunnel. Maybe a little shuttle mover thing that doesn't need rails would be better even in the main tunnel.
I believe the plan about a Tram is for when they build a 3rd terminal further away. Then that will be about a mile away and more worth it.
I'm connecting through SLC on Friday (hopefully if I get over this nasty bug) I do have a a long connection time but I would hate to see for those who have a really tight connection.
Hopefully you were able to make it! And it all depends; if you're still in decent health with no mobility concerns, the walk might not seem like much.
@@PokoTraveler unfortunately I that nasty bug ended up being COVID, but over it now still ended up having cancel the trip
@@vdubproductions2646 Awww, sorry to hear that! 😟
First flight to SLC last Sept. Via Delta gate 43 in A terminal to baggage claim was LONG. Three weeks later, flew Southwest from the B terminal. The people mover in the tunnel was not in service! Miserable. FWIW, 78yrs & walk with a cane. Am returning to SLC in Sept. WILL USE customer service wheel chair service.
Thank you for sharing your experiences. That's a good idea to use the customer service wheel chair service (or the service where they put you on a cart to at least get through the tunnel better).
Hopefully in the future, the construction of the additional tunnel and then of the train in lieu of the tunnel will help everyone.
I wonder why he didn’t use the moving sidewalks. Maintaining his pace on the conveyor he could have cut his travel time.
Haha, yes, re-watching the video, I see that there wasn't a single person on it at the time. Sometimes those conveyors are more crowded, though, where people don't really walk while on them (and instead let the conveyor alone move them). There have been instances where me not using the conveyor has actually allowed me to move faster than those individuals -- so I wanted to get a gauge of how long a regular walk of the tunnel would take me.
@@PokoTraveler It will be interesting when the tram between the concourses opens. The main tunnel will eventually link three or even four councourses by 2040. People think SLC is huge now. Just wait. By 2040 it will be as big as LAX.
@@PokoTraveler People that are just standing need to stay to the right side and let other people go by. I don't know if this airport has the little signs that indicate that but the old SLC airport did.
@@dsarmy1 😩" GOOD LUCK WITH THAT!.... In fairness, narrow conveyors weren't built for sidestepping and hurried usage. Users going to bypass those ahead of them, shouldn't be using them. Tunnel are wide enough to walk through. Also, the global problem with signage is that most people don't read or adhere to them yet accuse their whereabouts and others for ' a lack of information ' . "
I was looking so forward to the new terminal, I'm very disappointed. They built the terminal to accommodate planes, not people. They pretty much said screw the disabled.
I'm hoping that when they complete the second tunnel and expanded A Gates & B Gates, they also develop a train tunnel to get from A to B. The website does show an artist's rendering of a future train tunnel, but the word "future" seems to imply that it won't be ready by 2024 and will come in a later phase.
@@PokoTraveler the center tunnel is being built with the platforms and tracks for the automatic people mover in place. I don't think they're planning to install the trains right away, but I hope they reconsider.
@@PokoTraveler right now they say they won’t do the train until the “C” gates are ready and that could be 10-15 years out. However, they are starting on that part of the tunnel right after they finish the East B gates, which should be finished in late 2026. I hope getting the Olympics in 2030 speed things up.
@@mattreedah Thanks for the information! I didn't know they were going to develop C gates as well.
@@PokoTraveler The new central tunnel is being built to accommodate the trains right now, but they've said they don't want a train just for one stop. So that's the reason for the waiting until Concourse C
It a beautiful airport ,and wonderful walk.