U.S. airports are 'awful.' Here's the problem

Not that there aren't exceptions. RDU and AUS for example, are great little airports.

But in general U.S. airports simply can't be compared to those in Europe or Asia. Here's an essay on the topic...

http://www.askthepilot.com/essaysandstories/whats-the-matter-with-airports/

Tampa is by far the best airport I've used in the States. 20 minutes from the gate to my car. As an international traveler, U.S. customs have by far the most arrogant piss poor attitude of any country I've visited. I know people who have taken 4 hours + to get through JFK. A really crap welcome for anyone visiting your country. I can't leave out Frankfurt. Once a great airport but now it is a dump. Avoid it.

Indeed they are, though not strictly for the reasons the article lays out...

http://www.askthepilot.com/the-decline-and-fall/

Personally I don't think US Airports are 'awful' although I agree with Michael getting through JFK can be nightmare. The One thing I find all airports have in common is poor catering, I've yet to have a decent meal anywhere. Best Airport in the World without a doubt is Singapore, worst Airport, Mombasa, Kenya.

Yes, there are "awful" and US customns and personnel are very arrogant. When someone flies to Asia or mildest Asia, or even Africa-Johannesburg, can compare, the difference.

I agree that a lot of our airports are in bad shape, but a someone who visits Heathrow regularly, some of the European one's are not all that better. I hate the way, for example, Heathrow's Terminal 3 has everything in a central area - EXCEPT the gates. The shops, bars, restaurants are all crowded together and you are not permitted to go to the gate until they tell you (they mask the gate #). When you get to the gate, you go through security again and there you sit, no food, no bathroom, no TV, nothing for what seems to be an eternity. I much prefer DFW, where I can sit at a bar across from my gate, drink a beer (or more depending on the wait) and get up as they are boarding.

Just my 2 cents, for what little they are worth.

part of the problem with our airports is there is no room for them to expand. LGA was built what? 80 years ago? some of these, especially the asian airports were built much more recently, and with room for expansion. most airports in the US i dont think need upgrades as much as they need to be shut down and moved slightly farther out of the big cities where there is room to have a bigger airport with room for future expansion. i know in the NYC metro area, there is nothing that can be done to make LGA, JFK and EWR bigger.

C'mon. Ranking airports is like ranking porta-potties. They all stink, but for the short amount of time that you need one, any one will do.

I would never agree with Biden on anything but I do now. Has anyone ever been to the white plains, NY airport, "like a third world country's airport is the perfect description? No one except the TSA screeners speak English. There is a single waiting area for all gates and the chairs are in horrible condition. There always are about twice as many people as chairs and of course everyone tries to carry their life possessions with them. I would not be surprised be there goats and chickens there somewhere. The restrooms are very old and filthy. The whole place is disgusting.

And I almost forgot that the check-in area uses contract generic agents. They are not from around here, again don't speak English, and don't give a rip about anything.

This airport is in Westchester County, what I thought was an affuient area I thought. I am surprised that NYer's would put up with these conditions. I have not flown out if NY's big three airports, but don't see how they could be worse.

Well think about this. When you fly to China, Germany etc, there are only so many major airports to choose from. These have been greatly improved as the world travelers have increased. In the US, there are how many major international airports to fly into. The infrastructure costs alone to improve these airports is enormous. It really is quantity over quality IMHO.

I am no expert on airport management but it is not difficult to imagine the major cause or factors for the deterioration or degradation in the upkeep being obsolescence and/or lack of keeping up with changing times.
Needless to dilate the concept of changing times !
gradually EVERY airport grows old and unable to cope up with the ever expanding traffic ! No matter how you plan for an airport to grow !
So one day you abandon one for the 'newer' and the 'larger' airport.
Examples from recent past examples being Hong Kong and Tokyo airports.
In 20 or 30 years they too will be replaced with better ones making these look 'out dated, shabby and dirty'.
All part of life !

A US airport I like is the remodeled Raleigh-Durham terminal. Very nice inside and it reminds me of Hamburg Germany's airport which is my favorite mid sized airport in Europe. Speaking of the Hamburg Airport. They have some food options located on the mezzanine above the ticketing area that you can go to if you are staying at or near the airport. There are more past security and a small shopping area. There is also a market down stairs. My favorite connecting hub in Europe is Amsterdam Schiphol although it can use a few more moving sidewalks in it's outermost concourses. Very efficient passport control and security for making connections and a variety of shops etc. Back in the US my former home town of SBN got rid of their holding pens and has a nice new and bright concourse with plenty of room and a nice skylight roof etc.

Visit PBI, you may like it. Kidzoo, spa, Rooneys, putting green. 4 fbos , aviator park. New PBI Tower, TRACON very soon.

Visit Rio, use the Galeao Airport (GIG)and you'll love any airport in US! It's a shame for us brazilians...

It seems M Biden never flew in the 3rd world ! He should travel to Delhi for instance, or the best, Daker, where you spend 3 hours for passport control, and the custom officer spends 5 minutes with each passport despite the fact that he doesn't even know how to read, as a proof, he held my passport upside down and turned pages... I never had problem in american aiports so far, as a foreigner tourist from France, people were allways kind with us.