Normally if I don’t like something, I don’t make it too public since my filters and expectations may be different from others and I don’t want to the taint their perspectives simply because of my opinion. However there are times when an exception is warranted and this is one of them.
Frankfurt’s observation deck had been closed for months for a renovation and had finally opened in May. Since I haven’t been there since the supposed renovation, I was looking forward to seeing the new look of the place.
‘Disappointment’ would be an understatement.
Virtually nothing has changed.
Yes, the check-in area received a minor facelift and a few more light bulbs but the observation area at this point is worse off than it was before. The deck, approximately 200-300 yards wide has about 2/3rds of the platformed fenced off with no access. The only part that has access is an area that blocks the view of the aircraft parked at gates in T2. The only work that they seemed to have accomplished in the last 6 months or so is to install a teak flooring that is already starting to splinter and weather.
I wasn’t expecting a First Class Terminal calibre experience, but I was hoping that it would be as it was before and not worse with the inability to move around the entire deck. The areas that are fenced off have shown no signs of work so I don’t understand the blockades. Those areas are also falling victim to Mother nature as weeds are allowed to grow out of control.
Absolutely no progress after months of renovation…..except for Mother Nature’s reclamation project. The best part of the deck is closed.
I did find a potential reason to the slow pace of the project. Today, as I was hunting down the last 7 LH aircraft that I need to complete my project of spotting the entire fleet (I found 1), I observed a crew show up for 15 minutes, played with their drill and put a few bolts into a chair and left. I was there for 5 hours, never saw them again.
Not sure why you would use Teak in an area that is abused by the elements. There was nothing wrong with the concrete slabs. Notice not even a seat to sit on, they too were behind the fences and unusable.
The other side of the deck fenced off as well, with no signs of progress….except for the new Garbage Can.
As I vent, I remind myself that they have the project split into 2 phases and they claim it will be finished next year. I don’t know why it takes so long to refresh a 300 yd long slab of concrete. So far all thats there is the teak flooring that is going bad, and a few garbage cans and it took 4 months to get to this point.
I hope that Berlin Brandenburg was not used as a template when it came to planning this project……
Very disappointing to have 2/3 of the viewing deck blocked. I found the same thing at DTM last year, over half the deck was blocked. But I must disagree about the teak decking. It is very suitable for an outdoor environment and weathers quite well. That is why it is used so often on boats.
Teak may be OK for warm and wet conditions, but I’ve seen it winter over and its not pretty! Trust me….We had teak furniture, well cared for, oiled, etc. but it could not stay outside once the temps went below freezing. FRA in the winter will not be kind to the floors…especially since they are already showing tear.
I’t’s called Union work. What do you expect?