End of an era for iconic moving walkways at San Francisco airport

[@kakoi8017176414]

I used it every day pretty much, because I’m a flight attendant and my flights departs mostly from terminal 3 . Also I did not know it was open in 1979, the year I was born. Tomorrow I will certainly ride it proudly and sadly because it will gone soon.

[@makeitmakesense2616]

Flight attendant here and honestly never knew there were other terminals beside Harvey milk. Lol. My airline only flies out of Harvey milk terminal

[@RaymondHng]

@@makeitmakesense2616 Terminal 3 housed American Airlines, Air Canada, and United Airlines. Now, it's exclusively United.

[@yentingchen]

Wow. Never knew these were so vintage. Will miss that feeling.

[@ahamjax]

I never realized how rare they were. I certainly noticed when I went there though

[@yvonneplant9434]

There's one of them in the National Gallery in Wash..DC. Eh...

[@Jude74]

We have them all over O’Hare people would be seriously upset if they were removed

[@K12127]

They had them in Oakland. And maybe San degio too. I forget. But I know I’ve use them a few times and I don’t fly outta sf

[@RaymondHng]

@@Jude74 I remember walking on them underground to the O'Hare subway station, but they had no bounce.

[@Benito-fn4ip]

Lived in SF in 70s. Remember that bouncy ride...Another memory of that vibrant era.

[@jimmythedragonslayer2291]

Truly was like walking on a cloud. That guy who said it was so right. And man, they are super bouncy. That dude was right as well. Totally nailed what it felt like. Just goes to show how much it means to people.

[@alisons9740]

Iconic! After flying SF T3 since I was a child I literally get resentful and angry in other airports with the rigid escalator-like ones. Design done right for weary walking people carrying heavy bags. Brought so much joy and fun into travel in an SF way. So sad! 😢

[@TEC_Stuff]

There is nothing positive about an “upgrade” which is actually a move backwards for travelers. Our society is doing its best to remove all joy from mundane tasks. The things from the “space age” of the 1950’s and 1960’s are all being undone by people who have no concept of what enjoying daily life tasks looks like!

[@robertward8035]

I rode that back in 1967. It was still rather new and for a 6 year old, like the space age to me. Dad was flying out to Nam. I remember it as one of our last memories. I have been on it a few times since. Life moves on. I will remember the moving walkway with fondness. Good memories are forever.🥲

[@JPBX904]

Oh... my condolences...

[@SevenandForty]

I hope they'll keep a piece of it in the airport museum or something

[@c-028]

It would be awesome if they can convert it into the wall decoration of renovated terminal.

[@alisons9740]

Landmark it! This must be stopped.

[@ChristianHernandez-cs2mu]

That suuuuuuuuuucks, I love those things. It was one of my favorite parts about going to the airport. Every time I flew I couldn’t wait to get in that thing since I was a kid and it was amazing seeing my kids have fun and get excited when seeing it themselves. I definitely will miss it.

[@pjschmid2251]

Are used to live in San Francisco and traveled virtually every week. I loved those walkways. It put spring in my step and made me feel young again. Such a shame they have to go.

[@BobbyBaylor]

What a fun but bittersweet story. My mother was a flight attendant for United for 37 years before she retired, and I cannot count the number of times I have ridden/walked on these with an extra bounce in my step hustling between flights. But just like the gate renumbering at SFO and the terminal renovations, nothing stays the way it used to be. I'm sure the finished product will be sterile and devoid of any character or personality.

[@Milesco]

So true! 😥

[@Milesco]

So true! 😥

[@travelbonne4872]

Last time I was in the SF airport they didn’t have moving walkway in the new terminal and i had to walk what looked like a eternity specially after a long long trip. I was really surprised that a modern airport like SF would not have a moving walkway.

[@lunasky5635]

Absolutely! I’m getting older and those long walks to the gate are getting harder.

[@andytaylor5476]

I agree. At SFO, walking to and from the gates is quite a hike. I;m 70. Moving sidewalks help.

[@reginabillotti]

​@lunasky5635 Ask at the check-in desk or the airport service desk if you can get assistance to your gate.

[@RaymondHng]

@@andytaylor5476 The new walkways will be rigid, not bouncy.

[@BobBrown.]

Was happy that I flew through SFO last month, did notice the rubber walkways and glad to walk on them before they are removed.

[@Brian-pe2rc]

These moving walkways felt great to walk on and I’ll miss them when they’re gone.

[@milhouse14]

In the Philippines, we call these "walkalators." 😅

[@AnandaGarden]

Loved this and smiled throughout. Something about those walkways made you feel like you were really going somewhere outside your normal world.

[@haileyw2342]

As an sf native, it was my first time going on this yesterday and this pops up 😢

[@jocosus3]

2:15 "When the work is done in 2027, Terminal 3 will add 325,000 SF and boast new energy-efficient - but not bouncy - moving walk ways"

[@Hailkingleon]

Like the new ones in Terminal 1 that are constantly broken or being repaired, and they aren't even two years old.

[@oatfarmer6501]

@@HailkingleonThe old ones in terminal 3 work too well 😂

[@hw1125]

Very sad. I love these and will miss them when they’re gone. The unique fun bounce when traveling from SFO.

[@kdfox2007]

I’m a huge fan of the rubber walkway. I’ve traveled through SFO hundreds of times and 90% of the time I’ve used them. Sad to see them go.😢 Sometimes change is not always a good thing. ESPECIALLY WITH A 2 YEAR PLUS WAIT FOR THEIR REPLACEMENT!

[@mei6044]

Don't get rid of it! Save it!

[@ushipb00]

This is so sad! I grew up using them anytime we flew. 😢 it was one of those perks of traveling I always remembered.

[@rickytes]

Dang it, I was just there last week and missed the memo. 😔

[@ThinkLascivious]

I've been to other airports that had that bouncy rubber.

[@DavidScotton]

This is a travesty. They need to find a way to make the new ones this bouncy.

[@jameson6537]

Interesting! I can relate to being tough to find parts on older devices/machinery things get phased out for sure. She had a good run!

[@cynthiacarter532]

Walked on these every time I flew down and back from Oregon to visit my folks 1976-1998. I had no idea they were rubber. Had fun walking fast on them and zooming down the concourse! 😆

[@davewitter6565]

The walkways to the concourse also had beautiful window views and seasonal museum displays. I remember the days when the entire concourse was ground level.without jetways.

[@margaretford1011]

Why can’t they make a new one with the same bouncy effect? There sure is no shortage of tires in need of recycling. But apparently there is a shortage of imagination? If there is a will, there is a way.

[@Tmrfe0962]

I teach in the trade school that repairs these, and I always tell my students, the belted walkways are disappearing rapidly, it is considerably cheaper and easier to have pallets, (basically flat escalator steps) as the replacements are known, than these huge belts, they need to be vulcanized to replace the belt, they are not one huge loop. And while the bouncing may be fun, it’s adding to the issues that from a service standpoint, make it more practical to have the pallets.

[@itsnotme07]

Oh man! I love those bouncy walkways!! But I get it. I've got a 23 year old car in my garage....and parts for it can be tough to get, but until they are all not available...I'll keep driving it. Charlotte and Phoenix have some bouncy walkways or they used to...I haven't been to either airport in the last 6 years.

[@thegoldengatesound]

I always liked that one, I guess. never thought it was going to be a thing

[@JalaalElasmar]

DFW Airport has these in the terminal connector between terminals A and C

[@suzannadannaTARDIS]

Walt Disney World has similar moving walkways on Space Mountain, Pirates of the Caribbean, and the Haunted Mansion.

[@NeverFinished]

And people mover

[@dsf208]

Ugh, this is so frustrating. I fly out of T3 almost every week for work. It's a really long terminal, and I already have some walking issues. A couple of the walkways have been down for the past few weeks. I wonder if they’re going to be out of service for good. How do they plan to support ADA folks? Will they use carts like LAX? There are probably many more people who rely on them for mobility than they realize. I hope they have an interim plan.

[@MrLazlness]

They are now transitioning to AI generated gluten free non gmo vegan non-binary gender neutral teleportation services.

[@AL5520]

They are going to install new walkways (as the rendering at 1:18 shows) so the only difference will be that they will not be from bouncy rubber but the modern ones, which are more sustainable, more reliable and in case of malfunction easier and quicker to repair. I don't know what kind of walking issues to have but if it's something that is problematic for you you can ask for assistance at the check-in counter (you can call in advance, in Europe you can ask when you book but it seams it's not a thing in the US).

[@EricaGamet]

As someone with mobility issues, I hear you! It sounds like there will be new, more reliable walkways in the reno. But, what they're doing in the interim is a big question mark. I hope they offer carts/shuttles or something.

[@thegroovyhead]

I am disabled enough so that lots of standing or long walking on hard surfaces renders me a basket case. When I began to get wheelchair service, I was shocked at the difference it made. Now I would not think to *not* use it. My sweetie travels with me and if I am offered a little golf cart thing (usually it’s someone pushing the chair, of course, he is invited aboard, also. It is a sheer lifesaver.

[@aBBy-pq4tx]

Record the experience before it’s completely gone

[@PlasmaCoolantLeak]

I remember these, even though it's been many years since I've flown out of SFO.

[@ternie6515]

One of the best parts of the airport so sad

[@artoffderidikulous3009]

The fact that they can't replicate the feeling is a sign of how little progress we have really made!!!

[@TellyMan200]

The renovations looks amazing

[@boxsterman77]

These can’t be the only of their kind. I swear I’ve been on them in other airports.

[@RobMiami787]

I've used it many times it's always fun to get to walk so fast!

[@mei6044]

Yeah, super fun! I wish they could stay!!

[@erikh9991]

I work at a semi-abandoned terminal in Ontario. If we break the automatic sliding door, it takes weeks for it to get repaired. They handmake some of the parts.

[@lunasky5635]

People love them. So now they are removing them? Does everything have to get worse?

[@turkeybowlwinkle4440]

Yes, it does.

[@42luke93]

Forget walkways. There used to be Mach 2 commercial airplanes and they were removed. Regression!

[@commanderboom2626]

@@42luke93to be fair there were some pretty high profile accidents associated with Concord. Not to mention how expensive they were to operate. I am exited that a few companies are attempting to revisit supersonic passenger jets.

[@commanderboom2626]

@@42luke93to be fair there were some pretty high profile accidents associated with Concord. Not to mention how expensive they were to operate. I am exited that a few companies are attempting to revisit supersonic passenger jets.

[@Lew114]

They have these at Memphis International too. I love them!

[@Carspotter682]

They should save what's left of the bouncy moving excavator and put it in a national history museum.

[@haylieg2780]

Chicago Midway still has them. Cincinnati took them out though. Remember using them all the time as a kid in Cincinnati.

[@dng2000]

That will definitely suck for those who have to walk slowly due to painful knees, ankles, or feet, but are not disabled enough to qualify for wheelchair assistance.

[@debbiedoodiedandi]

Towards the end of the story they said their adding energy efficient (but not bouncy) new wallways

[@argoneonoble]

I was at SFO a couple days ago and was seriously annoyed that the walkway wasn't working.

[@kennethramonet5421]

Waaa! I will miss these!!

[@mathewrash4667]

Sad to see it go, but it goes along with the moving sidewalk message that used to play at San Francisco International Airport.😢

[@ltvanburen8555]

Those things are a god-send when you have bad knees and you’re running late.

[@roachtoasties]

I never noticed. Passengers and employees will be getting an extra cardiovascular workout until they're replaced.

[@mooveegal]

Jennifer Garner at 1:06 😂💕love her!

[@Awesome_Aasim]

They should make attempts to at least preserve one of them. I remember passing through SFO on these travelators and it felt weird, but I dismissed it. Now that I know how rare this is I think we should definitely make attempts to save them.

[@lschallert]

Walked on these a hundred times, never noticed the bounce! Lol

[@Lion_McLionhead]

Remember sending the old man off to business trips on those in the 80's. Then lions were the ones racing through the airports on those. They seemed to have been replaced by always broken trams nowadays.

[@CHL41993]

National Gallery of Art also got two.

[@jman1948]

We have them at Disney World. If you ever rode the peoplemover, pirates of the caribbean or space mountain you rode on one of the bouncy walkways.

[@chowfun1976]

Why not bring them back with the new renovation?

[@richardpauly1635]

I remember that in the 80s and it makes you lazy but the bounce made it fun fly united

[@sideshow7792]

That sucks I love those things. They make it easier to catch your connecting flight. Sad.

[@ArtisticHH57]

At least we still got them at Logan airport

[@michaeld830]

I didn’t even notice them being bouncy. Get I didn’t visit SFO enough. OAK has always been much less of a headache

[@deviritter5232]

I loved those walkways - felt like zooming. A nice rest too the years I was tired. Why would anyone take them out? Make people walk more?

[@CptFOff]

So most airports these days have those terminals, but yet somehow California can’t withhold and actually maintain those?

[@zzhou1557]

They should leave it alone!

[@brians9508]

leave it alone, including no repairs cuz they can't find the parts anymore. good idea Sherlock!

[@wileyjohnson5681]

"Jump on one last time before this rubber meets the road to retirement"

[@Waluvil]

wtf, no! These things are my favorite part of flying out of SFO!

[@redcomet0079]

It’s idiotic to get rid of it

[@paulj8740]

They have these same bouncy ones at Dallas fort-worth

[@vilislacis3337]

Oh good, I thought they were gonna get rid of moving walkways altogether!

[@daniels7907]

Typical. Somebody designs something correctly for a change, and so the trend is to eliminate it, not emulate it.

[@42luke93]

I don’t know why airports stopped using these.

[@49819d]

I bet the manufacturer for their replacement added a clause to the contract to replace the rubber walkways with the manufacturer's product. 🙂

[@Keepontravelling]

This is sad. I am returning in December. Work out something. This is a nice facility.

[@Me97202]

Portland international airport still has moving sidewalks

[@Camille78497]

Oh no…they should keep the moving walkway. It really helps speed up when people try to get to their gate faster.

[@brians9508]

those jokers bouncing up and down on it must bring a tear to the maintenance department worker's eye. so much unnecessary abuse that cause that much more wear and tear.

[@sig9girl]

Everything about San Francisco that is great seems to be going away…😢

[@artanisknarf]

Space Mountain removed theirs 6 years ago.

[@chewie94116]

so sad

[@lucysky8378]

Now people will probably ruin em from trying to over use em before they’re gone

[@BenjaminsVideos]

If you still want to experience this rubber band type moving walkway come to Disney World in Florida and exit Pirates of the Caribbean or board the Peoplemover.

[@montuedge]

2.6 billion 😮😮😮 make another bridge between East and West bay. I have seen so many people complaining about traffic jams.

[@johnnyq4260]

Pretty sure the $2.6B price tag is seriously inflated.

[@brians9508]

says the guy that knows nothing about construction

[@commonsensecorner7275]

I must’ve been really, really sleepy, I don’t even remember what it felt like two weeks ago… I had 8 flights in 10 days, so that’s a blur!!! 😶‍🌫️🥱

[@SohrabKafshhayam-pr7pk]

Why? Why? Why?

[@Green4CloveR]

Planes, airlines, airports and passengers get $#!ttier every year. Newer isn’t always better.

[@SunnyWu]

There goes picking not using the walkway, and then you walk as fast as you can to race the people who made the right choice. :(

[@TysonIke]

What. NO NO NO NO! KEEP THEM😢😢😢

[@goauld88]

1:10 but if you want a ride, better hawk tuah

[@rapunzel1701]

Yawn, the one at Space Mountain changed elevation.

[@wkd8888]

Good luck if you want to go to the AMEX Centurion Lounge. The detour is a trek. You will get your daily steps in and then some😆

[@coldcatz]

Get to the point sooner next time.

[@SkyWatchAviation]

Why are they getting rid of them

[@thomaspripley]

They are being relocated to the Great Highway, where soon you won't be able to drive, but you can bounce your way along two miles of protected coastline! 🤣

[@TheCarson116]

Yet another prime example of people nowdays just not getting the concepts/points of "If it's not broke don't fix it" & "Why change a good thing?" (or otherwise that most of the time _things are _*_perfectly fine_*_ the way they are)_

[@acslater017]

The whole point is that it breaks and they can’t fix it

[@TheCarson116]

@@acslater017 Well then simply put in new walkways that are otherwise of the same design, it's not rocket science for Pete's sake!

[@sdsmt99]

Yet another prime example of people nowadays just not getting the concept/points of anything that's reported. The walkway may not be broken but the terminal is.

[@jimliu2560]

Put some solar panel on the wall/roof to power it… How much electricity does it take?

[@Tryp-j9d]

NOT much, NO lifting like an escalator.

[@jimliu2560]

@ California is supposed to be at forefront of (renewable) energy production…

[@LeverPhile]

$2.6 billion?? Whaa?