The Fort Lauderdale airport is deceptively small. When I arrived it seemed that the terminal was only slightly larger than the Greensboro airport. The short walk to the baggage claim was clean and the signs were easy to follow. The baggage claim was manageable, and it only took a few minutes to get our bags. It wasn’t until I was on the rental car shuttle bus, driving past terminals 2, 3, and 4 that I realized that my initial assessment of the airports size was wrong. It is quite large; the outside of the terminals reminded me of the LAX.
My return to the airport was far more exciting than the arrival two days prior. I returned my thoroughly trash filled car and followed the signs to the airport shuttles. I hopped aboard the “Port Everglades” bus, shoved my luggage on the storage shelves and sat down, feeling very satisfied with myself and my superior travel skills.
It wasn’t until the shuttle bus was leaving the airport that I realized I had gotten on the wrong bus, which is funny, because all of the signs were there way before the moment we left. Like when the bus driver shouted “Masadam is first,” I should have thought, “What airline is that? That doesn’t sound familiar.” And when we drove right by my terminal I should have thought, “Hey, I needed to stop there.” But I didn’t because I was so proud of myself for being such a great traveler; I just sat back and reveled in my accomplishments. The reveling stopped as we pulled into the docks in front of the first cruise ship.
We stopped at three cruise ships before we turned around to head back to the airport. It took about 45 minutes from the time I got on the bus to the time I was returned to the Avis Rental Car center (the driver wouldn’t take me directly to the terminal, even though I begged him and showed him my nicest smile.) I got onto the right bus, “Terminals,” and made it to the ticket counter and hour after I had arrived.
Fort Lauderdale also has the best airport food. I had a Greek Plate with dolmades, hummus, feta and olives and greek salad. It wasn't cheap ($11.95) but, it was fresh and filling, better than fast food and it was easily portable.
Showing posts with label airport review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label airport review. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Airport Review - Philadelphia, PA
Have you ever taken a bus into New York City’s Port Authority? You start your ride in some calm New Jersey suburb, and gradually make your way into one of the most exotic, exhilarating and overwhelming cities in the world. The time in the bus is generally quiet, you close your eyes, and then you arrive. The inside of Port Authority is like a mall, overly shiny full of crap you don’t need, but subdued. Then you exit the building and you are swept into the concrete valleys that are the streets of Manhattan. The wind snaps your jacket around your legs, you walk a little faster, you clutch you bag a little tigher, your hearts races a little; it’s great! That is what it is like to walk down the jetway into the Philadelphia airport. It was like being squeezed from the womb into the blinding lights, noise and colors of a foreign world. The hallways leading from gate to gate are lined with credit card salesmen, food stands, jewelry stands, and books stands, and I could hear customers bargaining and arguing as I strode by. Of course there is also the hot pretzel stand, selling traditional Philly Pretzels, 3 for $3. This is the first place I go whenever I fly into Philadelphia. It is something I thoroughly look forward to. In fact, I have flown into Philly in the past to my own inconvenience just so I could get my pretzels.
The walk to the baggage claim is a little long, and I always have to wait a long time for my luggage to show up, so those are my two complaints about PHL. Overall it is an older airport that seems to run well, is full of stuff, and is pretty easy to navigate.
Leaving Philadelphia to go to Florida was less of an enjoyable experience. Terminal A was over heated, dirty and old. But the pretzels were soft and salty and the people were nice.
The walk to the baggage claim is a little long, and I always have to wait a long time for my luggage to show up, so those are my two complaints about PHL. Overall it is an older airport that seems to run well, is full of stuff, and is pretty easy to navigate.
Leaving Philadelphia to go to Florida was less of an enjoyable experience. Terminal A was over heated, dirty and old. But the pretzels were soft and salty and the people were nice.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Detroit Crazy Tunnel - Video
Flying out of a major US airport on September 11th can be a little unnerving. Everyone seems to be thinking about the 2001 airplane crashes, abut no one is saying anything. The terror alert color was Orange as we approached the terminal. Security was anxious and busy as we moved into the main terminal. I thought that on a day like this, the crazy tunnel would be tuned down to allow for some calm and comfort when flying on such a day. Apparently, no one at the airport thought it would be a problem, as the crazy tunnnel was even crazier than before. This time I got video.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Airport Review - Detroit
The Detroit Airport (DTW) has improved greatly over the last 10 years. About seven years ago I spent a day in DTW and was not really impressed. Granted, they were still building the new terminal, but it was awful; bad food choices, disgusting old seating, no heating and air, and it was very dirty.
The last time I was there, last year, things were much better. The food options were better, it was clean, the terminal was sleek and new, and they had created a crazy underground walkway with blue lights and soft music.
Yesterday, I stepped into the Detroit Airport to find a beautiful, modern, efficient airport; I was amazed and delighted. This is an airport that I could get stranded in!
The baggage claim system was well designed. The rental car bus driver was wonderful. It was an overall very good experience. There was only one thing I would change to make things better.
Remember that crazy underground walkway with lights and music? This is a wide walkway with moving sidewalks on both sides heading in opposite directions. It is a long walkway; it probably took 5-7 minutes to walk the whole thing. The walls are lined with glass panels. These panels are etched with abstract waves and flowers. There are lights behind the panels. In the past, these lights were blue and green and they shifted, oozing from blue to green as you walked by. Overhead, soothing music wafted along, matching the shifting blues and greens.
Yesterday, this walkway had changed. The lights behind the glass panels were red, blue, purple, yellow, white, and they flashed and blinked. Techno-type music blared overhead. As the lights changed from light blue to red to purple, the walkway tunnel would dim to late evening darkness and the music would quiet. The lights would then flash repeatedly, yellow and red and the music would kick back up. This happened about three times as I moved through the tunnel and if I had been epileptic, I would have been seizing on the floor one minute into the walk. Being a healthy young woman, I wasn’t as worried about the seizures as I was about the spike in my blood pressure that I experienced during the walk. I was stressed. And it wasn’t just me. My coworker, with whom I was traveling, also felt the same stress. It was really crazy. Like a bad trip or something. I think there was a guy on the moving walkway next to us experiencing a flashback; he was gazing, glassy-eyed as the lights moved by him.
I guess it makes for an exciting transition from terminal to baggage claim, but it was frankly frightening. After being stuck in a flying tin can without brakes (that’s another story for another day), a flashing, heart attack/seizure inducing hallway is the last thing a person needs to go through.
The last time I was there, last year, things were much better. The food options were better, it was clean, the terminal was sleek and new, and they had created a crazy underground walkway with blue lights and soft music.
Yesterday, I stepped into the Detroit Airport to find a beautiful, modern, efficient airport; I was amazed and delighted. This is an airport that I could get stranded in!
The baggage claim system was well designed. The rental car bus driver was wonderful. It was an overall very good experience. There was only one thing I would change to make things better.
Remember that crazy underground walkway with lights and music? This is a wide walkway with moving sidewalks on both sides heading in opposite directions. It is a long walkway; it probably took 5-7 minutes to walk the whole thing. The walls are lined with glass panels. These panels are etched with abstract waves and flowers. There are lights behind the panels. In the past, these lights were blue and green and they shifted, oozing from blue to green as you walked by. Overhead, soothing music wafted along, matching the shifting blues and greens.
Yesterday, this walkway had changed. The lights behind the glass panels were red, blue, purple, yellow, white, and they flashed and blinked. Techno-type music blared overhead. As the lights changed from light blue to red to purple, the walkway tunnel would dim to late evening darkness and the music would quiet. The lights would then flash repeatedly, yellow and red and the music would kick back up. This happened about three times as I moved through the tunnel and if I had been epileptic, I would have been seizing on the floor one minute into the walk. Being a healthy young woman, I wasn’t as worried about the seizures as I was about the spike in my blood pressure that I experienced during the walk. I was stressed. And it wasn’t just me. My coworker, with whom I was traveling, also felt the same stress. It was really crazy. Like a bad trip or something. I think there was a guy on the moving walkway next to us experiencing a flashback; he was gazing, glassy-eyed as the lights moved by him.
I guess it makes for an exciting transition from terminal to baggage claim, but it was frankly frightening. After being stuck in a flying tin can without brakes (that’s another story for another day), a flashing, heart attack/seizure inducing hallway is the last thing a person needs to go through.
Sunday, November 18, 2007
A Return to Lafayette, LA
The last time I was in Lafayette, Louisiana, I was working for Krispy Kreme. I came down here to help train and open a brand new store. It was located in the front parking lot of Wallmart. I was pretty sure it wasn't going to be a very successful store. It was nearly impossible to get into the parking lot, and the average Lafayattian was already buying doughnuts in the grocery store.
The last time I was here, the owner of the franchise took us to an incredible restaurant where I ate about 14 pounds of crayfish, and where I purchase a t-shirt to commemorate the event! We took a fan boat through the bayou and saw crocodiles, birds, and those incredible cypress trees. We travelled to the Tabasco Factory, and spent time on Avery Island, watching crocodiles walking around the park.
The last time I was here, I was wasn't married, I wasn't a mother, and I was not in my thirties!
Today, when I landed in the tiny regional airport (the airport smelled funny, was kind of dirty, and it took FOREVER to get our luggage) I was struck by how familiar the place was. I have only been here once, and it was probably five years ago. I remembered the Avis parking lot, the exit to the airport and the road to town.
I checked into the hotel and decided to find some place to eat. Since it was Sunday, all the good cajun, po-boy places were closed. I found an Outback, pulled into the parking lot and realized, that I had eaten in this same restaurant five years ago. Not only that, across the street was the hotel I stayed in for a week last time I was here. I guess Lafayette is pretty small town.
Tomorrow and Tuesday, Orientation, then Wednesday morning I go back home. Hopefully, the Thanksgiving travel won't be too heavy and I should be home by 5pm.
The last time I was here, the owner of the franchise took us to an incredible restaurant where I ate about 14 pounds of crayfish, and where I purchase a t-shirt to commemorate the event! We took a fan boat through the bayou and saw crocodiles, birds, and those incredible cypress trees. We travelled to the Tabasco Factory, and spent time on Avery Island, watching crocodiles walking around the park.
The last time I was here, I was wasn't married, I wasn't a mother, and I was not in my thirties!
Today, when I landed in the tiny regional airport (the airport smelled funny, was kind of dirty, and it took FOREVER to get our luggage) I was struck by how familiar the place was. I have only been here once, and it was probably five years ago. I remembered the Avis parking lot, the exit to the airport and the road to town.
I checked into the hotel and decided to find some place to eat. Since it was Sunday, all the good cajun, po-boy places were closed. I found an Outback, pulled into the parking lot and realized, that I had eaten in this same restaurant five years ago. Not only that, across the street was the hotel I stayed in for a week last time I was here. I guess Lafayette is pretty small town.
Tomorrow and Tuesday, Orientation, then Wednesday morning I go back home. Hopefully, the Thanksgiving travel won't be too heavy and I should be home by 5pm.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Birmingham, Alabama
Birmingham Alabama is a big city. I had no idea. And the rush hour traffic is ridiculous. But, like every other city in America, the store that we have opened is on THE STRIP: Office Max, Petsmart, Target, Wallmart, Macaroni Grill, Carabas, Ross, line the miles of four lane highway leading away from downtown. Despite this “every-town” America look, Birmingham is lush and green, very hilly and covered in kudzu. The downtown itself is large and has that 1950s feel, like no building has been added to the city since.
I could tell the airport was built in the 60s or 70s as soon as the plane pulled up to the jetway. The terminal is a glass and steel long arc, wrapping around the enormous circular brown cement parking lot which rises two stories over the top of the terminal. A divide road runs around the inside of the terminal arc and the outside of the parking garage with entrances to the garage on one side and drop off points on the other side.
The airport is easy to navigate. The baggage claim is easy to find and the luggage arrived with very little wait. A strong odor of bacon and fried okra wafts throughout the entire airport and was not unpleasant, however, I hadn’t eaten anything is hours, so that may have been the reason I liked the smell.
The rental car agent was across four lanes in the parking garage. Our car was nearby and the airport was easy to exit. Overall, the Birmingham airport gets a “great” for ease and speed, and a “good” for design.
I could tell the airport was built in the 60s or 70s as soon as the plane pulled up to the jetway. The terminal is a glass and steel long arc, wrapping around the enormous circular brown cement parking lot which rises two stories over the top of the terminal. A divide road runs around the inside of the terminal arc and the outside of the parking garage with entrances to the garage on one side and drop off points on the other side.
The airport is easy to navigate. The baggage claim is easy to find and the luggage arrived with very little wait. A strong odor of bacon and fried okra wafts throughout the entire airport and was not unpleasant, however, I hadn’t eaten anything is hours, so that may have been the reason I liked the smell.
The rental car agent was across four lanes in the parking garage. Our car was nearby and the airport was easy to exit. Overall, the Birmingham airport gets a “great” for ease and speed, and a “good” for design.
Friday, May 11, 2007
Little Rock, Arkansas
I just got back from Little Rock Arkansas yesterday afternoon. What a beautiful place. It completely exceeded my expectations. Granted my expectations were very low. I was thinking it might resemble someplace like Dayton Ohio. But Little Rock is right there in the Ozarks. The city sits is a valley surrounded by lush green mountains and bisected by a wide, slow moving river.
The airport was the first sign that the people of this town really care about it. It actually reminded me of the Sydney Airport. Very accessible and color coded. The baggage claim was clean and it took no time to get our bags. The rental car desk was easy to find and I was in my car and loaded up with baggage only ten minutes after deplaning.
When driving in Little Rock one must navigate by a series of raised highway ramps that duck over and under and around each other through the hills and across the lakes and river. At one point I was pretty sure I was riding along a roadway that had been designed by the great rollercoaster designers. It was awesome. The best part was on the way back to the airport on Thursday when I took a ramp that curved 200 degrees around a hill and sloped down across a beautiful misty lake. The ramp is a single lane wide and as the road sloped down towards the water, all other roads, buildings and signs of people disappeared and only the trees and lake were visible. Beautiful.
The first night in town we all met up at a bar and grill. It was happy hour from 5-6pm so we commenced drinking. After a few, I challenged my co-workers to a little game of pool. I was a little intoxicated; I had had a few beers on an empty stomach (which actually means I had six beers on a half a quesadilla.) Anyway, I think I embarrassed the guys who thought they were going to beat me. Yeah, I won 3 out of four games. Ha! I still have it, even after having a baby.
The guys left and my coworker and I finished our beers and went back to the hotel. I only had a little headache the next morning.
My whole time there was really fun, but I was happy to return home yesterday. Bronwen has grown two more teeth and has decided to be a little human now, not a baby, and she is eating pasta, and chicken and even chocolate chip cookies! Maybe next time I’ll take her along so she can ride the rollercoaster highways of Little Rock, Arkansas.
The airport was the first sign that the people of this town really care about it. It actually reminded me of the Sydney Airport. Very accessible and color coded. The baggage claim was clean and it took no time to get our bags. The rental car desk was easy to find and I was in my car and loaded up with baggage only ten minutes after deplaning.
When driving in Little Rock one must navigate by a series of raised highway ramps that duck over and under and around each other through the hills and across the lakes and river. At one point I was pretty sure I was riding along a roadway that had been designed by the great rollercoaster designers. It was awesome. The best part was on the way back to the airport on Thursday when I took a ramp that curved 200 degrees around a hill and sloped down across a beautiful misty lake. The ramp is a single lane wide and as the road sloped down towards the water, all other roads, buildings and signs of people disappeared and only the trees and lake were visible. Beautiful.
The first night in town we all met up at a bar and grill. It was happy hour from 5-6pm so we commenced drinking. After a few, I challenged my co-workers to a little game of pool. I was a little intoxicated; I had had a few beers on an empty stomach (which actually means I had six beers on a half a quesadilla.) Anyway, I think I embarrassed the guys who thought they were going to beat me. Yeah, I won 3 out of four games. Ha! I still have it, even after having a baby.
The guys left and my coworker and I finished our beers and went back to the hotel. I only had a little headache the next morning.
My whole time there was really fun, but I was happy to return home yesterday. Bronwen has grown two more teeth and has decided to be a little human now, not a baby, and she is eating pasta, and chicken and even chocolate chip cookies! Maybe next time I’ll take her along so she can ride the rollercoaster highways of Little Rock, Arkansas.
Monday, March 19, 2007
Florida, Pt. 2? Orlando Airport
Back in Florida. This time I am in Orlando. I was on the fence about Orlando until tonight. Disney and Universal Studios are great, but the traffic stinks and the whole city is a strip mall. But it wasn’t until I was driving my minivan (yes, I have a minivan rental car) around town trying to find my way to the hotel that I realize the whole place is like another country. I looked around and half of what I saw was completely unfamiliar.
You know when you go to foreign country and you pass by a store and you have no idea whether it is a grocery store, a bank or something else? That’s what it is like here now. Maybe this is new because I don’t remember feeling so out of place the last time I was in Orlando. But it is strange. And not fun strange, uncomfortable and annoying strange.
The airport was insane. Lots of families with kids heading to Disney World. It made me think about Bronwen as a 5 year old getting excited about meeting Mickey and riding the roller coasters. It isn’t that far away!
It was impossibly hard to find the rental cars and I was extremely frustrated by the time I finally made it there. An hour later I was at the hotel.
You know when you go to foreign country and you pass by a store and you have no idea whether it is a grocery store, a bank or something else? That’s what it is like here now. Maybe this is new because I don’t remember feeling so out of place the last time I was in Orlando. But it is strange. And not fun strange, uncomfortable and annoying strange.
The airport was insane. Lots of families with kids heading to Disney World. It made me think about Bronwen as a 5 year old getting excited about meeting Mickey and riding the roller coasters. It isn’t that far away!
It was impossibly hard to find the rental cars and I was extremely frustrated by the time I finally made it there. An hour later I was at the hotel.
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