Airport Check-in: Anchorage eyes check-in design of future
— -- When checking in for an Alaska Airlines flight next time at Anchorage International, check out its "no-lift" counter design. It could be a common standard in future airport designs, says Sean Bogart, an architect in the aviation division at Gresham Smith and Partners.
A belt adjacent to the agent's desk runs perpendicular to the main take-away belt. The passenger sets a bag on the belt to be weighed. The belt then advances to the main take-away. "This process helps to reduce the repetitive strain injury associated with such tasks typically performed by an airline or (Transportation Security Administration) agent, thus reducing workers' compensation claims and operational costs," Bogart says.
Miami International on Thursday will begin displaying two large murals by the late Brazilian artist Carybé that had been on view at New York JFK's old American Airlines terminal since 1960.
The 16.5-foot-by-51-foot murals were removed from the facility after American Airlines opened its new terminal in 2007, and have undergone extensive restoration. American Airlines donated the murals to Miami-Dade County, and Odebrecht Construction, a Brazilian firm with ties to the artist, paid for the $2 million project. http://www.usatoday.com/travel/gallery/2009/tr090611_airportmurals/flash.htm
Salt Lake City International will stop charging for Wi-Fi starting July 1. Currently, passengers pay about $8 a day.
Ekosteps, a California-based shoe designer, says its disposable slippers, made entirely of recycled paper, have been approved by the TSA for wearing when walking through airport security checkpoints.
The biodegradable slippers, which can be worn while street shoes are sent through the X-ray machine, cost $19.95 for a pack of four pairs. They can be purchased at Ekosteps.com.
Lambert St. Louis has opened two outdoor rest areas for traveling pets. Each area, gated and about 400 square feet in size, has park benches, plastic mitts for cleanup and fire hydrants.
The main terminal location, which features synthetic turf, is on the upper level. The east terminal location, with natural grass and tree shade, is on the lower level.
