Comments on: Terminal Memories

By: Patrick

Patrick — Wed, 28 May 2025 22:15:56 +0000

In reply to Paulo Lavigne. GRU is a good example of airport nothingness.

By: Paulo Lavigne

Paulo Lavigne — Wed, 28 May 2025 20:55:50 +0000

I agree: architecturally speaking, most airports are unremarkable, if not outright boring. Guarulhos, in São Paulo, is an example of that, as are so many others in Brazil and in the United States.

By: SD Palamar

SD Palamar — Wed, 28 May 2025 03:48:39 +0000

Excellent TWA terminal photo!

By: Michael Kennedy

Michael Kennedy — Fri, 23 May 2025 23:37:44 +0000

I’ve been based at LAX, SFO, BOS, MIA, IAH, and a whole bunch of smaller fields. BOS was always my fave because it was the most challenging. Something special’s coming up on 5/31 – I hope you’re home for the call.

By: J Kevin Brady

J Kevin Brady — Thu, 08 May 2025 15:47:26 +0000

Ah, the old days and old terminals – I’ve flown out of a few no longer around – all the JFK one you mention including Eastern terminal One – (all the following when it was the main airport) Dallas love field, Houston Hobby, Raleigh when there were chain link fences you opened to board – Atlanta Hartsfield old terminal, Kai Tak Hong Kong, Haneda when there was no Narita, Orly Paris. I’m sure I’m missing a few, but I assure you it shows my advancing age!

By: paulb

paulb — Sat, 03 May 2025 11:28:47 +0000

It was the red-carpeted tunnels to the gates that left the biggest impression on me. Like something from Woody Allen’s Sleeper. (I was late to flying – but World Port was the departure/arrival for my first trip, in 1970.)

I know it’s not the same as how the airlines used to build those idiosyncratic marquee terminals, but I was wowed by Madrid Barajas Terminal 4.

By: Evan

Evan — Wed, 02 Apr 2025 12:51:30 +0000

As a new hire at BEX I trained in the Saab 340 sim at Flight Safety, which at the time was located in the former Pan Am flying boat hangar right next to the MAT. Lunch at the Yankee Clipper was a splurge for a new turboprop FO but I recall the greasy burgers and fries fondly, because being there meant I had “made it to the show” and was soon to be wearing striped epaulets.

By: Rod

Rod — Tue, 01 Apr 2025 16:50:18 +0000

“at the height of ’50s McCarthyism it was obliterated with gray paint”
At least it’s comforting to be reminded that ideology-fired hysteria is nothing new.

By: Bry M

Bry M — Tue, 01 Apr 2025 15:58:07 +0000

As NYers, we’ve started kicking off vacations with a stay at the TWA Hotel the night before our flight – especially if we have an early flight the next day, the lobby is maybe 10 minutes from JetBlue’s security line. When we have an early flight, instead of stumbling out of bed and getting into a cab, we take our time getting to the hotel, check in, grab a bite and just hang out in the hotel. It’s got great amenities, especially for my wife who is an architect and a Saarinen fan. During the summer the pool deck is an awesome place to spend an afternoon planespotting with a drink and a dip in the pool. The old constellation is a great cocktail bar, and you can just sit in the main terminal and pretend you’re about to head out for a trip to Bora Bora or Southeast Asia or someplace.

By: Donna L Walcott

Donna L Walcott — Tue, 01 Apr 2025 15:31:35 +0000

Pleasure to see you on the evening news recently. Can’t remember the network, a failing caused by my advanced age. Your newsletters are always very enjoyable.