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Passenger-friendly Houston airport has lots to offer
As other airports, it caters to the travelers' whim of buying souvenirs and eating at the more popular fast food places and restaurants, but IAH has combined all of these whims into a central location that features state-of-the-art technology and a feeling of visiting an art museum. I spent a whole day in this airport and it was no different than if I had spent the day in the Galleria/Art Museum, with the convenience and fun of riding trains which are exact replicas of the Disney trains at Walt Disney World. In fact, the airport media relations specialist who answered all of my questions, Melissa Delgado, informed me that the airport trains were indeed built by the Disney "Imageneers" after a Disney executive, who often traveled through the Houston airport, complained about the down time of the existing airport train system. He offered to build one free of charge if it didn't operate correctly 99 percent of the time. While the airport system couldn't take that deal, a project was quickly developed for the building of a new transportation system and Disney won the bid. The underground train system and the monorail system were completed by Disney and introduced to the public with all the fanfare of a Disney opening in 1981. Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck were among the dignitaries that christened the new operating system. The convenience that it provides for the airport is remarkable. Another remarkable resource of the airport is the interactive ads found in the concourses. Huge pictures are projected on the wall and when you pass by, the people, or a person depending on what's being sold, asks you to come closer and begins to tell you all about the product that's being advertised. Large art exhibits adorn the walls and ceilings of the airport, giving you the feeling that you may be touring a local art museum. And everything is color-coordinated to the surroundings. Plans are being developed for a spa to locate in the airport terminal for passengers who have time to take advantage of it. There are also vending machines where Ipods, Gameboys and other hand held electronic devices can be purchased for those long flights. Houston is a very busy airport. The airport system is comprised of three airports; Bush, Hobby, which is a smaller airport but very busy and Ellington Field, which is mostly military. Opening in 1969, Bush Intercontinental is Houston's largest airport. It is the seventh largest international passenger gateway in the nation and the ninth busiest airport in the country for total passengers. It offers non-stop service to more than 115 destinations within the U.S. and has 73 direct and nonstop international destinations. This is probably why Houston is one of our major connecting airports from Mobile, Pensacola, Gulfport and Birmingham. Bush offers service to more Mexican destinations than any other airport in the country. It houses the largest hub for Continental Airlines. It also houses the largest President's Club for Continental Frequent Flyers. In 2006, over 42 million passengers traveled through the five runway airport. Houston Airport Systems works hand-in-hand with the local university students with communications majors. Once a month they interview a business and an eatery in the airport and air it on local televisions. This airport system is entirely self-supporting through user fees and lease agreements and does not use local tax dollars. It is truly amazing and something to see if you ever pass through this airport. Gail Marshall writes the Chance, Scyrene and Packers Bend news but has been offering these commentaries on airports as an aid to travelers.
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