The Terminal

It seems scarcely believable, but there have been cases where people are forced to live in airport terminals for extended periods of time. In the ultimate extreme, it was enough to
drive them mad.

My own greatest air travel fear is being trapped, on a plane sitting on a runway, for hours on end.

Some airports are better than others in which to spend some extended "air time".

The new $5 billion dollar Taj Mahal at Toronto Pearson for example, is rather nice.

Toronto Pearson (YYZ) Terminal 1

So is the new International Terminal in Dallas. The last time I was here, it wasn't ready yet, and I never got to ride the Skylink before we were forced to flee (a long story).

Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) Terminal D

Others are not so sparkling new. As hordes of travellers wear down the facilities, year after year, they take on the 1970's malaise of the now defunct Pearson Terminal 2, or the 1980's vibe of Terminal 3.

Pittsburgh International (PIT)

Even in Denver, which experienced one of the first problem-plagued overnight switchovers to a new site, there is a dated 1990's feel.

Denver International (DEN)

Even though no travellers plan to spend too much time in the airports, there are some quirky things to make the visit more interesting. Like a space tunnel.

Chicago O'Hare (ORD) Terminal 1

And Back Again