Welcome To Case's Column
Let me say a big welcome to all of you for joining me here. I'm going to call these blog meetings Case's Column. I wanted to use "Corner", but that was already taken.
Since 2008, it's been a real privilege to come on here and share some of my life with you, and it's a big world where we live.
In these blogs, I'll just speak whatever is on my mind, but we will be playing within the rules here. I may pick a particular topic, point out an event, or shoot the breeze. I'm a little bit of an essayist at times, so I'll just speak what's on my mind, and I might tell a story or two. Or, I might spew out an opinion or three. There will be some serious moments, some tender, some poignant, but there will also be those moments that you'll just bust out laughing. But, hopefully, everything will be in good fun here. And, of course, there's a place below for your comments and thoughts as we go along here. So feel free to join me for the ride -- I sure as heck hope I'm doing this right and not making any mistakes.
Thanks for taking your time in reading Case's Column. Hopefully, you'll enjoy being entertained by it as much as I've enjoyed putting these writings together. And thanks for the time you spend in City-Data.com, where it's great to be alive!
Regards,
case44
Let me say a big welcome to all of you for joining me here. I'm going to call these blog meetings Case's Column. I wanted to use "Corner", but that was already taken.
Since 2008, it's been a real privilege to come on here and share some of my life with you, and it's a big world where we live.In these blogs, I'll just speak whatever is on my mind, but we will be playing within the rules here. I may pick a particular topic, point out an event, or shoot the breeze. I'm a little bit of an essayist at times, so I'll just speak what's on my mind, and I might tell a story or two. Or, I might spew out an opinion or three. There will be some serious moments, some tender, some poignant, but there will also be those moments that you'll just bust out laughing. But, hopefully, everything will be in good fun here. And, of course, there's a place below for your comments and thoughts as we go along here. So feel free to join me for the ride -- I sure as heck hope I'm doing this right and not making any mistakes.
Thanks for taking your time in reading Case's Column. Hopefully, you'll enjoy being entertained by it as much as I've enjoyed putting these writings together. And thanks for the time you spend in City-Data.com, where it's great to be alive!
Regards,
case44
Eating The Friendly Skies? Thoughts On Airports And Concessionaires
Posted 04-10-2010 at 07:54 AM by case44
The internet offers opportunities that nothing else previously ever provided. Such was the case earlier this morning, when I decided to look up airport websites. Just curious, but then, that's the reason for the internet in the first place.
I looked at several sites and locations around the country. To my amazement, we've had a new trend in some airports in recent years where restaurant concessions featured the local tastes of the area which the airport serves. One that comes to mind is Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas, where several local eateries have set up kiosks there for hungry travelers. Other places I've looked up, such as Washington Dulles International Airport near our nation's capital, had only a scant few places for sustenance, and I had never heard of those places! Not sure if those are local places for them, but they look more like generic names.
You'd think a large airport like Dulles would offer much more for those who travel. I know there are certain entities and companies who run concessionaires in different locations. Why not encourage them with a little flexibility?
Here's an idea for our nation's airports: Have about 90 percent of your food offerings relate to the local flavor of your city. Yeah.
Sure, it's okay to have a McDonald's (I'm sure if you have kids, it becomes automatically convenient; plus, it's a world brand), but airports need to further establish their identities to mesh with the cities associated with them. It's good for the convention/visitors bureaus, so it, too, can be good for the traveling public. Leisure, business, you name it. From burgers to hot dogs to barbecue to bagels to fried chicken, there's some specialty lurking out there at any airport in any city. With this idea, when you fly anywhere, now you'll know the personal flavor of the cities that you visit. Regional. Local. What a concept.
Wouldn't be a bad thing to board a plane with something to really remember a city by, would it?
I looked at several sites and locations around the country. To my amazement, we've had a new trend in some airports in recent years where restaurant concessions featured the local tastes of the area which the airport serves. One that comes to mind is Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas, where several local eateries have set up kiosks there for hungry travelers. Other places I've looked up, such as Washington Dulles International Airport near our nation's capital, had only a scant few places for sustenance, and I had never heard of those places! Not sure if those are local places for them, but they look more like generic names.
You'd think a large airport like Dulles would offer much more for those who travel. I know there are certain entities and companies who run concessionaires in different locations. Why not encourage them with a little flexibility?Here's an idea for our nation's airports: Have about 90 percent of your food offerings relate to the local flavor of your city. Yeah.
Sure, it's okay to have a McDonald's (I'm sure if you have kids, it becomes automatically convenient; plus, it's a world brand), but airports need to further establish their identities to mesh with the cities associated with them. It's good for the convention/visitors bureaus, so it, too, can be good for the traveling public. Leisure, business, you name it. From burgers to hot dogs to barbecue to bagels to fried chicken, there's some specialty lurking out there at any airport in any city. With this idea, when you fly anywhere, now you'll know the personal flavor of the cities that you visit. Regional. Local. What a concept. Wouldn't be a bad thing to board a plane with something to really remember a city by, would it?
Total Comments 7
Comments
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Exactly. Whenever San Diego gets its act together and builds a new airport, it should look at what Austin did and try to improve on that. Its baseball stadium has local food places at its park, which results in a win/win.
Other Texas cities should do the same. Lubbock is trying to modernize its airport, so maybe it can put in a Cap Rock Cafe express and a Las Brisas Steakhouse.Posted 04-10-2010 at 09:09 AM by shoe01
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If only Lubbock were much larger, shoe, they would have a new Reese Airport out west so they could have a larger terminal that's sleek and more modern than what they have now, but that's another blog. I still dream about that, and you could only imagine what that place would have. For now, Caprock would work at LPSIA, as would a Triple J Express (for those needing a brew before takeoff), Ruby Tequila's Mexican, and possibly a River Smith's. J&M BBQ, maybe??Posted 04-10-2010 at 09:21 AM by case44
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Also, regarding San Diego, some great ideas could be brought up from that city. What does that city really like to eat? The favorites could be featured at Lindbergh, or at whatever airport they decide to build. It'd be great.Posted 04-10-2010 at 09:33 AM by case44
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Forgot about Triple-J's. All would be awesome. Of course, they would have to scale down their menus in order to be profitable, and because of the limited number of flights per day, maybe two or three could survive, though it is the busiest in West Texas outside of El Paso. I'll get to see first-hand what it's like in a week.Posted 04-10-2010 at 09:50 AM by shoe01
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There are some nice restaurants in San Diego. Lots of seafood, burger, pizza, Italian, Mexican, sushi (it is California), fish taco (invented in the city) places, etc. If you like something, you can probably find it there, except for maybe Tex-Mex. Hodad's Burgers, for example is an old favorite.
They really need to replace Lindbergh. Miramar NAS has been discussed as a replacement, but the Navy would need to shut it down first. Lindbergh is in the way of everything and is very dated. Downtown SD has a height limit enforced by the FAA because of Lindbergh.Posted 04-10-2010 at 10:05 AM by shoe01
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I think it would be great if airports served up regional fare. What better way to get to know another part of the country especially if you're only going to be inside the airport. National brands that are ubiquitous these days just get boring when you encounter the same old stuff everywhere you go. Of course, others see it as something familiar but I think we should all show our regional pride. Makes it more interesting!Posted 04-16-2010 at 07:44 AM by blueskies49
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Airports are constantly changing to try to meet with people's demands. Local flavor is but one way for airports to better promote their cities for incoming travelers. Good thoughts, case.Posted 04-16-2010 at 11:25 AM by malfunction
