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PITTSTON TWP. – Delta Air Lines Inc. is adding a flight and upgrading another at the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport next year, officials said Monday.

On Jan. 4, Delta plans to upgrade its daily flight to the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport from a 50-seat aircraft to a 65-seat aircraft, airport Director Barry Centini said Monday at a regularly scheduled airport board meeting during which projects and plans for an authority were discussed. He also said Delta on March 3 will add a fourth flight to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport.

The additional flight will bring Delta’s total departures to five, with four to Detroit and one to Atlanta.

Read more:
http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/delta-adding-flight-next-year-from-local-airport-1.1238229#ixzz1f9Z8Zn5M

Initially Google has partnered with some of the largest retailers, airports and transit stations in the US and Japan including:

• Mall of America, IKEA, The Home Depot, select Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s, Daimaru, Taskashimaya and Mitsukoshi locations and more.
• Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), Chicago O’Hare (ORD), San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and Narita International (NRT), among others.
• JR and Tokyu Corporation

Mall of America in Minneapolis before and after, with a floor selector

Brian McClendon, VP of Engineering, for Google Earth and Maps promises that this is just the beginning “we’ll continually add new indoor maps to public buildings across the world. If you’re a business owner interested in getting your location’s floor plan included in Google Maps, visit maps.google.com/floorplans.”

“We’re thrilled Google Maps continues to provide you with new and helpful perspectives—whether you’re rushing through the airport or finding your way around a mall”, said McClendon.

For additional information on Google Maps you can visit their website and take a walkthrough of the redesigned Google Maps application.

Source: Official Google Blog

I explained that just like at home, or if you own a WiFi card, it costs airports to provide that service.  And in the past 10 years, airports have been squeezed on the revenue side thanks to airline mergers and service cuts, paying for unfunded mandates and underfunded Federal Aviation Administration programs that cover a facilities.

So with that, airports have to find a way to cover those costs.   Some, like Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, offer free WiFi in exchange for looking at on-screen advertising.  Some have a company or companies sponsor their WiFi.  Others, like Boston Logan, ask you to fill out a survey or watch a video to get free WiFi for an hour, then switch you over to a provider where you pay  from there.

Others — including LAX, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and my hometown Baltimore Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport — partner with companies like Boingo for paid WiFi.

So before your next trip, check out the websites below to see if you’re getting free WiFi or if you’re going to be shelling out for the privilege!

• Free WiFi Airports – WiFi Guide
• Free Wi-Fi in Airports
• Jaunted’s Airport WiFi Map
• Air Power Wiki (covers WiFi AND power outlets)

On March 30, 2010, President Barack Obama signed into law the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that mandates an employer with more than 50 workers to provide a private room (not a restroom) in which their female employees and customers can express breast milk for their children as needed.

The transition back to work is sometimes difficult and can be a bit challenging for nursing mothers who would like to continue to breastfeed. The lack of private spaces to pump at work makes this transition even more daunting; some mothers decide to stop breastfeeding their children all together. I was one of those mothers. With our first son, my only option at work was to pump in the public restroom. I slowly weaned him then eventually stopped breastfeeding due to the inconvenience and lack of privacy. The painful reality of allowing breast milk to “dry up” when women are not ready to stop nursing can cause tremendous grief, depression, and disappointment for some mothers’ effort to provide the most important nutrients to their newborn. Also, breastfeeding during the first 12 months of an infant’s life can provide tremendous health benefits for the child, even long-term. A recent report from the CDC shared that breastfeeding helps to prevent childhood obesity.

After giving birth to our second son, a former colleague and I spoke up and assisted our employer in establishing a permanent lactation room on site. We

The Grimmett Family

provided a safe and designated place for mothers to pump and feed their children. This allowed a smoother transition for working mothers, and enabled them to continue to provide milk for their children after returning back to work. I was pleased to have the ability to nurse our second son for nearly 15 months.

Employers come up with many excuses about why they do not have private rooms designated for nursing mothers. These range from costs to space availability. Companies would benefit from establishing lactation rooms on site, because breastfeeding mothers will have support transitioning back to work, look favorable to customers, and can be a good recruitment tool for employees.

Unfortunately, these challenges are widespread. Living in Atlanta, I was shocked to find out that the world’s busiest airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (HJAIA), does not have designated lactation rooms for employees or customers. They ask mothers to feed their children in the restroom or to call in advance to arrange a private room to pump or breastfeed. There is no information or timeline posted on their website when or if lactation rooms will be established.

Breastfeeding in the bathroom is synonymous to having your child literally “eat” in the restroom.

Let’s face it – eating in the bathroom is gross! You wouldn’t eat in the bathroom, so why would you expect your baby to eat there? Holding a child up or squatting on a public toilet to feed among unpleasant smells is inhumane. Oftentimes, in order for ones milk “to let down” mothers need a pleasant, clean, and sanitary environment to express milk. Breastfeeding mothers deserve safe, secure, and comfortable places to pump and nurse their children.

To address these issues and to provide a resource for those who would like to establish lactation rooms at the public places they frequent most, I have launched a Lactation Room support campaign, Table For Two. The campaign’s first initiative to bring lactation rooms to HJAIA. It’s time to establish designated and convenient lactation rooms at Atlanta’s airport, as well as companies, and organizations across the country. Would you eat in the bathroom? Of course not, because eating in the restroom is gross. Ask officials at the world’s busiest airport to support their employees and customers.

To support this cause and for more information, please visit http://www.supporttablefortwo.org. You may also join the campaign on Twitter and Facebook .

Sojourner Marable Grimmett is an Atlanta-based author who is recognized for writing about the joys and challenges of being a “stay-at-work” mom and connects with moms, both new and experienced, who have the responsibility of raising a family and maintaining a full-time job. Sojourner has been featured in FitPregnancy, iVillage, Southwest Parenting Magazine, BlackCelebKids.com, MyAtlantaMoms.com, WhatToExpect.com, Fox News, and CNN. She is married to her college sweetheart, Roland and they have two young sons, Roland Jay and Joshua. Visit her blog sojournermarablegrimmett.blogspot.com follow her on Twitter and like her on Facebook.

Featured on YourBlackWorld.com and MyAtlantaMoms.com.

Allen Cooley Photography
K. Kheir Photography

Related articles

• Celebrating World Breastfeeding Week: A Time to Engage Employers in the Breastfeeding Dialogue (corporatevoices.wordpress.com)

On one hand traveling anywhere on a plane today is such an incredible pain, and seems to take forever, but in the view of history, two thousand miles in a few hours isn’t so bad I guess. We went from a remote-ish cabin in Estes Park Colorado at 8,000 feet to our house, at sea level in Auburn, in about 12 hours. I have always loved airports, at least at long as I can remember anyway. Today the airlines pack as many people into every single aircraft as they possibly can, which makes for extremely crowded airports, and cabins. My perspective of airline travel has changed tremendously over the last twenty years, but airports, especially the major airports like Atlanta Hartsfield or DIA, are still a great place to just relax, people watch, read, do some photography, and generally take a break from the normal routine of things. I do love visiting different parts of the country, and the world for that matter, but as the cliche goes, there’s no place like home. I have visited every state in the country, lived in a dozen or so, and I can say without a doubt that the south really is a great place to live.

For all the craziness that is involved with traveling today I only have to look at the photo below to remember the reason why all that was worth it. To be there for the birth of our second grandson was an experience we will be able to remember as he grows up, and to be able to photograph his arrival into the world makes those memories even more vivid. I always feel very privileged to photograph specific events. They are all little pieces of history, frozen in time, never to happen exactly that same way again.

The photos in this post are sort of a hodge-podge of images from our trip home. I never did get a chance to do my 50mm airport shoot at Denver International Airport because by the time we got through security we only had about 30 minutes left before we got on our sold out flight, and we arrived hours before our departure time. I have several more photos of baby Luke than just the one below but I will save those for another post sometime.

This season, to me, seems so crazy right now that I find myself looking desperately for some margin (or balance). Fall is always a very busy time of year, but between football season, our multi-site movement at Cornerstone, a grandson being born trip, a niece to be born sometime this week, seminary classes, and a trip to Africa in two weeks, I’m feel a little frazzled (that a very scientific technical term) at times, just like everyone does.

I look at baby Luke in this photo below and it amazes me. God spent nine months to create the perfect little boy who right now knows nothing of the hustle and bustle of this world, and by the time he is my age, around the year 2050, he will no doubt feel the same pressures and anxieties that come with living in this extremely modern world. Maybe he will some day pull out this photo on his whatever electronic fangled device he has and remember that one day he too had no cares in the world other than to be warm and sleep in the sunlight.

1. Aero Clinic: there is NOTHING worse that getting sick while on travel.  You’re far from home, your doctor and your local pharmacy. So if you’re sick and in a location where Aero Clinic is, you can go in, get a diagnosis, get a prescription and be on your way.  They take most major health insurance, and if not, fees are pretty reasonable. Right now, they’re located at Hartsfield-Jackson and Philadelphia International airports, with plans (announced in 2009) to open at Charlotte-Douglas.  Check out my June 2007 Aviation Week Towers and Tarmacs blog post on Aero Clinic here.
2. 

   Harmony Pharmacy in JFK Airport T5 Photo by Benet J. Wilson

   Harmony Pharmacy: you’re on a trip. You have your prescription medication with you, but realize you’re running low.  If you happen to be at Newark, JFK, San Francisco, DFW, Cleveland-Hopkins or Baltimore-Washington airports, you’re in luck, since they all have a Harmony outlet.  You can also buy the items you’d normally find in your local drug store. Nice!

3. Minute Suites: these little oases at Hartsfield-Jackson and Philadelphia International airports are favorites for offering a sofa/daybed with blankets, along with WiFi access, television and a desk, all for only $30 an hour .I am a BIG believer in the power of naps, and this concession allows you to take one during longer layovers.
4. O2 Bar & Spa: what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. You had a great time, but may be feeling a bit “out of sorts” right before you get on that flight at McCarran International Airport.  Folks swear by the therapeutic effects of this bar which offers oxygen and aromatherapy to cure what ails you.

So — what did I miss? What are some of your favorite useful airport services?

I have this random series I have done on my blog for years called “airport in 50mm” that looks photographically at a particular airport with just a 50mm lens. I did this for this last trip except for the airport in Entebbe where I wasn’t sure if I would get shot by the guy holding the M-16 for taking a photo but I was pretty sure they would confiscate my camera and or SD card so I skipped that one, maybe when I go back. I always find it fascinating that you can take photos of the same place but capture a totally different perspective each time, but they always are because every day brings to live a new perspective (see the last Atlanta post). This was the first stop along an extremely long set of flights from Atlanta to Amsterdam to Entebbe. Each image was taken with a 50mm prime lens.

This week for my Saturday Summary I don’t have a whole lot of pics that weren’t already published in some form or another, mainly because the week has been so incredibly busy I haven’t had time to take as many shots this week as I have in the past few weeks. After going back and forth with what to take to Uganda and what to leave here, I’m finally packed and ready to go.

I think one of my favorite pics in this set is the one from the Atlanta airport I took on Thursday as I drove around in circles and my camera gear spread out all over my desk. I was really looking forward to hearing all about the team’s trip but as usually in Atlanta you can’t stop for one second until someone can actually put a bag in your car. Hope everyone has a great rest of the weekend.

The Transportation Security Administration said Thursday it will test a program to pre-screen a small group of select air travelers who volunteer more personal information about themselves so they can be vetted to get faster screening at airport checkpoints.

CBS4’s Silva Harapetian spoke with frequent flyer Sull Hadalgo at Miami International Airport. Hadalgo said it’s worth it.

“I agree 100 percent because I need to go faster all the time,” Hadalgo said.

The new program represents the Obama administration’s first attempt at a more risk-based, intelligence-driven passenger screening program that could respond to travelers’ complaints that the government is not using common sense when it screens all passengers at airports in the same manner.

The change comes amid a typically busy summer travel season and on the heels of a public outcry over TSA agents giving enhanced pat-downs to children and the elderly — people who ostensibly pose no security threat.

The test program was expected to begin sometime this fall. It applies only to a small number of frequent travelers who are U.S. citizens. The TSA said it anticipates that between 5,000 and 8,000 travelers will participate in the trial.

[worldnow id=6053096 width=385 height=288 type=video]

But not everyone is on board 100 percent.

“It depends on what (personal information) it is,” traveler Tammy Busby said. “Some thing you don’t mind sharing.”

TSA Administrator John Pistole said passengers will have the option to opt out of the process.

“If somebody doesn’t want to share that information however basic it may be…that’s fine,” he said. “They can go through the normal screening process.”

Specifically, the pilot program covers selected travelers enrolled in Delta Air Lines’ frequent-flier program or three other government-trusted traveler programs — known as Global Entry, NEXUS and SENTRI — involving people who travel regularly through Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International and Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County airports; and travelers enrolled in American Airlines’ frequent-flier program, or the three other government programs, who travel regularly through Miami International and Dallas-Fort Worth International airports. There is no cost to participate in the test program.

“These improvements will enable our officers to focus their efforts on higher risk areas,” said Pistole.

This pre-screening pilot test would be on top of the existing pre-screening for all passengers who travel to, from or within the U.S. Currently these travelers must provide their full names as they appear on their government identifications, as well as their birthdates and gender. This allows the government to compare passenger manifests with government databases to spot possible terrorists before they board a plane, and in some cases, before they arrive at the airport. Frequent-flier programs include more than those three identification fields. For instance, personal information provided in Delta’s frequent-flier program includes the traveler’s home address, email address or phone number, and preferred language.

For security reasons, the TSA will not say what specific screening measures travelers who participate in the test might avoid at airports. And participation in the program in no way exempts the travelers from any security measure, the agency said.

Amid strong criticism for months, Pistole has said that his agency must find smarter ways to perform risk-based screening based on intelligence and move away from a one-size-fits-all plan so that screeners can focus on travelers the government knows the least about.

But Pistole also wants to manage the expectations of the traveling public.

“It’s a complex issue, and so I want to basically under-promise and over-deliver,” Pistole told senators last month.

The airlines and the Customs and Border Protection agency, which runs the three government-trusted traveler programs included in the trial, will contact the eligible travelers to ask them whether they would participate in the program, the TSA said. If the traveler agrees, information the traveler provided to the airline through the frequent-flier program would be shared with the government to do enhanced security vetting.

The TSA briefed airlines and others in the aviation industry on Thursday about the test program.

The agency plans to eventually expand the test program to United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, JetBlue, US Airways, and Alaska and Hawaiian airlines at other airports.

(©2011 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

The first piece of art I ever bought

I am an art lover.  I became a fan in the fifth grade, where my art teacher, Miss Sappington, opened my eyes to Paul Klee and Henri Matisse.  I bought my first piece of official art when I was 16, and I was lucky to grow up in a house where my father valued art on our walls.

My own home is a showcase of African-American artists and Art Deco posters from the early 20th century, although I do have a Salvador Dali lithograph of my astrological sign that my father won at an art auction and gave to me.

So I really enjoyed this New York Times article on the art museum at San Francisco International Airport.  I have spent many a happy day at that airport looking at artifacts from their vast collection.  Below is my list (by no means complete) of airports with great art collections.

1. 

   Ghost Palms. Miami Intl Airport

   Miami International Airport, South Terminal. And check out my Aviation Week Towers and Tarmacs blog post on the facility’s art efforts.

2. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, Terminal 4.  I just love the ceramics collection on display in front of the US Airways ticket counters.
3. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Concourse E.  The airport has great art, but my favorite installations are in the international terminal.  I’m a quilter, making me a big fan of the art quilts hanging in the concourse.
4. 

   Calder Mobile, Pittsburgh Intl Airport

   Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, Terminal D. I did a walking tour of this terminal and was just mesmerized by all the great art showcased there.

5. Pittsburgh International Airport. Not only does this airport have an original Alexander Calder mobile, they have major pieces from the Andy Warhol collection.

According to Delta Air Lines, Flight 2284 took off from Pittsburgh International Airport on time and landed in Atlanta just after 4 p.m.

“The pilot was able to control the plane and got it stopped, but then there was a burning smell and the right side of the plane caught on fire,” said Kathleen Harrison, a passenger.

When the plane touched down at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, airline officials say they brakes overheated. Smoke and flames could be seen coming from under the plane.

“The fire occurred underneath the aircraft. The Atlanta Fire Department sprayed copious amounts of foam under the aircraft to extinguish the fire,” said Kathleen Bergen, FAA communications manager. “So, of course it’s not going to be back in service until it can be examined and repairs made and that will take some time.”

[worldnow id=5898363 width=385 height=255 type=video]

Officials say 43 passengers and five crew members were on board the plane.

According to a report from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, all of the passengers were evacuated from the MD-88 aircraft using the emergency slides or stairs and transported to the terminal by bus.

“I just thought that we need to get off the plane,” said Harrison. “They kept telling us they were assessing the situation and then I think when the fire broke out they opened the doors and we all went down the emergency chutes.”

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution is also reporting that four people were treated for minor injuries, but no one was taken to the hospital.

Officials with the FAA initially reported that the plane may have possibly blown one or more tires upon landing.

[worldnow id=5897916 width=385 height=255 type=video]

RELATED LINKS:
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
Delta Air Lines
CBSAtlanta.com: “Delta Plane Catches On Fire While Landing”
Atlanta Journal-Constitution: “Delta plane catches fire at Hartsfield”
More Local News

New headquarters will house nearly all U.S. Porsche colleagues under one roof, including a dramatic customer experience center and test track

Porsche just gave Atlanta’s image a bit of a spit polish.

The decision to build a $100 million complex on the grounds of the former Ford assembly plant in Hapeville is not only a glitzy marketing move for the German carmaker, experts said, it is also a shiny endorsement of the city and state.

“This has marquee value,” said Don McEachern, president of North Star Destination Strategies of Nashville, a company that offers advice on reputations to cities. “It speaks volumes about Atlanta. You get the Porsche name and brand. You get the halo effect. It is nothing but good.”

And with Georgia still shakily emerging from a painful recession, Porsche provides more marketing glow for luring other companies to the area.The project will move Porsche’s North American headquarters from Sandy Springs, Ga., a northern suburb of Atlanta.

ATLANTA – May 12, 2011 – Porsche Cars North America (PCNA) announced it will build a new headquarters in Atlanta, the city it has called home for thirteen years.

The new complex will be located in the Aerotropolis Atlanta development site, near the brand new International Terminal at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

It will be comprised of modern office facilities for a workforce that will eventually number 400 employees, including a Technical Service and Training Center, as well as a leading-edge Customer Experience Center that will feature a handling road course to show-off the capabilities of Porsches industry-leading vehicles.

A layout of the test track planned for Porsche’s new headquarters in Atlanta. Click on photo.

Groundbreaking is planned for this fall with the move-in date scheduled for the second half of 2013.

The unparalleled nature of the Porsche ownership experience absolutely deserves an equally unique home. That is what well create with our new headquarters – a concept completely new to the U.S. automotive industry, and one that delivers our brand and product experience to our employees, dealers and customers alike, said Detlev von Platen, President and CEO of Porsche Cars North America.

Our new American headquarters will allow us to finally bring together all our major sales, after sales and financial services capacities, thus making us an even stronger organization. It also sends a strong message to our dealers and our customers that we believe in the strength of the U.S. market and its future growth, von Platen explained.

At the same time, this decision demonstrates our commitment to the State of Georgia and the City of Atlanta to remain a vital part of this vibrant region.

The decision to stay in Atlanta was the result of a thorough, more than one-year long search and evaluation process that spanned metropolitan Atlanta and several out-of-state sites. The new headquarters will not only be home to PCNA, but also to Porsche Financial Services, Inc., and Porsche Business Services, Inc. which are both currently located in Lisle, Illinois. Other Porsche businesses will also be included, building a solid foundation for further expansion of Porsches largest market worldwide.

We welcome the entire Porsche team to Atlantas newest corporate center, the innovative Aerotropolis complex, said Kasim Reed, the mayor of Atlanta. Porsches decision to reinforce its roots and grow its next-generation U.S. headquarters here is a testament to the vitality and vibrancy of our city and an exciting addition to the many iconic brands that also call Atlanta home.

The Porsche crest will be a perfect welcome sign to greet the hundreds of thousands of visitors and guests that land each day at the worlds busiest airport in Atlanta.

There’s no better place to live, work and play than Georgia, stated Nathan Deal, Governor of Georgia. As a 13-year corporate citizen of our great state, Georgia-based Porsche employees already know that once you have Georgia on Your Mind it is impossible to let go. Now we look forward to extending our famous Southern hospitality to the entire Porsche team – and to adding an incredible new destination to Georgia’s list of must-see places.

With over 25,000 cars sold in 2010, PCNA finished last year up 33 percent over the previous year. With its new headquarters, a dedicated, passionate employee and dealer body, and a strong line-up of iconic sports cars, a brand new generation of Cayenne SUVs and the latest addition to the brand, the Panamera Gran Turismo, Porsche is poised for continued success in the United States.

About Porsche Cars North America

Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (PCNA), based in Atlanta, GA, is the exclusive U.S. importer of Porsche sports cars, the Cayenne SUV and Panamera Gran Turismo. Established in 1984, it is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Porsche AG, which is headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany, and employs approximately 220 people who provide parts, service, marketing and training for 196 dealers. They, in turn, work to provide Porsche customers with a best-in-class experience that is in keeping with the brand’s 63-year history and leadership in the advancement of vehicle performance, safety and efficiency. At the core of this success is Porsches proud racing heritage that boasts some 30,000 motorsport wins to date.

SOURCE: Porsche Cars North America, Inc. – Porsche Press USA  

Related articles

• Porsche Unveils Design Plans for Corporate H.Q. in Atlanta and Experience Center in L.A. (wheels.blogs.nytimes.com)
• Porsche to Build in Atlanta and California (nytimes.com)
• Porsche shows future North American Atlanta headquarters (inautonews.com)
• Porsche American Headquarters Has Green Roof, Natural Ventilation (treehugger.com)

New headquarters will house nearly all U.S. Porsche colleagues under one roof, including a dramatic customer experience center and test track

ATLANTA – May 12, 2011 – Porsche Cars North America (PCNA) today announced it will build a new headquarters in Atlanta, the city it has called home for thirteen years.

The new complex will be located in the “Aerotropolis Atlanta” development site, near the brand new International Terminal at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.  It will be comprised of modern office facilities for a workforce that will eventually number 400 employees, including a Technical Service and Training Center, as well as a leading-edge Customer Experience Center that will feature a handling road course to show-off the capabilities of Porsche’s industry-leading vehicles. Groundbreaking is planned for this fall with the move-in date scheduled for the second half of 2013.

“The unparalleled nature of the Porsche ownership experience absolutely deserves an equally unique home. That is what we’ll create with our new headquarters – a concept completely new to the U.S. automotive industry, and one that delivers our brand and product experience to our employees, dealers and customers alike,” said Detlev von Platen, President and CEO of Porsche Cars North America.

“Our new American headquarters will allow us to finally bring together all our major sales, after sales and financial services capacities, thus making us an even stronger organization.  It also sends a strong message to our dealers and our customers that we believe in the strength of the U.S. market and its future growth,” von Platen explained. “At the same time, this decision demonstrates our commitment to the State of Georgia and the City of Atlanta to remain a vital part of this vibrant region.”

The decision to stay in Atlanta was the result of a thorough, more than one-year long search and evaluation process that spanned metropolitan Atlanta and several out-of-state sites. The new headquarters will not only be home to PCNA, but also to Porsche Financial Services, Inc., and Porsche Business Services, Inc. which are both currently located in Lisle, Illinois.  Other Porsche businesses will also be included, building a solid foundation for further expansion of Porsche’s largest market worldwide.

“We welcome the entire Porsche team to Atlanta’s newest corporate center, the innovative Aerotropolis complex,” said Kasim Reed, the mayor of Atlanta.  ”Porsche’s decision to reinforce its roots and grow its next-generation U.S. headquarters here is a testament to the vitality and vibrancy of our city and an exciting addition to the many iconic brands that also call Atlanta home. The Porsche crest will be a perfect welcome sign to greet the hundreds of thousands of visitors and guests that land each day at the world’s busiest airport in Atlanta.”

“There’s no better place to live, work and play than Georgia,” stated Nathan Deal, Governor of Georgia.  “As a 13-year corporate citizen of our great state, Georgia-based Porsche employees already know that once you have ‘Georgia on Your Mind’ it is impossible to let go. Now we look forward to extending our famous Southern hospitality to the entire Porsche team – and to adding an incredible new destination to Georgia’s list of ‘must-see’ places.”

 With over 25,000 cars sold in 2010, PCNA finished last year up 33 percent over the previous year. With its new headquarters, a dedicated, passionate employee and dealer body, and a strong line-up of iconic sports cars, a brand new generation of Cayenne SUVs and the latest addition to the brand, the Panamera Gran Turismo, Porsche is poised for continued success in the United States.

 #  #  #

About Porsche Cars North America

Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (PCNA), based in Atlanta, GA, is the exclusive U.S. importer of Porsche sports cars, the Cayenne SUV and Panamera Gran Turismo. Established in 1984, it is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Porsche AG, which is headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany, and employs approximately 220 people who provide parts, service, marketing and training for 196 dealers. They, in turn, work to provide Porsche customers with a best-in-class experience that is in keeping with the brand’s 63-year history and leadership in the advancement of vehicle performance, safety and efficiency. At the core of this success is Porsche’s proud racing heritage that boasts some 30,000 motorsport wins to date.

Follow on: www.twitter.com/Porsche and www.facebook.com/Porsche

This is fantastic news and the best part is we are so close!

1. 

   Photo by Benet J. Wilson

   Revolucion, JetBlue JFK Airport Terminal 5:  Back in August 2009, I did a post on Aviation Week’s Towers and Tarmacs blog on Revolucion.  In December 2009 during a long layover at T5, I had the chance to eat there — and it was divine.  They serve authentic Mexican food, as opposed to chain restaurants like Chevy’s.  I had the homemade guacamole and shrimp tacos.  Servers are more than happy to pack up your food for the flight, but I’d suggest doing that for the cold items.

2. Enrique’s, Ponca City Regional Airport, Oklahoma: In 2002, I was working on securing Essential Air Service contracts in seven cities, including Ponca City.  We went for a town tour, then we got back to the airport, which was packed.  But it wasn’t for people flying. It was for the food at Enrique’s, which is the airport’s restaurant.  I still dream about the tortilla chips and salsa, and the go-to dish there is Chicken Huarrache (sp).
3. Paschals Restaurant, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport: I’m not from the South, but my parents are.  I grew up eating the food of the South, including fried chicken, grits, fried catfish, mac and cheese and collard greens.  Paschals makes me long for my mother’s cooking.
4. Obrycki’s, Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport: those of us in Baltimore love our Maryland blue crabs and are very loyal to our restaurants.  Obrycki’s has been an institution in Baltimore since 1944, and they bring that to the airport.  The crabcakes and deviled crab balls are a must-try if you don’t want to wrestle with crabs.
5. Café Versailles, Miami International Airport: this airport outlet of a popular Cuban restaurant sells the quintessential hot Cuban pressed sandwich.  Wash it down with a cup of café con leche and you’d swear you were in Havana!!

I love a hotel room that offers good value for the money ($104 a night), and this one hits the mark. I was allowed to check in early, and the clerk alerted me that the water was off due to a water main break about a 1/2 mile away from the hotel; he also apologized for the inconvenience.  I got a call letting me know that the water was back on, again , with an apology.

This is a very clean and Spartan-chic stylish hotel that smelled of lemon furniture polish.  My room had a nice sized bathroom with an oversized shower, basic soap/shampoo/conditioner and a hair dryer.

I asked for a King bed, but got two doubles.  But it was fine, because the bed was really comfortable, with a nice duvet and my beloved foam pillows.  I loved the 32-inch LG flat-screen TV, and it had a swivel that allowed me to watch from the desk, the bed and the far side of the room while ironing.  But I wish they had one of those iPod docking station alarm clocks rather than the old-school digital one next to the bed.

The desk was large enough to handle my laptop and all my digital equipment.  There were plenty of plugs, but you did have to crawl under the desk to get them.  The chair was ergonomic and very comfortable. And the lamp desk was a nice touch.  And thank you, Fairfield Inn, for the free wifi.

Not only did I get a coffee maker, but I had a microwave and a nice sized fridge in my room, which I used for my free bottled water. The hotel also served a free breakfast, with choices including waffles, egg/sausage, egg/ham and egg/bacon breakfast sandwiches, Quiche, cereal, muffins, toast, english muffins and fresh fruit.  There was also three juices, coffee and assorted teas.  I had the egg/sausage sandwich, which was quite tasty.

The staff was very friendly, greeting me by name and inquiring  about how I was doing (I just love the manners in the South).  And the general manager came over, introduced herself and asked me questions about my stay and her staff.  I would recommend this hotel, and the reviewers at Trip Advisor agree, giving the facility 4.5 out of 5 stars.

The jobs are expected to be posted later this week on the at usajobs.gov.

In the report released Tuesday, total passenger numbers worldwide grew 6.3% while cargo increased 15.2% for the year.

According to ACI, 2010 marked the first time in which over five billion passengers flew over the course of a year. Not surprisingly, much of that growth was driven by strong demand in Asian markets.

Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport remained the world’s busiest with just over 89 million passengers in 2010. Beijing Capital International Airport saw the largest growth in passenger totals amongst the top ten airports in the world with an increase of 13% to put it firmly in second place with over 73 million passengers, impressive for an airport that wasn’t in the top 30 just nine years ago.

Also shifting rankings among the top ten were London’s Heathrow Airport and Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport. O’Hare climbed up to third place while Heathrow fell from second to fourth as the airport struggled to grow due to limited capacity and growing congestion.

Memphis International Airport finally lost its long-held position as the world’s busiest cargo airport, being surpassed by Hong Kong International Airport  and bumped down to second place. Memphis had been the world’s busiest cargo airport in terms total tons shipped for the last 18 years thanks in large part to FedEx which uses the airport as its primary hub.

With Asian airports leading the major increases in airport traffic, five of the world’s top ten busiest airports remain in the United States but with none of those airports recording more than 4.5% increases in passenger totals.

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   All photos by Benet J. Wilson

   Amsterdam Schiphol Airport – I could spend my life in this airport, and I think they designed it like that on purpose.  I have bought everything from tulip bulbs to sunglasses.  It’s also a great airport to pick up that last-minute souvenir you forgot to get when you were actually in Amsterdam.  The prices are fair, so you don’t have to feel like you’re being ripped off.

2. London Heathrow Airport, Terminal 5 – I know, I know: everyone calls this place a shopping mall with an airport terminal attached.  That said, I really enjoyed the shopping. Heathrow is known for its alcohol tastings and they have great duty-free liquor selections.  I switched from Tanqueray 10 to Bombay Sapphire gin after a tasting at Heathrow.  And the selection at Harrods is pretty good.
3. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport — Back in November 2006, the facility rebid its retail concessions contract (my Towers and Tarmacs blog post on that is here), that brought in a bounty of new stores, including Sean Jean, Kiehl’s, Ermenegildo Zenga and Lather, among others.  And Hartsfield was the first airport to get ZoomSystems’ vending machines, which at the time sold Apple iPod products.
4. JFK Airport JetBlue Terminal 5 — I just love the feel and design of this terminal.  And the shopping is pretty good too.  I’m a BIG fan of the Harmony Pharmacies, which sell over-the-counter drugs, beauty/cosmetics and will fill a prescription.  I went a bit nuts in Japan’s Muji store, which sells everything from travel accessories to office supplies.  I just love the shrink-wrap tshirts that are compressed into a cube that fits nicely into a carry-on bag.  I could spend hours in the Techshowcase looking at the latest in geek toys.
5. Pittsburgh International Airport — Back in the day when it was still a hub for US Airways, the facility decided to go all out and revamp its retail concessions.  I bought shoes for the man at Johnston & Murphy and toys for my godchildren at Creative Kidstuff. They also have a Clinque store and the fabulous Pajama Shop.
6. Orlando International Airport — The airport for amusement park central has stores from Disney, Sea World and Universal Studio.  It also has beauty/bath store Lush (a favorite from my time spent in London), the Kennedy Space Center store, Harley Davidson and Swatch watches.
7. Incheon International Airport — a girl could lose her MIND in this airport.  The airport authority went all out to attract all the major luxury brands to the facility, including Channel, Burberry, Christian Dior, Missoni, Guess, Max Mara, Dunhill, Nina Ricci, Givenchy, Calvin Klein and  Samsonite, among others.
8. Changi Airport — see Incheon.  Plus a bonus — if you go to the Singapore Visitors Center in any terminal and you have at least 5 hours to kill, you can get a FREE 2-hour colonial or cultural tour.
9. Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport – I know this one is a surprise, but I like the shopping choices in this airport.  The Authors Bookstore is not to be missed, and there’s a nice balance of national and local brands.
10. Vancouver International Airport – I had to include this airport.  I just love The Gourmet Shop and La Cava del Cigarro, which sells gourmet foods and has a great selection of cigars.  Although not shopping per se, Vancouver also has the Plaza Premium Lounges, which features a place to nap, eat and shower.

My list only includes airports that I’ve actually seen and experienced.  I know there are plenty of others out there, so what did I miss?