I recently flew from Houston to new orleans on Southwest Airlines, just so I could have the pleasure of driving from new orleans back to Houston the following day. I've spent many days driving Houston and new orleans along I-10, less so since Katrina, but I digress. I like Houston's Hobby Airport. It's close to downtown, it's compact, and it's friendly. There is only the one public terminal and the security line runs efficiently. I used to love the experience of flying in the US. Prior to 1995, all my flights had been international – Europe to Africa, Europe to the Far East, Europe to the Middle East. I was used to checking in early, long lines, passport checks and free drinks on the flights. On arrival in the US, I settled in Houston and started working in Marion, Illinois so three weeks a month I'd fly from Houston to St Louis. Back then, air travel within the US was like getting on a bus. If you only had hand luggage, you could show up 20 minutes before departure, go through security and, with frequent flyer privileges, literally walk right onto the plane. None of this unseemly undressing we all go through now. I will welcome the arrival of the full body scanner if I'll be able to keep my belt around my waist and my shoes on my feet! [ad name=”post”]
Once through security at Hobby there's a broad walkway to the gates. On either side there's a travelator, one taking departing travelers to the gates, one bringing arriving passengers to baggage claim. The walkway is relatively short but the journey is brightened somewhat by three decorative glass panels on each side. To while away the minutes before my flight, I stopped to take some photos of travelers gliding by these colorful panels on their way to or from a flight. Using my Canon G-10, I exposed for the decorative panels so the travelers are rendered in near silhouette.
If you've seen the Southwest Airlines commercial where a group of staff are commenting that Southwest Fares are only on one website – southwest.com – and not on Expedia, Travelocity nor Orbitz, that commercial was shot on this walkway and you can see some of the panels in some of the scenes.
Next time you pass through Hobby Airport, take a minute or two to look a the vintage images of the airport from the 50's that decorate the food court.
