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If cities can have theme songs, why can’t airports have theme songs?

Some airports do.

Los Angeles International Airport traces its theme song back to a country music hit from the 1970s. The song, L.A. International Airport, was written by Leanne Scott and sung by Susan Raye. But when LAX made it the airport’s official song in 2003, they had someone rewrite the words. Give a listen to the old version, the new version, and a karaoke version.

Categories: Music
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I’m having a little too much fun researching a column about airport theme songs. I’m finding everything from jingles to “real” songs that have found their way onto the charts.

One example – the theme song for Germany’s Cologne-Bonn Airport. Written by the Cologne-based band plus49. The song is included in their album “All the beautiful things.”

Give a listen and let me know what you think. (Click on “music” at the bottom of the page).

Categories: Music
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Notice all those restaurants and take-out joints popping up at airports? They’re not just for folks getting onto planes. For arriving passengers it means not having to go home – or to the hotel – hungry. David Grossman, a fellow columnist over at USATODAY.com explores the topic in a new column. He was kind enough to let me chime in with a few comments of my own.

Categories: Food
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When I’m president there will be free wireless Internet access at every airport. 

In the meantime, we’re making progress: the airports in Denver, Las Vegas, Fort Lauderdale, Tampa, Pittsburgh, Portland, Oregon and an increasing number of large and small airports around the country currently offer free wireless throughout the terminals. Recently the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport opened the wireless spigot on Concourse C and a few other spots in the airport. 

Then there’s Philadelphia International Airport (PHL). 

Since mid-December, wireless Internet access has been free for college students everyday and free for all passengers on the weekends. 

That’s a step in the right direction.

So why not make it free for everyone all the time?

Categories: Wi-Fi
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Built in 1961 and undergoing major renovation, the Theme Building at LAX still looks sort of futuristic. Even while encased in scaffolding put up after a 1,000-pound piece of stucco coating fell off the building in Feb. 2007.

While the $10 million restoration project continues outside, travelers can once again dine inside at the space-aged themed Encounter Restaurant at the top of the building. Closed for almost a year, the restaurant re-opened last November.

I stopped by for lunch last week and was delighted to discover that the refreshed restaurant still has cool theme music in the elevator and retro-Jetsons decor. They even have souvenir postcards.

The cool photo on the Encounter Restaurant postcard is by Tom Paiva www.tompaiva.com

Categories: Art, Food
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