If we were traveling around this month, we’d certainly be spending a lot of time in airport gift shops buying Christmas chocolates and other treats.
Some of that chocolate would even make it home and into nicely-wrapped gift boxes.
Instead, we’re home and keeping an eye on what airports and airlines are doing to be festive and still keep us safe during an unusual travel season.
SFO Airport is charming us with lights, music, and dancing
We love the giant light switch in this holiday message from SFO and we’re ordering one installed in our home office.
In the most extraordinary of years, our thoughts around the holidays remain the same: We are thankful for our blessings and wish for our guests and employees to find peace and happiness in the New Year. Happy holidays from #SFO! pic.twitter.com/73bbnRIqs9
— San Francisco International Airport (SFO) ✈️ (@flySFO) December 14, 2020
We also love this ‘put your mask on’ music video starring and produced by some incredibly talented people who work at SFO airport.
It looks like they had so much fun with the pumpkin decorating contest at Halloween that now 13 shops at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport are competing in a wreath-decorating contest.
The public is invited to weigh in on which is best.
“Energetic and melodic with little or no vocal accompaniment, instrumental surf music originated in Southern California along with a booming interest in surfing and the subsequent pop-cultural craze,” the exhibit notes tell us.
“The most authentic surf music reflected a youthful lifestyle and started at the grassroots, often by teenagers who formed bands to play dances and other functions.”
Here are some of our favorite photos from the exhibit.
DoubleJunk” Fender Jazzmaster/Jaguar 1992 & Weather King bass drumhead 1989
Howard custom double-neck guitar 1960 played by Duane Eddy, “The King of Twangy Guitar”
More surf tidbits from the exhibit notes:
“Surf music was influenced by the rock ‘n’ roll instrumentals of the late 1950s when many bands replaced vocal melodies with leads played by the saxophone, piano, organ, and guitar.
Duane Eddy and The Rebels scored a major guitar hit with “Rebel Rouser” in 1958, the same year that “Rumble” by Link Wray & The Wraymen was banned by radio stations for its “suggestive” title.
The Ventures refined instrumentals with brilliantly simple lead-guitar lines layered over rhythm- and bass-guitar melodies. In 1960 their arrangement of “Walk—Don’t Run” landed at #2, the first in a string of instrumental hits by the group.”
“By 1963, surf music was a full-fledged phenomenon that received national attention. A revival of instrumental surf music occurred during the early 1980s and spread worldwide in the 1990s. The music is now more diverse than ever, and there are active surf and instrumental scenes throughout the United States and in Mexico, Brazil, Australia, Japan, and across Europe.”
Despite this recent NYT article documenting how truly awful conditions are right now for airports and the operators of airport concessions, there are some bits of hopeful news.
In addition to snacks and beverages, passengers can build their own souvenir variety 12-pack of Wisconsin-made Leinenkugel’s beer.
MKE also recently celebrated the opening the Bronzeville Crossing retail shop on Concourse C. The shop carries locally crafted goods from the city’s Bronzeville neighborhood.
Take a quick journey through the neighborhood, listen to music, and shop amazing products from local artisans. pic.twitter.com/w1sUrQRXV9
During this pandemic, airlines have cut back schedules and parked airplanes. As a result, airports around the country have closed concourses due to flight inactivity.
But here’s some good news.
Enough flights have come back on the schedule at San Francisco International that the airport will be reopening a concourse in the International Terminal which has been closed since April 1st.
Boarding Area A, which houses Gates A1 – A15, will reopen on September 1, 2020. The Airport has been operating all international flights on a single concourse since the closure.
#SFO is reopening International Terminal A! After five months of being closed due to reduced flight and passenger activity related #COVID19, Boarding Area A will reopen on September 1.
— San Francisco International Airport (SFO) ✈️ (@flySFO) August 17, 2020
13 airports: 1 big virtual music festival
13 airports around the country have put their hearts and efforts together to host a free online music festival Wednesday evening, August 19, starting at 5 p.m. CST.
The show starts at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) and then work its way around the country with short sets by stellar local musicians chosen by the participating airports.
Each airport will be running the event on their respective Facebook Live page.
The rundown is below. Note that Kenny Loggins (remember him from Loggins and Messina?) will be capping off the event for the Santa Barbara Airport (SBA)
Right now face coverings and masks are required in every airport and on most airlines due to continued concerns about the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
There are signs, stickers, and announcements everywhere a traveler turns, but still, not everyone is covering up.
Some people don’t want to mask up and it is reassuring to know that some airlines won’t let those folks fly.
Other travelers may have forgotten their masks or are neglecting to put them on in areas of the airport.
So, to help passengers get with the program, “ambassadors” who are serving as mask nannies are being sent out into airport terminals to help.
Yes, it’s come to that.
At San Francisco International Airport (SFO) “TravelWell Ambassadors” are roving the terminals to make sure passengers wear face coverings and maintain proper physical distancing.
SFO's #TravelWell Ambassadors help ensure that everyone wears a face covering and proper physical distancing. Look for them the next time you're at SFO! pic.twitter.com/qSXD0pBS4G
— San Francisco International Airport (SFO) ✈️ (@flySFO) August 5, 2020
At Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), the mask nannies are called “Travel Safety Ambassadors. They’re on duty in Terminal 1 and in the Tom Bradey International Terminal (TBIT).
Don’t have a mask? No problem. The mask nannies have a supply of them. So there should be no excuses.
Face coverings are required at LAX, and we now have Travel Safely Ambassadors working in Terminal 1 and the Tom Bradley International Terminal to remind guests and provide a free face cover if needed. Thanks for helping everyone #TravelSafelypic.twitter.com/NIHZ1p0CSf
Poetry exhibit at Orlando International Airport (MCO)
Flying by? Make sure to check out: “Words In Flight: A Celebration of Orlando Area Poets” exhibit, themed with flight, travel and transformation poems. 📍 Level 3, near the Checkpoint for Gates 70-129 (by the Starbucks) 🗓️ Through September 30th 👉 https://t.co/FMUaduhyGUpic.twitter.com/6XF5DQixI1
— Orlando International Airport (@MCO) July 14, 2020
Orlando International Airport (MCO) is displaying it first-every poetry exhibition.
The show features poetry by 13 local writers, including Billy Collins, who is the former two-term Poet Laureate of the United States and the current Senior Distinguished Fellow at the Winter Park Institute.
Words in Flight – A Celebration of Orlando Area Poets includes poems inspired by the theme of flight, travel, and transformation paired with photographs from the airport’s archives.
Look for the exhibit through September 30, 2030 in the MCO Main Terminal, near the Checkpoint for Gates 70-129.
At SFO Airport: Eclectic Taste: Victorian Silver Plate
“Produced in large quantities in England and the United States, silver plate was a hallmark of eclectic décor during the Victorian era (1837-1901).
By the late 1800s, many homes featured extensive collections of silver plate. The most elaborate items were found in the dining room and main parlor, where they served a variety of entertainment functions.
Ownership of silver plate became an indicator of social and economic status, and manufacturers created highly specialized and imaginative designs to meet consumer demand.“
Courtesy SFO Museum
Eclectic Taste: Victorian Silver Plate is located post-security in SFO’s Harvey Milk Terminal 1 through December 13, 2020.
We are missing the adventures that start at airports. And we’re missing all the great art and history exhibits that airports around the country offer.
For example, if we could go to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) right now we would take our time exploring some of the ongoing and new exhibitions offered by the SFO Museum.
Extra ‘O’ – African Barbershop and Hairdressing Signs (Terminal 2 Departures through November 1, 2020) features colorful hand-painted barbershop signs. The exhibit also displays items relating to hair in traditional African culture, including headrests, hair combs, and helmet masks.
And a just-opened exhibition features photographs from the early days of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park.
This year marks the 150th anniversary of Golden Gate Park and SFO is hosting an exhibition of historical photographs by photographer R.J. Waters, who documented life in the park between 1896 and 1902.
The exhibition is on view through November 19, 2020, near Gate F5 in Terminal 3 and is part of the citywide celebration of the 150th anniversary of Golden Gate Park.
5 Things We Love About San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
Today Stuck at the Airport kicks off a new feature of short airport profiles celebrating some of the services, amenities and features we love about airports around the world.
We could go on and on (as we often do) about some our favorites, of course.
But to keep things moving along, we are keeping the list for this series to just five things we love about each airport.
Our goal is to add at least one “Five things we love about…” feature each week. But, honestly, we’re just hanging around waiting for the time we can once again step foot into some of these airports, so during the next few weeks we’ll likely be posting a few of these features each week.
If you want to add a note about a feature or amenity you love about an airport that we don’t mention, we encourage you to add it in the comments section below.
Keep in mind: some amenities may be temporarily unavailable due to COVID-19 concerns.
And if you want to sponsor one of the “5 Things We Love About…” entries, get in touch.
5 Things We Love About: San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
Courtesy SFO Airport
1. Museums at SFO Airport
Back in 1999, the SFO Museum was the first airport museum to be accredited by the Americal Alliance of Museums (AAM).
Today, the SFO Museum presents charming and educational exhibitions in more than twenty galleries through the airport terminals.
Courtesy SFO Museum
But that’s not all. SFO is also home to the San Francisco Airport Commission Aviation Museum and Louis A. Turpen Aviation Museum, which is home to a permanent collection dedicated to the history of commercial aviation.
2. SFO’s “Kids Spot” play areas
Kids will definitely enjoy many of the museum exhibitions at SFO Airport, but they’ll also enjoy the interactive Kids Spot areas around the airport, located in Terminals 1, 2 and 3.
3. The SkyTerrace outdoor observation deck
Outdoor observation decks at airports are rare amenities these days. SFO has two.
The Outdoor Terrace in International Terminal 5 is located post-security (near Gate G14) and wooden chairs, tables, chaise lounges, drought-tolerant landscaping, bronze sculptures and 180-degree views of the airfield.
The SkyTerrace is an outdoor observation deck located pre-security in Terminal 2 that also offers great views of the airfield.
4. The Wag Brigade therapy animals
Like many airports, San Francisco International has a team of certified therapy animals that mingles with travelers to provide diversion and reduce stress.
SFO’s team is called the Wag Brigade and includes a charming assortment of dogs and a pig named Lilou.
5. Yoga Rooms
SFO created the first airport yoga room back in 2012. Now there are yoga rooms in Terminal 2 and Terminal 3. And a handful of other airports, include Chicago’s O’Hare and Midway Airports and Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, have yoga rooms as well.
This “Things We Love About Airports” segment is made possible by Reel Women Productions, creator of books, radio documentaries, news and feature articles, and the StuckatTheAirport.com blog.
If you’d like to sponsor an upcoming “Things we love about airports” installment, get in touch.
Very few people are flying right now, but airlines and airports are still in the news.
Masks – on the plane and in the airports
The list of airlines requiring crew members and passengers to wear masks, and the number of airports requiring anyone passing through to cover their mouth and nose keeps growing.
Starting May 4, all customers must wear a face covering while traveling, including in flight, as well as during check-in, boarding and deplaning. Learn more at https://t.co/Yfzwl0sJULpic.twitter.com/kRrZj6K958
Many of these airlines are also requiring that passengers wear masks during check-in, boarding and deplaning. And because an increasing number of airports are and soon will be requiring anyone in their terminals to wear masks, it’s a fair bet that wearing masks in airports is already the ‘new normal.’
Facial coverings must be worn inside the Airport at #SFO. 😷 Wear a facial covering ↔️ Give 6 feet of space between others when possible 🧼 Wash hands frequently 🚫 Essential travel only pic.twitter.com/kWhc0EBbEX
— San Francisco International Airport (SFO) ✈️ (@flySFO) April 29, 2020
— Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (@AUStinAirport) April 30, 2020
On May 6, starting at 5 p.m. CST, 23 airports across North America will be hosting the JetStream Music Festival, an online celebration of local music.
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, located in the “Live Music Capital of the World” will be the official host airport, but the 23 participating airports will each stream the festival on their respective Facebook Live pages and each will feature a local musician from their city. Viewers will be able to tip the performers during each set.
Participating airports include:
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) – host
Albuquerque International Airport (ABQ)
Asheville Regional Airport (AVL)
Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG)
Dallas Love Field Airport (DAL)
Evansville Regional Airport (EVV)
Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International Airport (FLL)
Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT)
Jacksonville International Airport (JAX)
John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH)
John Wayne Airport (SNA)
Lehigh Valley International Airport (ABE)
Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY)
Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport (MKE)
Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP)
Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)
Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT)
Portland International Airport (PDX)
San Diego International Airport (SAN)
Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV)
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ)
Yeager Airport (CRW)
Airports lighting up
Tonight the iconic LAX pylons will be lit gold to celebrate our gold-star employees at Los Angeles World Airports. We thank all of our employees who are working on site and safer at home to keep essential travel and cargo moving. #GoldStandardAirports#Gratitudepic.twitter.com/ZKpXxbhRzz
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Dulles International Airport, San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and many other airports are lighting up their terminals in different colors to show their support for health care workers, first responders, front line workers, hospitality workers and airport and airline employees who are helping people get where they need to go.
No easy job to color this big white place. Super job by our Electricians to help us salute the world's health care professionals! #ManagerMikepic.twitter.com/xE9JEBGSSy
In trying to keep people safe during the current COVID-19 pandemic, an increasing number of government entities around the country now require people to wear non-medical masks or face coverings when out in public.
In many cities, those rules now apply to airports.
— San Francisco International Airport (SFO) ✈️ (@flySFO) April 22, 2020
An extended Stay Home, Work Safe Order from @austintexasgov requires that everyone over the age of 10 wear a face covering over their nose and mouth when in a public building, so if you have essential travel needs, you must wear a fabric face covering while visiting AUS. pic.twitter.com/fzGFjvx2XH
— Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (@AUStinAirport) April 15, 2020
Starting this week, Canada’s Minister of Transport is requiring all air passengers traveling to, through or from Canada to have a non-medical mask or face covering to cover their mouth and nose.
“Aviation passengers on all flights departing or arriving at Canadian airports will also be required to demonstrate they have the necessary non-medical mask or face covering during the boarding process otherwise they will not be allowed to continue on their journey,” Transport Canada said in a statement.
Vancouver International Airport (YVR) jumped right on this rule – and had some fun with it (maybe too much fun?) in a Twitter thread.
Mrs. Doubtfire mask
Pros: It will make your skin look lovely, dear
Cons: Made entirely of cake frosting, does not cover mouth or nose. Ruins a whole cake
Because the schedule for international flights from SFO will be reduced by 52% by April 1, the airport will temporarily close one part of the International Terminal.
On April 1, and through at least through the end of May, SFO will close Boarding Area A (Gates A1 to A15) in the International Terminal and consolidate all international flight departures to Boarding Area G, which houses Gates G1-G14.
The SFO Medical Clinic (in the Int’l Terminal Main Hall, by the A Gates); the Grand Hyatt at SFO and the Int’l Parking Garage A will still be open, but this will allow SFO to close a security checkpoint and consolidate Custom & Border Protection staff.
Consolidation is going on at other airports as well. So if you are traveling, be sure to check the airport and airline websites.
TSA’s COVID-19 Count Keeps Increasing
Over the weekend, TSA updated its map and its list showing
which states and which airports have TSA screening officers who have tested positive
for COVID-19.
On Saturday, March 28, TSA reported that over the past two weeks 55 TSA screening officers have tested positive for COVID-19.
TSA says 19 others who had “relatively limited interaction with the traveling public” tested positive as well.
We hope those officers recover quickly, of course. But if you’ve traveled through an airport in one of the blue states on the map during the past few weeks, be sure to check this list to see which airports are affected.
The list includes the last date the officers worked, the checkpoints they were stationed at and their shift hours.
If you think you may have passed through the checkpoints where these officers were stationed, please be sure to check with your doctor about what steps to take next.
