Airport washroom attendants. Yes, they do exist. Don't be frightened when you enter the bathroom at Charlotte-Douglas International Airport, because there will be an airport employee there to greet you, guide you to an available stall, and even pump the hand towel machine for you. It's weird and potentially off-putting and no other US airport seems to have this, so what's the deal with them?

The issue of the CLT bathroom attendants is pretty common; even skateboarder Tony Hawk has tweeted about them, and it wasn't until a friend ran into them during a US Airways layover this weekend that we realized how unsettling the unexpected interaction can be. Heck—the best restaurants and five-star hotels with happening lobby scenes don't even use attendants any more. So why this airport? ]]> JetSetCD 2011-04-11T16:44:05-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2011/1/12/141413/507
Some old school US Airways planes

Who doesn't love a good travel rant? Well we're here to make you day with a sweet little rant from Jaunted writer Omri, who had the pleasure of checking a bag and having it lost in transit. It sucks, sure, but then it became a nightmare. Now let's get to the ranting...

Welcome to Part I of our two-part series on the borderline comedic but mindblowingly frustrating experience we're having with US Airways. Last Sunday they were supposed to get us from Washington DC to Los Angeles on a couple of morning flights, with everything being wrapped up by about 10am. Fast forward to 7:30pm Sunday night and we've gone through four flights at three airports on two airlines, all over 14 hours...and the airline lost our luggage. The emphasis is on lost because—had they merely delayed our luggage—we wouldn't need two different posts to peel back the many layers of airline incompetence on display.

But we do need two posts, because this has been such a learning experience and—if we here at Jaunted are about anything—we're all about learning. So today we'll go over what happened and the things we learned about the airports we "visited." And on Friday we'll dive into our in-depth investigation of their baggage recovery policy, complete with stonewalling by US Airway's press people. Preview: outsourcing baggage recovery services to India is fun for everyone, except anyone who loses baggage.]]> Omri 2011-01-12T15:31:07-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2010/10/18/2112/6215

The most visceral memories of this member of Jaunted’s recent All You Can Jet experience? Not seeing Niagara Falls or hitting up New York Fashion Week, but dealing with the full-body scanners we found on our travels.

We saw a few of them so we had time to suss out what it’s like to have one, to refuse one, and the best ways to dodge them. More on that later in the week, but for today, we’re showing you what the set up looks like.

This is what you’ll see as you approach the scanner. Or rather, what you should see. We were greeted by these pictures in Buffalo, Charlotte and Boston, but in Pittsburgh, where they also had the scanners, there was (eeek) no warning.]]> juliab 2010-10-18T09:30:05-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2010/5/18/101823/008

On a recent layover at the Charlotte Douglas International Airport, we noticed these cute rocking chairs just outside the E gates. Even better, several of the chairs were located near outlets meaning you could charge your phone, observe the tarmac scene and rock yourself. And if you want to use your laptop, CLT has free WiFi! Pretty cool!

Another interesting service we noticed at CLT was that they have bathroom attendants in the bathrooms. Yes, just like the ones you see in NYC restaurants and fancy nightclubs. We liked this service because the bathrooms were nearly pristine and very orderly. But the pressure to tip--a plastic jar with the word "HAVE A NICE DAY" on them--was uncomfortable. Eeee.

Related Stories:
· Plane Spotting coverage [Jaunted]
· Airport WiFi coverage [Jaunted]
· CLT Airport [Official Site] ]]> juliana 2010-05-18T13:15:38-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/6/22/71021/0656

Despite the slowdown in the travel industry and flight capacity cuts, US Airways is moving forward with a new route to Honolulu. Beginning on December 17—ideal timing for Christmas vacations—the airline will be sending a Boeing 767 all the way to Hawaii from Charlotte. This will be the airline’s longest nonstop flight from its North Carolina hub, with the 10-hour flight easily beating out trips to Europe.

Tickets are available now, and if you really want to get on the very first trip, it looks like it will set you back about $964. We’d look for a better deal, since there probably won’t be too much fanfare to celebrate this inaugural voyage. At least it leaves at 9:45am, so you’ll be able to kick-off your tropical trip when you arrive at 2:59 pm Hawaii time.

Our biggest concern with this new plan is that it’s a really lengthy flight on an airline not known for their in-flight amenities. Remember that they just recently reversed their position on charging for drinks. And a quick reference check of our handy dandy in-flight entertainment guide reveals that we’ll be struggling with an overhead movie and 10 channels of rad music—if we’re lucky.

At least once the plane lands in the Aloha State, all will be well with the world—until you fly home.

Related Stories:
· US Airways To Offer A Nonstop Flight To Hawaii [Charlotte Observer]
· Sip Pre-Flight Mai Tais Upstairs In Delta's Newish 747 To Hawaii [Jaunted]
· Airline News coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: John Creasey] ]]> kjb 2009-06-22T12:47:15-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/2/19/154445/047

Contribute your airport wireless report by leaving it in comments, uploading your airport photo to Jaunted Flickr Photo Pool, or via email, and we will add it to our U.S. Airport Wireless map.

We'd hate for you to forget about our Airport WiFi Guide, our up-to-date map of spots with free Internet access.

Reader Bruce wrote in to tell us about the situation at Charlotte-Douglas International, which sounds pretty cushy:

Charlotte-Douglas offers *free* wi-fi in all concourses, lounges and restaurants, even on the land side. There are comfy rocking chairs and accessible power outlets everywhere, too. And yes, this is full access, not just a jump to the paid service vendors.

We also hear that San Diego, Virgin America's latest destination, has free internet access. Further north, Sacramento International has a free signal throughout its facilities.

Keep sending in those tips, WiFi fans!

Related Stories:
· Best US Airports for WiFi [Jaunted]
· Airport WiFi coverage [Jaunted]]]> pbb 2008-02-19T15:50:01-05:00 Search Jaunted string http://www.jaunted.com/search/