Philadelphia, PA: I've been to a good chunk of airports in my day and they're usually filled with waiting in long lines, dealing with annoyed (and often times, sleepy) security employees and walking and walking and walking to get from one terminal to another.
Today, in New Haven, CT, I encountered the smallest airport in the world. Ok, I haven't been to EVERY airport in the world, but compared to the ones I have flown out of or into, this one takes the cake. And it's an itty bitty cake.
After exiting the interstate when we saw signs for "
New Haven Tweed Airport", the bus turned down a picture perfect East Coast street, with brilliant orange and gold and ruby leaves topping the trees that lined it. The only problem (besides the sound of branches scraping the bus roof -- ouch!) was that this didn't feel much like a road leading to an airport. No busy highway or long term parking signs... in fact, it felt like we were driving to someone's backyard....
And then, there it was. Almost literally in someone's backyard. I got a little nervous as we pulled up to the curb outside the one set of double doors -- did I mapquest the right airport? All I remember is that we were flying to Nashville via Philadelphia on US Airways. After walking inside to the counter -- the ONE counter -- I knew we were in the right place.
Turns out US Airways (Express, by the way) is the ONLY airline servicing the New Haven Tweed Airport and they ONLY fly to Philadelphia! It felt like we were in a B-rated version of "
Groundhog Day."
As much as I pshawed at the idea of using an airport that virtually forced you to the City of Brotherly Love, I soon changed my tune when I discovered it took me only 25 minutes to check in 7 people and 8 pieces of luggage, go through security with 14 carry-ons (including a guitar, a fiddle and a pair of drum sticks) and get to the gate (1 of 4) to be greeted with free airport wireless internet.
I will most likely not be flying out of New Haven, CT anytime in the near future, but if I ever need to get to Philly in a hurry, it might not be a bad idea to start there.
