If I’m flying, most of the time it’s on American Airlines so Baggage Claim 3 is where I go to collect my suitcase. At ABIA, it’s also the home to several wonderful guitar sculptures, each decorated by a local artist to indicate one aspect of Austin life. The guitar theme seems pretty appropriate since, as you get off any plane at ABIA, you are greeted by a sign that welcomes you to the “Live Music Capital of the World”.
They take local character very seriously at ABIA. Local musicians play live gigs on an airside stage, all the concession stands are run by local businesses (no McDonalds or Burger King here) and the recorded announcements are all voiced in Texas accents. Come and see what I mean – it’s so much less generic than pretty much every other north American airport I’ve flown through.
Well, it is the home of Austin City Limits, so I can definitely see this! Never flown thru there but may have to now so I can see this in person! Very cool!
Jim Denham´s last post ..Columns
Very nice photo. Did you have to get permission to shoot inside the airport?
Thanks, Jim. Make sure and let me know when you’ll be visiting and I’ll show you around.
R.G. – The airport commissioned me to shoot the whole facility last summer and this is one of the shots taken then. I can pretty much guarantee that, if you just showed up with a tripod and started taking this kind of picture, you would have a security person talking to you within minutes. They approached me several times but, thankfully, a radio call was enough to convince them that I was not a terrorist casing the building for some nefarious activity or other!
I remember that baggage claim very well. Great shot!
Justin´s last post ..The Most Beautiful Bay
Excellent composition and processing. Is the “Back Room” still in downtown Austin? I saw Willie Nelson play there in the mid-70’s.
John Sotiriou´s last post ..Bancroft’s Castle
Thanks, John. I’m sorry to have to let you know that the Back Room is now closed though.