Originally Posted by
kylemore
Another difference I've noticed is in the checking in process. Once again, in most US airports check in counters line a wall, often times in this pattern:
-----XXX------XXX------
Where the dashes are check in counters and the X's are security.
Airports I've been in within Europe seem to be set up a little different, with check in counters in the middle of a large floor space. The only place I've seen this setup is at IND, which is a brand new terminal. I've also seen check in setups in Europe where you check in for a specific flight, not necessarily for an airline, which I've never seen in the US.
Interesting observation. The international terminals at LAX and SFO and Terminal 7 at JFK also have the "European-style" counter setup, IIRC, although all of those airports have "American-style" counters elsewhere.
Here in Japan, the major international airports (NRT, KIX, and also NGO I think) have "European-style" counters, but domestic airports like HND, ITM and CTS generally have "American-style" counters. One exception is UKB, the new airport in Kobe, which has "European-style" counters, albeit small ones in a small terminal.
By the way, I think MCI has gate security screening, or something very similar.