Carpet in Airports. WHY?!
Feb 24, 2017, 12:37 am
#31
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Location: YVR
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Okay, this is going to be a (probably ridiculous) rant, so here is the quick version:
tl;dr - Carpet is not ideal for rolling suitcases. Airports are full of rolling suitcases. Why in the world would you put carpet in Airports?
I am based out of ORD, so this isn't an issue when I am leaving home, but as soon as I get off the jet bridge at whatever destination, the thing I dread most, is seeing carpet when I step off. I mean, really. I. HATE. IT!
As anyone who travels with a carryon must know, carpet + luggage wheels = UGH! I have never understood why airports insist on using carpet in the airport. It NEVER looks nice (as it only takes about 32 seconds to go from 'freshly installed' to 'the most unsanitary surface known to man'), it must be expensive to maintain, and it absolutely SUCKS for wheeled bags.
I know, some of you are going to say 'try a different bag', but I have tried many, and it's the same story every time. Carpet slows you down and makes pulling a bag worse. Of all the things to complain about, this is obviously ridiculous. I get that, but I just can't understand why it even needs to be a thing. Like for real. Why?
I once ended up chatting with someone who works for the FAA and I was having this same discussion with them. She also agreed that carpet is ridiculous in airports. In fact she told me about how an airport (PHX I think, but I don't recall for sure) was remodeling a terminal a few years back and they spent a ridiculous amount of money finding carpet square replacements during the remodel so that they would match perfectly to the existing ones that didn't have to replaced. She told me it would have been about ⅓ of the cost to just rip up all the carpet and refinish the sub-floor and just use that. GEESH!
I used to travel to FLL quite a bit and I remember that in the US/AA terminal they had carpet by the gates. Then, one day, it was gone...and it was glorious!
When I land in an airport without carpet (especially after a 12 hour flight to) my mind, body and spirit perk up. It is irrational, I know, but that is what happens. When I land at BOM - instant sad face. ZRH? LHR? SZX? Happiness!
Maybe if I could understand WHY airports keep insisting on using carpet I could train myself to appreciate it. I don't know, maybe. I'm open to anyone offering any thought as to why carpet is equal to or better than hard flooring in an airport.
Anyway, I know this was a random rant, but if anyone could sympathize it would be the FT community. Or not. Hopefully there are a few others like me.
tl;dr - Carpet is not ideal for rolling suitcases. Airports are full of rolling suitcases. Why in the world would you put carpet in Airports?
I am based out of ORD, so this isn't an issue when I am leaving home, but as soon as I get off the jet bridge at whatever destination, the thing I dread most, is seeing carpet when I step off. I mean, really. I. HATE. IT!
As anyone who travels with a carryon must know, carpet + luggage wheels = UGH! I have never understood why airports insist on using carpet in the airport. It NEVER looks nice (as it only takes about 32 seconds to go from 'freshly installed' to 'the most unsanitary surface known to man'), it must be expensive to maintain, and it absolutely SUCKS for wheeled bags.
I know, some of you are going to say 'try a different bag', but I have tried many, and it's the same story every time. Carpet slows you down and makes pulling a bag worse. Of all the things to complain about, this is obviously ridiculous. I get that, but I just can't understand why it even needs to be a thing. Like for real. Why?
I once ended up chatting with someone who works for the FAA and I was having this same discussion with them. She also agreed that carpet is ridiculous in airports. In fact she told me about how an airport (PHX I think, but I don't recall for sure) was remodeling a terminal a few years back and they spent a ridiculous amount of money finding carpet square replacements during the remodel so that they would match perfectly to the existing ones that didn't have to replaced. She told me it would have been about ⅓ of the cost to just rip up all the carpet and refinish the sub-floor and just use that. GEESH!
I used to travel to FLL quite a bit and I remember that in the US/AA terminal they had carpet by the gates. Then, one day, it was gone...and it was glorious!
When I land in an airport without carpet (especially after a 12 hour flight to) my mind, body and spirit perk up. It is irrational, I know, but that is what happens. When I land at BOM - instant sad face. ZRH? LHR? SZX? Happiness!
Maybe if I could understand WHY airports keep insisting on using carpet I could train myself to appreciate it. I don't know, maybe. I'm open to anyone offering any thought as to why carpet is equal to or better than hard flooring in an airport.
Anyway, I know this was a random rant, but if anyone could sympathize it would be the FT community. Or not. Hopefully there are a few others like me.
Feb 26, 2017, 3:49 am
#33
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: SEA
Programs: HH Silver
Posts: 2,400
They are replacing all the carpeting at LAS I noticed last week. So much easier to roll your suitcase. It looks fantastic in my opinion.
Casinos is another place where I am hoping carpet goes away. The Peppermill in Reno has carpet with some kind of extra thick padding under it. Great for walking on, but hell to push a wheelchair on.
Casinos is another place where I am hoping carpet goes away. The Peppermill in Reno has carpet with some kind of extra thick padding under it. Great for walking on, but hell to push a wheelchair on.
Feb 26, 2017, 11:01 am
#35
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
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Posts: 3,886
I have seen the carpet pulled up for maintenance at Changi, and the mildew or mold spots underneath were pretty grim. I can't imagine how any airport in SEA thinks that carpet can be a good idea.
Feb 26, 2017, 11:56 am
#36
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Peoria
Programs: Southwest, Best Western Gold, La Quinta, Dollar
Posts: 819
May 16, 2018, 6:01 am
#38
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Iowa,Des Moines
Programs: kelee campus
Posts: 8
The Columbia SC airport has palmetto patterns in the carpet. It is similar to the one used at the Munchausen Casino in Ontario or like here on the homepage - casinobonus-ca.com - the same colors - the same tones. Always a familiar sight when you arrive back. (I can't seem to find any pictures. I guess it doesn't have a following
Last edited by esyorel; Nov 12, 2020 at 1:19 pm
May 16, 2018, 10:31 am
#39
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: BUF
Programs: SkyTean, Star Alliance, HHonors
Posts: 155
I like carpeting. If I'm going to be doing a lot of walking I'd much rather have a softer surface to walk on. It makes a big difference for my knees and hips at the end of the day.
I've never had a problem pulling my suitcase, but I have a two wheeled one and not an upright/spinner.
I've never had a problem pulling my suitcase, but I have a two wheeled one and not an upright/spinner.
May 24, 2018, 6:21 am
#41
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Prince Edward Island
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Posts: 1,582
I like what some of the Vegas casinos (Wynn, Bellagio) do. They have a wide strip of carpet with a border of hard flooring. That way, you can walk on the edge of the carpet while rolling your bag on the hard surface - best of both worlds!
May 24, 2018, 1:30 pm
#42
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Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,808
The problem isn't carpet. The problem is the op's luggage. I have never noticed that the infinitesimal increase from the rolling resistance of carpet has presented me with any more of a burden.
As a matter of fact, I suspect that the carpet actually reduces terminal noise, is easier to maintain, doesn't scuff, can be replaced in tiles, doesn't need to be buffed and polished, and is even a bit easier on the feet.
As a matter of fact, I suspect that the carpet actually reduces terminal noise, is easier to maintain, doesn't scuff, can be replaced in tiles, doesn't need to be buffed and polished, and is even a bit easier on the feet.
May 25, 2018, 9:22 pm
#43
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Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: PDX
Programs: AS DL
Posts: 9,038
PDX has carpet but SEA does not. Let me see. Landside, concourse A, B, C, D, North Satellite. Not carpet. Oh, the seating areas have carpet but not the walkways.
Jun 11, 2018, 1:01 am
#45
Join Date: May 2015
Location: South Florida
Programs: DL Skymiles KE Skypass
Posts: 2,363
The problem isn't carpet. The problem is the op's luggage. I have never noticed that the infinitesimal increase from the rolling resistance of carpet has presented me with any more of a burden.
As a matter of fact, I suspect that the carpet actually reduces terminal noise, is easier to maintain, doesn't scuff, can be replaced in tiles, doesn't need to be buffed and polished, and is even a bit easier on the feet.
As a matter of fact, I suspect that the carpet actually reduces terminal noise, is easier to maintain, doesn't scuff, can be replaced in tiles, doesn't need to be buffed and polished, and is even a bit easier on the feet.
You misunderstood his post, he meant airports in Southeast Asia, not Seattle, Washington. Both probably could be the same, though, because there is a lot of humidity in Southeast Asia, and it seems to be very wet in Seattle as well.
