Hi all. I'll be flying into IAH on business for the first time in a few weeks. Arriving from CLT on Monday evening and flying back out on a Wed morning. Anything about IAH I should know? Security, eating places, Free WiFi anywhere? Smoking bars, etc.

TIA

Safe travels.

Tim

Here's a good link: www.fly2houston.com

Not about IAH, but... you will be miserable after 2.5 hours in a CRJ-900 (US: Mesa)

Ugh.... yea, not enthusiastic about that. I'm 6'3", 280 so the small RJ's are not my first choice.

IAHFlyer, thanks for the link. I've heard this airport is pretty nice, looks good on the net anyway. Guess I'll find out.

Thanks, safe travels.
Tim

Last time I was there, they still had free Wi-Fi that you could hit from just outside the CO Presidents Club. I think there is also a Pappadeaux restaurant (from the post below, perhaps this is a Pappasitos instead) if you want an alternative to fast food.

Head for Concourse E and have some Pappasitos fajitas...best in the country.

"Last time I was there, they still had free Wi-Fi that you could hit from just outside the CO Presidents Club."

If by hit, you mean steal then that might work. The people who paid a few hundred bucks to be in there don't really appreciate it that much.

It is a Pappadeaux in Terminal E. It is Cajun/Creole food. Didn't realize they had fajitas there.

The only problem might be that US arrives/departs in Term. A and I don't know if you can ride on the bus to Term. E or if it is only for CO customers...otherwise one has to go out of the secure area.
Oh, and I don't think there's any free WiFi in Term. A anywhere, actually there's not much after security at all...

On the plus side, I have never had to wait at the security checkpoint in Term A for more than 5 mins.

David

Now THAT'S the best news I've heard all day!

Yeah, that's consistent with my experiences there.

I just wish UA (or some other *Alliance airline) would serve HOU!

US, UA and AC all fly into IAH in Terminal A.

Having gone to and fro for the past 9 weeks, I can tell you that behind security there is:
- Smoothie place, McDonalds, Pizza, Mexican, candy shop, 3 gift shops, 1 restaurant, 1 coffee stand

Go to the restaurant - the only terminal worse behind security than IAH-TermA I find is LGA-Central Terminal pier A

Just wondering what airline you will be arriving on, which will of course will determine your arrival terminal.

If UA, which I fly very often into and out of IAH, do not expect too much relative to a UA hub. Although as you likely know, Houston is the 4th most populace city in the US (some say #3), UA has very modest presence at IAH,in my opinion.

Regarding smoking, as far as I know, no inside the terminal options at this time but unlike SFO, etc. smoking is apparently permited outside with no restrictions I know of at this time. (However, please be advised smoking regulations may change very rapidly in Houston, TX and hence at the airport. I do not know how the city will modify the smoking choices at the terminals but I suspect there will be more restrictive changes in the next few weeks.

Oh yes, no RCC of course at IAH .

Several anti-smoking zealots on the city council are furthing their agenda by proposing a very stringent no smoking ordinance in restaurants AND BARS. They are grudgingly willing to allow locations with outdoor patios to be permissible areas, but only as a temporary compromise. They have stated a preference for an all-out ban, city wide.

For now, bars are ok. Some restaurants, with seperate air handling systems, are ok. Private hotel rooms and certain private functions in public areas are ok. In these instances, the owner of the property may decide whether to permit smoking, ordinances to the contrary notwithstanding. Outdoors, except withing 25' of a public entrance to a public building is ok. This could be moot following the next council meeting

US, GSO to CLT, connecting to IAH. Full segment, don't even get out of my seat. My corp travel office does the bookings for us. When she checked direct out of CLT, it was over $800. Same flight coming out of GSO with a stop in CLT was +-$350. Go figure....

Unless delayed, I probably won't be in the term very long on the way back, but it would be nice to grab a quick bite and a little nicotine before boarding.

Thanks all. Safe travels.

Tim