Airport: Portland, Maine (PWM)

Airport Name: The Portland International Jetport
FAA Sign: PWM
Location: Portland, Maine USA
Airport Web Site: http://www.portlandjetport.org/

A somewhat small airport, serviced by most major carriers. I saw counters for Northwest, Continental, US Air, and United, at least in their "express" varities. Like most small airports, its easy to get in and out of, with a basic configuration of a long terminal building with a multi-deck parking garage across the street.

There's a single security area to get to the gates, and there seems to be about 20 of them. There aren't a whole lot of food and shopping areas, but there is a nice little sit down resturant area in the gate area, and a Starbucks area also. The little gift and sundries shop is actually fairly large and well stocked.

Some of the building design is very bad. The parking deck (and rental car section below) are detached from the terminal building and exposed to the weather. I thought this should have been a little more enclosed, since I imagine that Maine gets somewhat harsh winters. And, you have to be careful which door you walk into. The ticket counters and baggage claim area are below grade from the entrance, and the door into the building across from the rental car area did not have any ramps down to this level!! An amazing cascade of tumbling luggage as I tried to get everything down the steps. Really surprising to have an airport entrance with only steps.

This terminal also is a little cruel to the business traveler. Hardly any electrical outlets to sneak in some battery recharges, no Internet access except for a "business center" that you have to swipe your credit card to get 35 cents a minute for ethernet access. And, no cables available! Surprising, since its so simple to set up a wireless LAN in a building this size.

On the plus side, like most small airports its is incredibly easy to get into town and back to the airport. The terminal is only about three miles away from Portland proper, and it seems somewhat impossible to get lost there (I tried).

Portland is a very nice town to visit, by the way.