things I like about pdx

1. On site rental cars!
Anyone who has ridden the bus for 30 minutes through the arrivals mess at LAX can sympathise with me here. Walking across the street to in garage rentals is a sheer joy. This is also the case at YYC and SEA. The next best way to go is a single shuttle or train (I prefer trains to almost everything!). SFO, SMF, and SJC have this system, it works well, and reduces congestion.
2. Still the cheapest beer!
The portland brewing company pizza parlor outside security in the food court has raised the price on a 25oz microbrew to $7 even, no sales tax. Compare that with the 9.25 domestic pints available at the expedia lounge in san jose, or the equally exorbitant prices in dallas. And all the Fat Tyre you can drink at one low price.
3. Elegant and attractive!
The white steel framework of the canopy over the departures driveway, the pair of bridges to the terminal from the garage, the ivy drooping down from the planters opposite the main terminal, and the clean, white and green appearance within get an A for attitude and futurism. I think SFO was trying for this effect with the international terminal, but a trip to SFO terminal 2 leaves some major bad tastes in one's mouth. SeaTac has a cold, mechanical feel throughout the terminals, with the possible exception of terminal A, which seems more like the color and tone of Lambert field. No wonder they put Southwest out there.
4. Free WiFi.
No more vexing pinch than firing up your laptop, seeing hotspot signs everywhere, having an hour to kill, and being asked for $9 to buy a day pass to access the network. Starbucks has a similar pay as you use scheme through TMobile. Given the ubiquity of free internet, the number of wireless networks available, it seems sinful to expect a traveller on an average of 90 minutes layover to buy time in 24 hour increments. Free is both a statement of progressivism and a marketing gimmick. albuquerque sunport, sacramento, and numberous small airports are offering this service. Corner shop coffee houses use it to get you out of starbucks. Why can't more airports spend the $200/mo and splurge on everyone's behalf?
5. Accessible by mass transit and micro transit.
PDX will become the second airport in the US (after Logan) to offer downtown to terminal bike path and racks on site. The MAX runs direct to the terminal (a personal favourite of mine is to take the trains to Midway airport. OHare seems a bit far for a train ride, but it is no more expensive on CTA). SFO has Bart and Caltrain, SeaTac expects trains by 2009, and I have taken the bus on long layovers for about $1.50 to downtown, it's much better food than the Anthony's in the airport.
6. Located near downtown.
Maybe I was spoiled by this while living in San Diego. I could walk from my apartment down harbor drive to the terminal, safely, with no hassle. Landing in San, a lightly packed tourist could get to the trolley in under a mile, and downtown in under three. PDX is inside the portland city limits, and only 9 miles from the Willamette river.
7. Decent Books.
Airports ought to have a sign that reads:
Newest hit from Mitch Albion, the eight books you'll find in every airport, and a few fashion magazines. Last time I spent a few minutes in the Powells Books at PDX I picked up Don Juan by Byron. Tonight it's Dawkins's Selfish Gene. I guess there is more to life than real estate investing.