A Closer Look New Shops Take Off at D/FW

Holiday air travel means traffic is tedious, parking is problematic and long lines are laborious, so an early arrival at D/FW Airport is your best flight plan. But don’t worry, you won’t suffer from terminal boredom after you’ve checked in your luggage.

More than 100 restaurants, 96 shops and 10 cyberbooths will be open at D/FW by the holidays and more are planned. Many are upscale and original in concept, and, to make them even more attractive to patrons, the airport has restricted vendors from charging more than 5 percent above “community rates.” And, unlike the average power center, everything is open according to flight schedules, from approximately 7 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. You may wish you had more time on the ground!



Cyberbooths

GTE’s Atcom/lnfo kiosks, a D/FW premiere, make on-line services readily available. At these four-sided, pyramid-shaped cyberbooths, users can surf the Internet, play video games and send or retrieve e-mail. Millennium pay phones include a dataport that allows a user to connect a laptop to send and receive faxes. Fees run about $5 for 15 minutes.

At the American Airlines AAccess Showroom (terminal 2E. gate 12) passengers can try the new AAccess Interactive Travel Network, which includes “booking tools” that assist with travel arrangements, car rentals and hotel reservations, and offer access to records of AAdvantage miles earned.



Shopping

You can browse through shops with everything from the latest titanium golf clubs to authentic Mexican pottery. While you shop, overhead monitors offer news updates.

Two of the airport’s most interesting stores are La Bodega and Mercado Gifts. La Bodega (terminal 2E, gate 6). owned by Gina Puente, is the world’s first airport micro-winery. The gift shop features 32 Texas wines, gourmet foods, decanters, glasses and other wine-related accoutrements in a cellar-like atmosphere. Wines can be sampled here. Mercado Gifts (terminal 2E, gate 8; terminal 4E, gate 7) are delightful adobe-style Mexican markets, owned by Berta Banta and Irma Vallejo, that offer embroidered sombreros, maracas, serapes and falsas (throws or blankets), food items, toys and more.

The Paradies Shop, the nation’s most suecessful airport gift shop company, is the creative force behind The Retail Court {terminal 4E, gate 16), a mini-mall with select products from Sharper Image. Timberland, Local Color. Official Sports and Café To Go.

Along with the latest advances in golf equipment, the PGA Tour Shops (terminal 4E, gate 18; terminal 2￡, gate 20) offer PGA tour merchandise and apparel. You can relax in the easy chairs with monitors tuned to PGA events or putt on the practice green.

Jethro Pugh, former defensive tackle for the Dallas Cowboys, has taken his fascination with the wild West and created Paradies-Pugh (terminal 2E, gate 23), Featuring Western items and fine leather goods, the shop has an authentic atmosphere that includes a full-size bull leaping out of its stall. Not to be outdone. Fort Worth’s famous Billy Bob’s, the world’s largest honky-tonk, has a fun souvenir outpost at terminal 3E, gate 34.

And. you can buy a football signed by Troy Aikman at Signatures Ink and Company (terminal 3E, gate 34). The shop specializes in sports memorabilia, including autographs, apparel and equipment.



Refreshments

Most airlines no longer provide food service on domestic flights under two hours, so now you must to know where to find food at the airport- and coffee, a favorite pick-rne-up for the weary traveler. Look for Coffeehaus at terminal 3E, gate 27; terminal 3E. gate 36; and terminal 2W, gate 3. At Benjamin Book Store and Café (terminal 2E, gate 7; terminal 3E, gate 35; terminal 4E, gate 13} you can pick up the latest best-seller and enjoy a pastry and cappuccino. Bridges Gourmet Coffee is now open in terminal 2E. gate 23 and terminal 2W, gate 22.

If you want to relax with a cocktaiI, the Texas Stadium Sky Box {terminal 3E, gate 35: terminal 2E, gate 38; terminal 2W, gate 3) are Dallas Cowboys-themed sports bars.

Los Amigos (terminal 2E. gate 22; terminal 2E, gate 16) serves Mexican food at its freshest. Pico de gallo is made every morning. Auntie Anne’s has hot, chewy, buttery pretzels served with a variety of toppings at terminal 2E, gates 16 and 23; terminal 3E. gate 34; and terminal 4E, gate 15. A local taste of barbecue can be had at Dallas-based Dickey’s (terminal 2E. gate 10; terminal 3E, gate 26; and terminal 4E, gate 12).

If an old familiar name is a welcome sight. TGI Friday’s (terminal 3E, gates 20 and 27 and terminal 2W, gate 6) and Chili’s (terminal 2W, gate 13; terminal 3E, gate 31) offer sit-down dining, Fast food perennials McDonald’s, Wendy’s. Burger King and Taco Bell are here. For pizza, try Pizza Inn, Pizza Hut Express. Mr. Gatti’s or East Side Mario’s. And you can also find a local favorite for Mexican, ZuZu’s.

The Secure Traveler

When you arrive at the security checkpoint, you can only hope that the people ahead of you in line know the latest airport protocol. You can bypass a long wait if you comply with the following suggestions:

At Home

Do not pack hazardous materials such as matchbooks, flammable liquids or lighters in luggage. Fireworks are forbidden.

Do not gift-wrap presents ahead of time as they may be opened for inspection.

Make certain that the name and address on the identification tag matches the name on the ticket.

Pack medications, cash, jewelry, cameras, computers, business papers or other valuables in your carry-on bag.

Airlines will strictly enforce carry-on baggage limits, especially during the holidays. Two bags for a total of about 70 pounds is the usual limit, and remember that the overhead bin and underseat storage space will be limited.

Allow for extra time. Airline personnel recommend arriving about one hour in advance of your flight.

At the Airport

Have your photo identification ready.

Be prepared to answer questions and to open your bags for inspection.

Do not leave your luggage unattended; do not ask strangers to watch your bags.