Better-Designed Airport Bathrooms--And Idea Whose Time Is Now

A big thumbs up to the thinkers at the Raleigh-Durham airport who plan to redesign bathrooms in at least one terminal (that would be the C terminal, home to American, United Express and Air Canada) with bathrooms that acknowledge most travelers now travel with carry-on luggage.

Stalls will be wider and longer so you don't have to park your bags in the open area of the lavatory and hope no one takes them.  Tilted mirrors will be placed above the urinals so men can keep an eye on computer cases even as they're going about their business.  And restrooms will be brighter thanks to floor-to-ceiling translucent glass, allowing soft, natural light.  Construction will be completed next year.

Some of the best design follows function, but it's amazing how few airports are designed with the traveler in mind.  There are too few workstations in public areas.  Too few horizontal resting places where travelers can set things down while accessing an ATM , phone, or bathroom sink.  Charging stations for cell phones and PDAs are too few and far between.  And don't get me started about airports that charge a fee for Wi-Fi.  (My tip is, hang around outside an airline's members-only lounge, and you should be able to piggyback on the free Wi-Fi often offered inside.)

Other airports--please copy Raleigh-Durham's lead on this, won't you?