BNA Republic as in, this is its own separate reality. My favorite part are the country music entertainers who have recorded "this is so & so, welcome to nashville" that blare every 20 minutes or so, I mean where the heck is that going to happen besides here in Music City? It's endearing.

Nashville airport ROCKS!
In fact, it is the only airport I would ever consider arriving 4 hours before my flight.  

Here is why:

1) Live music - all the time.  Even at 10 am in the morning.
2) It is International.
3) They have a full nail salon INSIDE the secure area.  That is right my friends -   pedicures and manicures while you wait.
4) They have a health clinic inside security.  I got my flu shot and could have had a WHOLE lot more but did not need it.
5) They allow smoking  (ok - for the record I am NOT a smoker) but I found it to be quite funny that they have a fancy cigar bar RIGHT next to the health clinic.  
6) People are nice - like genuine (even the TSA people).
7) They are the home to the Moon Pie and you can buy cases of them for your loved ones at the gift shop.

Only downside - No free WIFI  but hey....I will take everything else with a big smile and who knows, you just might run into Faith Hill or Toby Keith!

Also I really would like to point out that it's probably one of the cleaner airports I've ever been in and in fact parts of Terminal 1 seem more like a mall than an airport. Every time I've flown in the past couple years it's never been atrociously busy or crowded - or maybe I'm just used to real crowds at LAX, my home airport for 25 years.  The last time I flew I got a taxi on an icy night in zero seconds and was home within 30 minutes of getting off the plane, I swear it.

My only peeve is really with the security. Full body scan, really? Also driving in to and out of the airport always seems to change and is down right confusing. But neither of these things are really that terrible. If you're traveling you best just be patient and deal with it or you'll just create more misery, because lets face it in this case it's really about the destination and not about the journey there (flight there). Nashville reminds me more of a regional airport similar to that of Burbank, but slightly larger. If you need to get to Nashville from LA, take a direct flight from LAX on Southwest. When you land, you'll definitely know your at the home of Country music. Don't forget your cowboy boots. Get ready for even the Nashville Airport Hotels to give you a great big wallop of country and western hospitality.

And finally a tip on BNA Airport parking - If you are like me and don't like relying on a taxi to get to and from the airport, you can park in the economy section for $8 a night, or set up a park and fly package and park for free.

10-04-2017