In 1995 a buddy told him to check out a six-person call center running out of an air-conditioned trailer at a minimum security prison.

FORBES: Companies, People, Ideas

But if you've had your fill of security checks, Space Mountain-size ticketing lines and the general cattle-call atmosphere of major airports, smaller air-transit hubs are packed with sweet surprises and can make for a less stressful and, dare we say it, far more pleasurable trip.

WSJ: Instant-Upgrade Airports

From my cosy cocoon, I heard the call and response of birds zipping electrically through the night air, the staccato rhythm of galloping hooves, the whoop of hyenas stalking fresh meat.

BBC: The Serengeti in the off-season

The best controllers, they say, maintain a constantly moving mental picture of all their air traffic -- what they call situation awareness.

CNN: Can technology fix the FAA's air traffic troubles?

One of the two Australian DJs who made a prank call to the London hospital where the Duchess of Cambridge was being treated is back on air.

BBC: Michael Christian

The rivalry peaked a couple of years ago, when Broward reportedly poached a Carnival Cruise call center and a Delta Air Lines reservations group.

FORBES: Miami Vise

The radio services at each harbour can call upon the volunteer crews of the RNLI lifeboats stationed in each island and on Channel Island Air Search, based at Guernsey Airport.

BBC: Channel Island rescue services renamed coastguard

The congressman apologized Thursday for his "lack of civility" and said he had been directed to call the White House to clear the air.

NPR: Obama Continues His Push For A Health Overhaul

Tony Tyler, head of the International Air Transport Association, also used a speech in Delhi Tuesday to call for more cooperation between government and the industry to leverage the Indian market's potential, noting that domestic passenger traffic actually dropped last year.

WSJ: Regulator De-Registers 17 Kingfisher Jets