US Airways - September 2012 - (Page 9)

embark From the Editor The Story Behind the Stories A Transformation # My ﬁrst trip to Charlotte, North Carolina, was in the late 1970s. I spent a weekend poking around and, frankly, found the downtown to be devoid of color, lifeless, and sterile. Nothing was happening — yes, it was clean and felt modern, but it was a far cry from the center-city buzz of my hometown at the time, Philadelphia. Fast-forward 25 years. On a return visit, I was astounded by the changes. Could this possibly be the same town? Charlotte felt big-time. Excellent restaurants, new live-music venues, impressive museums, cool public art, and a booming business scene all convinced me that I was seeing a remarkable transformation. On subsequent visits, the surprises grew. The NFL came to town. The NBA arrived. By Lance Elko Charlotte was on the way to being the nation’s second largest banking center. The airport became an international gateway and one of US Airways’ three hub cities. And this month, Charlotte hosts hundreds of thousands for the Democratic National Convention. On my ﬁrst visit, the metro population was about 900,000. Today, it’s 1.2 million. Charlotte is now in the top 20 largest U.S. cities by population. The United States Conference of Mayors recently named Charlotte the most livable city in the U.S., and Money magazine last year cited the city as one the best places to live. To get a closer look at the Charlotte of 2012, check out this month’s cover story beginning on page 56. Until next time, enjoy your ﬂight. COVER PHOTO BY PATRICK SCHNEIDER Follow us: @USAirwaysMag http://twitter.com/USAirwaysMag http://www.bondurant.com http://www.bondurant.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of US Airways - September 2012

Table of Contents
CEO Letter
From the Editor
Did You Know?
Making It Happen: Flying Past
Hot Spots: Best Group Getaways
Wine & Dine: Best Feet Forward
Adventure: The Joy of Tranquillity
Adventure: The Zac Brown Band
Great Escapes: Nova Scotia
Gear Up: On the Go
An Island Apart: Puerto Rico
Trained for Takeoff
Kentucky: A Great Place to Live and Work
Charlotte, N.C.: Crowning the Queen City
University Spotlight: Liberty University
Puzzles
Readers Resource Index
Your US Airways Guide
Video Entertainment
Audio Entertainment
U.S. and Caribbean Service Map
International Service Map
Airport Terminal Maps
US Airways Fleet/Customs & Immigration
Passenger Info/Contact US Airways
US Airways MarketPlace®
Window or Aisle?

US Airways - September 2012