Roberta Aguirre
Charlotte Douglas International Airport has been using rocking chairs to create a sense of place since 1997. The airport is credited with starting a rocking chair trend that has been replicated by hundreds of airports worldwide. The now-signature white rocking chairs, sourced from Troutman Chair Co., have transformed the fast-paced airport hub into a tree-lined avenue with a front porch, exuding a sense of calm for travellers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Company | Troutman Chair Co. |
| Location | Troutman, N.C. |
| Number of Rockers | More than 100 |
| Color | White |
| Production | Handmade, no automated assembly line |
| Employees | Two dozen |
| Production Process | Each slat is cut, sanded, and painted |
| Frequency of Use | Hard to find an empty rocker |
| Location in Airport | Upper level of the Atrium near the USO Lounge, D/E Connector, Concourse A, Queen's Court in Baggage Claim |
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What You'll Learn
The history of Troutman rockers in airports
The rocking chairs at CLT come exclusively from the Troutman Chair Co., based in Troutman, North Carolina. The company has been crafting chairs for nearly a century and is known for its high-quality, handmade furniture. The owners of Troutman Chair Co., Jean and Champ Land, were frequent travellers at CLT and noticed the uncomfortable rockers initially installed at the airport. They offered their own rockers as a more comfortable alternative, and the rest is history.
The Troutman Rockers, also known as Kennedy Rockers, are tall and straight, with flat wooden slats running up the back and a curved seat. They are named after John F. Kennedy, who used similar rockers to alleviate his back pain. Kennedy had these chairs throughout his life, including in the Oval Office, at Camp David, and aboard Air Force One.
The presence of Troutman Rockers in CLT's Airport Atrium has transformed the fast-paced hub into a relaxing space reminiscent of a tree-lined avenue with a front porch. The white rocking chairs have become a signature feature of the airport, offering a sense of place and respite for travellers. The rockers can be found throughout the terminal, including in Concourse A, the upper level of the Atrium near the USO Lounge, and the D/E Connector.
The popularity of Troutman Rockers in CLT sparked a trend, with hundreds of airports worldwide adopting the idea. Champ Land, the co-owner of Troutman Chair Co., has become the de facto supplier of airport rocking chairs, with his rockers present in about 40 airports across the United States. The chairs have created a sense of community and relaxation in airports, offering travellers a moment of calm in the midst of the hustle and bustle of air travel.
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The comfort of Troutman rockers
The Troutman Chair Company has been making rockers for nearly a century, so it's no surprise that they've perfected the art of comfort. The company is based in Troutman, North Carolina, and has been providing Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) with its signature white rocking chairs since 1997. These chairs have become a beloved fixture at the airport, offering travellers a moment of relaxation in the midst of their busy journeys.
The story of how Troutman rockers came to CLT is quite serendipitous. Jean and Champ Land, the owners of Troutman Chair Co., were regular travellers through the airport. After sitting in some of the early uncomfortable rockers, Champ reached out to CLT, guaranteeing that his chairs were far more comfortable. And he was right—the Troutman rockers were a hit.
The rockers are strategically placed throughout the airport, offering travellers a chance to unwind and take in the views. They can be found in the Airport Atrium, creating a sense of a tree-lined avenue with a front porch. They're also in the upper level of the Atrium near the USO Lounge, providing a perfect perch for people-watching. The rocking chairs in Concourse A offer a stunning view of the airfield, and they can even be found in Baggage Claim, providing a relaxing spot for those waiting to greet arriving passengers.
The comfort and nostalgia evoked by the Troutman rockers cannot be overstated. The rhythmic motion of the rockers has a calming effect, soothing the nerves of even the most harried travellers. The sight of the chairs brings a feeling of familiarity and home, even to those who didn't grow up with rockers or porches. They have become such a symbol of relaxation and gathering that it's not uncommon for passengers to move the chairs to suit their desired view through the terminal windows.
The CLT airport has recognised the transformative power of the Troutman rockers, turning a fast-paced hub into a place of respite. The airport even hosts a crew of massage therapists to ease the muscles of their own crew, ensuring they start the weekend relaxed, just as the rockers do for travellers. The popularity of the Troutman rockers at CLT has sparked a global trend, with hundreds of airports adopting the idea. However, there's no denying that the comfort and charm of the original Troutman rockers are hard to beat.
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The popularity of Troutman rockers
The Troutman Chair Co. has been creating a sense of place at Charlotte Douglas International Airport since 1997. The white Troutman rockers are so popular that they are now a signature item for the airport.
The rockers first appeared at the airport as part of a photography exhibit called "Porch Sitting: A Charlotte Regional Family Album." The exhibit featured oversized images of front porches with real rocking chairs in front of them. The chairs were intended as props, but people sat in them instead—to eat, work, read, and people-watch. When the exhibit ended, the airport received a public outcry to keep the chairs, and so they did.
The rockers are sourced from a small factory situated off Rocker Way in Troutman, N.C. The factory employs around two dozen people who cut, sand, and paint each slat by hand. The chairs are designed with comfort in mind, featuring curved back braces and back slats that envelop your back, graduated side rungs that set the chair at the perfect angle to relieve pressure from your spine, and long runners for easy rocking.
The rockers have been so successful that it's not unusual to find them moved to suit a passenger's desired view through the terminal windows. The calming effect of the rockers has transformed the fast-paced airport hub into a tree-lined avenue with a front porch. The airport hopes that the rockers help send travelers to their destinations a bit more relaxed. The rockers have even helped foster a fairy-tale romance, with one traveler claiming that the chairs are the reason she tries to connect through Charlotte whenever possible.
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The manufacturing process of Troutman rockers
The Troutman Chair Company, established in 1924, has been family-owned since its inception. The company is renowned for its sturdy, high-back rockers with arms braced by anodized stainless steel and with seats and backs crafted from reed caning or slats. The manufacturing process is virtually start-to-finish, with the company purchasing logs and cane from outside suppliers and operating its own sawmill. They also manage sales and distribution. Troutman Chair is unique in that it is probably the last vertically integrated furniture manufacturer in the United States.
- Log Purchasing and Sawmilling: Troutman Chair sources its wood by purchasing logs from outside suppliers and operating its own sawmill. This ensures they have the required type and quality of wood for their furniture.
- Wood Preparation: The logs are cut, sanded, and painted by hand. Each slat is carefully crafted to ensure a smooth and precise finish.
- Joint Construction: Troutman Chair employs an old technique called swelled-joint construction. They mix air-dried and kiln-dried oak and hickory, allowing the pieces to shrink or swell depending on their water content to create tight joints. This technique ensures the structural integrity and longevity of the rockers.
- Assembly: The rockers are then assembled by hand. The company takes pride in its craftsmanship, with about 40 employees working at its 40,000-square-foot manufacturing facility.
- Finishing: Troutman Chair offers a variety of finishes for their rockers, including painted finishes in colours like red, white, green, and Charleston green. They also provide clear and unfinished options.
- Quality Assurance: Troutman Chair is known for its quality manufacturing process. Each chair is carefully inspected to ensure it meets the company's high standards.
- Distribution: The company manages its distribution process, ensuring that the rockers are delivered to their destinations, such as the Charlotte Douglas International Airport.
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The location of Troutman rockers in the airport
The Troutman rockers are located in the Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) in North Carolina. The rockers were first introduced to the airport in 1997 as part of an art exhibit called "Porch Sitting: A Charlotte Regional Family Album". The exhibit featured oversized images of front porches with real rocking chairs intended as props. However, travellers used the chairs as a relaxing place to sit, eat, work, read, and people-watch. When the exhibit ended, there was a public outcry for the chairs to stay, and the airport brought in more Troutman rockers to meet the demand.
Today, there are over 100 Troutman rockers located throughout the CLT terminal. The rockers can be found in various locations within the airport, including the Atrium, where passengers can enjoy the hustle and bustle of the airport while rocking in a tree-lined avenue with a front porch feel. The rockers in the Atrium are often moved by passengers to suit their desired view through the expansive terminal windows. The upper level of the Atrium, near the USO Lounge, offers a great perch for people-watching.
The Troutman rockers can also be found in the D/E Connector between the people movers and the shops, as well as in Concourse A, where passengers can enjoy a view of the airfield while rocking. The Queen's Court in Baggage Claim also has rocking chairs for those waiting to greet arriving travellers. The rockers have become a symbol of gathering and relaxing, offering a respite from the chaos of airport travel.
The Troutman Chair Company, located just a short distance from Charlotte in Troutman, North Carolina, has been supplying the airport with its iconic rockers since 2007. The company, owned by Champ and Jean Land, takes pride in creating quality chairs that are comfortable and durable. The rockers have transformed the airport, creating a sense of place and a feeling of nostalgia for passengers.
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Frequently asked questions
Troutman Rockers are rocking chairs made by the Troutman Chair Company, based in Troutman, North Carolina.
The Troutman Rockers in Charlotte Douglas International Airport are the signature white rocking chairs that have been in the airport since 1997.
The rockers came from the Troutman Chair Company, based near Charlotte in North Carolina. The company's owners, Jean and Champ Land, regularly travelled through the airport and noticed how uncomfortable the chairs were. Champ guaranteed the airport that his rockers were more comfortable, and the airport began purchasing chairs from the company.
The Troutman Rockers can be found in various locations throughout the airport, including the upper level of the Atrium near the USO Lounge, the D/E Connector between the people movers and the shops, Concourse A, and the Queen's Court in Baggage Claim.
The airport chose to use Troutman Rockers because they are comfortable and create a sense of place and relaxation for passengers. The rockers have transformed the fast-paced hub into a tree-lined avenue with a front porch, exuding a special sense of place for the millions of passengers who pass through each year.
