This USO is located on the lower lever at BWI. Overhead signs throughout the airport point you in the right direction. Upon arrival, you must register with the USO to use this facility. There are tablets set up for this use at the entrance, as well as staff sitting at the desk if you just have questions or need other assistance. They were friendly and knowledgeable. Once through the registration process, you can look up your name and sign back in on future visits. A few comfy seats are also located in this area by the door.
Baggage must be stored in their baggage room. This is a large room directly across from the reception desk filled with large shelves designed to handle luggage and duffle bags. It makes sense to keep everything in this room, otherwise the waiting area would be stuffed full of bags making it difficult to navigate. As everyone here is in the military, and the staff can plainly see the room there is no worries about security. We kept our backpacks with us for most of our stay, but did store them in this room when we went for a walk.
Once your bags are stowed, walk toward the back. There are no windows back here so no natural light, unlike the reception area. Plenty of overhead lights keep it bright but if you crave sunlight you may prefer the front area by reception. Just let them know.
On your left as you walk back is a large room full of computers. Here you can use their internet services for work or play. We saw several people in here playing online games. Bring headphones for this purpose. Past this room is a larger open area with a snack bar and a large television mounted to the back wall.
In the snack bar area are several tables and chairs, a refrigerator holding sodas, iced tea and the like. Seats also line the side wall here. Closer to 'check-in' time for the Patriot Express, this room was filled and those seats needed. The snack bar is manned and the volunteers there are very nice. We were offered hot coffee, breakfast bars and other pre-wrapped snacks. Hot dogs, burgers and other microwaveable hot items were also available. Not gourmet, but free, so absolutely no complaints here! There is a menu of available items on the wall. Dishes of snack sized candy bars were on each table. I took a couple for the long plane ride ahead and was thankful to have those!
There are several seats in front of the television set up on rows. A small library is also in this area along the side wall. It was crowded here and not easy to navigate the rows or library because it was so busy, but it is certainly a nice amenity to have and clearly being enjoyed by many people. I was not watching so not sure what programming selection is available. Many people were sitting in this area scrolling their electronic devices because seating here is a bit more comfortable. Wifi is available throughout the USO area at no fee.
Down a hall off this area are rest rooms divided by men and women. The ladies room had personal care items available at no cost such as, deodorant, shampoo, toothpaste, as well as a diaper station. Across from the ladies at the end of the hall is a bunk room where you can get a few hours of shut eye. It is softly lit and you are expected to be quiet when in this area. Next to the bunk room is a children's room which was also softly lit with places to sleep and play for the littles who must be supervised at all times.
All of the volunteer staff here were lovely and very helpful. We had many hours between our hotel check-out and airline check-in. The staff told us about a small observation area and we were able to come and go throughout our stay. We just let the staff know we were going for a walk before we headed out.
Just outside the entrance are some USO luggage carts. One woman traveling alone had so many bags a volunteer assisted her to get the items up to the check-in counter area. There is an elevator from the lower level where the USO is located to the upper level, close to the Patriot Express check-in counter.
If you are active duty, retired or dependent, this is a very nice spot to wait for your flight whether it's the Patriot Express, a commercial airline or just need some time for you ride to pick you up. Thank you USO! read more