I feel presidential inaugurations are a lot like Super Bowls—it doesn’t matter who is playing, a lot of people travel to see it happen. But the travel industry seems a little busier than my memory serves about inaugurations past. The media keeps talking about record crowds and how hard it is to get tickets—they are probably right, I haven’t tried. If my Super Bowl analogy holds true, then a presidential inauguration is probably best viewed on television in the comfort of your own home or office—or home office. No $8 hot dogs, no security lines, and climate controlled. Did I mention I have never been to a Super Bowl either?

I vote in every election but I have never been much of a political wonk. I am also one of those Texans whose winter and summer wardrobes are about the same except for a coat. I don’t much like the cold, I find it easier to cool off than to warm up, and it is apt to be cold in D.C. in January. Okay, back to the topic at hand.

Barack Hussein Obama II will be sworn in as the 44th president of the United States next week and Southwest Airlines is gearing up for the crowds (at our airports, not the capitol steps). I hope the weather is nice, not only for the people in attendance but the days surrounding the event for travel purposes.

Southwest Airlines has added extra flights into the D.C. area airports which are Baltimore/Washington International Airport (BWI) 28 miles from the nation’s capital; Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) 23 miles; or Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) 123 miles. If you are one of the lucky inauguration ticket holders, or just a party goer, and don’t have travel plans yet, give southwest.com a try. There are some good travel tips on the home page—good for any busy travel period, not just inaugurations.

My guest on this episode of Red Belly Radio is Monica from our Legislative Communications and Grassroots group and she knows quite a bit about the election process, but we talk mostly about fun facts about President Elect Barack Obama—including his new Secret Service code name. See the title of this blog for a hint—and it's not red or belly.