Customer service counters with specialized equipment may be used in airports and other settings. Counters in an airport may be used, for example, for ticketing, check-in, and baggage drop off services. Some aspects of the disclosure provide a modular counter system including a counter comprising at least one counter section. Each counter section includes a respective upper panel comprising a respective work surface, and a respective equipment pedestal bay, below the upper panel, for receiving one or more respective portable equipment pedestals therein. The system may further include the one or more respective portable equipment pedestals for each counter section. Each portable equipment pedestal is receivable within the corresponding equipment pedestal bay. The portable equipment pedestals may be configured for a particular user and/or service and may be swapped with one or more other pedestals configured for a different user and/or service.