The TSA grope.
Posted on 12/23/2016 9:20:37 AM PST by SamAdams76
Nobody allows extra time anymore. Everybody gets all stressed out for no good reason. Especially around the Christmas season.
I like to wait at airports and delays don't bother me. In fact, I try to arrive at the airport around four hours ahead of my flight time so that I have a "built-in" delay even if everything else about my flight happens on time. In fact, I get disappointed when I am "late" for my early arrival. If for some reason, for example if my business meeting runs long, and I only show up two and a half hours before my flight, I am disappointed.
I think people would have less stress in their lives if they did not rush to and fro. For example, when I go to the shopping plaza, especially around Christmastime, I try to park way in the back of the lot - where nobody else but maybe employees park. Then I have a leisurely walk to the stores and a leisurely walk back. I am not among those jockeying for position in the busiest part of the parking lot where everybody is stressed and honking their horns and making grimaces with their face and hostile gestures with their arms and fingers.
But back to the airport. For me, it's usually a great experience and none of the waiting in lines and other hassles that bother others bother me. To me, it's fun.
If I am fortunate enough to arrive at least four hours early, I do my mobile check-in and get my baggage taken care of so that all I have with me is my carry-on which consists of all my mobile devices (iPad, Kindle, etc), the associated power adapters and battery boosters, and an old-fashioned book (just in case all electronic devices fail - which hasn't happened yet).
Then I take a nice leisurely walk around the terminal area, getting the lay of the land. Finding out where the best food places are and scoping out where the pubs and coffee shops are. If it's a large airport, I'll tour all the terminals within reason, always keeping track of where I am in relation to the gate and terminal I need to ultimately get back to in order to catch my flight.
As I'm walking around, I like to check out the other people. I'm a people-watcher. Oftentimes I see others stressing out and looking anxious. I feel bad for them as it should not be that way.
If it's in the morning, I hit a coffee shop, connect to Wi-Fi and surf the web while I sip it. Or I might read a book on my Kindle. If it's in the afternoon or evening, I'm sitting at the bar at one of the pubs, nursing a draft beer or two while doing the same. All so leisurely as I'm in no rush. I do try not drink too much beer and coffee because once on the plane, I do not want to have to get up to use the lavatory. I have a pretty strong bladder though so unless it's a very long flight, I'm usually good. But I always make sure that I do hit the terminal restroom before boarding the plane whether I feel I need to go or not.
In addition to some good exercise through walking, I get a lot of reading and web surfing done at the airport. I'm in no rush at all. When I do need to pass through TSA security to get to my gate area, it doesn't bother me how long the line is. I get immersed in my mobile media and sometimes the people in back of me have to prod me to move forward. I find the TSA people very friendly and have never had a bad experience. I take off my shoes and belt and empty my pockets. I put all my electronic gadgets in the little plastic bin with keys, wallet, comb and whatever loose change I have. It's fun to pick that stuff up on the other side and put it all back in my pockets and carry-on bag.
If my flight does get delayed, I'm not worried. I have so much to read on my Kindle and if I'm somehow not able to keep my mobile devices charged, I have a regular book to pull out and read. When people around me moan, groan and sigh when the delays are announced, I'm secretly happy about it because now I have more private time to get some good reading done.
Well that's about it. I just wanted everybody to know that I like to wait at airports and that if you come to the airport prepared, you will like to wait at airports too and your Christmas will be merrier without all the stress and unnecessary aggravation.
Thanks.
I used to be a 150K miles/year business traveler. I didn’t mind a wait..except for that #@!%$! CNN on all the waiting area TV’s
Some places always gotta lag behind.
Ill do that at some airports, except for DFW, it has the ambiance of a 1970’s Eastern European bus station.
The TSA grope.
Denver is my favorite airport.
First thing I do when I fly in, is go to the west side of the terminal and look at those beautiful mountains.
Then I get to look around and get a little dose of the "southwest".
I like some of the restaurants.
I have one place I really like and that's an art gallery of Thomas Mangelsen.
“always”, too.
My simultaneous root canal and IRS audit would cost me less money, take less time, be conducted by more pleasant people in far cleaner conditions, and leave me with a smile.
Bring back the Pony Express!
In fact, you never know who you're going to see.
I was waiting for in Rhode Island for a flight to Atlanta last year and noticed Rick Medlocke and Gary Rossington of Lynyrd Skynyrd waiting at the gate also (they had played at a local venue the night before). I don't think anyone knew who they were because they were mostly by themselves.
I packed up my stuff and sauntered over, introduced myself and just started chatting and telling them how much I have followed their careers and enjoyed their music. Rick was pleased and quite engaging but I didn't make a nuisance of myself.
BTW...Gary Rossington seems to be quite shy. He was sort of hiding behind Rick, who is not a small guy.
Some truth they may have been better, but still some nice sites if you keep your eyes open.
There’s a game I always play by myself...I hold my breath until I see another hot woman. As soon as I see one, I take a breath. Last week I made it to my gate at the far end without passing out or cheating!
The Eastern Air Shuttle was the best.
I was crushed when WalMart opened a third checkout line on Black Friday.
If it wasn’t for airports, CNN would have as much viewership as PMsNBC
Thanks. I get a lot of practice composing my thoughts at airports!
Liberty International in Newark is where the FAA sticks the tube when the national airport system needs an enema.
Not sure what airport that photo is of. I just grabbed an image off the web that I could hot-link to. A lot of the better ones had watermarks and I try not to post those here as I don’t want to get FR in copyright trouble!
And THE most rude airport workers ever! The total indifference always pissed me off.
Pascal Blaise says All of humanity’s problems stem from man’s inability to sit quietly in a room alone.
I burn time at the airport walking. I also try to buy a meal for at least one young enlisted serviceman.
Some people are gluttons for punishment.
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