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I like to wait in airports

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.


TOPICS: Travel
KEYWORDS: airports; vanity
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To: SamAdams76

Where was that picture taken. It looks like our Sentani airport (DJJ) with some of the most uncomfortable seats on the planet!


101 posted on 12/23/2016 1:32:46 PM PST by Jemian (War Eagle!)
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To: ckilmer; MNDude
...stewardesses...used to be very hot. Now not so much anymore.

Over the years I have done a lot of travelling by air. All over the world. Lived in Northern Ireland for three years, working with a US company there. I've travelled Europe, the Far East, Middle East, as well as the US and Canada.

In 1984 my wife and I were on our way to Egypt. We were in the boarding area for our flight on Alia, the Royal Jordanian airline. I was reading a newspaper and looked up, startled when someone said my name. I was looking at a gorgeous blond stewardess, without recognition, when she said 'you don't recognized me do you! And she was right. Then she said her name and I knew who she was...she had been a secretary in our personnel depart in Ireland.

After we boarded, she took very good care of us...champagne, whatever else we wanted from the bar, etc. She was with us from Chicago to Vienna, where the crew changed. The four hour flight from Vienna to Ammon gave us time to sober up!

102 posted on 12/23/2016 1:41:20 PM PST by GGpaX4DumpedTea (a)
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To: mountn man

“Usually, I’m in the more northern area of Colo.”

I hear ya - Rocky Mtn. Natl. Park left me speechless.


103 posted on 12/23/2016 2:45:20 PM PST by Magic Fingers (Political correctness mutates in order to remain virulent.)
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To: vladimir998

Oh, no book for me .. I like to people watch; they’re fascinating. And, if I’m lucky, some bright and engaging child will sit near me and we can do crossword puzzles or color pictures (I come prepared).

What could be more fun than that ..??


104 posted on 12/23/2016 2:51:57 PM PST by CyberAnt (Peace through Strength)
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To: SamAdams76

I like traffic lights, but only when they’re green.


105 posted on 12/23/2016 3:49:12 PM PST by fision
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To: Magic Fingers
I hear ya - Rocky Mtn. Natl. Park left me speechless.

First time there was with a friend from the Denver area. I was driving, and we were coming up from Lyons. When the Estes valley opened up before us and I saw the mountains in RMNP I literally gasp.

My friend said "YEP, I was expecting that from you."

106 posted on 12/23/2016 4:37:45 PM PST by mountn man (ihe Pleasure You Get From Life, Is Equal To The Attitude You Put Into It)
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To: CyberAnt

I heard a story one time, that someone was at the airport and Della Reese, Tess from “Touched By An Angel”, was at the same gate, waiting for the plane. She was doing a crossword and was somewhat loudly, asking the questions, to anyone within earshot. She had the entire gate area involved with the puzzle.


107 posted on 12/23/2016 4:43:09 PM PST by mountn man (ihe Pleasure You Get From Life, Is Equal To The Attitude You Put Into It)
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To: fision
I like traffic lights, but only when they’re green.

I don't know.
This white one is kinda cool.


108 posted on 12/23/2016 4:49:42 PM PST by mountn man (ihe Pleasure You Get From Life, Is Equal To The Attitude You Put Into It)
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To: fision

Oh, great. Now that song’s going to be in my head for half the night.


109 posted on 12/23/2016 5:28:32 PM PST by HartleyMBaldwin
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