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.
I do too. . . as long as I have a good book to read.
I usually hang out in the admirals club and it’s usually fairly enjoyable. Depends on the airport though.
My Hubby use to work for an airline and we loved to hang out at the terminals in the airport.
I think this is simply a sign of maturity.
I look at the fools who arrive at the last minute and are rude, panicked and in a frenzy. Usually they are either immature chronologically or mentally.
I like to go to the dentist.
Airports are a lot nicer than they used to be. Better layout, restaurants, seating that’s actually comfortable. They used to be a lot more like hospitals, just an unpleasant chunk of the world to deal with.
The airport always has the hottest women. That’s why I love airport waiting.
The WORST part of waiting around in an airport is having to listen to CNN blaring at you from tvs every 10 feet from you no matter where you go..
And.... ever notice that they give the job of announcing stuff to folks for whom English is NOT their first language???
“I like to go to the dentist.”...
Me too, and sitting around waiting to see the doctor is just the best. And give me a long line at the Motor Vehicle Registration Office any day of the week.
All that goes through my mind in the airport is the mathematics of figuring how long it would have taken me to drive given airport wait, flight time and ground transport.
Dunno. I kinda miss the open-air observation decks. And the food in the restaurants is still overpriced. At least the older configuration airports, you could get through them quicker.
I like going to the doctor to I arrive 10 minutes before my appointment and sit an hour in the waiting room then another 1/2 hour in the examination room.
I steal magazines and tougue suppressors.
PHL is a mess, I agree. Not even a particularly anachronistic one.
Feel the same way!
What have I missed? (Rhetorical question)
As long as the bars are open, I’m fine.
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