The TSA show can be top notch.
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 hate waiting in airports. I have a seven-hour layover in an airport which is not particularly nice tonight...
It’ OK if your airport is a major hub. But if it’s a regional spoke airport like mine (SYR) it gets old very fast. Plus CNN is hard to escape.
Not me, I hate to fly or sit around an airport. People watching is good but that is about it!
I know there are lots of places overseas that would require a plane ride but I have been there done that!
I want to drive my Tahoe if I am traveling and we have driven all over the US, most of Mexico and Canada. I love watching the scenery change!
I would rather have a simultaneous root canal and IRS audit than fly. And I say that with some authority.
Finally folks like me...LOL..Now retired since May and my final month spent in China I’ve had the opportunity to people watch from many locations all over the Far East, India, S. Africa...not to mention the USA, Canada etc. I love airports...though some less than others especially in remote areas of the Asian countries. Inchon is by far my favorite.
“I like to go to the dentist.”
Me too. Especially one who has a foot powered drill in case the electricity goes out.
I also like to arrive much too.early for my flights. Do not mind sitting and reading at all, also like to people watch. My wife? If it was up to her, she would arrive 30 minutes early.
I like to wait at airports too. I typically come two hours early.
I don’t do a lot of wandering around I just like to sit down and surf the web,write emails, blog posts etc.
I just think the airport is the best place/time to be online.
I agree, airports are fun.
But what if I’m there on a Thursday afternoon? Which do I listen to?
If you have plenty of time, fly.
I love flying but hate the Tickling Squeezing &Assault squad waiting to have their way with me. I may have flown my last and I say that with sadness.
I get to the airport early as well, but 4 hours is way too early! 2 hours is early enough for an international flight and 1 hour domestic. And by the way, a lot of airport WiFi is only free for 30 minutes.
Is that China?
imho that used to be true. not so much anymore.
same with stewardesses. They used to be very hot.
Now not so much anymore.
I hate waiting in airports. That being said, I hate being stressed over how long it will take to park, get through security and still have time to empty my bladder before getting on the plane.
I show up early with a book and make the best of it.
The TSA show can be top notch.
30 years ago many were reading newspapers. Now most are using smartphones.
I was inspired to write this post for two reasons. One reason is that I have witnessed family members literally ruin their holiday over being constantly stressed out and doing everything last minute. One of my favorite sayings is that "Stress is self-induced". It really is.
Here it is two days before Christmas and I'm sitting at home watching the lights twinkle on my tree as I post this. All the shopping is done. The firewood is stacked. The larders are full of food and drink. And Christmas music is playing on the stereo. All that remains is to wait for my guests to arrive and I hope they are not too stressed out when they get here - or it shall be my task to calm them down.
“I play ‘Spy’ at the airport. Do you ever do that? I believe in using that kind of time; it’s wasted time. Play ‘Spy’ at the airport. Especially a big airport. You know there’s a spy at the airport, man. ‘Your job—find him’.”
— George Carlin, “Class Clown”
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.