Traveling by plane can always be a pain. Don't get me wrong, I love the flying itself, but booking flights, annoying passengers, and overpriced food are just some of my traveling woes. However, nothing, NOTHING, compares to the TSA. Even that word instills fear in my heart. I hate taking off my shoes and sweatshirt. My pristinely packed carry-on turns into something that looks like if a small explosive went off in a department store. Rough, I know. Every time I step into an airport, I'm overwhelmed with emotions- each washes over me until I am safely at my gate. Come to think of it, my experience with the TSA is similar to another emotional experience- grief. I experience the same stages of the emotion, only the setting changes.
Here, let me give you an example:
1. Denial
You've gotten to the airport with about an hour until your flight. Your bags are checked, and your plane ticket is in hand. All that's left is to go through security and find your departure gate. You know the advice given by your parents by heart: "Get to the airport 2 hours ahead of your departure time". However, it's early enough in the morning where no one should be at the airport, right? Carry-on heavy on your shoulder, you approach the security checkpoint with the TSA...
2. Anger
LITERALLY EVERYONE AND THEIR MOTHER IS GOING THROUGH THE TSA AT THIS VERY MOMENT. HOW CAN THIS MANY PEOPLE BE FLYING RIGHT NOW? HOW DARE THEY DECIDE TO ALL COME AT ONCE? WHY IS THE LINE NOT MOVING? THERE'S ONLY ONE LANE OPEN? WHY? HOW? AND LADY, YOU NEED TO GET YOUR KID TO STOP CRYING RIGHT NOW.
3. Bargaining
If only you called the Uber an hour before you did. You didn't need to watch that last episode, did you? If only you didn't wear those shoes with a million laces, if only your carry-on wasn't as heavy. You should've, could've. It's too late now. As you join the line with the infinite amount of people, you try to look as upset as possible. Maybe if you put the phone up to your ear and complain about the number of people and your flight time, your fellow flyers would take notice and let you ahead of them? Anything to get you further up the line at this point is fair game.
4. Depression
No luck. Your quick glances around you show exacerbated faces, and you realize that everyone around you is going through the same emotional turmoil. You're too scared to look at the clock, and you get lost in your sad thoughts. Your parent devastated that their child didn't come home. You bingeing on expensive peanuts and protein bars as your Thanksgiving food substitution. There is no hope.
5. Acceptance
Movements around you pull you out of the daydreams. The line starts to move. Quickly, you take off your shoes and pull your computer out of your bag. Maybe, just maybe, you can make your flight. As you deposit your belongings in the gray bin, you realize that you will be late, but you can make back home.
