The airport season has arrived, and with the holiday cheer, everyone is making their way back home or to an exciting vacation destination. As a frequent traveler, let me share with you some of the thoughts that some of you might have had at one point in your airport experience.
Depending on the destination, the purpose of the flight and who are you going with, the situation tends to change noticeably. We all prepare in a certain way before making our way to the terminal. The length of the flight and your wish to stay comfortable in a narrow space up in the air will determine if you will wear sweats or more dressy pants. The airport journey is a really interesting one, and it definitely sparks thoughts in your mind; let me share with you some of my own.
1) Security line
The first step to a long day, the struggle to take my earrings off while carrying a heavy backpack, holding onto my jacket and grabbing ahold of my carry on just in case someone wants to take it (in front of all this security guards?). It gets better after all your stuff is up in the plastic bins, even though it takes forever because everyone is going as fast as a turtle. Yes, the laptops have to be in a separate bin, I HEARD you the first 10 times. I can assure you that at this point I’m already not having it, and while I get in the scanner I hope my bags get through, or it’ll get awkward and I’ll get nervous. As soon as I can see them I hurry to get them and get myself out of there.
2) Spare time in the Terminal(s)
My best or worst enemy, depending on the day, I tend to walk around the shops admiring the overly expensive snacks and the kind of tacky souvenirs from the City, that is, after locating and making sure that my gate is the correct one. I look around to see who's traveling today too, I think about their outfits and their travel companions, and even get a little jealous if they have a pet flying with them. Then when I am done navigating the so-well-known terminal, I decide to head back, to find that all the waiting area seats are taken. Perfect, the floor it is then.
3) From Boarding to Take-Off
I like to take a look around in the waiting area to see the people that I’m going to be sharing time with, when suddenly my eyes land on a family with 2 or 3 babies. Oh, fabulous, nothing like 8 to 10 hours hearing the distant (or not so distant) cry of inconsolable babies. Then, the voice of one of the airline workers, announces the lack of overhead bin space for the flight; well I don’t know about you lady-with-the-most-perfect-braid, but these bags are coming in with me…
After waiting in line (again) I finally get to my assigned spot, and once I drop the bags that are going to be taking space from my seat, and look around to fit my carry on in one of the overhead compartments, I realize that 5 feet 3 inches is definitely not enough to reach up for that bin. I just hope that someone sees my struggle and decides to make my life a little bit easier.
Now we’re sitting, and after ten long minutes of doing nothing but fiddle with my electronics, the plane decides to make its way to take off. No, I don’t need those ugly outdated-looking headphones that you want to hand me, I just need a comfier seat with more leg room, please. And someone in the neighboring seat whose snore doesn't sound like a lion's growl. As soon as we are all set, and that first hour has passed I make the effort to try and position (fit) my body in a more comfortable way to be able to attempt to get some hours of sleep, wishing that no person sees what my face is going to look like once I finally do sleep; but no, it seems that my body much rather walk and stretch than rest, so going to the bathroom seems more viable.
This are just many of the thoughts that I've had in the past years, and they do change depending on the situation. The only good thing about airports is that they expand your horizons and allow you to explore, discovering the world that we live in and enriching our lives.
What does your airport experience look like?
