Everyone knows the rising excitement when you’re on your way to an airport. The anticipation of the trip that awaits brings on a sense of exhilaration.
This is why for me entering an airport is like walking into Disney World. There is so much activity going on that you don’t know which way to look, all the while thinking of your own trip.
This is why and when I love the airport:
Getting to see all the people and guessing where they are going.
Buying a coffee and bagel in the terminal and waiting at the gate to be boarded.
Being greeted by the flight attendants.
The thrill you get when you hand over your ticket to board the plane.
Ordering a drink and snack on plane and staring out the window to see what it looks like being so high above the ground.
Hearing the pilot make his speech over the intercom and watching the map on the tiny screens in front of you.
Landing and knowing we have finally reached our destination.
And, the last thing I love is leaving the airport, because I
absolutely hated it at the same time.
The airport causes a lot of stress, stress that I neither
want nor need. If you are like me, something always goes wrong. Either, I left my license in the car and have to go back in order to get through
security, or I find out my flight has been delayed for more than hour after I'm through security. My personal favorite is finding out the airline double booked the seats and now
I don’t have a seat on the plane. I get so stressed out.
This is when I hate the airport:
Getting pushed around by frantic people, acting as if they are the only people traveling.
The security guards in the front of the security line are constantly yelling at you to throw out your liquids. If you don’t know you can’t have more than three ounce containers of liquids -- which must be in a clear plastic bag -- in your carry on by the time you reach the front of the line, I don’t know what you are possibly listening to in line.
Being rushed through security and fighting over space for your bins on the table. If everyone just waited their turn, this process would be so much smoother.
Having to put back on all the stuff you just took off after security; fighting over a bench spot to put on your shoes can be like the Hunger Games.
Carrying all of your carry-ons through the whole airport. If you’re like me, you over pack for every occasion, so if the airline is allowing you to have three carry-ons, you will have three carry-ons and lose circulation in both arms.
Fighting for overhead space with the other
passengers. I never understood why this space was valuable; it’s not like the flight attendants are going to tell you that you can’t have you bag on the plane.
What I hate most is collecting
your bags at your destination in baggage claim. It’s like a madhouse trying to
get off the plane and make your way to baggage claim. Not to mention the full
out fist fights that look like they might break out over the perfect spot to
collect your bags off the carousel. The worst is when one of your bags doesn’t
even come or is damaged. This always makes for a terrible start or
end of your trip.
There are just as many things I
love about the airport as I hate and I am not a nervous flyer. So, why do I hate the airport so much?
We make them miserable for ourselves. Next time you are at the airport, try to remember everyone is as stressed as you are. Everyone is travelling and deserves to have a great time. Help them out by not pushing them to go through the security line, or offer the spot on the bench to someone who looks like they need it. Don’t be a bystander and watch others struggle; do your best to be nice and considerate to others and I’m sure you will find yourself having a much more enjoyable airport experience.
