Airports and Flying

I love airports. They’re busy and crowded and usually smell weird; but the airport is the gateway to adventure—the paterfamilias of travel if you will. It’s also a place where essentially everyone is angry. Something about the stress of travel releases the monsters inside us and we unleash our airport woes on innocent victims at the check-in counters, the gate, or the nearby Cinnabun stand. I like to think I’m a good sport when it comes to travel. I’m a trooper. However, I understand how the strain might cause some people to snap. For instance, I’m currently flying on an airplane the size of a soda can—and based on the rattled interior, I’d say it’s time to be recycled. As far as the overhead bins go, they are small enough to hold a small purse, but if you need to store anything practical—like luggage—forget about it, that goes below. Furthermore, when I received my seat assignment for this particular flight I felt encouraged when I read seat 19a—that’s practically at the front of the plane! Umm, not on this plane. Here, seat number 19a is the very last row which means my seat doesn’t recline, there’s no head room, and I don’t have a window; but on the bright side the bathroom is only two feet away.
I’m tempted to let a small amount of irritation corrupt my mood but honestly, I have no right to complain. I’m traveling 900 miles in less than two hours—a distance that took my ancestors 3 months to walk. I can understand how people might become frustrated, but I personally think everyone needs to take a chill pill, or some xanax depending on your own personal preferences, and relax. Or should you need even more comfort, just ask the flight attendant for one of those airline wing pins—they’ve brought peace to thousands of children throughout the past decades, maybe a piece of nostalgic aluminum will brighten up your day as well.
In the end just remember not to bring more than 3 ounces of liquid on the plane, wear easily removable shoes, leave your knitting needles at home, and as I learned today, no peanut butter is allowed on board. Keep a smile on your face and appreciate those airport personnel making your flight a possibility—they deserve some recognition.