By Heather
Confession: I’m a nervous flyer. I internally freak at every noise, bump, and shift of the airplane. I’m in constant prayer from the time I buckle my seatbelt till the you’re-free-to-move-about-the-cabin announcement is made. And it’s all repeated in reverse for the landing.
I do, however, love airports. It is the ultimate place for people watching. I had the best time on Monday in the midst of flight delays and plane changes watching little vignettes of humanity like:
-The overzealous TSA agent in Burlington, VT who took her job very seriously. Her endless tuneless whistling alternately entertained and drove me crazy.
-The young couple whose flight was so delayed they were going to miss their connection -- which in turn would make them miss their cruise departure. I couldn’t keep from watching this drama play out.
-The father and son who arrived at the gate eight minutes before the flight they were on was originally scheduled to leave only to find out their seats had already been given away. The rub? The flight had been listed as delayed on the board, so technically they’d arrived well in advance of the required ten minutes before departure. The additional rub? The wife/mother was on the flight and ended up flying to their destination without them. The father was M-A-D. Quite a scene.
-The young man in the Philadelphia airport who had flown to California to pick up a boxer puppy and bring him back to NY. The puppy was sheer joy during the stress of canceled flights, long delays, and a stifling overcrowded airport.
The free show put on by fellow passengers was better than an in-flight movie and almost worth the stress of flying.
Almost.
What’s your favorite airport/flight story?
~heather
13 comments:
Landing at Logan International Airport AFTER the weekend away.....
I'm a homebody at heart.
Nathan and I flew from Indianapolis to Boston a month after 9/11 and on our way back the flight attendants in Boston were checking his carry on and told him they'd need to confiscate his gummy worms.
I agree that airport people watching can be very interesting. The most vivid memory I have though is a sad one. My mom and I were waiting for my sister to come off the plane from Spokane. As we stood there, we watched this man holding a big bouquet of flowers behind his back, obviously waiting for someone to come off my sister's plane. My mom and I couldn't wait to see who he was greeting! So, my sister comes off the plane, and we tell her that we want to wait to see this man greet the person who had the big bouquet of flowers for. So the 3 of us waited, and waited, and the man waited, and waited, until the flight crew came off the plane. It was so sad. We turned and left hoping that perhaps whoever he was waiting for had just missed their plane for some reason and would show up on the next flight or something.
I don't like to fly. I've only done it twice to visit my daughter and her family who used to live in Oregon (I'm in PA). I'm so glad they moved back home! You really had an interesting flight! Nothing interesting happened on the two trips I took.
Carol M
I love everything about flying. All of it. Except the delays when you want to get somewhere really badly.
My funny story would be just after they restricted open bottles of water being brought onto planes. I was leaving Newark and the ban had just gone in effect. No one noticed me walk on board with it (and I wasn't thinking either). When I finally *did* realize it, I was more than a little nervous carrying it up the aisle to the stewardess for fear I'd get shot by some over zealous air marshall. Fortunately she just rolled her eyes and said she wasn't the slightest bit surprised what was getting through unnoticed right under TSA's nose. I made it back to my seat unscathed!
One peeve...passengers who insist on eating an orange--peeling it slowly--on a plane. Extremely obnoxious smell in close quarters!
Debbie, yeah, there's nothing like coming home!
Katie, LOLOLOL. Those gummy worms are dangerous.
Linda, that is sad! I love watching reunions. It's hard to do at some airports, but in Burlington, people can wait right outside the gate area so there's a clear view (of course, this area was guarded by the overzealous TSA agent who insisted people stay BACK from the glass doors).
Carol, I find the more you fly the easier it is, though I'm still a nervous flyer. Next time you do fly, take a good look around for the drama. It's there.
Laura, one girl made instant oatmeal on one of our flights. Yuck. Any strong scent is hard to take in such close quarters. Though I have to admit, I love the smell of oranges, so I'd probably be okay with that!
Oh! And I love reunions with old friends by the baggage claim. Even if it was under not-so-good circumstances.
Most annoying event was when I was when I rushed up to the United gate just ten minutes before flight (I saw clock on wall). Security lines were a nightmare. Called out to the attendant standing beside the door. "That's flight xxx?" She nodded, and while I dropped my empty coffee cup in the can beside the gate, she closed the door. In my face. I couldn't believe it. Needless to say I shared my thoughts on such treatmennt at the customer service desk. Next time it's close I'll be sure to say "Please don't close the door yet."
I love the children who are amazed by the Smokers Aquarium. You know, the glass enclosed room they stick smokers in once we're through security? (I'm an ex-smoker, don't shoot me)
I would see small children press their face against the glass like we were alien lifeforms and they were trying to figure out the best way to set us free.
Aww, Debbie. Hugs.
Maggie, that's crazy! I hope customer service did something about it!
Sooki, LOL! You've got the best stories. I can't imagine working for the airlines. Those people need hazard pay!
Marissa, I bet that would be quite a sight! Do they still have those rooms? I don't remember ever seeing one.
Yep; at least in Atlanta airport they do. The one for international flights is nice, with comfy chairs and tables, and a television. The one for the people flying domestic is a big room, with plastic chairs, and no tv. And glass enclosed.
I just love to see people's reunions at the arrival gate. I don't know if you've see Love, Actually (the movie) but they capture those scenes and i tear up every time. Two years ago I was coming home to Richmond when a soldier who was returning from a long tour of duty in Iraq was met by his family. Two kids, his wife, and his parents held flowers, signs, and balloons. There wasn't a dry eye in the room as those little children ran into their daddy's arms. In fact, many of us applauded. That's what I love about airports.
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