Not to any specific location but the act of traveling. Not one of my favorite things. I mean at best it’s a chore and at worst it’s a nightmare. I had an overnight hop into Dallas via airplane recently so I will share some observations.
Wired
Don’t know why it is but whenever I go to the airport I always buy a copy of Wired Magazine. Even if I’m just picking someone up. Maybe it’s because it’s what I did for my first business trip way back when. Not even that big a fan of Wired, but I always get one.
Mobile devices
Ubiquitous is hardly the word. Obnoxious is closer. Everything from giant laptops, to tablets of all sizes, to smartphones, to book readers. I saw a family of five, each with their own device. Enjoying the free airport WiFi in Dallas. Note to IAH (Houston intercontinental) Why don’t we have free WiFi? All they have is some service that makes you pay after 20 minutes.
Road Warrior
I’m sitting in the rear of the plane waiting for take off and reading Wired. A corporate road warrior comes and claims the seat in the row ahead of me. Carrying his satchel, his laptop, his cell, his…well everything. Taking up the center aisle and carefully stowing his stuff away, blocking the path. A little stewardess comes from the back of the plane carrying a heavy box of juices, nearly doubled over. She says “excuse me, sir” He looks back at her as he carefully folds his jacket and replies “you’re excused”. I look up from the magazine and arch an eyebrow and look him straight in the eye. Giving him a look that obviously said “Quit being an asshole and get out of the way”. He shuffles over and let’s everyone pass.
Security
Frankly, less obnoxious than they used to be. i think that they’ve done it enough times now that the early mistakes and vulgar abuses just after 9/11 have for the most part faded away. That being said I still don’t like doing the public striptease that is involved in the security process. Call it nostalgia if you like but I still preferred the days when I could accompany friends and family practically to the door of the plane and bid them goodbye.
I’ve also learned how not make my life more complicated. All my loose objects (coins, watch, ring) go into my satchel, My clothes are as basic as possible, I use as many trays as possible.
I try to make it as pain free as possible for me and for them and dream of the day that these checkpoints will go away.
Airport food
Never touch it unless I have a long, long layover. Specially not going to spend 5 dollars for a bottle of water. bring it from the outside, drink it before going through security and then hope your wait is short.
Getting home
Always get this feeling like I did in school when I was sick. When I would come back after a cold or flu I got this feeling as if a whole bunch of interesting things happened while I was away and everyone seemed a bit different. Nonsense of course, but there it is. Homesickness? maybe. More an acknowledgement of where I would rather be.
Travel can be great or it can be a headache. But it’s not for me. If I had wanted to I could have made a life on the road like those countless people who fly in and out all the time. But that just wasn’t me. I like to keep my feet on the ground.
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