Enough Ramblings to Fit in a One Quart Bag

I have been an active air traveller since I was in single digits. My mileage really racked up in my teen years when I was logging time between the US East Coast and the Republic of Singapore (where my family had been relocated).

All that time in airports starts to teach you a thing or two about travelling efficiently. I guess that is where I learned to travel with as little luggage as possible…preferably carry-ons only.

Travel has changed a lot since my teen years thanks to the ever changing political environment and the increased desire to use our transportation systems as tools of destruction.

The first thing that happened was that the metal detectors became more sensitive. Then you had to remove your video cameras and laptop computers and run them through separately. Then it became mandatory to remove one’s shoes. Finally, you can only take toiletries that are 3 oz or smaller and only enough that fits within a 1 quart bag.

I cannot speak for the other road warriors who spend more time in airport security that they do in rush hour traffic, but I am constantly flabbergasted by how many people seem to totally surprise when they get to the metal detector and are suddenly stopped for violating all these “new” security measures.

Over the years I have developed quite an efficient way to get through the security process.

Before entering the security line, I find a nice place to to the side. I take off my belt and put it in my carry-on bag. I pull my driver’s license out of my wallet and put the license in my pocket.  Then I put my wallet and my cellphone in my carry-on. Then I check my pockets and make sure everything except my driver’s license and boarding pass are properly stored in my carry-on bag.

I then pull my laptop(s) out of my backpack. I loosen up the shoestring on my shoes. Then I enter the security queue. After getting checked by the initial screeners to make sure my ID matches my boarding pass, I get herded to the metal detector and X-Ray machine.

Since I have already prepared, I just have to drop my laptops in bins, slide my shoes off and put them into another bin. If I have a coat, it gets put in with the shoes. I load the bins along with my carry-on bag onto the conveyor and walk through the metal detector.

Now, on the other side is my other annoyance.

Nothing irritates me more than the people who feel they need to get “dressed” right at the mouth of the X-Ray machine. As soon as their stuff gets spit out the other side they start putting things on.

Please people, gather your stuff and move to another location away from the flow of traffic and deal with your re-dressing. This is about as annoying as those skiers who feel they need to drop to the ground right after they get off the ski lift. Some of these people have the gaul to get irritated with me when I try to reach around them to get my stuff as it comes off the belt. I just gather my laptop(s), my shoes and coat and walk to the chairs that are typically located right after you leave the security area. Then I can take my time putting everything back in it’s place.

I for one would be all for a measure that would allow for separate lines for more seasoned travelers. Heck, I’d even allow myself to be subjected to extra background screenings so that I can get special clearance so that one doesn’t have to go through this kind of ordeal with the casual traveler

Ramblings from the Road

Well, I’m still traveling for the job.  I’m still doing laps back and forth to Houston.  I moved away from the city but it’s tractor beam is locked onto my ship and won’t let me escape it’s pull.

I was sitting in the airport at OKC and doing my usual thing while waiting for boarding to begin:  Listening to my podcasts and people watching.

I must say that my observations are giving some credence to my theory that air travel and being a female business traveler don’t mix.  Or at least, they don’t mix painlessly.

I don’t know how many females I saw doing the 100 meter dash down the concourse trying to get to their gate before they stopped taking passengers.  Now, the male business travel has an advantage.

The advantage is what is often the advantage to when it comes to running…..footwear.  The man has his shoes.  Even though there are many colors, shapes and sizes a man’s dress shoe can come in they all have one thing in common.  That is they have a very low heel and flex very nicely.

This cannot be said for many of the choices of footwear the typical female executive has chosen to accentuate their business ensemble with.  I must preface this commentary by saying that I’m referring to those females who still try to stay trendy and hip in their style of dress.  You will find the female executive that must be a “road warrior”.  I say this because they are wearing sensible shoes.  But this is a hard assessment to make.  I don’t know how many female flight attendants I have seen that are wearing 6 inch stilleto heels.

I have heard women say that they must suffer for their shoes, but the suffering that would ensue from a serious sprain or, even worse, a broken ankle doesn’t seem worth it to me