Friday, February 27, 2009

Airport Travel

I just got back from another whirlwind rush through airports. You know, I used to enjoy traveling, it was kind of fun and exciting but to be honest, not a big fan anymore. I hate driving long distances and I hate flying, so I'm kind of stuck.

This is the type of thing I think about when I'm at an airport...if I have just driven to the airport, parked my car in long term parking, and rode the shuttle bus to the airport, technically, am I not just arriving at the airport. Shouldn't I follow the arrival signs? Kind of like, "hey, welcome to the airport, glad you arrived." Then I get on the plane and fly to the next airport and when I land, technically, I am going to depart the airport, right? ... sorry, I get bored at airports.

Here is my latest trip through the security line and the wonderful TSA agents. I had to give a Powerpoint presentation and take a mini projector with me. At security, I pull out my laptop, liquids, take of my shoes and belt, empty my change, and even take off my watch and suit coat. I have a briefcase and a suitcase. I need like 4 trays. I walk through the detector with no problems, then...and I am not making this up...

Mrs. TSA agent..."Whose bag is this?"

Sheepish me...that's my bag.

TSA lady, "you have a projector in your bag"

obvious me...yes?

TSA lady, "you have to have the projector out of your bag so that I can see it"

obvious me...but if you can see it's a projector, why do I have to have it out of the bag?

TSA lady, "anything electronic, that you plug in, has to be removed from your bag"

I sit there quietly for a second contemplating then I respond knowing I left my cell phone in my briefcase...What about a cell phone or an electric razor?

TSA lady, "no, those do not have to be taken out of the bag?"

me..."oh, so those electronics, that I plug in, are different than the projector, which is an electronic and also plugged in?"

At this point, the TSA lady glares at me and my heart sinks for just a second thinking that I may spend the next two hours in Airport Jail. I close my mouth and quietly wait while a second TSA lady unzips my suitcase and begins to unload the projector. She heard most of the previous conversation and then proceeds to ask me (and I can't make this up) "are there cords with this projector?"

me..."you do realize it's an electronic?" For the second time in 2 short minutes, I think I might be headed to Airport Jail. Probably wouldn't look good on my BYU-I files. Nonetheless, its annoying to have them open up your suitcase in front of everyone. I miss the profiling days: I was dressed in a suit, wearing a white shirt, clean shaven, short hair, seriously do I look like a major threat? It takes me like 12 minutes to get everything back together. I keep my mouth shut for the rest of the time...

1 comment:

Jan said...

Man...I hear you! We just got back from Disneyworld. To fly with 5 kids, 7 checked bags, one carseat, and one stroller about put me over the edge. We used like 20 bins to get through security. They had to check my juice boxes with some kind of super high tech scanner for a few minutes. I had to help 3 out of the 5 kids get their shoes back on after they walked through the scanner...I could go on and on. Plus each checked bag costed 15 dollars to check through, so in additon to the thousands we just spent on airfare we got to spend $130 more just to check our bags...and then 2$ more for a stinkin sprite. Sorry...had to vent! Anyway...I feel your pain...I don't like travelling either! And yes...you and Tasha both definitely look like THREATS! I would be scared silly if you were on my flight!