I love airports!

[ZehnJahren]

I love it all too, but I've been blessed with dozens of uneventful flights. If I had multiple issues, I wouldn't love it so much.

I am one of those who love take off and landing, and who also like the flight (except I don't love that you can't get up and walk around, like you can on a train).

And I really love walking around the airport, getting what I need for the flight (I always buy a water and a diet 7up if I can find one, and a little snack). The items I buy are part of my budget; I know I'm gonna buy 'em.

 

[momrek06]

Ok this may be off topic but it reminded me when I read 'ZehnJahren's' post above!

DH and I were flying to Vegas from John Wayne in the OC recently. 44 minute flight! Yeah!

Anyway we were taking SWA! They were making announcements over and over again in the SWA terminal that "for all those passengers traveling to Tampa, FL there is NO food on the plane so please make sure you have snacks".

They kept saying it over and over again.

IMHO that is along way to go from CA to FL and no food offered by SWA?

Is that usual for SWA?

 

[dudspizza]

It's been very interesting reading the different airport experiences.....

I can't say my travels have always gone perfect.

It was 1988 and I was a 17 year old senior in high school. I flew from Minneapolis to Boston to London to visit my dad. Flights wen't perfect.

Flying home was a different story.... it was new years eve and when we landing in BOS I found out my flight to MSP had been cancelled. I had to gather my luggage and head to the desk. I got rebooked on a flight that was going to Washington DC and then on the MSP. We landed in Wash and sat on the ground....sat on the ground..... sat on the ground.... then they announce the plane is having mechanical issues...... we are finally taken off the plane and told to get on another one bound for MSP. I got on, took a seat and we were finally on our way.

I arrived in MSP super late and my mom was there waiting for me and we commenced out the 3 hour drive home. I finally arrived home after midnight ....

That experience didn't sour my thoughts of flying or airports at all....... I am always prepared for whatever happens....

as said above.... it's all part of the adventure.....

 

[stasijane]

They are boring to me, but I still love them because it means I get to go somewhere

 

[bumbershoot]

I don't mind airports...just as long as I'm not in a big rush, in an unfamiliar airport! I like to walk around and check out new airports, but not if I'm in a rush to make a connection!

We have been in a situation somewhat similar to aubriee's...and I enjoyed it. I am a bit of a sadist that way.

DH was traveling on those days, and since he didn't get stuck AT the airport it wasn't as physically annoying. Mentally annoying and bothersome, upwards of 4 hours on hold, flights getting cancelled without ANY notice whatsoever (thank goodness we were watching flightaware and the "misery map" those days)...but relatively exciting. OK, it taking DH 2 hours on the icy roads with a cab driver was scary for him personally and me from afar...especially since he was pretty sure his flight would be cancelled (it wasn't)...but in the end it all worked out. So in retrospect it was OK.

And he still wonders where everyone was, because he saw nearly no one, and definitely no cots, etc, when he was going through DFW for his 24 hours in Seattle! (quick trip home while on a 2 week work trip) I told him there were going to be tons of stranded people on cots and he saw almost no one!

Oh, and the people who believe they should just stand in front of the gate even though its not their turn to board.

It's mystifying, isn't it? Alaska and United are the main ones we fly, and we often are boarding towards the first groups, and we have to battle our way through.

Everyone says SW is a cattle call, but they will tell people to sit down until it's time for them to line up. No one tells the Alaska or United people to sit down!

 

[dis_guy]

"Seldom goes perfectly" is an understatement to say the least. I tend to be laid back and go with the flow and like others have said I love flying (former pilot) and love airports. Having said that there are those who hate. Hate weather delays. Hate the "useless" airlines the didn't so the right thing by them. Hate having to be delayed for de-icing, etc.

On one trip we took there was a huge backlog of planes trying to get into IAH (Houston) because of fog there.

My flight was stuck at the departure airport here in Canada because of the fog in Houston, but the pilots had other problems with enroute weather forcing them to change our route, having to decide if we needed to change our fuel load, and finally, when Houston gave the all clear, needing to de-ice.

The captain said all the right "company words" about making up the time, but I knew we didn't have a chance in heck of making our connection. But hey, no problem, there were at least two more flights going to MCO after ours left, so we were ok.

At IAH pandemonium was in full swing as we got to out next flight's gate. Loads of complaining people and all the gate agent could say was "sorry honey, that one's gone!"

Rather than argue like so many wanted to do, we calmly walked over the customer service, waited a few minutes and asked the surprisingly calm woman there what was available. Not only were on the next flight but we were sitting together.

So yeah, not perfect but it's all good.

Sorry for being so long winded.

 

[smidgy]

I always see people who post that they are afraid to fly or they hate airports.....

Am I the only one who looks forward to the airport and flying part?

Duds

hhmm... wow... thank you for your post.

you know, you reminded me of something I forgot.

whenI was a kid, growing up in chitown on weekends, wour family would vote on what to do for fun.. sometimes it was the zoo, the museum, the movies, and often it was just a trip to Ohare airport. to walk around, watch the planes take off and land. you could do that then no security, just walk around up to the gates. watch out the windows. it was fun.. my mom and dad would make up stories about the people we would see.

hubby and I were so used to driving down, and he hates flying, and I have gotten so caught up in all the "nervousness and angst" of it all, I forgot all about how fun it used to be. and we werent even going anywhere!!!!

thank you so much. my next trip to the airport, I will look for the fun!!!

(course it didn't help that our last trip some newbie at early morning check-in started RIPPING off my disney Magical Express luggage stickers. I darned near had him by the throat! but I digress)

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Does your dh enjoy the airports, or the take-offs and landings??

All of it. He also loves to sit and watch planes land on windy days. Prior to 9/11 we went to just visit airports, Detroit, Columbus, Pittsburg, Akron. It was at the Pittsburg airport that he found my wedding rings at the King Jelwery Store and ordered it. But was luck they shipped them to the store nearest us since PIT is 3 hours from us.

 

[Viva Las Disney]

I love the excitement of starting a trip in an airport, the take off, and the landing... it's the hours waiting and the hours in the air that I hate. I always get a window seat because I love the view but for some reason I can't get comfortable in airplane seats. I would love to be able to sleep on a plane but I've never been able to find a position that works, what's worse is it always seems like everyone around me sleeps the whole flight so it's like they're rubbing it in.

 

[NancyIL]

It's mystifying, isn't it? Alaska and United are the main ones we fly, and we often are boarding towards the first groups, and we have to battle our way through.

Everyone says SW is a cattle call, but they will tell people to sit down until it's time for them to line up. No one tells the Alaska or United people to sit down!

There aren't enough seats at the gate for everyone to sit, but the gate agents also need to make it clear that they are boarding only certain groups at a time.

However, the worst case of people blocking the way is at Disney Cruise Line's terminal in Port Canaveral as they wait to board the ship!

 

[mikehn]

I would rather spend time in an airport than in a car, but thats about it.

 

[delilah]

hhmm... wow... thank you for your post.

you know, you reminded me of something I forgot.

whenI was a kid, growing up in chitown on weekends, wour family would vote on what to do for fun.. sometimes it was the zoo, the museum, the movies, and often it was just a trip to Ohare airport. to walk around, watch the planes take off and land. you could do that then no security, just walk around up to the gates. watch out the windows. it was fun.. my mom and dad would make up stories about the people we would see.

hubby and I were so used to driving down, and he hates flying, and I have gotten so caught up in all the "nervousness and angst" of it all, I forgot all about how fun it used to be. and we werent even going anywhere!!!!

thank you so much. my next trip to the airport, I will look for the fun!!!

(course it didn't help that our last trip some newbie at early morning check-in started RIPPING off my disney Magical Express luggage stickers. I darned near had him by the throat! but I digress)

Yes, I grew up in the Chicago area also. We also liked to go up onto the observation deck that they had at the time to watch planes land and take off. Back in the days when you could accompany somebody to the gate, we used to go to the gate with them, then, rush up to the observation deck to watch their plane take off. We would always volunteer to take people to the airport, so we could get some brief, inexpensive entertainment. I had a friend in college who died falling off the observation deck at O'Hare. I don't even know if there is still an observation deck, and falling off while horsing around probably played a role in her demise.

Now, at our airport, you can't even leave a person off anywhere close to the gate. Even when we take a shuttle after parking, everybody get let off at the same spot, no where near the curbside check in for a particular airline. And, if I am going to lug my bags to the curbside check in area, I may as well bring them inside. While I'm at it, I'm going to get inside as quickly as possible in the freezing cold/miserable rain/blistering heat.

 

[momrek06]

I would rather spend time in an airport than in a car, but thats about it.

YUP, that's it right there! ^^^^^^

While I go not like flying, I do it.

Naaa, I hate ROAD TRIPS.

Here in So CALI so many people DRIVE to Vegas. WHYYYY??? Its easily a 4-5 hour trek by car (depending on traffic and time of day) when its a 44 minute flight.

 

[Viva Las Disney]

I would rather spend time in an airport than in a car, but thats about it.

YUP, that's it right there! ^^^^^^

While I go not like flying, I do it.

Naaa, I hate ROAD TRIPS.

Here in So CALI so many people DRIVE to Vegas. WHYYYY??? Its easily a 4-5 hour trek by car (depending on traffic and time of day) when its a 44 minute flight.

I'm the opposite, if the travel time is more or less equal I'd rather drive than fly. There's more space in my car, it's more comfortable, there are no smelly or obnoxious people in my car (except occasionally me ), there are no crying babies in my car (except occasionally me ), and I have a car when I get to my destination.

LA to Vegas probably makes sense but I would never fly from Vegas to LA. I figure between the time it takes to check bags and get through security, the time spent de-boarding and getting a cab or rental car after landing, and then still having an hour or more drive to my destination in LA traffic I'm spending the same amount of time if not more by flying. If I can't save at least an hour I'd rather drive.

 

[DisneyFan2013]

I always see people who post that they are afraid to fly or they hate airports..... Am I the only one who looks forward to the airport and flying part? Duds

I don't mind it. It's fun for me since I don't fly often.

 

[rimomma66]

I just spent two days on the floor of Midway Airport with a 4 year old, so this probably isn't the day for me to read this thread *lol*

 

[momrek06]

I'm the opposite, if the travel time is more or less equal I'd rather drive than fly. There's more space in my car, it's more comfortable, there are no smelly or obnoxious people in my car (except occasionally me ), there are no crying babies in my car (except occasionally me ), and I have a car when I get to my destination.

LA to Vegas probably makes sense but I would never fly from Vegas to LA. I figure between the time it takes to check bags and get through security, the time spent de-boarding and getting a cab or rental car after landing, and then still having an hour or more drive to my destination in LA traffic I'm spending the same amount of time if not more by flying. If I can't save at least an hour I'd rather drive.

Naaa! We flew OC/John Wayne! That airport is a breeze! Right through security! We did not take our shoes off or jackets! Off to the gate! Board! And 44 minutes later we are there! And the same for the return to the OC!

My gf and her family drove from the OC to Vegas the Wednesday before Thanksgiving.......left their home at 1pm and arrived 11pm.

 

[sdoll]

I too love airports! When I was in college I would go to Detroit Metro airport when I had papers to write. I am 1 of 7 kids. The silence of a library never worked for me. This was before 9/11. My friends all thought I was crazy. I have no idea what I would have done in today's world!

 

[Minnesota!]

Being married to a pilot you have to love airports. The more connections we can make on a flight the happier he is. Our highest number of connections was 6 airports in one day. YES one day. We started flying at 7:00 a.m and finished at 2:00 a.m the next day. We were flying on Good Friday and had 3 of our flights over sold and we took the bumps to get the free flight money!

That sounds like a perfect day to me. LOVE IT!!

 

[si-am]

I think it depends on the airport. If the terminal has a lot of stuff to look at and a lot of seating, I'm okay. I got delayed at LaGuardia one, though, and that was the worst ever. Small, crowded, and not much to eat or look at. Not even enough bathrooms!