Airport Ramblings

Airports are interesting places - a great opportunity to people watch. One of the most fascinating things is how differently people dress to fly. Personally, you won't catch me in anything dressier than jeans, a t-shirt and sneakers - it's just not worth it, especially when you factor in all the walking (there goes the 4- inch stilletos!) and waiting you do (who wants to stand in a never-ending line while wearing a suit?). Plus, don't forget the added inconvenience of trying to make it through security. Nope, jeans are just fine with me, thanks.

So I find it a bit surprising how many people dress up to fly. As I write, someone walking by is decked out in accessories - multiple long necklaces, bracelets, a couple of rings. I've seen quite a few women pass me, wearing high-heeled pumps and skirts. I guess I don't understand why - I mean, I understand looking professional if you're traveling for business and your associates are meeting you at the airport. (Thankfully, in my situation, I go straight to the airport, so there is no need to dress up.) But nice slacks, a blouse and flats can look very professional. I guess the way I see it, if you're expected to deplane looking as if you're headed to a board meeting, then expectations are a bit too high. And are you really going to be judged if you're wearing only minimal accessories? Are your clients really thinking, "Gee, what a hag. She only has on her wedding rings, earrings and watch!" I'm not sure that's what's going through their minds.

I'm also fascinated by the security procedures. I honestly don't understand the big deal regarding the full body scanners - they don't bother me. What I don't fully understand is the limitations on liquids. I mean, if I took Landon through security with bottles of breast milk, they'd make me taste the milk to ensure I wasn't smuggling something illicit. So why not do the same thing with bottles of water or soda? Instead of  prohibiting outside beverages, why not make people taste their drinks as they walk through? Is it just the sheer volume of people heading through security?

Plus, I wonder if regulations are strictly enforced across the board. For instance, I was stopped as I went through security this afternoon - they needed to check my bad. Silly me, I forgot to put all of my toiletries into a Ziploc baggie. The TSA agent asked me if I wanted to head back to the ticket counter to see if they had anything available, or if I preferred to check my bad. I figured checking my bag was the least inconvenient of the two options. He procedes to tell me that he has to rescan my bag - clearly, not a problem. My bag goes through the x-ray fine...and then he hands it back to me and tells me to have a good trip. Wait, I thought I was supposed to check it?

Well, I promised my boss I'd get some work done at the gate, so this ends my airport musings. I have some pictures and video of Landon to post later, so stay tuned for your daily dose of extreme cuteness.