tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14404262.post1622261575837568715..comments2024-03-28T08:01:34.001-07:00Comments on The Forty-Five: MId-TransitToirdhealbheach Beucailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14872794169534403463noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14404262.post-51289097926182458802022-12-13T15:57:28.400-08:002022-12-13T15:57:28.400-08:00Becki - Interestingly enough, I was at the Indiana...Becki - Interestingly enough, I was at the Indianapolis Airport this year for business. I had not been there since the early 2000's and it was quite different from what I hazily remember - very large, very nice now. Like most airports, non-ticketed passengers are not allowed inside the terminals.<br /><br />Honestly, I prefer driving at this point as well - unfortunately, the time factor is a real thing currently. <br /><br />"exiting pleasure of a small plane" - Pun approved!Toirdhealbheach Beucailhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14872794169534403463noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14404262.post-31983450442241047552022-12-13T15:54:29.590-08:002022-12-13T15:54:29.590-08:00Bob, I can be observant if I put my mind to it. T...Bob, I can be observant if I put my mind to it. That said, there are people that do it for pure enjoyment (I do not).<br /><br />The interesting thing to me is that I could make that exact same observation in any airport I have been in during the last two years.Toirdhealbheach Beucailhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14872794169534403463noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14404262.post-4186772998073576502022-12-12T19:51:00.099-08:002022-12-12T19:51:00.099-08:00To be clear... I did not have "exiting"...To be clear... I did not have "exiting" pleasure of flying in a small private plane. That would be terrifying. I'm sure you understood what I meant to write, but the typo was too rich to ignore. lolBeckihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16940604077427078249noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14404262.post-87093462247884776722022-12-12T19:33:11.680-08:002022-12-12T19:33:11.680-08:00TB, just to show what a sheltered life I live... ...TB, just to show what a sheltered life I live... I've not even been inside an airport since the new Indpls airport was built. I had to look it up and see it opened in 2008 - so over 14 years ago! We've each driven people to the airport, and away from the airport, but I'm not sure non-flyers are even allowed inside this one. My only exposure is the drop off and pick up area. And the parking lot where one waits to get the call to come pick the flyer up. Many years ago I had the exiting pleasure of flying once in a small private plane, but have never had the experience of flying in a commercial airliner. Frankly, at this stage in life I don't even desire to fly - only the speed of getting somewhere quickly might entice me someday if it is necessary. I enjoyed your writing about your view from inside. Similar to what I remember from the "old days" when we would see visitors to their gate and watch from the inner windows as their planes taxied and then flew off. It sounds so quaint now. :) Enjoy you time at Old Home! And have a safe trip back to New Home shortly. :)Beckihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16940604077427078249noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14404262.post-41719049109389643562022-12-12T12:21:10.193-08:002022-12-12T12:21:10.193-08:00You must have shed your "not much of a people...You must have shed your "not much of a people watcher" blinders for a while. Interesting observations and descriptions. Bobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15978016568840318921noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14404262.post-34777747785779468072022-12-12T10:47:24.923-08:002022-12-12T10:47:24.923-08:00That sounds like a brutal schedule GL. I am glad ...That sounds like a brutal schedule GL. I am glad you got out of it as well - even with my infrequency, it is not fantastic.Toirdhealbheach Beucailhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14872794169534403463noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14404262.post-91152317874093254362022-12-12T10:46:38.186-08:002022-12-12T10:46:38.186-08:00Hobo - I 99% of the time fly with Southwest and I ...Hobo - I 99% of the time fly with Southwest and I have never had a flight crew that is less than professional and good at their jobs. But to your point, passengers can not be quite as good at theirs. <br /><br />I have spent time on the floor (though not napping). Sometimes it is the room that is available, sometimes it is the only place to find isolation.Toirdhealbheach Beucailhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14872794169534403463noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14404262.post-33177651537842291872022-12-12T10:44:29.137-08:002022-12-12T10:44:29.137-08:00STxAR - That Montana story sounds like quite an ex...STxAR - That Montana story sounds like quite an experience - and as you say, to the pilots it was likely nothing out of the ordinary.<br /><br />I bring books to read, and try and get up and walk the length of the terminal at least once for longer stays.Toirdhealbheach Beucailhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14872794169534403463noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14404262.post-30675648865496735532022-12-12T09:29:54.624-08:002022-12-12T09:29:54.624-08:00I traveled for a living for 19 years and was on pl...I traveled for a living for 19 years and was on planes at least every 10 days. I got to the place when traveling from airport to home at 10/12 at night seeing the lights in the house and wondering when I could stay home. But you know, food and bills have to be paid. I won't comment on the state of people traveling today. Glad to be out of it the last 12 years. glasslasshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16635338340734627631noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14404262.post-24542518745377403802022-12-12T07:25:29.255-08:002022-12-12T07:25:29.255-08:00I flew back to be with family when Dad passed away...I flew back to be with family when Dad passed away a couple months ago and it had been at least 35 years since I set foot on a plane. A lot has changed, as have some of the travelers. Some looked like they hopped out of bed and went to fly somewhere. There were some people who while waiting the short 30 minutes for their flights were napping on the floor. (yuck) Maybe I'm getting old... it just seems like people have gotten lazy. BUT all I can say is that the service from the airline personnel and airport staff, from check in to in-flight was nothing but exceptional. All were very professional in act and appearance. Even the crews who were taking the flight to another airport were very professional. At least they haven't seem to have changed over time. <br />~hobohobohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12537329021371494926noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14404262.post-88517096449868356452022-12-12T06:51:00.561-08:002022-12-12T06:51:00.561-08:00I used to jumpseat, back in the day. Sitting in a...I used to jumpseat, back in the day. Sitting in an empty cargo plane, the takeoff seems like a rocket ride. On the Airbus you are facing backwards, and your arms and legs want to point to the tail. On the 727, you are behind the pilot. I always asked for the seat that could see out. The other jumpseat is in a hole. It was very crowded, but I loved every minute of those flights. The one DC10 ride was a bust. I had a cockpit jumpseat all lined up, when a deadhead aircrew showed up and stole it. One night leaving Great Falls, MT, we rotated off the runway, and were instantly in a cloud of snow. I was gobsmacked by the landing lights shining into the snow. It was like we were sliding into diamonds. The colors and the sparkles were a sensory overload. I was in overwhelmed and the only one to see it. It was over in a few seconds. The pilots were doing their checks and never looked up.<br /><br />Being one of a hundred in the back is just like being another bean in a can. I always tried to have something worthwhile to do while I was stuck in the terminal. I hate wasting time.STxARhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04588850178293194825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14404262.post-52869529168672020742022-12-12T05:54:57.962-08:002022-12-12T05:54:57.962-08:00Nylon12, you are not missing anything. I wonder i...Nylon12, you are not missing anything. I wonder if -in some ways - airports have become the sort of "new mall" as malls have disappeared: large groups of people, contained, available to be marketed to.<br /><br />"Pajama bottoms". Same in my neck of the woods as well. It is unfortunate.Toirdhealbheach Beucailhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14872794169534403463noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14404262.post-7035514539160957372022-12-12T05:52:59.031-08:002022-12-12T05:52:59.031-08:00Ed, I honestly think that the "Can you watch ...Ed, I honestly think that the "Can you watch my bag for a minute?" is probably a great deal more prevalent than the authorities like to think - although I have never done it, I can see where I "Can you cover me while I use the restroom?" would be incredibly convenient.<br /><br />To your last sentence in the first paragraph - there are two kinds of people in airports: those that are incredibly focused on themselves and them getting to where they need, and those that just need to ride to get where they are going - and will get there. You can always tell the difference.Toirdhealbheach Beucailhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14872794169534403463noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14404262.post-80857502568470869842022-12-12T05:50:04.984-08:002022-12-12T05:50:04.984-08:00Leigh, just another service I offer...
Truly, the...Leigh, just another service I offer...<br /><br />Truly, there really is nothing there to miss. If I could get away with more direct flights, I would - time in mid transit is (generally) time wasted.Toirdhealbheach Beucailhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14872794169534403463noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14404262.post-22548834170962571522022-12-12T05:49:12.099-08:002022-12-12T05:49:12.099-08:00I actually did see that. I cannot imagine - and so...I actually did see that. I cannot imagine - and so many of them transient encounters, undoubtedly.Toirdhealbheach Beucailhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14872794169534403463noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14404262.post-90253565868083896682022-12-12T05:29:31.999-08:002022-12-12T05:29:31.999-08:00Thanks for the description TB, haven't been to...Thanks for the description TB, haven't been to an airport in years. TV reports on Thanksgiving travel are just travel reports, weather clear...runways clear....people happy to leave/arrive. Cros and slippers are also seen at the local store along with pajama bottoms. Nylon12noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14404262.post-71696827230404730422022-12-12T03:32:20.789-08:002022-12-12T03:32:20.789-08:00So many things to comment on but I'll limit my...So many things to comment on but I'll limit myself. <br /><br />Just a few weeks back, waiting at an airport though not flying myself, a woman approached me and asked if I would watch her bags and then without waiting for a response strolled away. This presented a couple dilemmas. First, I didn't know which bags were hers but could reasonably assume the ones by themselves. Two, I was getting ready to leave and had no idea how long she planned to be gone. As to your point, I could have stuffed them full of bombs had I wanted too. Finally, she came back after a few minutes and didn't even look in my direction or acknowledge me.<br /><br />I took my first flight sometime in the early 80's. It certainly was a much different experience than it is today.Edhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13214319366049620074noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14404262.post-59809286234741863962022-12-12T02:48:05.999-08:002022-12-12T02:48:05.999-08:00I haven't been in an airport for at least a de...I haven't been in an airport for at least a decade, so I am glad there are people like you, TB, who are willing to make thoughtful observations. Sounds like I'm not missing anything. Leighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14404262.post-4893055417546107212022-12-12T02:39:33.323-08:002022-12-12T02:39:33.323-08:00I read that last week that Mehran Nasseri, the per...I read that last week that Mehran Nasseri, the person that inspired that Tom Hank's movie with residing in Charles De Gaulle Airport had passed away. He lived in that airport for 18 years. Can you imagine the number of people he saw and encountered in that time.<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com