Today’s blog
Lynn Murphy Mark
People watching
There’s no better place to watch humanity in motion than at an airport. There’s no better time to do so than when a 7:25 am flight is “delayed” until 12:30 pm. I was seated by the gate where I was supposed to leave from so I had a clear view of humanity behaving badly. The gate agent ladies were infinitely patient as irritated passengers explained why theirs were the most urgent needs. You could cut the entitlement with a knife.
One woman was insisting that none of the options being offered would permit her to receive a critically necessary phone call at noon today. She was three inches from the agent’s face to make sure she was heard. No problem. Everyone in the surrounding gate area was made aware of her dilemma. Another woman was loudly proclaiming that the gate ladies were lying to us. She was so threatening that the unfortunate agent on the receiving end of the diatribe said she would call the police if it continued. That took some wind out of the offender’s sails and she backed off.
When everyone had been served and mollified I approached the agents’ desk with an “I come in peace” outlook. First I apologized for my fellow humans’ behaviors and the agent relaxed immediately. All I needed was to know where my new gate was and what time I needed to be there.
In return the nice lady asked if St Louis was my final destination. If so, she said, she could re-book me on a flight that leaves at 10:50. That’s way better than 12:50! Deal, I said. Then she noted that I had a really good boarding pass, (A-34), so she gave me a pass at the end of the A line. Thank you, I said. But she wasn’t done. My next reward for good behavior was a voucher for $100. That plus points will get me to LA to visit Ted and Sarah. So sweet. Anyway, this is why I’m a loyal Southwest Airlines traveler!
Now I’m at my new gate that is situated across from Bar 212. It’s barely 9:00 am and the bar stools are all taken. One group of five women ordered martinis all around. It looks by the color of the beverages that they may be made with coffee. OK, coffee in the morning makes sense. There are a few mimosas. OK, that’s a morning drink too. All the other people on their perches are hard core drinkers busy sipping and staring at their phones. They obviously won’t care if their flights are delayed.
And so ends a lovely trip to the East Coast. Life is good.