Roadtrip: Day 1 (or Top Ten Airport Annoyances)

My roadtrip began this morning the same way most of my trips do, with me scrambling to pack because God knows I have never packed more than six hours before I'm actually supposed to be out the door. My strategy mostly consists of throwing in as many dresses as possible because unlike tops and bottoms, I don't have to figure out what will match and be comfortable etc.

Day 1 of the trip doesn't actually involve anything fun, seeing as my day involved six hours of driving to get to O'hare and then the three-hour wait and flight to Pittsburgh where I am spending the night at my dad's house. Waiting, driving, flying and general lack of sleep are all things that make me very testy, so I decided that this is going to be a rant post. You may proceed to a) roll your eyes, you have your own annoyances (this choice is not rewarding), b) read on out of curiosity (getting warmer), or c) read, laugh hysterically because we can ALL relate to these occurrences (ding ding ding!).

Top Ten Things I Hate About Airports:

1) I realize that people who work in airports are doing their best to move things along in a timely manner, but when I ask a question I expect to be answered in a kind and friendly way because that is after all part of their job that they are being paid for.

2) Children on leashes. If a couple is carrying so much that they can't carry and/or supervise their child, they should probably either reconsider their packing strategy or should enlist the grandparents to babysit. The whole concept just seems cruel and unusual.

3) Sick people that don't cover their mouths or wash their hands! This one goes for anywhere, not just airports. Containing your own germs while sick is simply common courtesy and when I'm already in a confined space with recycled air, I expect fellow passengers to at least rain in the cloud of spit that emits from their sneezes with the crook of their elbow. This is not rocket science.

4)....but speaking of rocket science, I'm not one of those people that enjoys sitting in the emergency aisle. While the extra legroom is nice, I am always very aware that in a time of crisis or panic I don't think anyone wants the little sorority girl in charge of manhandling the 42-pound door. Also, I thoroughly looked over the how-to diagram and it's not a simple process.

5) People who bring stinky food onto the plane. See #3-recycled air people! You did just sit at the gate for 45 minutes doing nothing, in which you could have wolfed down that odorous food out of everyone else's nose range.

6) The fact that airlines are now too stingy to give out roasted peanuts. (Although Midwest Airlines does give chocolate chip cookies!)

7) The person that wants to know your life story. I don't even really like making small talk with people that I do know while on an airplane, let alone a stranger. I tend to conk out as soon as I hear the whirring sound of the plane, so if you are sitting next to me and trying to chat with me, not only am I fighting to stay awake but now I have to fight to look interested. However, I do always hold out the hope that I will miraculously be seated next to the editor-in-chief of a magazine who just so happens to have an editor position open, and in that case I will be witty and dazzling.

8) The definition of liquids when it comes to the 3-oz liquid rule. I am a woman. I have lots of products. And while I realize I need to pack lightly, some things are just not liquid that are banned. For instance, on a flight to Orlando I had a jar of peanut butter confiscated—not liquid! I have had to put up a fight to keep my Bare Minerals—not liquid! And one time I even got my highlighters thrown away—not liquid!

9) The person who needs to get something out of the overhead compartment every five minutes. If you need something so badly, stow it under the seat in front of you, because yes, I actually listened to the stewardess give her spiel.

10) The person who carries such a big bag that they don't notice they just knocked it into everyone's heads while walking down the aisle. (Confession: I think this person may be me..)

But all rants aside, I made it to Pittsburgh safe and sound and am ready to face Day 2 of the roadtrip. Especially because Day 2 doesn't involve airports.