December is one of those months in which the frequency of my trips taken to or from an airport tends to rival that of my trips to the bathroom. Unless I have the stomach flu. Then the bathroom wins out. (And no, I do not have a bladder problem, thank you.)
This realization about how much time I’m spending in airports has me reflecting on the pleasures of airport anonymity…
Many people, when forced to envision airports, can only think of long security lines or lost luggage or over-priced Starbucks (how’s that for redundancy). I’d like to offer a different perspective.
Airports highlight one of mankind’s greatest skills, and I’m not talking about the ability to create cool architecture like the Langenheim Theme Building at LAX or the Sky Plaza at Chek Lap Kok. No. I’m talking about the skill of reinvention. Stick with me…
LAX
There is a great equalizing phenomenon that occurs in airports. Even those who are traveling first class, and race to the Admiral’s Lounge or whatever as fast as their Louboutins can take them, must still walk the terminal corridors like the rest of us. And it is in these corridors that reinvention is possible. In fact, anything can happen.
As just one of millions of travelers, you are automatically cloaked in anonymity. You can be James Bond, or Jane Bond, or a Bond Girl, or even “M” if you’re in the Medicare demographic.
Fantasy Material
As you sit in the airport bar closest to your gate and listen for announcements justifying your delayed flight, you are whomever you want to be. Come up with a fabulous backstory and try it on the man two stools over. See how fast he slips off his wedding ring or starts to expound upon his luck at getting out of hedge funds with his billions intact. You soon realize that you are not alone in your anonymity, you are not alone in your fantasy, you are not alone in your need to escape.
Indeed, escaping is what airports are all about.
egan
/ December 16, 2008This is very true about airports. I always get caught up in how people might know each other or what a certain person on my flight might be like outside of the terminal/plane. I suppose this is why I blog.
emmajames
/ December 17, 2008And thank goodness you do blog, cause your posts are awesome!
Thanks for checking me out & glad you enjoy.
I almost always invent much more interesting stories for my fellow travelers than they have created for themselves. Or at least I think I do. Since I abhor actually speaking to my fellow travelers (thank god for my cute little (red) nano!), I don’t actually have proof that this is the case.
egan
/ December 17, 2008Do you turn on that cute little (red) Nano or do you put the headphones in your ears and pretend to listen? I know many who do that because it’s more to eavesdrop than to hear Bono or Sting sing about poverty.
egan’s last blog post..Longer Than Expected
egan
/ December 17, 2008By the way, I think the swimsuit Mr. Craig is wearing is quite smashing.
egan’s last blog post..Longer Than Expected
emmajames
/ December 17, 2008Holy crap! It never occurred to me to only pretend to listen so I could eavesdrop. You are an evil genius– No. Wait. I still probably won’t do that because this strange superiority complex takes possession of me, making me believe no one sitting near me could possibly have anything of interest to say, as soon as I sit down in my aisle seat. I blame this misanthropic tendency on the piped-in air.
And about Mr. Craig’s swimsuit… I wasn’t looking at his swimsuit.
egan
/ December 17, 2008Okay, the guy’s got some nice body parts that aren’t covered up by the swimsuit. I got you.
Yes, I’m evil. You can just bop your head around as if you were listening to JT or some shit, but eavesdrop. Come on, let’s work on your technique.
egan’s last blog post..Looking for Comedy in the Latte World
emmajames
/ December 17, 2008How the hell do you know that I listen to JT? Shhh – it will ruin my indie music cred! Have you been spying on me?
Jamie
/ December 23, 2008Em, so true. I spend about 1/2 my time in airports and I love the way I feel there. They are my comfort zone.
I *am* one of those people who runs directly to the AAdmiral’s Club and I don’t talk to anyone on planes, but I still experience the same sensation of being whoever I want. Nothing thrills me more than looking rough around the edges from 6 weeks straight travel, sitting at a gate, having everyone around give me the stink eye and then popping up when they board first class. For two seconds, I could be a spy, an independently wealthy heiress or even a fringe celebrity. I love it. Until I remember that I’m actually just an overworked marketing professional who’s been upgraded because of her status. That’s when I order my first cocktail!
Jamie’s last blog post..I’ll Give You Donuts, Rick Warren.
emmajames
/ December 23, 2008Jamie – I want video!