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| Courtesy Mark Virkus - Toggl Blog |
It's been awhile since I really did the "road warrior" thing, traveling weekly cross country for my job. Although, traveling from Minnesota to Wisconsin is not in the same category...or maybe it is?
The Minneapolis airport is my version of Dante's Hell. I arrived at 11 something for a 1:10 PM flight. I had not checked in/printed my boarding pass (remind me to buy a printer for my place in Mpls!) So, I am punished by standing in a long, snaking line of fellow, unhappy-looking passengers. hundreds. I knew I had made a mistake by not going online, checking in and printing my boarding pass the minute I entered Ticketing. (I won't go into deatil about the gargantuan labyrinth they call the parking ramp. I just have to remember: Green, Floor 4, by the west? edge overlooking the abyss. With no unique parking spot # ). When I got to the first TSA employee who checks tickets and ID, he looked at me and says, "so, your plane boards at 12:30." Underneath that statement was, "Why the hell didn't you get here at 4AM like all the responsible people?"
I made my way through (I mean past) the Xray machines (I hate MN winter!) with my big coat, scarf, hat & gloves, sheepskin-lined boots, heavy suitcase (ONE suit in it...oh, and a laptop) and my briefcase/tote rapidly slammed into plastic bins to be examined for nitroglycerin, bomb materials, drugs and any objects that could be quickly carved into a weapon, or sharp object to open that bag of peanuts you get on each flight. Oh yes, I had to pull out my laptop for yet another bin. I FORGOT to pull out my see-through cosmetic bag. Nevertheless, they let me through.
Of course, MY GATE (G20) is at the VERY END of G concourse, about 1 mile from ticketing. Now I understood why the TSA agent had a "bet you can't make it" look in his eye. Red faced, flushed and dragging my carry on and huge coat, etc., I am glad to see they are still boarding for my (35 minute?) flight to Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
It all made me wonder, is TSA really concerned terrorists are headed to Milwaukee?
3 comments:
It seems like every time I go somewhere my gate is at the very end of the concourse. Do they even use the closer gates?
Also, I hate the wait...wait...wait...hurryupandgetyourshoesoffbeltoffcoatofflaptopouttoiletrybagoutandwalkthroughthisthing nature of security at airports. It stresses me out, even though I try to be as prepared as possible (easy to slip on/off shoes, toiletry bag and laptop easily accessible, belt off before I get up there).
I used to get stressed about it until they found the sawsall blade in my purse. I learned what it is to really be stressed as I was sure I was going to be clapped into irons and carted off to FBI headquarters. Now as long as I make sure I clean out my purse before I leave for the airport, everything else is clear sailing.
I wonder...how many women did TSA ever catch with a sawsall blade in their purse? Mary, you may be the only one. That story is hilarious.
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