Spring Break
Airports are an opportunity to observe the world
OUT OF THE SHELL
Tammy Krikorian
Spartan Daily Executive Editor
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I began flying at a young age with my sister, from Reno to Los Angeles to visit my dad. In those early years, we were spoiled with stewardess wings and pre-board privileges.
One of my favorite memories of being on a plane was when my sister, who must have been about 6 or 7 at the time, worried aloud that we might bump into God.
In my nearly 25 years of life, I've stepped foot into at least 15 airports - five of them over the past week.
It's amazing what can be observed in places like these.
It's a rare chance to see people from all over the world going a million different places for a million different reasons converging in one spot for one fleeting moment in their lives.
The dress code varies - for many, it's jeans and sneakers; for some, it's business attire. Some women wear trendy sweat suits - these are the smart ones. Others wear four-inch spiked heels and mini-skirts, and I wonder how they can sit comfortably on an airplane (if that's possible for anyone).
The tackiest outfits are worn in Las Vegas, while folks wearing tweed jackets can be spotted in Louisville. I liked the Oakland fashion best - be it the aging hippie, the trendy college student or the '80s punk-inspired garb, the wearers still managed to look unique.
A 13-year-old boy with the voice of Bobby Hill wore a T-shirt that said, "If you're hot, I'm single."
An 8-year-old girl had on sweat pants that read "Cutie" across the bottom.
(Side note: Do these kids not have parents?)
What's more interesting than the style are the people behind the clothes.
People are heading home, leaving home, headed to college or perhaps a new job, visiting friends or family, escaping friends and family. Some will never come back.
Friends, spouses, lovers, co-workers drop folks off and pick them up - some hug, some kiss, some shake hands. Some cry.
A woman bid farewell to her grown-up grandson after a discussion on love and marriage.
A young man in a military uniform saw his mother, father and little sister for the first time in months.
A middle-aged couple with a 10-year-old son kissed warmly while standing in line - a sign that true love stands the test of time.
A bored and homesick man in his 50s called his mother, then his wife.
" ... I just got off the phone with mother," he said, relaying every detail of his day. "I'm pretty tired - I wish I was there now. ... The airport's under construction. ... The flight's delayed. ... That's Rod Stewart (playing in the background), 'Maggie May ... ' "
Since Sept. 11, people seem more patient, more understanding. They show up sooner. They don't complain about the lines. They gladly remove their shoes and jackets, turn on their laptops and voluntarily forfeit their knitting needles and cuticle scissors. Even the kids seem quieter.
Some folks fall asleep. Others read. Many strike up conversations with one another.
"You're going to Rolex, too?" a young woman asked the couple in front of her, referring to the three-day Kentucky equestrian event.
"I think just about everyone on this plane is," the other woman said, as they stood in the boarding tunnel, about to fly from Las Vegas to Louisville.
This was by far the most entertaining flight I had ever been on.
The lead flight attendant, in a Southern drawl, managed to rhyme most of her spiel and crack jokes in between.
She asked the passengers the correct pronunciation of Louisville and got as many responses as there were passengers.
"Looavull!"
"Luhvul!"
"Lewisville!"
"Looaville!"
Once the plane was off the ground, she continued her banter.
"After the first 15 minutes, you'll have to pay for air by putting a quarter in the slot," she said. "If you don't have any quarters, we'll sell you a $10 roll for $15."
And she ended the flight by singing a song.
"... Marry one of us, and you can fly for free."
With this last line, the passengers left the plane as they entered it - in laughter.
I lamented that I'd never ridden a plane with this woman before.
It was a grand introduction to Kentucky.
Tammy Krikorian is the Spartan Daily executive editor.
"Out of the Shell" appears every Wednesday.
