The traveling American

Determined to look for and capture the positive in our American way of life, recently traveling by air to the Pacific Northwest provided an excellent opportunity to observe, analyze, and smile.

The days when air travel was a luxury have long passed, as have the days bereft of all sorts of pressure: security, airport congestion, long lines (even for the restrooms), higher costs, weather delays, and what I see as the increasingly hectic pace of life in America.  Well, at least in the parts of America I have frequented.  Nonetheless, there are ample opportunities to observe the smiles when traveling by air.  Here are some collected during my recent excursion:

• A lady arrived, apparently somewhat later than desirable, and was multitasking in the line at the airline ticket counters.  She simultaneously was attempting to fill out tags for her baggage, direct her hapless husband, talk on a cell phone, and move forward as the line moved.  I couldn't help but smile, because none of her tasks were being accomplished with any degree of efficiency or speed.  Don't misunderstand, I wasn't smiling at her frenetic attempts to compress several actions into a small amount of time.  I was smiling because I'd arrived at the airport with plenty of time in hand to manage the inevitable lines, thus reducing or eliminating stress from that aspect of the trip.
• After a large cup of coffee, it was equitably inevitable that a visit to the restroom was necessary.  While normally unusual, there was a waiting line within the men's room.  Taking my place in line, other gents entered and took their places.  After a few moments, a gent entered, saw the collection of his fellow male travelers, only to ask, "Is this this waiting for the john?"  I couldn't resist responding, "Naw, we all just decided to meet here."  The laughter from the others in line was genuine and welcomed.
• At my assigned gate, the seats were pretty much filled up when a young couple and their two small kids arrived.  Mom didn't miss a beat, finding a clear area for them to occupy on the floor.  Working with the kids, they went through a positive routine of preparing them for the upcoming flight.  Books and toys appeared from carry on bags.  Juice and snacks seemed to appear from midair.  Carry on bags were repacked and all was prepared for the flight.  I smiled, because it was clear that mom had done this before and was ready for all contingencies, as well as the routine inconveniences attendant to airline travel.  Let me note that this family was superb throughout the flight, no doubt due to mom's preparedness.  Wouldn't we all smile if everyone was equally prepared?  
• The airline on which I was traveling is the one that requires you to get a sequential boarding pass - no reserved seats.  I was fortunate to have an "A" boarding pass, A-50 to be precise.  At the command of the airline staff, I stood to fine my rightful place in line, much like we used to in grade school.  Anyway, I found the roughly correct spot and assumed the waiting posture.  A young lady walked up, looked at the line, moved to my area and asked me, "Are you 50?"  As a 62 year old, I couldn't help but respond, with a smile on my face, "I wish I was!"  The anticipated laugh from the young lady was a great sound.
• At last, we boarded the aircraft.  I was able to board, take a seat, and watch with amusement others coming on board.  Again, with a smile on my face, I noted some seemed to be traveling with all of their worldly possessions.  The bags intended for the overhead storage bins looked heavier and larger than the rucksacks I carried as a Marine.  Fortunately, there were enough males on the aircraft to lift these leaden weights into the overhead bins.  People graciously assisting others always generate smiles.  Then came my fellow Americans, on a sojourn to a place or places unknown, who were in the third and final boarding group.  Most accepted their fate, if not willingly, at least begrudgingly, uttering nary a peep.  A few, however, were a source of humor.  Going up and down the cabin, looking for the right seat and right place to place their leaden weights, they could be heard complaining about the lack of aisle or window seats.  Or three seats together.  Or countless other rather trivial issues.  My smiles were for the absurdity of their comments.  (Fortunately, I'm not a flight attendant and don't have to put up with such banality.)  We really must smile at those who find such trivial matters so important.
• Finally, I worked hard to share a comment with and smile to each of the airline staff, airport workers, concession stand employees, TSA screeners, rental car company employees, and all the others that contribute to making the air travel experience work.  Undoubtedly, we've all probably encountered one or another of these folks who wasn't at the top of the competition for Employee of the Month.  Nevertheless, the vast majority are our fellow Americans simply doing their jobs to the best of their abilities.  Challenged by supporting the traveling public, which could try the patience of Job, these folks deserve every kindness and smile we can provide.  Remember, we encounter them once per trip.  They encounter all of us all of the time.

So, the trip was completed, the smiles generated, and fellow Americans observed.

The next time you take a flight, be sure to look for the smiles.