REFLECTIVE MOMENTS
There are many stories to airline travel
Book your Pedicure and Manicure so you are Sitting in the Regina International Airport is a time to reflect on a variety of topics, some of them not our business, and others definitely of a personal nature.
It has been a few years since we’ve abandoned road travel to take to the skies but an opportunity presented itself for us to go on a quick journey to Edmonton. So using some Air Miles collected by virtue of buying all that bathroom tissue and extra packages of paper towels, we were able to find seats there and back on the days we preferred to travel. Being such a techno wizard, I managed to get our boarding passes, pay for the luggage charges and change seats, all with only being kicked off the airline’s site twice. Just to be cautious, I printed extra copies of the boarding passes — one for Housemate, one with my name and two more just because I could. Who knows when extras might be needed.
Paying attention to the advisories that during Christmas travel season, the lineups might be lengthy and the waiting times longer than usual, travellers were advised to arrive at least two hours before the posted boarding time. To me that meant three hours, just in case an unforeseen event took place to cause us catastrophic delays.
It took almost as long to find a spot in the long-term parking area and walk to the terminal doors as the duration of the trip from Moose Jaw. A traveller’s recommendation for the airport authority: more spots designated for handicapped drivers would seem like a good idea. Just a thought for consideration.
The line at security moved fairly quickly and soon it was our turn to fill the buckets with our belongings. There is always some trepidation when walking through the x-ray scanner but nothing buzzed, beeped or set off warning whistles. It was almost anticlimactic when Housemate was waved through as well with nary a blip.
But when we were trying to return home the security folks in Edmonton weren’t about to allow this Saskatchewan resident through so easily. My shoes set off the scanner so I removed them and walked through again. The two agents exchanged glances and the lady agent approached me and advised “You have been selected” for a pat down search. She offered to take me to a private area but I agreed to have it done in public as long as it didn’t involve removing any more clothing.
She asked if I had bruises anywhere or sensitive spots. I provided answers to that personal question and she said she would be gentle — and she was — as I stood there arms outstretched, legs splayed wide apart, hoping no one would take photos to post anywhere. By the time she was finished she knew nearly every crevice on my body and even massaged the bottom of my compression-stocking clad feet. She released me to the next agent who had found something odd in my purse.
He fished out my keys and questioned the silver fob which I explained came with my vehicle and then we discussed one brand against another. With that discussion complete, I was free to go, not knowing why I had been “selected” for such scrutiny. Then we sat and watched and started the process of trying to discern what we could about our fellow voyagers. Did the man with the purple carry-on case buy it himself or was it a gift from a family member with a wicked sense of humour.
The lady with the man in a wheelchair sounded like someone I would like to know. She wasn’t talking in a condescending manner to the elderly man with the oxygen unit. She offered to give up the window seat so he could enjoy the trip, and she explained all the plans made for their week with family members. I would like her as my caregiver.
Were the two men standing together staring at their telephones texting each other or someone else? Snoopy people want to know? Had they been “selected” for extra pats?
On the trip we discovered flying as cheaply as possible is not very comfortable.
“What do you want for Christmas?” asked the attendant in the Santa hat?
“A wider seat,” I responded. “A wider seat to sit in,” Housemate added. “Yes, what he said.” The attendant laughed and moved on, not asking anyone else their Christmas wishes. A wise airline employee. And a fine airline that managed to have us arrive along with our checked luggage. A wonderful end to two interesting flights although I still wonder about how the security folks make their selections. Hmmm.
Joyce Walter can be reached at ronjoy@sasktel.net