Tales from a Mid-Lifer

If you regularly read my blog, you know I fly frequently and 99% of the time, I travel alone. While I’ve catalogued a few air travel stories, there are also peculiar inconsistencies.

Some are no big deal. Others? TSA might need some training.

…Self-Defense

In January, I accidentally left a pepper spray (self-defense spray) in my carry-on bag and didn’t notice it until days later. I was stunned the bag wasn’t flagged but I considered it a rare oversight.

For kicks and giggles, I intentionally left the pepper spray in my carry-on for my flight a month later. Fully prepared to be pulled out of line, scolded and receive a mini lesson on the do’s and don’ts of passenger security, I watched the agent stare at my bag passing through the x-ray machine and down the conveyor belt alongside my laptop.

Reaching for my bag, I hesitated slightly, thinking for sure I would be approached. I was not.

I kept the spray with me four more times. Not once has it been identified and removed.

But…

My daughter flew from Texas to South Carolina a couple weeks ago. I handed her a spray and told her about my TSA undercover project.

She protested but packed it in a carry-on pocket anyway. My girl’s bag was flagged and the spray confiscated.

…Shoes

I wore the same travel sneakers twice while walking through the scanner. They have metal shoelace rings I never noticed until the third trip when TSA asked me to remove my sneakers and walk through again.

…No Passport? No Problem!

A fellow (male) passenger was telling me about a female passenger who got through security with a wink and a smile – without her passport, no military ID, nor a driver’s license! She was mildly upset that she “forgot” her identification, but according to the man’s retelling, started flirting with the TSA agent and made her way through. The man who shared this witnessed the breach of security personally, still appalled from it happening three months earlier.

My New Practices: Facial Recognition

I started to waive the photograph taken by TSA at security.

There are plenty of cameras all over the airport terminal buildings taking live video of me going into the ladies room, getting dinner and reading a book.

Last week, en route to the airport, my vehicle -and me in it- were photographed at five locations on the highway before I stopped counting.

The additional photo is overkill.

Body Scanners

Since raising my arms in the body scanners so often can’t possibly be good, I’ve started getting a pat down. (Technically, the screening booths are identified as “millimeter-wave technology” not radiation, but I’m continuing with the pat downs.)

Things that never grow old about air travel?

The Ascent ~~~

Once settled into the window seat, the Boeing 737 (the size of a small office building) impressively rises into the clouds and I think of my family touring the Wright Brother’s National Memorial in North Carolina.

Imagine if the brothers could see Joby Aviation presently testing electric air taxis!

As the plane climbs, the racing cars on winding, circular highways below me slow. From 35,000 feet up, houses and sprawling subdivisions shrink.

The higher I go, daily frustrations lessen.

Slow Wi-Fi, traffic, long lines… things that aren’t really problems at all.

The Cruising Altitude ~~~

And the sky He created for us to enjoy…

Feeling closer to the moon.

The Descent ~~~

Thousands of flickering lights from homes and businesses in the big cities.

Wide-open farms and acreage in smaller towns.

~~~~~~

The initial frustrations with commercial flying are real. But ultimately, there is still something awesome about joining the clouds, slowing down and appreciating the beauty all around.

Thank you for visiting my blog today, I appreciate you being here. Have a wonderful week ahead!

Pepper Spray photo: click on image or here for source. Featured quote photo: Pinterest. All other photos: family5power