Delayed flight but undaunted spirit

My flight got delayed home for Thanksgiving on Wednesday. For seven hours, I was stuck in the airport yawning and tired, trying to convince myself to do work. So I decided to do what airports are built for: people watching. Here is a list of my thoughts and when they occurred. I arrived at the airport at 6 a.m. to find my flight was delayed until 12:15 p.m. Which was then further delayed until 1 p.m., when we finally took off. 

 

6:25 – I learned recently in my other job that moms have a hard time traveling with breast pumping equipment. Something about security not trusting it or liking it. I saw a mom with a bottle of breastmilk for her child in the line to security and I felt bad for her. 

 

6:43 – It’s important to say thank you to people you interact with. Even to the crabby TSA person checking IDs. 

 

7:31 – In a Colorado airport, it’s funny to see who dresses “granola” or not. I was told by a Denver native that anyone dressing granola is fake. Real outdoorsy, healthy-focused people don’t project into the world the Patagonia jackets, tie-dye clothing, and hiking backpacks. From what I’ve seen, more “real” outdoorsy Colorado people just wear jeans and cowboy boots. Some wear cowboy hats, but it depends on the person whether that’s for show or not. So I always wonder when I see these granola people in the airport – are you from Colorado? Did you just dress that way to come here? Did you really go hiking? 

I also did see, on two separate occasions, people wearing Vikings jackets. While this made me smile as a Vikings fan myself, it of course came with the thoughts of “you poor, poor fan.” 

 

7:47 – I love to watch all the babies and young kids. While I think it would be a pain to travel with small children, they are adorable to watch. Whether it’s the baby curled up on momma’s chest or the toddler fascinated with the walking escalators, it’s fun to see their childlike wonder as the rest of us are either tired or stressed to be in the airport. 

 

8:36 – The sun is shining! I arrived in the dark, but the shadows couldn’t steal my spirit. 

 

8:54 – Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said that we should stop wearing sweats or pajamas to the airport and show more respect while traveling. I’m still seeing a lot of very comfy, borderline pajama outfits. Then again, some people come to the airport dressed to the nines. Personally? I prefer a classic jeans and sweatshirt outfit.

 

9:24 – Smelly people near you are the worst. I’m sorry, but that’s the truth. 

 

10:05 – Shout out to those people I saw running toward their gates in the airport. You stress me out, I hope you caught your flight. 

 

10:13 – Flight got delayed another half hour. At this point I might as well get cozy and make the airport home. 

 

10:47 – Finished all my work for the day. Checking foster lists to see which pet I want to bring home when I come back to Denver. 

 

10:51 – My gate finally reads “Minneapolis” as its destination. Making progress. 

 

I didn’t really have any other thoughts. I was just reading until they finally called us. But it’s Thanksgiving, so I’m grateful just for the opportunity to fly home to visit my family. And I’m thankful to you, dear reader, for making the decision to continually read my silly columns and decide that you like them. Of course I’m also thankful for my forever supportive family and my family at the Waseca County Pioneer.