Why I Hate Airports and the TSA

Okay so I really don't like to fly. Not that I am scared of flying or anything, I just hate all the stess that goes along with flying. All the security measures that have been added post 9/11 and especially all the waiting around that typically happens. But I understand that it is the fastest way to travel, particulary for me because my parents live in Alabama and I go to University in BC. (That's British Columbia, Canada for those who don't know.) But today's experience has lead me to develop an new found hatred for airline travel.

Today I had a flight for 6:30 AM out of Hunstville Alabama. Now before I continue with this story, let me explain something about the Hunstville airport. It only has one terminal and 12 gates. It is SMALL!!!! Another thing I should mention is that I live 10 minutes from the airport. With such a small airport my mom decided to drop me off only 45 minutes before my flight so I wouldn't have to sit around for too long. So we leave the house between 5:30 and 5:45, however when we got to the airport there was some construction going on in the parking garage so it took us 5-10 minutes to find a place to park. By the time we got inside it was about 5:50. Apparently this is also the cut-off time to check in. When I went to check in they told me I wasn't allowed because TSA regulations state that they need x amount of time to screen the checked baggage and therefore I wouldn't be able to check my bags for my flight and therefore I wouldn't make my flight.

This is how the conversation went.

Delta Lady (DL): What flight are you on today.

Me: The 6:30 to Memphis

DL: I'm sorry. You're too late for that flight, you'll have to book a new flight.

Me: Excuse me?

DL: They have already taken the baggage to the plane. You missed the cut off time.

Me: What was the cutoff time?

DL: 5:50.

Me: And what time is it now?

DL: 5:51.

Me: One minute? I'm one minute late and I can't get on my flight?

DL: I'm sorry ma'am.

Me: The plane doesn't take off for 40 more minutes.

DL: I know, but they have to have so much time to screen the luggage for security reasons.

Me (internally): FML

So 45 minutes later I leave with new tickets for a 10:10 flight to Atlanta and then a 3:00 flight to Seattle. So instead of arriving in Seattle at noon, I will now be arriving in Seattle at 5:30. In the middle of rush hour. On the night of a Mariners home game. Seriously. FML.

The second reason I hate flying on this particular day is because on the first leg of my trip I had a young boy behind me who found it pertinent to kick the back of my seat during the entire 40 minute flight. I seriously wanted to whip around and smack him upside the head. Something tells me his parents wouldn't have had approved.

The third reason I hate flying is layovers. It is now 2 pm EST. I have been in this airport since noon. My flight doesn't leave until 2:55. Luckily I don't have much longer to sit here, but still. This is why I hate flying. I had to pay $8 to get on the internet. It's not totally worth it, but at least I was able to get on and type up this blog. Ranting on here means I probably won't blow up at anyone later on. Although I would like to give the stupid TSA people a piece of my mind.

While wating to re-drop me off at the airport for my 10:10 flight my mom and I went to waffle house. We discussed how if I was someone important, they probably wouldv'e have put me on my first flight. I mean seriously, I was ONE MINUTE late. And everyone out there knows that as you are boarding the plane that's when they are putting the luggage on. So why, when the plane hadn't begun boarding yet was I not allowed through. What's two extra bags anyway??

Well, my flight is going to begin boarding soon so I better log off and pack my laptop back up.

Thanks for letting me rant.