USA, LAX
04/11/04 Filed in: Travel
It used to be that one would dread checkpoints in
third world countries, now it's the one facing me at
Los Angeles LAX. This line could be the longest line
I have ever seen in America (except maybe sale day
Bloomingdales). Stretching from outside the
international terminal, across the cavernous
ticketing hall, around the corner, down a very long
hall and out of sight in the distance. Two hours
before my flight, the adventure begins… one
step at a time. Toward the goal, people of all
different nationalities shuffle along together.
Cautious glances toward the big board which posts
departing flight status, my flight #775, on time.
Every now and then a Mexicana or Korean airline
employee comes rushing by waving their company
banner, anxiously announcing the immediate departure
of their flight.
It took only an hour and a half but, eventually I found myself on the business end of the line, which now snakes around back and forth, filling yet another large room. Here they guide us like cattle, twisting and turning through a series of x-raying scanners and high tech sniffing apparatus. But it's only after checking ID's, removing shoes, empting out pockets and taking all cameras and laptop computers out their cases (my new little white Apple iBook gets an approving nod) are we permitted to pass. The goal at last, and with no time to spare, everyone rushes toward the freedom of waiting planes.
The roar of jet engines on the tarmac make an attempt at blocking out the results of the US presidential election. I’ve cast my absentee ballot, now I have to let go of the fact that we’ll likely have to endure 4 more years of George W’s inabilities and shortcomings.
As I'm settling back into my seat a charming Thai Airlines flight attendant offers me some tea and a sweet reassuring smile. By the time I arrive at the hotel in Bangkok I will have been traveling almost 30 hours from the heartland of America. Better rest now and dream of new lands, cultures and experiences that await. Until tomorrow….
It took only an hour and a half but, eventually I found myself on the business end of the line, which now snakes around back and forth, filling yet another large room. Here they guide us like cattle, twisting and turning through a series of x-raying scanners and high tech sniffing apparatus. But it's only after checking ID's, removing shoes, empting out pockets and taking all cameras and laptop computers out their cases (my new little white Apple iBook gets an approving nod) are we permitted to pass. The goal at last, and with no time to spare, everyone rushes toward the freedom of waiting planes.
The roar of jet engines on the tarmac make an attempt at blocking out the results of the US presidential election. I’ve cast my absentee ballot, now I have to let go of the fact that we’ll likely have to endure 4 more years of George W’s inabilities and shortcomings.
As I'm settling back into my seat a charming Thai Airlines flight attendant offers me some tea and a sweet reassuring smile. By the time I arrive at the hotel in Bangkok I will have been traveling almost 30 hours from the heartland of America. Better rest now and dream of new lands, cultures and experiences that await. Until tomorrow….