Things I hate about airports...

1. "Express" trains that charge you almost the cost of the air ticket to get to the airport. And then make you walk almost as far again to the terminal.
2. Automated check ins that require a masters in IT to operate and appear consistently unable to accept your "machine readable" passport.
3. Those that appear to be checking in their entire family and its worldly goods directly in front of you, and then proceed to open suitcases to remove items which weigh in at double the free allowance.
4. Security scanners that require you to remove half of your clothing in order to pass through undetected.
5. Those who fail to anticipate security scanners and turn up in thigh high leather boots with toe caps and steel studded belts, all of which must be removed before they, or you, are free to pass.
6. Airside restaurants who apparently don't realise that those eating have not just come for a slap up meal airside, but in fact have a certain sense of urgency, like a flight to board.
7. Being asked to show a boarding pass in order to purchase a newspaper.
8. Vehicles carrying apparently disabled or evidently obese passengers to the gate, who beep at you and expect you to jump aside as you make the long walk unaided.
9. Being ordered to walk across the tarmac to board an aircraft on the other side of the airport in howling wind, and then queuing as the family who checked in before you take an eternity to board, find their seats, stow their numerous hand bags and generally organise themselves. Shift.
10. Baggage carousels, at which you wait for your checked baggage to arrive or not, as the case may be.
11. Those who insist on giving their children a ride on a trolley, leaving you to carry your own baggage while trying to dodge their eratic moves as you furtively make your way to the nothing to declare channel.
12. Those waiting in arrivals with signs bearing the names of people who will be carried to their destination in chauffeur driven car while you sweat it out on local transport in a language utterly unfamiliar.

© 2010 Wilma Kay