19 June 2009
Airports and Emotions
Airports for me present mixed emotions.Traveling back to see my family fills me with joy and anticipation, going back after being with my family I am filled with a tinge of saddness. Going on business thereis always that excitement of what to come, how would it go, what kind of adventure awaits me. I enjoy observing people and wondering what is behind the smile or the tears, transiting an airport gives that sense of detachment of being alone randomly observing people sometime not more for a few seconds but always in awe of the human capacity for joy, love, saddness, loneliness and many other emotions that pass by so fast. And when I am bored I watch how well or bad services are provided to customers by motivated and disinterested staff. I watch the ability of people to totally ignore their customers who are a few feet about them. Airports are learning experiences mostly about me then the multi national multitudes
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An interesting post on an alternative view of an airport. So often we are racing through on business, talking on mobile phones, looking for a quiet corner and generally trying to avoid the crowd. There is a mass of humanity there for as many reasons as there are people.
ReplyDeleteThe airport is with us to stay - like the major train stations that have been around for almost 200 years now. Perhaps the spaceport will be next. But always it's people that pass through and that's what makes them interesting.
Perhaps the airport of the future will provide ways to encourage people to converse. Not that I always want to converse, but many times I have considered all the interesting stories and thought it would be good to talk to others. This is especially true on international flights where people with vastly different cultures to my own and standing right by me waiting to board - and passing by unremarked.
Airports need an efficiency makeover but they also could use a humanity makeover. I wonder what opportunities lie ahead for this?
I have always believed our industry has been partly responsible for a reduction in strife across the world. As people meet and learn about other peoples, understanding and eventually respect results. The airport of the future could take a role in reducing world tensions. Once again, it will be people that make this happen - the airport is just another place with great opportunity.
This is a great post. As a flight attendant I have spent, probably years of my life at airports: ) I know what you mean about watching people and the people serving people! I've learned from this as well, I also, agree with Martin...travel is a great way to solve issues w/ other cultures...learn and understand!
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite memories at an airport was when I was sitting by myself waiting to work a flight and I saw a huge group of people waiting for an in bound flight. They looked excited and anxious. When the flight arrived a woman got off the plane and handed a couple in the large group, a baby! I can't believe how much that affected me! I started crying right along with them...it was beautiful to see this new family: )