redkanga

Airports suck. I’m sure that this is universally agreed upon, but I’ve got to say it anyway. The first reason airports suck is that the rules of travel are not universally agreed upon. Sure, everyone has to get where they are going but there is no reason to be an asshole about it. Another problem with airports, at least in the US is the passenger screening process. Here at SFO I was asked to remove my shoes. Hmmm, I wasn’t asked to remove my shoes when I went through screening at LAX last Sunday. Ok, I take off my shoes and ask the screener, “Why are we taking off shoes? I wasn’t asked to remove my shoes last time I flew.” His response was, “Everyone is supposed to request that passengers remove their shoes.” I wasn’t really satisfied with his response, but I knew better than to make a scene about having to get my socks dirty. That’s when I noticed that the three people behind me were not asked to remove their shoes. Of course, none of them have a goatee. I have now begun to question if there is a connection between terror and white males with goatees.

So, past the screening, I arrived at the airport a good 4 hours before my flight was to board. This is mainly because I didn’t want to get lost exploring and try to make it to the airport in the middle of Friday rush hour traffic. I suspect that Bay Area Friday traffic is just as bad as Metropolitan Los Angeles Friday traffic, if not worse… especially since to go anywhere but South from San Francisco you have to go over a bridge.

As airports go, SFO is pleasant. Especially when you compare it to LAX. It was easy to drop my car off at the rental garage. There was a problem returning the car at the Budget counter, but that was caused by the rental agent on Sunday night and was easily (not quickly) resolved. Good thing I like to hang on to all my travel paperwork until I am safely home. The tram system for SFO, AirTrain, is easy to navigate and efficient. It’s nice and clean as well. In fact, the entire airport is nice and clean. I don’t think you could turn LAX into an airport like SFO. SNA (John Wayne Airport) is as clean, but not as passenger friendly.

Four hours leaves a lot of time to kill… I’ve written this entry and purchased a small gift for Katie. Think I’ll turn off the laptop find a quiet corner and read. Of course, since I am unwilling to pay $6/hr for Wi-Fi access through T-Mobile this entry will be posted after I get home.