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October 2014 airportbusiness 17 GROUND CLUTTER Ralph Hood Certified Speaking Professional; Member, Alabama Aviation Hall of Fame GROUND CLUTTER Ralph Hood Certified Speaking Professional; Member, Alabama Aviation Hall of Fame T he "hassle factor" of airline travel has not gone away, and shows no signs of going away. It's a stressful means of travel. The combination of TSA, smaller seats, buying tickets online, getting to the airport on time, parking, checking or toting bags then waiting because of delays, getting through security and—well, you know the deal. It all adds up. As near as I can tell, most everybody is trying like hell to do better. It's just all too much to overcome. But there is a haven in this mess: it's the airport itself. Once you get inside and get through security, the world changes. It's like that feeling I loved back when I was young and water skiing (I got all the way to the Georgia State Water Skiing Tournament and came in 13 th in the men's division. There were 15 contestants.). At first the boat dragged me through the water, the spray hit me in the face and the drag stretched my arms—then, magically I rose to the surface, the water became smooth, and life was wonderful. Lawd, that was a good feeling. I usually feel that way about airports—after the hassle is over and I'm inside. The truth is, I like airports. When my work is finished in a town, you might find me hanging out at the airport, hours before my departure flight. Once inside, I can read, eat, check my email, call Wife Gail, work on the laptop, and even nod off a bit. The stress is over for awhile. It isn't necessary to worry about city traffic making me late to the airport, I'm already there. Airports provide the most "normal" environment in air travel. This is an important part of the entire trip, and airports can be—should be—proud of providing a bit of relative tranquility to the much-harassed traveler. And airports continue to improve. Free WiFi is becoming the norm, now, as are free battery-charging locations. Retail merchants provide a wide variety of products and services, and the prices seem to be a bit less rapacious than in the past. Most importantly, you can usually find what you forget to bring—but must have for your trip—even if it does cost a bit more than at Walmart. Wife Gail called once to ask if I meant to leave all my ties on the bed. No, I didn't, but no problem, I bought one at the airport. I've bought a phone charger at an airport, batteries, allergy medicines, aspirin, some goo to hold in the crown that broke off my tooth and a myriad of other things. I'm a sucker for a good headline (or lovely lady) on the cover of a magazine, ice cream cones and a zillion other things. The stress will come back, of course, particularly if my flight is delayed and fear arises about missing the connecting flight in Atlanta, but my time at the airport is usually right peaceful for awhile In short, I really think that the airports of America pro- vide the most pleasant part of the entire trip and I appreciate it. Airports: Safe Havens? I really think that the airports of America provide the most pleasant part of the entire trip Not just a... It's a... 1190 S.E. Flightline Drive Warrenton, Oregon 97146 USA 503-861-2288 www.lektro.com • sales@lektro.com tug LEKTRO The ultimate aircraft tug... LEKTRO Since 1945 800-535-8767 www.aviationpros.com/10017532