Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Random Airport Encounter

Flying on a regular basis provides so many things. Frequent flyer miles, Hotel points, opportunities to see new things, a knowledge of how to travel smartly, opportunities to meet new people. Again, so many things.

This past Monday evening, I was provided a new opportunity, one I had not encountered before.

I arrived at the airport, checked in & checked my luggage & went to the security line to head towards my gate.

In front of me was a man, a little taller than me, looking around at everything.

I could understand. There are so many people to see (read: watch & observe) in the airport. Nothing new there - I'm definitely a people watcher.

We shuffled forward and he was a little wobbly. No biggie, maybe he self medicated, but he was still standing & appeared coherent.

Except that he kept looking back at me and staring at me, trying to make eye contact.

I knew what that meant. I felt my hand to make sure my rings were turned & sparkly in his face. I lowered my head a little and avoided eye contact.

I was almost to the checkpoint when he spun around & waved his hand in front of my downturned face. At this point, I had to make eye contact. And I would rather had plucked my eye out.

He leaned in & laughed. He told me he just had to say "Hello". And the stench of liquor hit me. At 4:50 in the afternoon, he was plowed. Probably still from last night.

I lifted my eyes to the ceiling & said, "Save Me."

And then the line ground to a halt.

I was trapped. Trapped with a totally plowed man who wanted to talk to me & leer at me. At this point, I wished my mother hadn't taught me any manners.

But she did, so I smiled nicely, shifted away from him & used my laptop bag as a shield to ensure there was space between us.

He leaned over to the security guard and handed her his ticket & license once we started moving again. She handed his back to him & reached for mine. As I handed them over, the man leaned over to the guard and told her, "She's going to Maine, or so she says."

I leaned over to the guard, retrieved my ticket & license and told her, "And he's still drunk from yesterday & needs his toothpaste & toothbrush. Could you make sure it's not seized?"

See? So many new things to learn when you travel.

18 comments:

Trish {Pink Preppy Lilly Lover} said...

You handled that beautifully!! Sorry about the airport creep. I travel a lot for business and have had similar experiences. Way to go! Stay warm!!!

Unknown said...

Goo! creepy mcnasties!

KatiePerk said...

What a jerkface! You handled that well. I would not be that quick on my feet!

Unknown said...

Ha ha ha ha ha...you go, girl!! And the security guard's reaction was??

I dislike bumping into icky, creepy people - male or female.

I'm with KLaw...creepy mcnasties! Ew.

Dee Stephens said...

WOW! the whole thing makes me shriek

Under this Umbrella said...

YAY for you. Wish you had a camera to snap a picture if he heard that.

There is never a dull moment at the airport. You should write a book after you are finished with all of your travels on 5001 crazy things you see and experience in an airport. I'll be your manager and creative contributor. :)

The Undomestic Mom said...

Eww I hate being around people like that a the airport...I feel like Im usually the lucky one who gets to sit next to them on the flight! Way to use the laptop bag as a shield!

Annie said...

ugh...what a creeper!
you handled the situation very well lady.
i get so uncomfortable in those kind of situations, i don't like to make eye contact with anyone...haha.

CIP said...

Oh geez! I don't understand how you travel so much...I HATE HATE HATE flying so I definitely couldn't do what you do. But seriously, creepers suck!

Carrie said...

What a wierdo! I always do the ring turn when I think a guy may be trying to talk to me too. ;)

Brittany said...

LOL! Way to go, lady! That was so clever of you. And pretty damn funny too. I hope they didn't let him on the plane. Pretty sure that's against "TSA regulations", lol.

Tara Gibson said...

ohhhh eeeeek! so creepy! you handled it so well!

Kassie said...

Oh the people you can meet in airports...sigh. :)

Brittany Ann said...

Oh ick ick ick! Nothing bugs me more than being leered at! Especially by gross versions of a man!

Anonymous said...

It's been a while since I've stopped by- sending sunshine your way! xoe

LWLH said...

Eww what a creep but good comeback! :)

Jenny DB said...

MWAHAHAH 'can you make sure it's not seized!!" i love it :)

Nishant said...

What a jerkface!

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