Leaving On a Jet Plane

Our little guy absolutely loves airplanes. I don't have much experience with other boys his age, so I can't speak for any other boys besides ours. He really, really loves things that fly though! We've traveled with him by plane, I believe, 4 times now. He's a pretty decent traveler. *knock on wood* I probably jinxed us by saying that, but I swear he loves the change of scenery that comes with traveling and, of course, the opportunity to see airplanes up close.

trucks, planes, and trains... a little boy's dream

I can't pass up an #airportcarpet photo op

watching the activity below

DTW is still one of my favorite airports... and I love the fountain there

watching the train and people at DTW

one last #airport carpet shot before we head home

for the love of lines....

the tunnel at DTW... check it out if you're in the McNamara terminal

otherworldly lighting

who can resist peeking at the 747?!

All of these photos were taken during our trip to Michigan in August. I'll share more about our trip back to my home state next week! There's a lot to share.

Happy Friday!

The Thrill of Flight

What is it with boys and airplanes? It's actually most things that move, but there's a special love for airplanes in our little man's heart. His father is a pilot, so I guess he comes by it honestly. I swear we aren't even brainwashing our guy to love airplanes. He just does. For many months now, he has pointed to every single plane he spots overhead. He doesn't even need to see them. Just the sound of jet engines triggers him to look skyward. It's a fun thing to see your little one drawn to something that catches their fancy. Airplanes it is!

There's something fascinating about watching a giant metal bird soar through the open blue sky! I love birds of a feather, and my husband and son gravitate towards the metal ones. I'm still working on teaching our one year old a love for feather birds too. I need a birdwatching sidekick, you know.

What is it about these man made metal birds that keeps us interested? They're piloted by humans. That's a start. Many people dream of flying an airplane but never do. Some, that would be me, prefer sitting in a seat while a trained pilot does the job. Then there are those who actually do fly these crazy contraptions that seem to defy gravity each time they take flight. There's also the people who are amazed/frightened by the fact that anyone would set foot aboard a plane let alone do it themselves. Airplanes are cool. Plain and simple.

Fighter jets are a whole different animal. They maneuver like nothing you've seen. I think they fly more like birds than many of the other planes out there. Up, down, breaking away, almost vertical climbs. If you've ever been to an airshow you might have seen something like that. One day I'm sure we'll take our little guy to an airshow. I hope he's still in love with airplanes then, because I can't wait to see him stare in amazement.

My grandpa, who Chase unfortunately never got to meet, had his private pilot's license before he could drive a car. Although there are many, it's one of my favorite stories about him. He knew everything there was to know about all the older airplanes out there. There were times when his memory would just blow you away. This airplane had a fill-in-the-blank horsepower engine. That airplane flew in this-or-that war. I hope to pass on some of my grandpa's stories to our son. Maybe one day he'll understand that kind of passion for flying.

I wonder what a one year old imagines when they see an airplane flying through the sky. One may never know, but it sure is fun to see a smiling face. After three trips by airplane, I'm sure our little guy won't remember a single one of them. We'll have pictures to prove it though. He shouted plenty of "wow's" and made lots of jet engine sounds while taking off down the runway. One day he'll understand the physics behind an airplane's flight, and I hope he'll still be amazed.

If it wasn't 100 degrees when we visited the airport, we might have stayed all day. All I know is that if our boy gets excited by spotting an airplane soaring above, then we'll have many more trips to the airport in our near future. Heck, we'll probably go watch planes even if our one year old tires of it.

Tips for Airport Security & What Not to Wear

Airport security can be intimidating and/or annoying, but it really doesn't have to be. There are some fairly simple things you can do to make the whole experience a little smoother for yourself and for your fellow passengers too. No one likes being held up in lines at the airport.

 Can you guess this airport?

walk on the left, stand on the right

How you can help speed up the airport screening process:

- Check your bags and bring less carry-on items. I know it costs money on most airlines these days, but do yourself, and everyone else, a favor and get rid of your bags before entering security. The less you bring through security, the quicker you pass through the screening process. Passengers in line behind you will thank you for it. Win, win.
     * I totally disregarded this tip during my trip to Michigan a couple weeks ago, and just let me say that was one of the less pleasant trips through security I've had in a while. Too much stuff and not enough hands! Anytime you can free up your hands while traveling, it's a good thing. I did check one bag, but I carried on two large items. Not good.

- Arm yourself with a little knowledge ahead of time. You will need to have your boarding pass and proper identification ready. Do yourself a favor and also know the rules for carry-on liquids. No one wants to throw away expensive perfume or makeup. Also have your liquids handy at security, because you will need to remove them from your carry-on bag! This leads me to my next tip.

- Prepare your carry-on bag the night before your flight. Having an organized bag will make things a million times (or at least 10 times) easier once you arrive at the airport. I hate last minute shuffling through my bag because I forgot something needed at security. Pack those things you need in security, like proper identification and liquids, in the top of your bag. This will save your from rummaging through your bag and holding up the security line. A little planning goes a long way.

more tips for getting through screening quicker

prohibited items 

(you'd be surprised the things people try and carry-on with them)

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Earlier this week I flew to North Carolina, and I found out there are certain types of clothing you should avoid wearing if you don't want a TSA pat down. Let's just say I had my butt patted down (they use the backs of their hands... no biggie), and I'll think twice before wearing a pair of pants with buttons on the back pockets again. The TSA agent I spoke with said to wear simple clothing.

a simple top, skinny jeans, boots, and a cardigan... my travel "uniform" these days

How to minimize your chances of getting a pat down at the airport:

- Clothing: Don't forget to remove everything from pockets. Pants with buttons on back pockets, like I mentioned above, might also make you a candidate for an additional pat down. Apparently clothing with high metal content can make the body scanner machines go crazy too, so beware of sequins and metallic details. I also once had an issue with a dress that had a button sewn into the side seam. These are all things to think about when choosing clothing for your flight.

- Accessories: Just make it easier on yourself and put jewelry on after you pass through security. I always wear my wedding ring through the machines, but I almost never wear any additional jewelry. My typical routine is to place all jewelry in a small pouch inside my carry-on bag the night before my flight, and then I immediately pull it out and put it on after security. I often put scarves on afterwards too.

- Footwear: You will be required to take off your shoes before entering the metal detector or body scanner, so wear proper footwear. Shoes that slip off and on will speed up the lines. Your beautiful wedge heels that have 5 buckles each are probably not proper footwear. Not to mention, if there was an emergency on your flight would you really want to evacuate in heels? Just a thought.

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Over the years I've had my bags, and also my hands, swabbed for explosives at least a few times. It's not scary; I promise. Before the body imaging machines existed, I set off a metal detector and received some additional waves of a handheld metal detector. It was the button on my skirt that did it that time. There will always be unknown variables (weather, delays, etc.) while flying, but you can attempt to minimize the inconveniences of air travel with some awareness and planning ahead of time.

My husband and quite a few people I know make their living in the air, so I'm not bothered by the sometimes inconvenient security rules and regulations. I don't mind taking off my shoes for a minute, and I surely have the ability to pack any large liquids in a checked bag. Yes, I do miss the days when you could greet your friends and family at the arrival gate of an airport, but I also really value the lives of those who fly all of us around for a living. Those people are priceless and worth the extra effort. I'll gladly give up some conveniences if it means safer skies for us all.

flying over North Carolina

Houston, We Have a Problem

My obsession with airports might be a problem... depending on how you look at it. I could think of much worse problems to have though. For as long as I can remember I've had this crazy infatuation small obsession with airports. It's not unusual for me to go out of my way to book an airline ticket with a long layover somewhere just so I can people watch and soak up a new dynamic airport environment. Airports fascinate me, and I want to see as many of them as I can.

Getting stranded in an airport, which would be a nightmare for most people, would be a dream come true for me. When the Denver airport shutdown due to a blizzard a few years ago, I secretly wished I had been one of those 'lucky' passengers. I mean... how many people in life get to say that they were able to spend a few nights in an airport?! (and we're not talking the airport hotel) Besides maybe Tom Hanks's character, Viktor, in the movie The Terminal and all of those Denver passengers over Christmas in 2006. To me, the airport is like a thriving little city just waiting to zoom people off to their next destination! I keep thinking that one of these days I'll get 'lucky' enough to spend the night in an airport.

Denver International Airport

This travel blog photo's source is TravelPod page: Feb 26, 2010

I would love to travel the world if even just to see all of the airports out there! Just recently, Nate and I visited Michigan for Christmas, and I spent a few hours at the Detroit airport during our return trip home. Most of that time was spent taking pictures of the airport with the amazing DSLR camera that I borrowed from our wedding photographer. (I did not upload any of my pics yet). Airport architecture never ceases to amaze me. A few years ago I even read this really interesting book, called Naked Airport, so that I could learn even more about the cultural history of airports. *Nerd alert* Even nerdier... I know many more airport codes than the average human should. When I helped a friend of mine, who's a flight attendant for Frontier, study for her tests, I knew more of the airport codes than she did... and I wasn't getting paid to know them. Super nerdy, huh? I definitely love everything about airports. (Except for maybe the restrooms. Ew!) Airports are buildings seen by so many people that they seem to compete with each other for most amazing structure. The competition to have a world class airport definitely makes them interesting and fun to explore.

Here are some of my favorites:

Houston's George Bush
Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
Terminal E

photo credit: Cambridge Architectural


Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW)
McNamara Terminal

photo credit: here



Denver International (DIA)
The Jeppesen Terminal

photo credit: John Picken


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The airports above are a few of my favorites, and they're a small selection of the ones that I have visited. My criteria for liking an airport is not very difficult to meet. If there's a good place to for people watching I'm pretty happy. Trains, trams, and people movers are also a fun addition to any terminal and concourse. Airports with a lot of natural light also seem to make the top of my list... skylights, windows, and multi-story height spaces are great! Give me something to look at while I'm there.

Have you passed through any of the above airports? What is your favorite... or least favorite airport?

Airport Love

I love airports! That probably sounds weird to most people, but I really love spending time in airports. I love the people watching opportunities, and I love trying to guess where everyone is going. Airports provide hours of entertainment, and those places are always changing and evolving. Fascinating!

Over the years, I've been known to book a flight solely based off of whether or not it included a layover somewhere I hadn't been yet. Layovers mean you may get to see a new place, even if it is just a snippet. It depends on how much of a hurry you're in, but give it a shot if you're not in a rush.

jet contrails over Denver International (DEN)

Many people find my enjoyment of the airport a little odd, but everyone loves a place that others find a little strange. (If you say that you love funeral homes, I'll be a little worried... but to each his own).

Most people don't enjoy being at the airport. They find it stressful and hectic. My advice would be to arrive extra early for your flight, because that really seems to reduce the stress of travel. Not to mention, you may even have time to grab a little food if you get there early enough!

If you're ever early for your flight at Denver International Airport,

grab yourself a delicious breakfast burrito from Mesa Verde in Concourse A.

You can thank me later!

regional airline tarmac at Denver International (DEN)

I can tell you plenty of airport codes from across the country. Call it strange if you must, but I'll embrace my quirky obsession with airports. You never know when you'll need to know that PLN is Pellston, Michigan's airport code or that GSO is Greenboro, North Carolina.

Detroit Metro (DTW) looking like a ghost town at 6am on a Christmas morning

One of my favorite pass-times at the airport is people watching. I've seen some very interesting things at the airport. Wild outfits, celebrities, carry-on animals, and odd human behavior. Flying used to be something that only the rich and glamorous could afford, but today many walks of life travel via airplane. Sometimes you see passengers dressed to the nines, and you also see people looking like they just rolled out of bed (which they might have if it's an early flight). I've observed people walking their tiny "carry-on" dogs through the concourse, and I've watched people walk their children on leashes throughout the hallways. I never understood the child leash thing. Just know that if you love people watching, the airport is a great place to look!

welcome to Las Vegas (LAS)

I enjoy having conversations with people at the airport. I've had numerous conversations with people I've met at airports. Their destinations often intrigue me, their stories of travel interest me, and I almost always have to learn a little about them and their lives. The hustle and bustle of an airport is something that will never bore me! You never know who you might pass by while traveling through an airport.

watching planes takeoff & land from our hotel room at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas

The dynamics of the airport amaze me every time! It overwhelms me just thinking about everything that must happen in order to make the whole thing run smoothly. So many things happen simultaneously, and not always visibly, just for daily operation.

As an airline passenger you've probably experienced delays, and usually there is nothing you can do about it. Being at the mercy of the airlines and mother nature often makes travelers weary. All you can do is show up and go with the flow. If you're not a "go with the flow" kind of person, then flying can wear you out if you let it. Instead, I suggest taking a second to enjoy the little things that make the airport such a fascinating place. It doesn't have to be a stressful experience. I always recommend taking some time to take a look around you.

Safe Travels!