Having traveled on business several times during the past month, I've noticed more than ever the territorial aspects of waiting in line at the airport.
First, you park your car in the "car park" (as my Australian colleague names it), and wait to be picked up by the shuttle. Once the shuttle arrives, you negotiate your luggage and company belongings onboard, then look about for a seat.
Secondly, you arrive at the airline counter. Did you "check-in online"? If not, then you must wait in the long, zig-zagged line of persons waiting to check baggage and obtain their boarding pass. If you did check-in online, then you can go to a shorter, different kiosk line that allows you to complete the check-in process and get your luggage tagged. (By the way, I've learned a new trick for checking in online at SW Airlines: while traveling, I often don't have access to a printer, so I've learned to find a computer and check-in for my flight (up to 24 hours in advance); then, when I arrive at the airport, I can complete the check-in process at the shorter kiosk line and simply ask the touch screen on the computer to reprint my boarding pass. Hooray for the "A" boarding card!)
Next it is time to queue for the security checkpoint. No wait, you first must queue to have your ID and boarding pass checked to make sure they match - then you line up for the security checkpoint. Once at the security checkpoint, you unload video projectors, laptop computers, shoes, jackets, sweaters, purses, etc. into the provided bins. Stepping through security, you once again have your pass checked before you must redress and repack.
Now comes the fun part! Flying Southwest is an adventure in itself when it comes to the boarding process. Currently, SWA boards passengers on their planes according to the appropriate letter on their boarding passes: A, B, or C. The earlier you check-in for your flight, the more likely you are to receive an 'A' boarding pass. The letters correspond to the most likely place you'll sit on the plane: 'A' is mostly equivalent to the front of the plane or seats together (if you're traveling with a group), or at least finding bin space for your carry-on luggage above the seat in which you're sitting; 'B' corresponds to an aisle seat, or a seat toward the middle of the plane, and likely, bin space for your carry-on luggage, but most likely not near your current seat; and, 'C' corresponds to a seat toward the back of the plane, a dreaded middle-seat, or having to gate-check your bag because all the overhead bin space is gone.
It is fun to watch people try to find the most advantageous place to stand, sit, or wait to be closest to the front of the plane. Two flights ago we sat down to wait the requisite hour before our boarding time, sitting in the line of 'A' passes, and were joined by another business traveler. People came and stood around our seats, assuming we were later boarders. When it came time to board, our new fellow traveler said "let's go!", and stood up, elbowed her way in line and boarded the plane.
On my last flight, the queuing process at the gate was, to describe it simply, messed up. There were two gates directly next to one another and the A,B,and C designators radiated from the specific jetway doors at 45 degree angles. The seats however, intersected the purported lines so that it was not obvious where the lines began amongst the sitting area. We thought we were sitting in the appropriate line for our 'B' boarding passes, but unfortunately, we were mistaken. After trying to find the correct line, we finally boarded the plane at the end of the 'A' line, eclipsing our fellow passengers (not on purpose, really!), finding seats in front of the wing, and even finding good bin space!
Now for the rest of the story - The funniest part of this story was the elderly gentleman sitting directly across from us as we waited to be called to board the flight. He had an 'A' boarding card, and calmly waited as people began scurrying around to board. He stepped forward to claim his 'A' spot at the end of the 'A' group, and then stopped. You see, his 'A' boarding pass was for the next flight out of this same gate! He was elated at being the very first in line with his 'A' card.
None of this account describes the sideways glances of people trying to scan my boarding pass to see if they were ahead or behind my boarding. My colleague and I even tried different security lines to see who would beat the other through - competitive, do you think? And a great majority of the plane felt satisfaction that the very last person to board the plane was stuck with the seat next to the young mother with the crying child - a middle seat, of course!
And yet, even though that event took place a few short days ago, future traveling has already changed. Bin space will certainly be much more available. Perhaps as fellow travelers we will be more patient with one another, while once again and at the same time, more suspicious while we wait to board our flight.
It is somewhat ironic how our church experiences can sometimes be the same way. Aren't we quilty at times of queuing up for Heaven?
Trying to be first, or the best, or be standing next to the most popular? Praise God that I don't have to be the earliest to check-in for my trip to Heaven, or worry about bin space. Praise God that He doesn't compare me to my fellow Heaven bound traveler. Praise God that He has provided a way for us, in the form of prayer, to 'check-in online' with Him any time we wish. And, isn't it great that while I've already received my boarding pass, should I lose it, trample it, or misplace it, I can have it "re-printed" with His gracious hand?
Our God is an awesome God!
