Michaela's Blog: Seriously... do they hate us??
5:53 PM July 28, 2008
I traveled this weekend by plane to Chicago for a conference for minority journalists called Unity. Such a great city, Chicago and a wonderful host for the several thousand journalists who gathered there from all over the nation.
But of course, all air travel these days is not without it's challenges. Everything went fine thank GOD; all my luggage made it there and back, as did I. No trouble with delays or canceled flights. (unlike a friend who's trip to Chicago was cut short due to her flight being canceled. She took it like a champ)
But the thought occurred to me as I was waiting to check in, that "they" don't really want us to travel. Or maybe "they" just hate us. Flow with me on this: I almost always buy my airline tickets online, for convenience and definitely for cost savings. You don't need me to tell you that air travel is costing more lately, so you probably can relate to spending hours searching for a ticket that doesn't involve you selling off a kidney or part of your 401k. For this trip I booked a ticket that was sold by one airline and operated by another. Thus I could not check in online like I usually do to save time.
Thus I was standing in line ... with every other person in America.
People were calm. After all, we did as we were told and arrived an hour and a 1/2 to 2 hours before our flight. We wove and wended our way to the counter, checked in without much effort... and then....
And then.
Then we had to stand in another line. No big deal here. You almost always have to wait in line for security. But this line was nonsensical. it was at the bottom of an escalator that TSA agent was guarding. When the line up top moved ahead, she would occasionally let some of us advance. Well at some point, someone in charge decided this wasn't working, so they led the line outside. We all followed obediently and walked one after another all the way around, almost in a figure eight to a spot almost exactly in the same spot that we had started in. That's when we started laughing. That's all you can do. There's no sense in getting upset.
Until you realize that your bladder is full.
I made it through security. Things moved pretty quickly at security in fact. Once reunited with all my belongings and shoes etc, I realized that I hadn't had a chance to use the facilities because I was in a rush to check in. Laughable.
Except when you REALLY have to go.
Where's the closest ladies room? In front of me 7 more gates. No problem. Except after all this, my almost completely heeled knee is getting kinda tired and won't let me walk super fast. I finally get around the corner and see the sign for the restroom and BAM - it's closed for cleaning. A man comes out, I proceed to beg. No, not because I think I am someone important, but rather because I am going to totally embarrass myself and do something I haven't done since I was 3 and wet my pants!!
He smiles sympathetically and points out the nearest bathroom is MILES away... ok 7 gates back but it feels more like 7 miles.
It wouldn't have been so bad if there had been some air conditioning. Do they not believe in a little air or at least a breeze at the airport???
That is when I truly wondered, as I limped sweatily along, if "they" hate us.
It doesn't matter who "they" specifically are. But I sometimes wonder if "they "are trying to penalize us for wanting to travel. It used to be easier. It used to not be so bad at all. I wasn't around in the heyday of air travel - when people dressed up to travel and all the flight attendants were super glamorous.
Now everybody is tired. The TSA agents, the sky caps, the airline agents, the flight attendants... us. We're all tired and cranky. And that certainly doesn't make it fun.
I don't have any answers on how to fixed the airline industry. That is work for far smarter minds than mine.
But I do have some suggestions on mapping out a few more working bathrooms at LAX. Oh and I'd maybe chip in for a few industrial fans.
Posted by Michaela Pereira | Permalink | Comments (11) | TrackBack (0)
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Gee Michaela,
Why would LAX add more restrooms to aid travelers? Los Angeles does very little for the people who live or visit here. All they care about is taking money from us. As someone who drives a route, finding a much needed restroom is getting harder and harder to find. And finding one that is clean or in working order is another. Here's a thought, they could have Rent-A-Restroom. You swipe your debit or credit card and for $5 you get a clean and well supplied restroom. The high cost would keep out taggers out who big thrill is to carve their names on the toilet seats. The county would receive much needed income since they are always in the red and the fees would help pay for the cleaning and stocking. The Rent-A-Restroom can be designed to be self-contained so they could be moved to where they are needed most. Wouldn't it be worth it to pay $5 bucks to keep from wetting yourself? They could also set up a monthly Rent-A-Restroom account that would give you a "fast pass" to use the restroom, much like they do with the toll roads in the OC. That way it would only cost you $4 per visit if you pay monthly. Something to think about.
Posted by: Paul | July 29, 2008 at 05:37 AM
OFF TOPIC: Congratulations on attending Unity '08. We watched Sunday morning's interview with Sen. Obama on CNN. Looked like a fantastic gathering. What an exciting time, especially in politics, to be a minority journalist. You go, Micheala.
ON TOPIC: I've heard compared to other major US airports LAX is a disgrace, yet we don't hear about things improving, indeed, as you report, they’re deteriorating. Considering LA's need for road repair, improvements to our out-dated bridges and reservoirs, the airport's needs may be tossed onto the back burner. Bad. Bad.
If enough people stop flying, the airlines might feel the need to improve service and amenities. But then, travel will become elitist, only affordable to the wealthy. Just yesterday Richard Branson, owner of Virgin Atlantic airlines, launched his $200,000 round-trip fare to outer space. As a trendsetter perhaps he’s showing us a glimpse of what’s to come in the area of future travel.
However, we live in exciting times, too. If Barack Obama can become the Democratic candidate, and possibly the President of the United States, we as a nation, can do anything, even improve our airports. Let’s hope you run into Mayor Villaraigosa at the DNC.
OFF TOPIC: Today’s 9am show was particularly commendable, especially the discussion about gas prices. Tying the AAA rep, LAT columnist, Aunt Gayle’s motorcycle expert and Bill Smith’s in-field story together added depth and breadth to the discussion. BRAVO! You ladies keep getting better and better.
Posted by: jozielee | July 29, 2008 at 10:54 AM
Jozielee posted:
"If enough people stop flying, the airlines might feel the need to improve service and amenities."
I don't think the airlines have anything to do with the amenities at the airport. They are just tenants. It's the county and the airport board that runs the airport. It's up to them to provide enough restrooms. They won't because they don't have the money. But they can ride around in $30,000.00 SUV's on our taxes. There are two rest stops between here and Las Vegas. One is always closed. It's why the state shuts down rest stops, to save money. It would not surprise me the airport does the same. It's a case of pay more and get less.
Posted by: Paul | July 29, 2008 at 01:42 PM
I wonder how many restrooms at LAX will be closed now after the hot water heater burst you just showed!
Posted by: Dan | July 29, 2008 at 02:04 PM
Michaela-
Fair is fair... I think this was one of your better posts as it covered your perspective of a weekend that most of us can relate to while traveling. By the way, nice tease on the title...
I also must agree with Jozielee about the 9:00 am discussion regarding gas prices. Way to use resources available by bringing in (two of the BEST!!!) field reporters as well as a representative from the auto industry.
Overall, that was one of the better discussions I have seen in quite sometime, granted I have not watched daily because uh... nevermind.
Anyway, on a side note, I immediately turned to KABC's website for earthquake info and with no information posted (at the time) other than a banner headline announcing "breaking news", I switched over to KTLA's site and saw a stream of your broadcast with you giving an update of events.
I must admit, for a relative newcomer to L.A., you seemed to have handled yourself fairly well and I found it comforting while listening to you deliver the news. Dare I say, a calming presence?
Ok, now, I can only hope that this morning's trembler "shook" some sense into the morning news department and that KTLA returns to what had worked for so many years. Sorry, I just couldn't resist.
Thanks for your time...
-m
Posted by: mike | July 29, 2008 at 03:55 PM
You know what I find surprising about LAX? That our mayor, past mayor(s), council members, want their name on a building there. I wouldn't want anyone to know that I had anything to do with LAX! The ciy council however, are VERY concerned about us using plastic grocery bags though!
Posted by: vickie | July 29, 2008 at 06:39 PM
Of course "they" hate us! (and I mean that in the best possible way)
Posted by: Jeff | July 30, 2008 at 11:31 AM
OMG...Everytime I go through LAX...same problems. But if you go through ONT...you don't have the same issues you face at LAX. LAX is so ghetto and junky...and dirty.
It's just getting harder to fly out of ONT...
Posted by: Shawnaw | July 30, 2008 at 10:38 PM
Hi Michaela, If you are ever in Geneva airport and wonder why some of the plants are so "healthy" you can thank me and some other great people in my line! Somebody decided to do something stupid at Heathrow and all of a sudden, Geneva airport came to a standstill. A very international line of people contributed to those lush plants - fortunately the line was 90% men and some great women with apparently large bladders. (god, I hope those plants are still green and healthy!) huge hugs, AJ ps Love your blog.
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Beverly George---Hesperia
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