I recently went on a short trip with my wife and traveled via airplane. Since the onset of COVID, we haven’t made many airline trips. As such, I had forgotten about the types of folks who drive me nuts in airports. If you are one of these people, I apologize in advance — or maybe you can enlighten me as to why you partake in these annoying habits.

Surely you have stood behind people who stop in the middle of walkways, oblivious to the fact that the line is stacking up behind them. Searching through their carry-on bags. Fumbling with a purse or wallet. Talking on their phones. How these folks get on or off the moving walkways is beyond my comprehension. But could they simply move to the side and get out of the way instead of standing in the middle and gripping handrails on both sides, preventing anyone from passing?

You have also likely seen the apparently dehydrated people who bring gallon-size water bottles through security and get all riled up when they are asked to dump them out. Seriously, they didn't see the 27 posted notices on the way in or hear the security guy yelling out the rules?

Then there are the “hurry up and get on the plane” people. These are the folks who are in zone 6 but budge in line with the zone 2 people. What’s the hurry? The plane won’t leave until everyone is loaded. And the less time I spend in that traveling tin can, the better. I understand that some travelers want to make sure their carry-on bag gets a spot in the overhead cabinets, but so what if they don’t? They are simply stored underneath and can be picked up on the way out.

I am not annoyed by my seatmate wanting to wear headphones. In fact, I see it as a plus, until he or she cranks it up so loud everyone within 10 feet can hear it — and then sings along out loud. Please. Stop. Now.

One would think that ,when the plane lands, these annoyances would be over. Oh, no. Then there are the “hurry up and get off the plane” people. These are the ones who stand up and get in the exit lane first, only to continue to stand there for the next 10 minutes. They elbow their way in front of those seated ahead of them, and why? So they can get to baggage claim and wait?

Speaking of baggage claim, how about the people who crowd the carousel as closely as they can. At the entry. Elbows out. Aggressively standing over each bag that pops out like it’s a game of Slap Jack. They could stand back a few feet and let others whose bags are on the conveyor belt access them, but that would be too much to ask for these folks.

Some might say I am not a patient traveler, but I disagree. I follow the rules. I wait my turn. And I recognize when I need to get out of the way. There is a solution for those who choose not to — the automobile.

Have a terrific Tuesday, and thanks for reading.

Shane Goodman
President and Publisher
Big Green Umbrella Media
shane@dmcityview.com
515-953-4822, ext. 305
www.thedailyumbrella.com

CITYVIEW announced its 2023 Best Of Des Moines readers' choices Jan. 31. You can find all the results from the poll in the February issue of CITYVIEW magazine!

Best Local Restaurant Supply Company

1. Bolton & Hay, Inc.

2. Hockenbergs

3. Iowa-Des Moines Supply

SEE EVENT PHOTOS HERE...

Your Clear Mortgage forecast from Jason Parkin

A beautiful, breezy day is ahead with a metro high hear 66. We get even warmer tomorrow, though rounds of rain chances start in the morning Wednesday and last into Thursday morning. We get cooler again into the weekend.

For help with preapprovals or refinancing, get in touch with Jason at parkin.mortgage

Overcoming fears

Floating on air


When Joy Appenzeller found out her stepson, Al Appenzeller, was buying a hot air balloon, her first thought was that he was crazy.

“I knew he often got nervous and anxious flying in airplanes, so I didn’t understand why he would want to fly a balloon,” she says.

When you live in Indianola, hot air ballooning is not just a sport; it’s like being part of a family. Al finds it funny that Joy thought he was crazy all those years ago, because these days, in his ballooning family/community he’s lovingly called “Crazy Al.”

“As a pilot, it’s fun to watch people marvel at how large a balloon is and how much work it takes to get one inflated and ready for flight,” says Al. “The flight experience is different for everyone, but most quickly realize how peaceful it is and how you can hear people below so clearly as they welcome us floating over their home or property.”

Al wanted Joy to experience a balloon flight with him, but her fear of heights and the thought of being in the air not attached to anything kept her on the ground — even though she knew Al was a great pilot.

... Read more in the April issue of Indianola  Living magazine.

Happy Birthday Mark Snell!

These celebrities were born on this date: Kourtney Kardashian, Conan O'Brien, David Tennant, Britt Robertson, Eric Roberts, Maria Bello, America Ferrera, James Woods, Jeff Dunham, Melissa Joan Hart, Rick Moranis, Alia Shawkat, Hayley Mills

SUBMIT: Send your birthday greetings and congratulatory notes to: tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com

The answer to yesterday's riddle:
Where does the general keep his armies?  IN HIS SLEEVIES! - Gail Tomlinson, Carolyn Rogers, Judy Anderson, Michelle Hoops, Eric Mangels, Mike Chiston, Celeste Tilton. Or, in his general store! - Dennis Porter

Today's Riddle

Submitted by Carolyn Rogers: How did the brass player fix his broken instrument?

Have a guess? Email tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com

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