Click on a label to read posts from that part of the world.
Travel Read: Step Back from the Baggage Claim and book giveaway
To win a signed copy of Step Back from the Baggage Claim, follow the directions at the end of the post.
For Jason Barger, an airport is not only a place where people depart and arrive on airplanes in their quests to get from one location to another. Airports are a metaphor about life. In his book, Step Back from the Baggage Claim, a slim volume that is a perfect size for slipping into a carry-on, Barger does a tidy job of illustrating how we might make the world a nicer place by starting at the airport. Airplane behavior is included in the mix of what can make or break us as a society.
To test out his theory about the power of air travel and airports, Barger hatched out a plane to travel to seven cities in seven days with the goal of never leaving any of the airports. Along the way, he'd be the observer, testing out his ideas. He figured that in in the midst of airport activity he'd find people from different backgrounds, cultures and ages--all going to or coming from somewhere for a variety of reasons. In the process of their arrivals and departures, Barger theorized there would be behaviors that would illustrate each person's version of the world.
The result was he logged 6,548 miles, 10,000 minutes, 26 hours and 45 minutes of sleep, and a whole lot of writing fodder to condense into palpable bites. Throughout the book--which I've read twice, Barger weaves in details about his life that prompted this undertaking.
Barger is is a guy who notices things. Like when the ding goes off on an airplane to signal that retrieving bags from the overhead bins is a-okay, who leaps up, who stays put and who helps others? It's not just about what other people do, but what do we do?
At a baggage claim, who lets the older person struggle, and who offers a hand? In Barger's world, wouldn't it be a lot easier for everyone if we all just took a few steps back from the conveyor belt and worked together? He saw that system work with a group of adolescents he traveled with. Instead of each elbowing his or her way to the circling bags, those in the front, passed bags back making the task easier for everybody.
Even though the book is a missive in a way of doing better, but Barger also looks at the circumstances that creates a situation where we might not try harder. Frustration is a big one. (I have to put in a plug for stupidity.)
Seriously, haven't you wanted to lob a shoe at someone while you've been stuck at an airport? I have. But, there is always the high road option of flowing more easily with a smile, no matter our circumstances. Barger saw the pinnacle of great decorum, for example, when one woman's neatly packed carry-on was rummaged through by TSA as part of a random check and her belongs left in a pile for her to repack. Instead of fuming and fussing, she remained pleasant, repacked and dashed off to catch a flight--still buoyant.
Even if you want to remain a crab when you travel, Step Back from the Baggage Claim offers a glimpse of the various airports where Barger headed, and what it's like to hang out in them for extended periods of time. After reading Barger's book, I don't think I'll be throwing elbows anymore as I haul my own bag out of the mix of belongings that are circling by. (Actually, I don't think I ever have thrown an elbow. Maybe growled, but nothing more.)
Oh, yeah. Where did Barger go? He started in Columbus to Boston to Miami to Chicago to Minneapolis to Seattle to San Diego and back to Columbus.
Here's one of Barger's thoughts to take with you when you travel. It might help you have a much better day.
"I'm going to embrace the quiet moments an airplane seat offers us. When the ding sends most into a frenzy, I am going to sit still."
To read more about Barger and the book, here's an article that was published in the business section of The New York Times.
To win a copy of the book Step Back from the Baggage Claim:
Leave a short comment about an act of kindness you witnessed while traveling. Maybe it was your act of kindness--or someone else's. Even the smallest act counts. The winner will be randomly picked.
Filed under: Stories, United States, Books, Airports, Budget Travel
Reader Comments (Page 2 of 2)
beth shepherd Apr 28th 2009 12:48PM
Thank you for a great giveaway! We were taking a family vacation 2 years ago. On the plane they had seperated my sons seat from ours by only a row but there was nice young man that offered it to my son to be near us. I was very thankful. Thank you!
tatertot374@sbcglobal.net
Angela J Apr 28th 2009 1:53PM
We were waiting for our son and daughter in law to park the car before visiting a crowded tourist attraction and I asked a woman if I could come in and sit down before buying our ticket because it was hard for me to stand for any length of time. She not only led me to a bench, but when we finally got in line to buy out tickets, she had some wheelchairs brought up for us.
sapphire917 Apr 28th 2009 7:18PM
I was in line for the bathroom on a horrendously long flight to Asia when I noticed an elderly Chinese man, who spoke no English or Japanese, the languages spoken by the FAs, struggling to ask them what to do to connect to his following flight. I pitched in to help translate and helped calm his nerves about getting lost at Narita Airport.
Djp Apr 28th 2009 7:22PM
i never travel, really, once in 35 yrs, but it was a good one. It would have to be a good one to get me away from here
kwjayhawk Apr 28th 2009 8:59PM
I took my then girlfriend that to Europe to propose to her. I told the agent at the gate if there were any window seats free or any other ones, and then told her why we were traveling. She bumped us to an emergency aisle on the leg to IAD and then Economy plus to FRA.
Sharold Apr 29th 2009 8:25AM
When my kids were young and I travled with them I always remember the kindness of others to my kids and how helpful it was. Now my kids areall grownand I try to return that kindness to parents travling with their kids, small talk a smile, helping with baggage.
jim May 2nd 2009 4:56PM
Great Giveaway! I found you listed on Sweepstakes Advantage. http://www.sweepsadvantage.com . Good Luck Everyone!
Gabriel J. Apr 29th 2009 9:46PM
The car in front of me payed for my toll.
Nathan Apr 30th 2009 2:00AM
On a recent flight from Tokyo to Honolulu, I was seated in an aisle seat in a group of three. In the two other seats were a mother and son, but the father was seated a row ahead of me (which was right behind the exit, thus having only two seats in it!) The father and I traded seats, and we were both much happier.
Kelly F Apr 30th 2009 4:18AM
Itwas my first time flying by myself and I was really excited and nervous. We were headed towards Vegas and I had the window seat, which I thought was absolutely amazing. The waitress had brought drinks around earlier and I had the tray pulled down in front of me. We went over the grand canyon and in my excitement, I leaped up to get a better look and knocked my drink all over myself. The guy sitting next to me didn't miss a beat. Within seconds the drink was pulled off my lap and napkins were in it's place. He didn't even laugh! I sure did though. It was nice to see someone so helpful when he could have just looked the other way and let me deal with it.
Jason Apr 30th 2009 4:46PM
It is not a very big one, but I gave my pop and nuts to a crabby child across the isle from me. It wasn't a big gesture, but it quieted him down and his mom gave me a silent "Thank you" gesture.
jason@allworldautomotive.com
Ann Apr 30th 2009 3:03PM
I remember when I was split from my family on a flight once somebody took it upon themselves to arrange with the flight attendant a way to get us all in the same row. That was so sweet.
Ed Nemmers Apr 30th 2009 4:40PM
We helped this older person get her heavy luggage off the carousel before her family arrived.
Angela Palmer May 1st 2009 10:41AM
It's tough to find acts of kindness while traveling, especially on airplanes. However a wonderful man once gave up his seat so that one of my children would not have to sit alone on a flight without assigned seating. It was kind of him.
Lily Kwan May 1st 2009 10:48AM
When I went on a plane trip recently a nice person offered to switch her seat with mine so I could sit by my friend.
Heather C May 1st 2009 11:32AM
We were taking our daughter on a flight from Texas to Florida, and brought the whole bookcase full of activities. At the end of the flight, two or three rows of people turned to us and said they were impressed with out daughter...as they barely even knew she was there! That was nice to hear.
mitchell b May 1st 2009 11:56AM
being I am in the transpotation industry, I'd like to read the book.
kathleen yohanna May 2nd 2009 3:40AM
My daughter helped a young Marine who was traveling with his infant daughter to New York. She was able to calm her down by walking up and down the isle.
Veronica Garrett May 1st 2009 4:44PM
I once saw a young man aboutt 16 help an elderly lady put her bag in the overhead bin. There are still nice teenagers who are raised right.
Timmie De Luca May 3rd 2009 4:02PM
movie night