Deep breath—inhale, hold it, exhale. Again, deep breath—inhale, hold it, exhale! Sorry, I just needed to calm down after going through security at Washington Dulles Airport’s new security checkpoint. Today was the first day this airport is using a new method for us travelers to get through security. There is now one mass locale—a winding maze of lines (”To the left, please. Sir, you go to the right. Next!”). We arrived at security at 1:45 PM, a slow traffic time for Dulles; however, it took us 45 minutes to clear security!. Two mazes met at one point and the TSA agent would usher 10 of one line, then 10 of the next. Somehow, being treated like a rat in a maze, I begin to behave that way. “Hey, Michael, did you see the guy in that other lane? I think he’s going to try to get in front of us! You block him with your shoulder and I’ll swing my backpack at him!”

I’m hopeful that when the powers that be–TSA, ABC, XYZ, whoever—get the kinks ironed out (perhaps consider using a steam roller???), things will flow beautifully (ahhh, the power of positive thinking). Several people missed their flights. We, on the other hand, are being pampered in the “Clubhouse” — Virgin Atlantic’s lounge for Business and First Class. And this, my friends, prompts a round of applause for our hosts, Swain Tours and South African Airlines, who shares this piece of tranquility with Virgin. Okay now, let’s all clap together! Come on, I can’t hear you! Think of it as clapping for Tinkerbell, if you clap the dehumanizing maze at security will become a vague and distant memory!

Posted via web from Travelingking