The document discusses the author's experiences traveling through various airports over the past 5 years. It describes some memorable moments, including improved security procedures at Edinburgh airport, clean bathrooms in Scandinavia and Asia, receiving assistance at Geneva airport when her arm was broken compared to excellent service in Istanbul, an issue getting a reserved seat on a flight from EasyJet, and amenities at airports in Istanbul, Beijing, and problems at Heathrow. It concludes with reflections on the calm process at Southampton airport and memorable experience flying into Lamu Island airport in Kenya.

1. AIRPORTS I HAVE
KNOWN
Judith Leary Joyce

2. Where’s my passport?
I’ve travelled so much over the past five years that my passport just lives in
my bag. I recently packed it for a trip to Manchester – couldn’t compute not
needing it! As a result I know my way around far too many airports – can find
the closest loo, know which ones have Nero or Starbucks, and have a good
idea how long to which gates. How sad am I?
I loved the change over of Security at Edinburgh. Most
places do the same now, but that first outing was a
doozy. Formation dancing at the head of the queue –
stand on the footsteps and pause; move forward on the
beat; bags in the trays; remember your liquids………

3. Toilets are always a treat and provide an indication of
things to come. Scandinavia loos are allways pristine
– of course.
More surprising are the pristine versions in parts of
Asia – Kuala Lumpur for example. But then they do
give clear instructions for going about your business. I
particularly enjoyed the instruction to ‘Please remain
seated for the entire epic performance.’ I’m still trying
to work out where I might decide to go half way
through.
Where’s the loo?

4. Then there was the time I broke
my arm
I could travel but needed help to manage my bags. Asking for assistance at
Geneva was an important experience – being transported at a time and pace
determined by a perfect stranger. Famously left to settle in for a long wait with
no means of going to the loo. Couldn’t carry my bags and nowhere to leave my
bags – even people-watching didn’t make that time go quickly.
Istanbul on the other hand was
brilliant! Comfy motorised chair with
a person standing on the back,
whizzing me through the airport to
meet my husband. Loved that!

5. Where’s my seat?
And the strange experience when a fellow passenger wouldn’t vacate ‘my’
seat, saved for me by the steward in case I needed assistance during the
flight. She claimed I might be making up the injury and anyway she had hurt
her foot. She only had to move two rows down, but something clearly got
hold of her and it was a no go.
In the end, the captain had to send
her off the plane. Crazy – last flight
out to Geneva and she’d have to
pay for another ticket. Well
done, Easyjet – I was well looked
after and you earned a cheer from
the rest of the passengers.

6. And the best amenities award
goes to……
Istanbul – the business lounge for Turkish
Air is a sight to behold. Scalextric, putting
green, huge screens, fab design, variety of
food outlets. You just need a reasonable
lay over to see it all – in fact, make it a
holiday on it’s own.
The best shower I’ve found so far was in Bejing. After a swift hot, sweaty visit to
the Forbidden City at the end of a busy working week, we were looked after
right royally. Given fresh, fluffy towels, put into a good size shower room with all
the unction’s and potions you could possibly need.

7. Where’s the gate?
Then there’s Heathrow – a whole experience on it’s own. Travelling with a
colleague, we once missed our stop on the internal shuttle. If you ever get chatting
and do the same, take it from me, you can’t just get the train back to the right stop
because you end up in the Transit area.
There was plenty of time left before take off, but it was deemed too late and too
difficult because we’d have to go through their security. No one else in sight, so it
was hard to see how it could have taken long. But no – we had to buy two new
flights. Not my favourite memory!
And did you know, it takes between 3,000 and 4,000
steps to go from entering the airport and getting on
the plane? T5 can be up to 5,000. My
trusty Withings watch keeps me well informed. I
take it as a work out now – rushing all over while
pulling a case or carrying a rucksack – should be
good for the bingo wings.

8. Where’s the check in?
Southampton took me by surprise. Late for the plane and rushing, I couldn’t
understand why everyone was so calm. I had to get to the gate yet! Then I
realised this was it – I was at the gate – just one big room with two gates to
choose from. Deep breath!
And best of all – Lamu Island off the coast of
Kenya. Going from Heathrow, via a workshop
in Nairobi, to the gentle little airport was what
my Dad used to describe as the ‘sublime to
the Cor Blimey’.
Bags are taken off the plane in a
wheelbarrow; the check in desk is just that –
an old school desk; and we all sit in the large
grassy field until the plane makes it’s
appearance. The perfect introduction to a
peaceful island with only donkeys and boats
providing additional transport.

9. Contact Judith:
judith@judithlearyjoyce.com
http://www.thesecondactblog.com
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