Five Reasons Why I Miss Seeing Drama at the Airport

The videos aren’t enough.

As the country reels from climbing infection rates, I have once again placed my airline travel plans on hold. Every state has seen its numbers increase because of the Delta Variant. This variant is more contagious and more virulent than past variants. So, I can’t fly off to attend a writing conference or see the sights of a new city. I’m too afraid of catching the virus despite being fully vaccinated.

But most of all, I miss the excitement of the airport. In the past year and a half, since the pandemic began, flying the friendly skies has literally become WWE in the air. From verbal sparring to outright brawls, passengers and flight staff have been getting into it. I can only watch the shenanigans online, laughing at adults behaving badly.

And it’s not just the fights that have gotten my attention, it’s the ruckus racists are causing as well. In a recent video, a group of twenty-something Black women was told by a white woman “to stop being Black.” The issue began because the white woman’s young child was kicking the back of a seat of Black woman sitting in front of her. When the Black woman said something to the white woman that’s when the racist statement spewed from her mouth. Needless to say, the Black woman and her friends let the white woman have it. Oh, such delicious clap back!

So, to sum up, these are five reasons why I miss airport drama:

1. People in the economy class are cutting in line with the first-class passengers — classism at its finest and the arguments are hilarious!
2. Passengers arguing with the gate attendants over luggage restrictions. “Sir, your guitar has to be stored with the other luggage. Sir, there’s no need for such language.”
3. Passengers pushing people while they’re stowing away their carry-ons. Can you move your butt out of my face?!
4. Families with young children who cry during the entire flight. Whether it’s an hour or four hours, by the time the plane lands, your plans to have a baby may have been ended.
5. Mask wars. I have seen so many videos about people refusing to wear their masks then being barred from boarding a plane. So much crying and screaming and insanity. Just wear the damn mask!

Airport drama is fun! It’s exciting to watch. I laugh at the antics of misguided passengers and the flabbergasted crew. Airport security sometimes appears as if they don’t want to bother with all the drama. It is sad, too. After the laughter ends, I often wonder why people go through all these theatrics. It reminds me to be mindful of my mental health. As a Black woman, I can’t freak out in the middle of a crowded airport. Shoot first and ask questions later that come to mind. I’d rather just sit back and watch the show.