A trip from Columbia, S.C. to Newark, N.J. showcases the world of differences between the Northern and Southern lifestyles…and it can be seen in everything – right down to the airports.
I traveled home to New Jersey this past weekend and arrived for an 8:30 p.m. flight only one hour before. The rule of thumb for airport arrival is two hours, but this goes out the window in Columbia. I was dropped off at the first entrance. There is no need to search for my airline because they are all 25 feet from one another. The security line – actually I cannot refer to it as a line because it was nonexistent – was the most convenient welcoming I could have asked for. I walked right up to the employee waiting to check my boarding pass where she mentioned I was flying on one of the last two flights for the night. I don’t think Newark airport ever has an hour where no flights are departing.
Here, at 7:30 p.m., they’re ready to close. What is this sorcery?
My bags were handled by the next attendant awaiting my arrival. It’s like a trip to Publix all over again: Someone to unload your cart, ring up your items, bag your groceries and escort you to your car. I didn’t have to do anything except step on the feet outlines and place my hands above my head.
I was through security and sitting down for dinner in a matter of five minutes. The fact I even had time for dinner was a new concept to me. I sat at the bar of the only restaurant in the airport with my tablet displaying Netflix, thanks to the free airport Wi-Fi: “Fly with Ease.” I could see the gate from my seat. Actually, I could see every gate…it’s that small.
I casually made my way over at the time boarding was scheduled. We landed in Newark 30 minutes early, but that half hour was spent waiting for an available gate. At 10 p.m. every gate is occupied, typical Newark.
My mother was outside to pick me up, but it must have taken a full gigabyte of my phone’s data plan to call her and choose a door to meet. Not having free Internet connection is one of my least favorite things. I missed Columbia…and flying with ease.