Making Travel Better, One Smile at a Time🛫

I’m sitting at the airport (hopefully at my final gate—it has changed three times). This gate is actually nice and quiet, which is great for me to write in. Going through the TSA portion was quite sad. I am a former TSA employee (I worked as a dual officer). Whether checking tickets/IDs, sitting at the x-ray, at the walkthrough, or checking bags, I would do my best to have a smile for each and every traveler. If I was having a bad day, they didn’t need to see it, feel it, or hear about it. I was there to do my job, which to me also meant helping them have a pleasant experience.

 

I would sing at the walk-through detector, make jokes, and have a decent conversation with those I had to pat down or whose bags I had to check. I always had a smile on my face, because you can bet that at least a handful of passengers and workers had a rough start to their day. They were rushing, running late, or had forgotten something important.

 

My thought was—why make their day any worse? The worse their day was, the worse mine could get. It was a win-win for both of us to have a fun and pleasant time. Several people told me I was the happiest TSA Agent they had ever seen. Yep, at least it appeared that I was.

 

So, why do I think going through TSA today (and flying in) was sad? Because not a single one of the agents smiled—not even at one of my bad jokes (it should have at least gotten a snicker). They all seemed to be miserable in their jobs and with the passengers. One was even grumpy, barking orders, and trying to make a few people look stupid.

 

Yes, this was a sad experience. I understand taking your job seriously—I did. I was being groomed for a possible management position. Had I not gotten hurt, I would probably still be working with TSA. But if you are in a business where you have to deal with people daily, you really have to learn how to smile (and not one of those condescending smiles).

 

You can take a job seriously and still have fun or at least enjoy yourself a little.

 

To all the TSA Agents out there—there are worse things you could be doing, and you can enjoy your day. Plus, if you’re smiling, most people around you will start to smile too.

 

To the employees at American that I talked with and checked my luggage (Ursula and Michael)—thank you! You two helped to make my airport time pleasant. You both were lively, friendly, happy, smiling people, and I greatly appreciate that.

 

P.S. Ursula, I could never forget you. We are now friends. Oh, and in Dangerous Desires, Aunt Ulla was inspired by you.

 

Readers, please take care, and I will talk with you later. Safe flights—I’m going on airplane mode.

 

Till next time… have a great week filled with hugs, love, laughter, and so many blessings you can share them. 🌻