365 True Things: 77/Travel (6/13/15)

The last decade or more, I have not much enjoyed traveling—the actual travel days, that is. Mostly because of TSA, or as Bruce Schneier calls it, “security theater.” I suppose it’s possible that some bad guys have been caught with screening, but I doubt many of them have had bombs in their shoes or volatile substances cleverly packaged in bottles of shampoo or tubes of toothpaste. I still believe that if bad people want to harm us, they’ll find a way, and they don’t need to rely on airports. There are plenty of targets, and plenty of places where nobody’s looking for them. We stay one step behind them with our “security” efforts.

Nevertheless, even though I don’t like TSA, I grin and bear it. It’s part of the process now, for better or worse. (In fact, the first time I went through a security check, it was at Heathrow during the “Troubles”: I had to pull my portable cassette player out and show them that when I pressed the on button, the spools actually turned. No, security theater is nothing new.)

That said, this morning’s trip through security at SFO was an absolute breeze. Our shuttle dropped us off at 5:35, and by 5:45 we were eating breakfast inside the passenger terminal. There was no line whatsoever—we waltzed right through and, as TSA Pre-✓ customers, did not have to remove shoes or laptops.

It was, dare I say, pleasant!

(Though as we passed by security again on our way to our gate, we noticed a long line. Apparently we just got ridiculously lucky. So . . . I won’t get used to it.)

Things stayed good: our gate was in a brand-new concourse, jam-packed with outlets for all those electronic devices that all of us carry nowadays. And the wifi was free.

Then, the plane left right on time—and got in a little early. The next flight: also on time.

Central Park & mid-Manhattan

And now, night is falling as we leave the lights of New York City behind. It seems we will be tracing the northern edge of the bubble of darkness, traveling at 540 mph and 35,000 feet. Six hours and forty-five minutes until arrival in Oslo.

Today, except for the very cramped seating, travel has been as good as it gets. Soon, a glass of wine and dinner. Even if it’s just airplane food, I’m looking forward to it. Maybe a movie. And before I know it, I’ll be in Norway. Modern life: it’s amazing! Even despite the annoyances.