I have been doing a fair amount of business travel. Five trips by the end of March, and one vacation trip for a total of seven in the frumpy skies. I hate the process of getting on a plane as much as anyone. American Airlines recently completed their terminal refurbishment at O'Hare Field which makes the part of getting your bags checked easier. Going through security is still an aggravating exercise in disrobing and re-robing. Watch, wallet and rings into computer bag. Computer out of computer bag. No liquids. Take off your hat. Take off your jacket. Take off your belt. Take off your shoes. Oops no socks today, my bare feet are following a scuzzy path worn by tens of thousands of other feet. Yuck.
Okay, so now I am through security and fast-forwarding to on the plane. I pray I don't sit next to some person who needs a seatbelt extender. It is just plain uncomfortable to rub up against a stranger for two hours. I have perfected my sullen look so that no one really cares to try to start up a conversation. Headphones and a book help as well. I hate take-offs. The only time I am afraid on a plane. Most accidents occur on take-off you know.
The inevitable fart in the fuselage occurs. Some creep passes gas and subjects the rest of it to his/her methane. Every trip. Never fails. And then I land in Omaha. It is a snap to get the bag and rent the rental car. Piece of cake, and minutes from downtown.
Being in Omaha after a plane trip is insult to injury you might say, although I am learning my way around the city and I find its desolate downtown and rows of empty buildings kind of charming. Omaha seems to say, Who needs the hustle and bustle of Chicago? We are just taking it easy here. The people are very friendly. There are some good restaurants. Rush hour is non-existent. Big time college football and basketball are right there. College World Series and the Omaha Royals are right there. Warren Buffet is right there. Quiet, civilized, unassuming. I like Omaha.
