“It is no feat to travel the smooth road.” – unknown

My first flight was on Eastern Airlines.  I was 8 years of age and headed to the infamous Disney World.  This Iowa kid took to the sky for the first time and it was a memory I will never forget.  Wanderlust seeped into my soul and I was hooked on being 38,000 feet above the earth.

I have been flying since the existence of such airlines as TWA, Braniff, Eastern, Pan Am; before Southwest was nationwide, JetBlue even existed, and of course before the mergers of the “big ones.”  Back when America West served free drinks to the entire plane, not just the elite few. When you could walk right up to the door of the jet bridge and wait for your loved one, business partner or friend disembark. No ticket to fly was required.

I have seen the changes in air travel through my lifetime.  My first real post-college job had me managing the travel department for a major mid-west company. Managing travel for over 350+ employees and sitting on the advisory board for the city’s international airport. Back then change in air travel was coming – but no one could have predicted where it went and how it ended up getting there.

TSA – love it, hate it. Respect it, despise it.  TSA is here to stay.  Air travel and security necessary for air travel has changed.  It needed to.

But, for the frequent traveler it has been challenging.  For those whose “job” it is to spend time flying from point A to Z and every point in between – the changes which occurred since 2001 and especially since 2006, have come fast and left many frequent travelers learning to quickly adapt to change – dealing with frustration, inconsistencies, and at times head-shaking incredulity.

TSA and Me was the creative, cathartic spark which grew from my own personal experiences during this time. What I have found in the years since – I am not alone.  Neither are you.