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Step Back from the Baggage Claim
Ever experienced the way small moments impact our lives? Ever wanted to participate in a movement to change our world? Step back, Be Still, Share Compassion, Live Gratefully. Today, travel gracefully along your path! Step Back from the Baggage Claim. Jason Barger spent seven straight days flying 6,548 miles to seven different cities living only in the airports the entire time. He studied 10,000 minutes of observations at all four corners of the U.S. and reflected on how our airport experiences can teach us about our lives TODAY. The airport metaphor leaps to life through profound anecdotes about an orphanage in Mexico, a summer camp in Ohio, bamboo, the homeless, climbing Mt. Everest, a hotdog grill, and much more. The funny and inspiring stories remind us how to change our daily world through thoughtful and compassionate action! Join the movement.
- GenresLeadership
134 pages, Paperback
First published September 25, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
October 18, 2008
Step Back from the Baggage Claim is a wonderfully inspiring book. I was so into the book I finished it the day I got it. The book is definitely an original idea. I can honestly say that I've never heard anyone use airports as a metaphor to everyday life, but the new perspective was refreshing. Barger also tells multiple inspiring stories from different times in his life. Great book, easy read. I definitely recommend this book to anyone. I think it would be great for a book club. Step Back from the Baggage Claim has sooooo many great topics to discuss and in between every chapter Barger gives the reader(s) sort of like a journal page that has a blurb about how the previous chapter can relate to the reader's everyday life and then has questions and a page for reflections.
July 12, 2020
Simple yet transformational read. Timeless lessons for any age. Highly recommend!
August 25, 2009
The message behind this book is a powerful one; it asks us to stop, step back and reflect on our behaviors, take note of where we are being ungrateful, ungracious, even unkind, and look at how we can make a change. The observation that Jason Barger makes while standing at the baggage claim is one that has bugged me for years, similarly, I have wanted to scream at the top of my lungs "why are you budging the elderly/young/pregnant woman out of the way, you selfish pig!" or to crow at the young, fit healthy man who has muscles bulging from his Magaloof tanktop, "can't you spare a little elbow grease to help your fellow travelers lift their heavy bags?"
Barger makes the sad observation that in many parts of the world chivalry and even basic social graces are dead. Especially in transport hubs such as airports and train stations, places where guards and porters once made a decent wage to help those who needed a hand, and even those who didn't. Oh, if only we could return to the '40s, where those smiling, helpful attendants did just that, and people really did come before profit and personal convenience.
Fortunately, this is the central message to Barger's book: that we can bring about that change, one book, one flight, one journey at a time. My favorite bit is the very last page, which features a form to complete, stating where you bought the book and the name of the owner. The author's request is that you then leave the book somewhere (on a bus, at a cafe, in the departure lounge) in the hope that a new reader will pick up the book and pass along the message, let's hope this one gets into the hand of millions so that a real difference can be made to the way we treat each other, not only at the baggage claim.
Barger makes the sad observation that in many parts of the world chivalry and even basic social graces are dead. Especially in transport hubs such as airports and train stations, places where guards and porters once made a decent wage to help those who needed a hand, and even those who didn't. Oh, if only we could return to the '40s, where those smiling, helpful attendants did just that, and people really did come before profit and personal convenience.
Fortunately, this is the central message to Barger's book: that we can bring about that change, one book, one flight, one journey at a time. My favorite bit is the very last page, which features a form to complete, stating where you bought the book and the name of the owner. The author's request is that you then leave the book somewhere (on a bus, at a cafe, in the departure lounge) in the hope that a new reader will pick up the book and pass along the message, let's hope this one gets into the hand of millions so that a real difference can be made to the way we treat each other, not only at the baggage claim.
January 16, 2013
I have to say I was a little disappointed in this one. I read this because my church brought him in to speak and tied the book to our growth initiative and a Sunday school class.
While the airport hook is creative the overall book is just too full of truisms and cliches for my taste. To be fair the book was published in 2009 so perhaps the ideas have become a part of culture by now, but the idea that we need to step back, get a fresh perspective and change the world one small step at a time is far from original or insightful. Barger is ernest and well meaning but offers little in the way of concrete advice on doing the hard work involved in real change and instead offers sugar coated platitudes.
There was nothing objectionable or wrong about Barger's advice or writing, and he has has an impressive background in charitable work, it just lacked-for me anyways-any sharp insights or real depth to its advice. It had the feel of a book Oprah might hype but with a soft Christian thread.
I am really not a self-help book type readers so this is certainly not my style, Publishers keep publishing them and readers keep buying them, however, so someone must care for it.
While the airport hook is creative the overall book is just too full of truisms and cliches for my taste. To be fair the book was published in 2009 so perhaps the ideas have become a part of culture by now, but the idea that we need to step back, get a fresh perspective and change the world one small step at a time is far from original or insightful. Barger is ernest and well meaning but offers little in the way of concrete advice on doing the hard work involved in real change and instead offers sugar coated platitudes.
There was nothing objectionable or wrong about Barger's advice or writing, and he has has an impressive background in charitable work, it just lacked-for me anyways-any sharp insights or real depth to its advice. It had the feel of a book Oprah might hype but with a soft Christian thread.
I am really not a self-help book type readers so this is certainly not my style, Publishers keep publishing them and readers keep buying them, however, so someone must care for it.
October 18, 2008
Step Back from the Baggage Claim is without a doubt the most motivational and moving book I have ever read. I was anxious to read it and to see what the book had in store for me. As soon as I started the book, I couldn’t put it down. Barger provides the reader with countless ideas that are literal of “stepping back from the baggage claim” and the airport metaphor, that when you actually step back to think about it, relate to how we can change our daily lives by making small changes in how we interact with others, and within ourselves. This book is a light read, and can reach to many people on all walks of life. The movement of Stepping Back from the Baggage Claim, and ultimately stepping back in many aspects of our lives, will eventually take the world by storm. By the end of this book you will be laughing, crying, and realizing how different our lives could be if we just added a little more love and compassion in areas where they are lacking. Read the book, you won’t regret it, and step back and watch as we all can have a part in changing the world.
December 3, 2008
Have you ever sat in an airport terminal and just reflected on why traveling is so taxing? So overwhelming? So stressful?
Jason Barger set out on a mindful journey as he spent 7 days in airports across the nation pondering why there was no serenity in airtravel anymore. What resulted is an amazing book which juxtaposes how we interact in the airport with our overall outlook on society. From the baggage claim to the inconsiderate tone we take with airline workers, Barger explores what it means to travel in the 21st century and how each one of us can step back and travel gracefully--and how that relates to us being able to lead more mindful lives.
The book is a fast read, filled with colorful stories from his own life and a fres writing style.
Jason Barger set out on a mindful journey as he spent 7 days in airports across the nation pondering why there was no serenity in airtravel anymore. What resulted is an amazing book which juxtaposes how we interact in the airport with our overall outlook on society. From the baggage claim to the inconsiderate tone we take with airline workers, Barger explores what it means to travel in the 21st century and how each one of us can step back and travel gracefully--and how that relates to us being able to lead more mindful lives.
The book is a fast read, filled with colorful stories from his own life and a fres writing style.
October 22, 2008
This is a very quick read (I'm talking 2 hours max)that gets you thinking and helps you to become a better person. The concept of the book comes from the author's 7 day stint travelling around the U.S., observing behavior in various airports.
November 10, 2008
A quick read, simple reminder to take in all the moments. Jason does a wonderful job of making each chapter a "reminder" with the baggage claim metaphor.
In a year of "yes we can" his mantra of "of course" is prophetic.
In a year of "yes we can" his mantra of "of course" is prophetic.
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January 29, 2016It's a fairly easy read and makes a lot of good points. It should be required reading for all travelers and airlines would do well to put a copy in the seatback pockets along with the required barf bags, Sky Mall catalog (which is mentioned in his book), airline magazine and emergency instructions.
October 17, 2008
1) Read it
2) I hope you like it
3) If you do, help spread the spirit of this book to all you know!
www.stepbackfromthebaggageclaim.com
2) I hope you like it
3) If you do, help spread the spirit of this book to all you know!
www.stepbackfromthebaggageclaim.com
October 17, 2008
1) Read it
2) I hope you like it
3) If you do, help spread the spirit of this book to all you know!
www.stepbackfromthebaggageclaim.com
2) I hope you like it
3) If you do, help spread the spirit of this book to all you know!
www.stepbackfromthebaggageclaim.com
November 8, 2015
I read this in preparation for a department retreat last week - where Jason Barger spoke. This was a great, quick read with a wonderful reminder to stop and look around us and focus on others.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews