Arrive at airport, cap in hand.
My bags are packed, my travel planned.
“Oh! The glamour!” you may think
But I’ll be treated like I stink!
As airline staff on cheap staff travel,
All careful plans will now unravel.
So I approach the hallowed desk
Where staff may check-in at their risk.
Like an insect, I am viewed
And told to wait in voices rude.
In holding pen, we congregate
And hopefully await our fate.
In muted tones, we quiz each other
And try obliquely to discover
Just where we fit into the list –
My category must be higher than this!
At last they start to call some names,
And so begin the churlish games.
Those lucky few will get on board,
The rest of us will sit here, bored.
Like music to my weary ears,
I hear my name as chaos clears.
They take my bag, give me a pass,
And tell me, “Move your bloody arse!”
I sprint now to the Customs queue.
Amidst the throng, I wrestle through.
On my watch, I check the time –
My God! How long’s this frappin’ line!
Finally, I get on board,
Wedged between two giants! Lord!
So strong the scent of garlic is,
There’ll be no vampires here for years!
I’ll need no seatbelt come what may:
Restrained by blubber, I will stay.
Come meal-time, there’ll be nothing left.
Cheap travel is a wondrous gift!
Stephen Tomkins
7 January 2016
Sydney
Photo credits:
http://www.businessworldtravel.com
theegyptiantraveler.blogspot.com
acollectionofmusings.wordpress.com
*Tipping the hat*
Greetings.. so umm… I’m supposed to nominate 7 blogs for ‘one lovely blog award’ and yours is the one that I couldn’t miss!
Check my latest post for the technicalities. 😀
thanks, complexlyme. 🙂
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Thank you so much.
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Ah…the joys of non-rev travel. You hit the nail on the head with that one. Just spent 12 hours at LGA, but it was worth it in the end. It’s a love/hate relationship. I bring chocolate for the gate agents and crews 🙂
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Thanks for taking the time to read my poem. I’m glad you enjoyed it. Does the chocolate help?
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I’m not sure about “help” (because they can only do what they can do…) but it usually puts a smile on their faces and sometimes that’s all one can ask for 🙂
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I guess it certainly won’t hurt. 😉
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haha… so true, that.
😀
enjoyed this one.
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Thanks for taking the time to read my poem. I’m glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
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