
This Time
I went back to the airport. This time I would do it. This time I would push on through.
The first part was easy, driving to the Drop Off point but once you got there, you had to keep on going. That was the tricky part. That’s where I messed up.
That time, the time I dropped my daughter off, I continued through , swinging around the roundabout but that’s where it got confusing, arrows pointing in all directions, a jumble of signs and always someone up your ass pushing you to speed up, for god’s sake.
That’s when it happened. A dark, chunky , sinister sedan pulled me over. It had AFP on the side. Australian Federal Police. An officer got out, walked up to my side window and tapped on it. I was packing it. What had I done? or more importantly what did he believe I had done. This was the age of terrorism. But did I look like a terrorist?
He questioned me briefly, took my license and walked back to his car. That’s when he got talking to someone. I assumed they were doing a police check on me, on the vehicle. All the time I could see him in the rear view watching me.
Finally he sauntered up to me, handed the licence back, and said I was free to go this time, but to be careful where I drove. What the hell did that mean? Where had I wandered?
That’s when I got the fear of driving to the airport to drop someone off or pick someone up.
But this time I did it. I made it all the way. History did not repeat itself. Woo Hoo !
Ooo, I vacantly understand your reluctance!
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thanks Kim; I’m glad I got that across ; glad also I faced my fear and got through it —
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Wow! The auto correct on my phone screwed up- I meant to say I can certainly understand your reluctance!
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ahh; I wondered about that word ‘vacantly’ ; I thought I was missing something; I wrote a poem about auto correct — a funny one ; will see if I can find it 🙂
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Haha! I don’t like driving to airports either. Glad you got off without a ticket, and the next time made it through okay.
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yes, it was a good feeling; I feel okay picking my daughter up at the airport now when she comes over for Xmas ; thanks Bob 🙂
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John, I did not even realise that this was a thing. I googled it.
Aerodromophobia. Well maybe not exactly that, but it was the closest I could find. Four out of five doctors recommend origami as a counteracting therapy. Or maybe I just made that up. I feel your pain though and I am with you, brother.
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thanks 🙂 I didn’t know there was a word for it: so it’s not just me; but I did it this time and nothing scary happened so I’m okay now ; woo hoo 🙂
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Yikes!
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yes; pretty scary —
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I get this! I hate when police pull me over, panic, feel guilty, etc.
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thanks Beth; that’s how I felt ; but not just ordinary police, but Australian Federal Police; I thought I was in for it 🙂
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Airports were awful pre-pandemic and worse since. My husband and I have a rule. We don’t expect a pickup when we return to the city separately. We always take a cab/Uber from the airport back home. The stress of parking and coordinating flight arrival is just not worth it. I’m glad the police waved you off!
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that’s what I’ll do, Eden; get a cab to bring my daughter to my home; good thinking 🙂
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It makes me sweat every time. Too many lanes and you capture the confusion well. Bravo for being brave, John. 😊
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I was pleased that I did it but I’ll take Eden’s suggestion regarding pick up 🙂 thanks K 🙂
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You must have that evil look about you John……
I know the confusion of coming out the airport. Glad you missed the one which took you on to the runway……
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hahahaha; I’ll pay that, Don 🙂
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I haven’t been pulled over by the cops but now I knows it’s a hell of an experience
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hopefully you never will; don’t speed or drink/drive and they won’t bother you —
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I think there is a sinister cabal of civil engineers, could be ants, that creates airports. Then they sit and watch the CCTV footage during the Christmas party laughing their antennas off. Great story, thank you.
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hahaha; I like that ‘flight’ of whimsy 🙂
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On a related note: Driving anywhere these days can be very trying. It’s ridiculous how many impatient, obnoxious drivers are on the road.
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hahaha; so true, Neil; esp the big SUV’s; they get very impatient with people in sedans ‘holding them up’ 😦
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Shuddering. Gave it up a few years ago. Buses for everyone!
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yes; good idea; I’ll be ordering a cab for them 🙂
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But what is that picture? Spider, or your trademark zebra? (I love them too!)
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ahh, that picture: a little scary isn’t it? it’s the shadow of the palm tree I shelter under in summer at the side of the main road when I wait to be picked up in a cab by my mate on a Friday afternoon —
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Congratulations John! This was a suspenseful read. Too many signs can be so confusing. And the airport is intimidating that way. 🙂
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thank you, Terveen; that’s what I wanted to capture: I could have made more of the police officer but that could have fallen into caricature —
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I would also be forever wondering why!
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I may have wandered into a ‘forbidden zone’;
maybe the secret headquarters of the AFP ?
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I think it’s a possibility.
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