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Thank you Mark and thank you for dropping by to listen.
Travel in our world today is always an adventure.
I recently attended CES 2025 in Las Vegas and thought I’d share a few observations about my travel experiences.
TSA
As with most trips, everything begins at the TSA check-in process. At my home airport in Missoula, after showing the TSA agent my approved ID, they used to require me to remove my shoes, jacket, anything in my pockets and to place them in a plastic bin that would be sent through a scanner.
The Shoes
What I found most annoying about that process was untying and removing my shoes while trying to balance my belongings and move quickly enough not to annoy the people behind me.
Thankfully, today in Missoula, I don’t have to take my shoes off!
They tell me it’s because of my age. What age has to do with taking off shoes and putting them back on isn’t entirely clear to me, but I’m not complaining. I’ll gladly take the convenience.
However, when I go through TSA in Las Vegas, age doesn’t seem to matter—they still make me remove my shoes. That used to be a major hassle, but now I have special slip-on shoes that make the process much easier. No laces, no tying—just slip in and out.
These shoes are part of my VA benefits, which means you paid for them. Thanks! I appreciate that. They’ve been a real lifesaver.
The Belt
And then there’s my belt. The one around my waist.
In both Las Vegas and Missoula, even though I am old, TSA requires me to remove my belt.
Here’s the problem: I’m … let’s just say chunky.
When I take off my belt and set it in the plastic bin to go through the scanner, my pants have a tendency to slide down. I shuffle through the line, doing my best to keep my pants up—a sight, I’m sure, that entertains everyone around me.
The Personal Scanner
The personal scanner is the most challenging part of the check-in process.
I have to lift both my hands above my head, which leaves me no way to hold up my pants. Naturally, gravity takes this opportunity to do its thing, and my pants try their hardest to make their way to the floor.
Then there’s the moment when I have to collect all my items from the bins. Often, there’s a long line of impatient people behind me, waiting to grab their stuff.
This process also requires me to use both of my hands, leaving me struggling to keep my pants from succumbing to gravity entirely.
As a result, I often end up looking like what we used to call a “low rider” in my youth. I don’t know if that style is still around, but if anyone is trying to bring it back, I’m not exactly helping their cause.
The Knees
One thing I do get special care for is my knees.
Because I have two artificial knees with metal in them, I get to go through a special scanner that can handle my situation. For a brief moment, I feel like a VIP as I get this extra attention.
Another thankyou to those of you who pay taxes.
Remember, you paid for my artificial knees.
Final Thoughts
Travel may have its inconveniences, but I’m learning to adapt. Slip-on shoes, snugger pants, and a sense of humor, are now part of my travel survival kit. At the end of the day, it’s all worth it when I reach my destination—even if TSA gets a free comedy show in the process.
One final thankyou to taxpayers.
You pay the salaries of the TSA agents who guide me though the check-in process.
Unlike many government employees, I have found the TSA agents to be helpful, friendly, and very efficient as they carry out their mission to keep us safe in our travels.
In the next episode, I’ll share some of the things I saw at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show.
I hope I’ll see you then.
Before I go, I’d like to share a blessing with you from the Old Testament.
“May the Lord bless and protect you; may the Lord’s face radiate with joy because of you; may he be gracious to you, show you his favor, and give you his peace.”
Numbers 6:24-26 (The Living Bible)
Until next time … be the reason someone smiles today
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