Killing Time at the Airport

Three hours. That’s the amount of time my husband would need to alot between arriving at the airport and boarding his flight in order to truly relax. Three hours!! If I arrived at an airport three hours in advance I’d forget why I was there in the first place and miss my flight. We’re both Classics (SJ) so the amount of time one needs to relax in the face of air travel is clearly dependent upon MANY factors other than personality type — who raised you, whether you’re a celebrity with a security speed pass…. But, you can bet your bottom dollar that the types that sweat the small stuff more than others are going to be at the airport with plenty of time to spare.

I’m not sure what my in-laws personality types are so I will not malign them by blaming my husband’s airport anxiety on them. But, regardless of what happened to him as a young man at airports, today anyone travelling with him is left with the distinct impression that if he were to miss a flight, the consequences might be as dire as the end of Western Civilization as we know it.

The Funs (SP) I’ve travelled with all seem to give themselves a TON of extra time as well not so much for the relaxation needs that a Classic has but because they don’t trust themselves with time. Ditto for Organic Freedoms (NFP). I’d say this is wise for Funs and Organic Freedoms but don’t get crazy if you’re travelling with more structure types. Organic Structures (NFJ) are probably the most sensible when it comes to arriving ahead of time. They’re most likely to take the advice given by airlines of when to arrive coupled with their own experiences. As for Smarts, well, I’d say they often play a little fast and loose with it all as my anecdote below highlights.

I was raised by a Smart Structure (NTJ) and an Organic Freedom (NFJ) and this seemed to have a calming effect on my ability to arrive at airports without fretting I’d miss a plane. Actually I’m going to credit my Smart Structure father with that calming effect. Pre-9/11 security, that guy would seriously leave to catch a flight an hour in advance — oh and I mean LEAVE his office 60 minutes in advance knowing it was a 20 minute drive to the airport. But, he pridefully boasts that he only ever missed a flight once.

I take my father’s devil may care attitude but I logically take to heart the recommended allowances airlines tell you and then the reality of my flying experiences — you really only need to be at the gate 30 minutes before the flight. I’ve missed a flight once and that was because of almost inconceivably insane NYC traffic. I freaked out, cried and then called my dad’s secretary — the ever brilliant Alexis — who got me on a flight out the next day. And yes, this is when I learned that Western Civilization doesn’t depend on your making a flight. The world continues to turn.