Just when I thought the summer couldn’t get any more crazier and I have seen all there is to see in the airport life, a family of 4 shatters my expectations.
I know that traveling is a stressful experience and the fear of losing one’s flight can take it’s toll on people’s judgments. But I’ve never seen such panic drive people to insanity to the point of endangering their lives.
This family of 4, took their time shopping in the duty free shops and didn’t hear the last call to board their flight. Once they heard their names being broadcasted through the terminal’s airwaves they panicked. They rushed to the boarding gate and once they realized their bus to the aircraft had departed without them, they became distressed. The boarding agents reassured them the bus will return for them and all they had to do was wait.
The passengers oblivious to the instructions of the boarding agents dashed through the gate, removed the chain at the gate and ran to the aircraft. They literally ran through the tarmac, duty free bags and baby stroller in hand. It was a scene from a movie. One of the boarding agents ran after them begging them to stop while the other notified airport security. The passengers could hear nothing, even when two police cars surrounded them from both sides. All they were seeing was their plane in the distance and they had to get to it, didn’t matter at what cost.
It was the most dangerous and scariest incident I had ever witnessed. In their hurry, they were crossing the main road of the tarmac, where planes, cars, trucks and other vehicles drove in constantly (most of the times ignoring the speed limit). One aircraft was being led by a “follow me” car to its parking space. The passengers didn’t see it. They simply ran disregarding anything in their way.
Thankfully, they got to the aircraft without getting hurt, thanks in part to the police cars that escorted them and stopped any vehicle approaching. When interrogated by the police, all they said was that they were afraid of missing their flight!!??
I’m telling you, something strange happens to people once they enter through the airport’s doors. It’s as if all sanity and composure is erased from them. They become disoriented and irrational. I can’t wait for the summer to be over, really!
