The President-for-Life is a big fan of international airports. The PFL loves to watch people as they scurry from plane to plane, meet loved ones, browse in the infamous duty-free shops, those upscale outlet malls of the skies ("Half off double our regular price."), or simply indulge in the various confections that abound in airports these days.
The PFL regrets that his country's single international airport looks more like an airstrip than anything else. Hardly the type of airport a country of such stature warrants! But we cannot justify more expense, since we have only three flights per week to and from Absurdistan.
At least our ATC people do not fall asleep, but are always vigiliant!
The PFL's favorite international airport in Amsterdam's Schiphol, where there are so many diversions you have to be careful not to miss your flight. It is also free of the shuttles and trains you often need to take at other airports to travel to other terminals - it's all under one roof. There are even a library and and a branch of the Rijksmuseum!
It sometimes seems more like a shopping mall that happens to have one of the world's busiest aiports attached to it.
Factoid: the name 'Schiphol' translates to 'ship grave' since the airport occupies the former site of a large lake upon which storms would suddenly arise and sink ships.
But the PFL just returned from South Korea where he experienced the vaunted Incheon International Aiport, generally considered the world's best. The architecture is striking and there are many passenger-friendly features: efficient operation, free internet and wonderfully helpful people come immediately to mind.It is also well-integrated into South Korea's transportation network. Surprise!
One thing particularly struck the PFL: as he entered the immigration control area, there were long lines at the booths. But six young Koreans in natty uniforms suddenly descended upon us and opened more booths. One young woman apologized as she ran past me to activate her booth. I'm not sure I've seen that happen before. Another thing: as I stopped for barely 10 seconds to examine the departure board a young woman came running up to me with a clipboard and wanted to know if she could help me find my flight.
And plenty of people-watching, as Incheon is one of the world's busiest passenger and cargo airports, like Schiphol.
I suspect that as the PFL visits Incheon more and more, it will eventually supplant Schiphol.
Time will tell.
"Eternal boredom is the price of constant vigilance." -- Johann 'Jack' Adogoff, poet laureate of Campanstan
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