June 7, 2015

DCA National Airport. 

I’m at DCA in Washington, D.C. on my way to Greenville, S.C. for my first day at my new job. This is my first time flying through this airport.  The approach was quite nifty; I’m surprised the FAA allows low approaches that pass so close to government buildings.  The low turn from base to final reminded me of the sight picture when flying the Cherokee. 

I am passing from gate 31 to gate 43. They are nowhere near each other but rather in separate terminals. At every other airport I’ve ever been to, it’s a matter of walking a bit to get to your next gate. I always shun the shuttles because I’m trying to be a healthy American and all that.

At DCA you need to pass through security again to go to another terminal. Because I’m getting more cantankerous in my Middle Age, this irked me a bit. I tolerate the security theatre when getting on a commercial flight, it keeps the sheep feeling safe and employees thousands of people, so it isn’t all bad, but I do not enjoy having to stand in line, disrobe, decloak, show my documents and then get dowsed with radiation again just to pass between gates. 

This whole farce had been around for over a decade; one would think that the TSA would figure out something better for this airport.  Like Kansas City’s security setup farce, this is a fail in my book.