Flight Simulation

 

By: Jonathan Seidel

Capitalism and theatrical airports

Airports are anything but flying. They are filled with stores. Selling all sorts of valuables. So much merchandise and expensive food. What happened to just flying.

Outside an airport is filled with taxis, suitcases and tears. Chauffeurs assisting clients with their bags and families embracing their loved ones. It is a heartfelt goodbye and away for a new chapter. The bristling of cars dropping off people leaving the city. All are headed for the same vehicle. All are searching for their flight. Passengers unloading their bags with haste hoping to make their flight. Rushing around a few screams here and there. It is a busy section coming and going. Racing to the flight. Yet within much of this stampede is an emotional moment for loved ones who hold tight for a couple extra minutes. The airport is here time to head inside.

Predictably, the airport has logistical and security measures prior to reaching the airplane. Entering the airport the passenger must find his section. His airline is huddled up somewhere with a line for unloading suitcases. The passenger waits his turn sometimes tirelessly and endlessly until he makes his way to the counter. His suitcase is weighed and his passport checked. Annoying at times but logistically relevant. Waiting on line is a bore but the airline set up ensures the boarding pass is received and suitcases are loaded onto the airplane. This is a part of the airplane process. Retrieving the necessary documents to board the plane.

Once retrieved, the passenger moves onto the security section. Lining up just as he did for his airline. Now instead he is with the rest of the passengers of all airlines. All single file ready to be checked. There is a guard who checks the boarding pass ensuring it is valid. The guard permits the passenger entry into the security section and another guard motions the passenger over to place their bags and electronics on the trolly. Instructing the passenger which things come off and which go in a bag. Laptops must be taken out and placed in a bin of their own while belt shoes and hat go in another. The passenger then walks through the security layer grabs his stuff and heads to his gate. 

Security is essential for safety on the flight. Since airborne is dangerous guards need to make sure no danger enters the plane. After security the next logical step is the airplane but it isn’t. Before ever making to the gate, the passenger is greeted by a score of stores. Duty free but also his local brands that desire his money. Stores selling watches and clothing to books and legos. A variety of types for the passenger to indulge in. The passenger has been processed by the airline and security and now is processing the curious stores. He didn’t just enter a mall. He chose the airport. He saw the airplanes, the tower and others with suitcases. Maybe they’ve all been duped. Maybe he paid for the mall experience. 

Confused, he sits down to figure out the situation. He looks around and all he sees is stores. He swears he remembers arriving at the airport. He did check in. He reaches into his pocket and takes out his passport and his boarding pass. He didn’t dream that. He sees fellow travelers purchasing items so they are there. He isn’t dreaming them up. A little lost, he looks up and sees the dashboard with the list of flights. He finds his and lets out a sigh of relief. He walks and follows the signs that lead him to his gate. He sits down awaiting for his flight but he has some time. He arrived early and the tedious longing for boarding inspires to him return to the mall-like center of the airport.

He picks up his stuff and decides to explore. He has enough time on his hands why not check it out. He retraces his steps reverting back to the store collage. He sees all his local brands. While not in a spending mood, the interest of boredom combined with familiarity enjoins his spirit. Just a little peak. This is nothing like shopping in a mall and at the same time it is the exact same thing. He is not particularly in the mood to spend but there is a deal. He knows the brand and they are offering a generous opportunity. He’s heading out why not give himself a go away present. Preparing him for journey. Imbuing a newfound sense of confidence. He checks with his local store and it was a little overpriced but it was for the journey so worth it.

He moves on and grows hungry. He sits down at the food court. All sorts of restaurants crowded in a single chamber. A single rotunda surrounded by pop-up shops that have engraved their name into a section. Some more refurbished than others. Offering overpriced meals and overpriced drinks. It’s the airport. Sit back and relax before your flight. Enjoy a cold beverage or a tasty meal. The food is more expensive but way better than anything you’ll eat or be served on the plane. Reluctantly buying the meal to satiate himself. He stands up takes a long last look around at the commodity enveloping him. Amazed at the surreal experience surrounding him. Maybe another nicknack for the ride.   

Entranced by all the materialistic agenda. All the possible purchases. The voiceover goes off. Boarding in fifteen for flight now. Shocked he checks his watch realizing he has forty minutes till his flight. He grabs his stuff and dashes back to the gate. Lining up right behind fellow passengers bags in hand. He waits his turn and hands his passport and his boarding pass to the attendant just as he has done prior. She checks it and wishes him a pleasant flight. He follows his fellow passengers down the terminal to the plane. Entering the plane he is greeted by the crew and is guided to his seat. Placing his luggage in the overhead compartments and stowing his bag underneath. He firmly takes his seat awaiting further instructions and takeoff. 

In the midst of journeying to the airplane he was stopped by the market of commodities. He is attracted to the untaxed giveaways. The local stores with branches even in the airport. The commodities follow the passenger from his home to the airport. Leaving him as he flies. A salute to his safe flight. A reminder of their eminence in the local scene. They have ownership and influence until the tarmac. The runway is the separation between material and bliss. Between commodity and nothingness. The commodity desires his participation up till he leaves the area. Once he has left they have no more power but just before he leaves. A last second decision to buy their goods. A special gift before leaving.

It is an enticing prize for the passenger. The passenger has arrived early to smoothly pass through check-in and security. The passenger is ever unsure of the length. Taking a risk coming late is anxiety ridden. Instead he comes early. He makes his way through. He has so much time. Maybe he’ll explore, walk around a little bit. He has so much time and there is so much to see. Waiting for a plane needs something to pass the time. Why not place some stores for convenience. Why not provide a pressing enhancement for the tedious traveler. To enjoy wandering from one to another. Looking closely at each item closely. To feel satisfied in the waiting hours. A time to fill and a time to be fulfilled. 

The mall-like system is familiar. There are stores that remind the passenger of his home. No matter from where he is flying. He may be boarding an airplane back home and the airport resembles his own. Some tweaks here and there. Yet the commodification is represented in its own relatability. The passenger enjoys the souvenirs and the niceties on display. He forgot to buy a gift for his wife or kids. Something for himself to feel accomplished. He knows a mall and he knows materialism. It’s a commodity and it’s purchasable. The nation nor the airport matters. An interest for the company to make money and for the passenger to aspire his own dignity. A last chance for a customer and a last chance for a purchaser. 

Buyer and seller meet in the middle of the airport maze. En route to their flight. Passengers are caught by the numerous possibilities. This is not disconnected. This a part of the process. This is the support. Though a voluntary part. Unlike the first two sections there is no obligation to entertain the stores. They are there, they may even inquire to buy but more or less they remain as a desirable. If you are bored or curious, it is available. Increased capitalist functioning. Commodities for all sorts of travelers. A commodity for everyone. The airport adds an extra rung to the ladder. Permitting stores to enter their scene. Potentially profiting from their arrangement. It may be the store’s items but the airport’s land. 

The airport provides these luxuries. They are in the airport and the seller’s interest. Luxuries are persuasive to purchase but also nice to look at. While it seems to take away from the flying experience. It seems to split the airport into a mall but the mall is just parcel of the airport experience. The mall does not encroach on airport territory but strategically placed post-security. A mall next to an airport would precede any check-in. Instead the airport turns its own corridor into a theatre. It permits commodities entry to provide a good time to the passenger. He is bored and lonely. Sitting tediously awaiting his flight. Let’s bring the buyer and seller dynamic. Synthesizing the market in an airport of all places. 

Brightening up passengers’ days. Providing that solace through commodification. Distracting the passenger through dialectical theatrics. Check over here and over there. Explore the territory. Enjoy a cold beverage while entertaining an untaxed bottle of whisky. Maybe check out the clothing line or a nice watch you’ve been eyeing for some time. Never making it to the store, the airport brings it to you. So busy on your trip, here’s a few commodities to make up for lost time. Here’s a way forward. Do it before leaving. Ready yourself for that meeting or vacation. A cure to boredom  and an antidote for insolence. A representable illustration of proper “fun”. It’s big but sufficiently compact. Everything is on the surrounding area. There is room to explore and relax. 

An airport begins as a process to the plane but is quickly interrupted by a chain of stores. A mall looming out of nowhere. A theatrical marvel right before the plane. The airport wishes its passengers to enjoy their stay and explore in their free time. Don’t worry there is something for everyone.