I fly a lot.
I have platinum status with the airlines. I use Clear and TSA pre-check to get through the security lines ahead of everyone.
For those over 50, I thought you’d like this flashback. For those under 50, what I’m about to say may surprise you.
Having started my business around 1972, while in college, I found that I had to fly to different locations to meet with prospects and clients.
The experience back then was so different from today.
Anyone could walk right up to the gate in the terminal at any time.
I would get to the airport and simply walk to the gate… No security.
Sometimes when I’d take a friend or my parents to the airport, I went to the gate with them and not be on the flight.
No one questioned it… and when they came back from their flight, I would go right to the gate and have flowers ready, a sign, or at the very least, a big smile.
When I went on a flight, I could pack whatever I wanted, oftentimes putting knives in my bag for protection, and no one would care… nobody would even check.
In fact, many people traveled with knives in their bags or firearms in their coat pockets, and no one would know.
But all that changed in 1973.
That was the start of all the airplane hijackings on commercial flights.
Because of this threat, the FAA implemented an emergency requirement to inspect all luggage and installed metal detectors.
It would be many years before there would be complete restrictions on entering the airport and meeting people at the gate.
Things change.
Today is a different society… and a different world.
You may read this article: Finally you might enjoy this old message from the 1960’s to teens