He grunted as he pulled up his pants, slid his belt through pant loops, buckle clanging. I hurried to zip my boots while balancing a laptop against the counter with my left hand.

Undressing in the airport… coats, belts, shoes removed hastily and just as quickly put back in place… it’s par for the course for travelers.  On one recent excursion I snapped a picture of a sign that hung above two chairs announcing a “Recombobulation Area.” 

I travel periodically for work and always find myself amused at this intimate dressing and undressing among strangers.  Grateful for any security measures that might keep us safe, it poses particular challenges when traveling with business colleagues.  It is no longer a secret that I wear sweat socks over my tights, under my snazzy leather heeled boots.  Way to ruin a second impression, I remember thinking the first time I de-booted with the boss… and swore I’d check travel schedules to avoid the same mistake in the future. [Read more...]