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The Slice: When the meet and greet was immediate

It probably shouldn’t make any difference.

Hugs are hugs. A person’s touch, a person’s scent is still the same.

But for some of us, the old setting for airport greetings and farewells was better.

Remember how you used to be able to walk right up to an arrival gate to welcome passengers? Or escort relatives or friends to their departure gate before saying goodbye?

We all know why this has changed. That does not mean we have to like it.

OK, you might wonder. What’s the big deal? We still convey the same emotions, just in a different spot.

Well, I guess it’s not a big deal. But you used to be able to watch the plane taxi toward the gate, knowing your loved ones were here. At last.

Your anticipation grew as the plane eased to a stop right outside the concourse windows. You could almost lean out and embrace the certain someone.

You could stare at the airliner and picture a familiar expression. For a little while at least, everything would be better once you saw that face. That smiling face.

You used to be able watch for that person or persons to emerge from the jetway. It was like they were being delivered to you, just in time for the holiday.

Now, of course, we wait in a different part of the building. We don’t see the airplane. We might hear a PA announcements about a flight’s arrival or see a line on an info screen indicating it has landed.

Then, like released hostages, the passengers eventually appear from around a corner.

It’s still great to see them. But it’s not the same.

Farewells are a different story. Some travelers, frankly, prefer just being dropped off outside the terminal. It could be argued that it’s emotionally cleaner and somehow allows the travelers to focus on forward progress.

But walking with departing company to the gate used to provide one last chance for an in-person moment, a human connection.

“Bob, I’ve been wanting to tell you …”

OK, that might not be so great if you are about to be hit up for money. But maybe it’s an apology or a personal expression of thanks.

All kinds of journeys begin at the airport.

Today’s Slice question: How many Thanksgiving conversations are about shopping strategies?

Write The Slice at P. O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210; call (509) 459-5470; email pault@spokesman.com. When an awful person does you a favor does it change your mind about that individual?

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