IAIN KELLY

AIRPORT ’19

Full body scanners rang alarms sporadically, accompanied by flashing red lights. Body and bag searches caused extended queues.

Once past the security gate the hollow muzak was interrupted to remind people not to leave their luggage unattended.

Security dogs snarled. The guards walked around with hands on machine guns. CCTV cameras kept a watchful eye from the high ceiling.

The air of suspicion infected fellow passengers, eyeing one another, judging threat levels based on appearance.

Parents hushed noisy children lest they draw unwanted attention to them.

Cowed and paranoid: the perfect way to start a relaxing holiday getaway.


ben-gurion-airport-2
Copyright Rochelle Wisoff-Fields

Written as part of the Friday Fictioneers challenge hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields (more details HERE). The idea is to write a short story of 100 words based on the photo prompt (above).

To read stories of 100 words based on this week’s prompt, visit HERE.


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78 responses to “AIRPORT ’19”

  1. Sadje Avatar

    Oh, how well you have projected a scenario that might very well happen.

    Liked by 1 person

      1. Sadje Avatar

        You’re welcome 😊

        Liked by 1 person

  2. magickmermaid Avatar

    Sad and already true!

    Liked by 1 person

  3. trentpmcd Avatar

    So, where was the “fiction” part of the Friday Fictioneers story? 😉

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
  4. jillyfunnell Avatar

    Lovely irony, Iain. Airports are just so scary!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Jilly, a mix of anticipation and fear 🙂

      Like

  5. neilmacdon Avatar

    We’re so near that now

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      In some places I think they’ve arrived – without even the need for an airport to experience something similar.

      Like

  6. Björn Rudberg (brudberg) Avatar

    Alas… we are never meant to relax… I think I will take the train instead.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Now trains I love 🙂

      Like

  7. pennygadd51 Avatar

    Good choice of incidents and people to show how disturbing some people can find flying nowadays. Nicely described scene.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Penny – it certainly has lost some of its lustre as the exotic way to travel!

      Liked by 1 person

  8. scr4pl80 Avatar

    LOL that’s funny. Thank goodness that’s not how I see it. Flying is still a great adventure to me.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      The flying is the best bit – the getting to that point is the struggle 😉

      Liked by 1 person

  9. msjadeli Avatar

    So true, never thought of it that way before.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Air travel really isn’t the romantic exotic experience it used to be!

      Liked by 1 person

  10. theministryofshrawleywalks Avatar

    Bloody hell Iain, that is absolutely spot on! Roll on August, we’re going to Turkey for some more of this!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
  11. plaridel Avatar

    what the hell we go through on the way to our vacation destination and back. sometimes i wonder if it’s all worth it as the brochures say. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Better to holiday somewhere nearer home 😉

      Liked by 1 person

  12. deborahsdeliberations Avatar
    deborahsdeliberations

    Great take on the prompt, Iain. Traveling has become a scary and stressful thing nowadays.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Deborah

      Like

  13. notestowomen Avatar

    Nice one, Iain. Yes, airports can be pretty scary.

    Liked by 1 person

  14. Danny James Avatar

    Isn’t that the truth!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Danny

      Like

  15. Abhijit Ray Avatar
    Abhijit Ray

    Security details can be intimidating. But a lapse can be deadlier.

    Liked by 2 people

  16. Tannille Avatar

    The contrast made me think of pre 9/11 days. Travel felt safe and fun. I don’t recall a security presence although I’m sure it was there. Something deadly occurring wasn’t on the radar. Now I expect the possibility of an attack. Sad world.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      That date certainly changed a lot of things.

      Liked by 1 person

  17. Keith's Ramblings Avatar

    It is a bit like entering a war zone! Better safe than sorry though.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      True Keith, an unfortunate necessity.

      Liked by 1 person

  18. Sandra Avatar

    For me there’s always a general air of suspicion and unease at airports – but maybe my imagination works overtime too much. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      I think you are not alone in this feeling.

      Like

  19. draliman Avatar

    There’s a reason I haven’t been near an airport for over 15 years. Well described!

    Liked by 1 person

  20. kzmcb Avatar

    Ooh, I really enjoyed this. I felt tension rising and kept trying to anticipate the ending. It left me hanging.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you, that was the idea – tension where there really was no reason to feel any.

      Like

  21. Dale Avatar

    We are so there now… so much for fiction, eh?
    You wrote it perfectly.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
  22. Brenda's Thoughts Avatar

    Sadly true in most airports here in Asia. Big dogs and big guns. Love the irony of your story.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Brenda

      Like

  23. gahlearner Avatar
    gahlearner

    This is so true, and not only at the airport. Stuff happened on trains and buses. I travel by bus every week for 3+ hours, and sometimes people watch each other with suspicion. I always think, mantra-like, I’m not afraid, they must not win…

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Unfortunately we live in a world of fear and suspicion now.

      Like

  24. […] Iain Kelly (short story author and novelist) [twitter: @ianthekid] […]

    Like

  25. patriciaruthsusan Avatar

    Yes, traveling today can be a stressful exercise in patience and tolerance. It’s not for the weak at heart, mind, or body, not to mention those lacking funds. Amusing while still realistic, Iain. Well written. 🙂 — Suzanne

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Suzanne

      Liked by 1 person

  26. Woman walking Max Avatar

    Vivid description of our airports now, tense making and recognisable. Hope the subsequent holiday is fun.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      It better be worth getting there!

      Like

  27. David Stewart Avatar

    Nice commentary. 🙂 I think back to the days when people would dress up for flights like they were going to a party. Today it’s closer to a cattle car, then add in all the security checks and other dehumanizing procedures.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Not quite the glamorous sheen it once had for sure.

      Like

  28. Laurie Bell Avatar

    And it’s getting worse. Everyone is scared. We need to start caring again

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Wouldn’t that be nice? 🙂

      Like

  29. Liz Young Avatar

    Airports in England are stressful enough without the addition of guns!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Guns do tend to make for a sobering experience

      Like

  30. granonine Avatar

    The first time I flew to Heathrow, about 30 years ago, I was shocked to see the guards with their assault rifles. After 9/11, everything changed in America. We have the guards, too. We have beeping scanners and everything else you’ve described. What a world.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      I think they’re commonplace everywhere now, a constant reminder.

      Liked by 1 person

  31. subroto Avatar

    Ouch! Wait till they roll out the mandatory body cavity searches….

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Probably coming soon for certain ethnic groups…

      Like

  32. magarisa Avatar

    Not far from reality. Maybe taking the ship across the Atlantic will come back into fashion!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Now that actually sounds quite nice 🙂

      Like

  33. DB McNicol Avatar

    One of the many reasons I dislike flying….anywhere, anytime!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      It’s certainly got a lot of anxiety attached to it now!

      Like

  34. Margaret Avatar

    You’ve captured the feelings and atmosphere very well, Iain. As other commenters have said, how sad that we’ve come to this in our world.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Margaret

      Liked by 1 person

  35. patrickprinsloo Avatar

    You’ve hit the nail on the head.

    Liked by 1 person

  36. lisarey1990 Avatar

    The build up there was great.

    Liked by 1 person

  37. Dawn M. Miller Avatar

    This reminds me of your book, and how much I liked it.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you so much Dawn! 2/3 of the way through the sequel 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Dawn M. Miller Avatar

        I look forward to it.

        Liked by 1 person

  38. michaelwynnauthor Avatar

    Well done Iain, it seems we’re not far off this.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Afraid so, thanks Michael

      Liked by 1 person

  39. […] Iain Kelly (literary short story author and novelist) [twitter: @ianthekid] […]

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