OSCON 2009: Day Zero
I’m sitting at my gate for my flight to San Jose, CA as I type this. I made it to the airport in record time, made it through security in record time, and have killed off an hour with some reading. Now I’m killing more time typing this up.
This is my third trip to O’Reilly’s OSCON, but this is the first time I’ll be going to San Jose. Actually, this will be my first trip to California. I just hope it doesn’t fall off into the ocean while I’m there.
While going through security, I decided to experiment with something. I know. I know. Dealing with TSA is not the best time to try a social experiment, but it was harmless. I tried to chat up every agent I had to deal with. It started with the one giving directions to the least crowded security line, continued on with the two directing traffic, and went on with the three I had to deal with that were actually doing the security work. I dealt with six TSA agents in total, and I asked them how their day was going, encouraged them to have a good day, and little chit-chat items like that. It was a fun experiment, and I encourage other people to try to do the same. With my very small sampling of TSA agents, I found that 2 out 3 agents are too busy with their days to offer a smile or make eye contact with the passengers they are screening. The other 1 out of 3 were very friendly and helpful. I enjoyed my few brief moments in their company.
I might post again later tonight from my hotel room once I’m settled in. We’ll see how it goes. For now, I have more reading I want to do before it’s time to pack up and get onboard the steel, titanium and steel tube with wings that we cal an airplane.
