*Edit: Several years ago I worked at our little local airport with a company that checked in and loaded planes for both United and Delta Airlines. These were my scattered thoughts written after I came home from a 12 hour shift that started at 3 am. I felt it was good to revisit as summer travel ramps up. Those people behind the counter are as irritated as you that the plane isn't working!

We are encouraged to nap sometime during our work day because of our early hours. A typical day starts at 4 am and lasts till 2 or 3 pm. Sometimes we pull 16 hour shifts when weather is bad or planes arrive broken. Yes... broken.

We work really hard a third of our day, sort of hard a third of our day, and exhausted the rest of the day. Nonetheless, joy is the ruling emotion most of the time. This is because of the firm relationships forged by doing something difficult in a team environment. The airlines attract ex-military personnel because of the feeling of comradeship that is present each and every day. It's the only job I've had that values relationships as much as skills and hard work. People arrive knowing nothing but are given the tools to advance but if they can't forge relationships, they're history.

Working here emphasizes the saying that "everyone is good at something but no one is good at everything." Everyone here is respected for their strengths - usually.

Airports are a place for kissing. Hugging too. Something about hurdling oneself through the air causes one to hold on to those you love. Every day I witness hugs and kisses.

Airports attract crazy people. Stalkers, people who argue with themselves and people off their rocker show up with alarming regularity. Subduing the nutters until help arrives is an unwritten part of the job description. Even normal people do stupid things like wander around the tarmac to take pictures of the mountain ranges while an incoming plane is pulling in. Are they really not aware the propellers can and will take their head off?

We see who you truly are. The stress of travel brings out the best and worse in people. Don't take pride at yelling at that reservation agent. They have the ability to be cruel, kind, or to ban you from the airplane based on your behavior.

One of my first days on the job a woman missed her flight. "I can see it right outside the window!" she screamed at me. "Tell them to come back. You knew I was coming." She then proceeded to throw her iPad at me. Yes, she used her iPad as a weapon. I looked at her a moment. It was tense. I then told her to pick it up and if she proceeded to throw anything else at me she could claim it at TSA as they escorted her out of the airport. My manager was standing next to me. I waited for her to escort me from the building. When I looked at her she was grinning in support and I knew I would love this job.

Everyone here loves a hard day- as soon as its over.