The experience of waiting for someone at Lubbock Preston Smith Airport is a familiar one for many residents. Despite the airport’s small size, the process of picking up a friend or family member can be a trying one.

The Five Stages of Waiting

There are five distinct stages to waiting for someone at the airport. The first stage is arriving early, feeling prepared and confident that the pickup will go smoothly. The second stage is receiving the text that the plane has landed, and the wait begins in earnest.

The third stage involves driving around the airport, trying to avoid parking and wondering if people are staring. The fourth stage is the confusing exchange of texts, trying to determine which door and which side of the airport to meet at. Finally, the fifth stage is the relief of spotting the person, waving from the curb, and reuniting.

For a city the size of Lubbock, the airport pickup process is relatively painless. However, each trip seems to involve at least one unnecessary lap around the terminal and a phone call to clarify the meeting spot.

Original reporting: News/Talk 790 KFYO (Lubbock) — read the source article.