Glad to see airport busy

I flew out of Alpena's airport to Chicago to be home for Christmas. This isn't the first time I've taken advantage of the local air travel, but Thursday afternoon before the holiday weekend was the first time I felt the old frenzied sensations of being in a metro terminal. I expected to walk into the same cozy, slow-paced building but instead faced lines for the self check-in and security, stressed out employees and confused travelers – typical for O'Hare but not Alpena. I even overheard a lady who commented that she felt like she was in Detroit Metro Airport.

Sure, I prefer the laid back environment of the Alpena airport where I don't have to leave hours before take-off to prepare for crowds or traffic. But with all the recent uneasiness surrounding Delta pulling its service out of Alpena, I was happy to see the airport bustling.

I'm a believer that the airport is an important component to the area. I've always been accompanied by fellow passengers, both leaving and returning. The ease of flying cuts back on parking fees, gas money and time, all of which seem to be recognized by those who utilize the airport. Perhaps it was simply the holiday season that heightened the airport usage, but the trend I've observed is that it's only gotten busier and busier with time and not the other way around.