Flirt-n-Fly

Flying and Flirting

By Kimberly Dawn Neumann, Founder - Dating Diva Daily

As a general rule, I find air travel rather tedious in this day and age. Between the time it takes to pack (which now means a million little bottles in sandwich baggies), the cab to the airport, the check-in lines, the security strip search (seriously, I am always the one that they require to take just about everything off – you think I’m kidding) and then the actual flight crammed in a little seat where you now have to beg for water or snacks well…it’s usually a bit of an ordeal.

But there is one positive thing I DO find happens when I travel. Somehow getting through all those challenges in my non-wrinkle Jersey travel garb with my perfectly packed carry-on and my little HP Vivienne Tam computer in tow, I feel like I am in control of my life. And that translates into a little extra flirtatious energy as well.

On a recent early morning flight out of Newark International Airport I started to think about this because I realized I was getting a lot of male attention. Not overt attention per se, but appreciative glances and occasional stares. And that’s when I realized I was doing my “airport strut.” You know that pre-flight-runway runway walk one does from Security to the Departure Gate. It’s a walk with purpose but also a little attitude. And I laughed at myself as I realized I felt really sexy at just after 7 a.m. (trust me, that rarely happens – I am not a morning person by nature).

That feeling continued as I arrived at my gate and watched a few handsome suited strangers walk by smiling at me. And when I sat down next to a cutie who glanced up coyly (I could’ve sworn it was a wink) when we both plugged in to the Mobile Charging Station. And as I boarded the plane. Though I usually end up assigned next to someone who takes up two seats (spilling into mine) or a small, screaming child (which was the case on this particular flight) it doesn’t stop me from thinking that one day I COULD end up next to a gorgeous single straight hottie.

Though I’ve never met someone that turned into a lasting relationship in an airport, I have been picked up a couple times in transit (one led to an awkward date back in the city and the other well…he got away because we lived on opposite sides of the country but I still haven’t forgotten our fabulous layover flirtation in the Salt Lake City airport).

On some levels, I think travel might actually make it easier to connect and flirt because it provides for easy openers. For example: Where are you headed? Do you know what time this flight is boarding? Could you watch my bag for a second? How do I get to Gate 23? Have you ever been to [fill-in-the-blank destination]? Just pick one (even if you know the answer) and boom, conversation started.

I also think the idea that “I’m going places” (even if it’s nowhere important) translates into more confidence. I know I always feel like I’m some sort of jetsetter when I’m air bound. I could be headed to Omaha, but if I’m in the right frame of mind, it might as well be Paris. I feel chic and worldly because I know how to travel (I’ve done it a lot so I’m good at it).

Though I don’t get turned on by the idea of accruing 10 million miles like George Clooney in Up in the Air (if I had that many miles I’d use them WAY before reaching Elite status), I do think that movie capitalizes on the parts of travel that are sexy. It’s the idea that whenever you put yourself in a different environment, there is the chance that your life could change somehow. Maybe it’s that possibility of a new adventure that I find exciting. Or maybe it’s just the idea that someday I might meet someone with whom I’d want to join the Mile High Club (for the record that has NOT happened yet).

Whatever the case, I’m all for air-flirting. Because in today’s society where just about everything travel-related is trying (and costs an additional fee) at least airport attractions can make it more interesting. And who knows? Love might even be in the air…