It’s no secret that the TSA is really struggling to keep up with crowds this time of year, and travelers all across the country are not being subtle with their rampant discontent. In these dire times, airports are turning to whatever sources they can to make passengers happy while waiting in endless security lines – that is until they realize they are flying Delta or Southwest and get upset all over again. As part of an overall effort to make the travel experience great again (or at least less of a complete crap festival), airports all over the country are thinking up new and creative ways to make people happy.
According to The New York Post, a few different airports have come up with fun tricks to assuage the angry hordes in their security areas. Some have opted for handing out snacks or beverages to people in line, but unless those beverages include some sort of alcohol it probably won’t magic people’s annoyances away. Out of all of the various methods being tested around the country, the tactics of the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport are easily the best of them all. There, they are using
…miniature horses from the nonprofit Seven Oaks Farms Miniature Therapy Horses in Hamilton, Ohio…trotted in several times a month.
“Animals help reduce stress and anxiety levels and put smiles on people’s faces,” airport spokeswoman Mindy Kershner told NBC News. “Unlike service animals, who are working and should not be touched, therapy animals can be patted and hugged.”
Many airports use therapy dogs, but “we figured this is Kentucky, after all, so we need horses,” she said.
This airport is so committed to making their passengers happy that they are ferrying animals across state lines. Now that is impressive. The only problem we can see is the need for extra security if anybody insists on trying to ride the ponies.
Over at San Diego International Airport, however, they are going with a potentially more problematic attempt at calming the crowds: clowns. Clowns are not exactly universally loved liked ponies are, so San Diego runs the risk of terrifying innocent travelers just as easily as they could cheer them up. It’s the thought that counts though, and even being scared out of your wits is better than standing in an interminable TSA check line.
(via The NY Post)
