Submitted by Fred on

Early

Early
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Lifestyle

Recently, I endured my wife Joanne's oft repeated complaint "Why do we always have to be so early to just sit here at the airport?"

First of all, aren't we supposed to be there 2 hours before departure?

Actually, though, it's much deeper and more complex.  

Maybe this trait was born in boyhood when I arrived an hour late for my SATs.  

In any case, I am compelled to always be early and it has served me well.  For instance, I am always about 10 minutes early for a Zoom, where I find other like minded early arrivers and we take the free time opportunity to get to know each other. 

One pro coach always preached if you are not 10 minutes early to a meeting you are late.  

I could go on and on, but suffice to say "The early bird gets the worm!"

Comments

Shelley Simpson

Early to the airport has served me well. I have made friends and gotten business.  On days when there are delays, I manage to get out with less hassle because I can find another flight. Plus there is less angst which is the greatest benefit. 

Paul Napolitano

It’s just so easy to be early and then you don’t have to stress about traffic or other things that are out of your control. Once you’re at your destination, you can use your time wisely for other things. 

David Abeshouse

I agree with all the benefits of being early, as stated by the OP and the other commenters.  And on the flip-side of this coin, people who are chronically late tend -- in my opinion -- to: be thoughtless of how their tardiness affects others, which is rude; be somewhat narcissistic; be disorganized in other aspects of their lives;  risk missing out; and cause themselves undue stress.  It's a discussion I've had with several people in my life who are chronically late, and none of them (even the otherwise smart ones!) has ever given me (an admitted early-bird) a reason that even approaches making sense -- most of their responses have centered around bullshit self-justification and/or minimization.  As is apparent from my comments, this is a hot-button issue for me. 

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