It’s been a long time since I’ve been on the market, but I have not forgotten many of of the opportunities an airport terminal provides “to connect” in the romantic sense. I’ll even give you some tips to give you a competitive advantage in the airport dating game. First, you just have to believe an airport love connection can happen and you have to be smart about how and where you spend your time. Plus you’ve got to do a little bit of planning in order to allow things to happen spontaneously

Let me tell you a story (skip this if you just want the tips)

In order to properly establish my qualifications to dispense this type of advice, I am going to give you a special treat and tell you a story of one of my first meetings at the airport. I was oh so young and had positioned myself in the departure lounge at Washington National Airport for American’s new 727-200 nonstop service to Miami. I spotted someone I’d found extremely attractive standing nearby; or was it the the Concorde bag tag on his briefcase that had actually gotten my attention? I was a very wise 21 years old by the way. I remember being a bit upset with myself that I had not dressed appropriately for first class, which I was positive the object of my affection was seated. Oh well, I guess it was not meant to be. We exchanged smiles and I resigned myself to the fact that we’d never see each other again.

Once on board, a flight attendant I had never seen before in my life said “Hi, how are you? Don’t you remember flying with me?” “Sure I do!” I said and before I knew it, I was in first class sitting in the row behind my new friend. After take off, his seat quickly reclined and we were soon chatting away and moments later I was being whisked into the seat beside him clinking wine glasses. Before long I noticed, out of the corner of my eye, the flight attendants passing by repeatedly. The next time one started towards me I noticed a cup on her tray with the letters “SP” written on it. I didn’t think much of it. A few minutes later, the same flight attendant came by again with a tray which she tipped as she skipped along to allow me to see same letters, “SP” written on the tray liner. This kept happening at least 3 or 4 times as I talked and flirted the flight away. What were these girls up to?

I finally excused myself to the lavatory and stopped by the galley to find out just what was going on. When I asked what the “SP” meant, I was told it stood for “Slut Puppy”! Well this person turned out to be already in a relationship which was totally against my operating procedures, but at least it was lots of fun, great practice and one of my favorite stories.

Let Yourself Go

Don’t listen to those who say it’s not respectable to meet people in airports; of course it is! I am the Jetiquette® Authority for goodness sake and as long as you are pleasant, courteous and your clothes remain on; you are absolutely fine!

Here are a few tips to improve your chances of making your love connection:

Pick the right spot and be smart

1. Gate Area: Standing is better than sitting. If you do sit, make sure you are close to the area where the boarding line begins. This is where the “who’s who” on your flight will be waiting for boarding to begin.
2. Airline Lounge: This is an easy one. Position yourself in a busy thoroughfare within the club to allow you to see and be seen.
3. Cocktail Lounge: Seek out a venue that reflects your interest. Looking for someone with sophisticated tastes? Grab a seat in a wine bar. Want a little more rough and tumble? The sports bar is just down at the end of the concourse!
4. Take a Walk: A stroll may offer an excellent opportunity for the “bend and snap”! Check out the other gate areas and venues and you never know when someone will catch your eye as your catching theirs. Ask them where you know them from, then ask them if they’re going where you’re going!

Creative Maneuvers

1. Merchandise Yourself. Sit with a full view of people coming and going into the gate area, club or dining venue in the concourse. Make sure that everyone has an excellent view of you! Don’t hide!
2. Set the Stage. Save the seat next to you. If there’s a shortage of seats, don’t be afraid to approach him or her and let the person of interest know that you have a seat open near you that they are welcome to take. They’ll appreciate it. If they decline, it was a painless rejection that may have had nothing to do with you (may be related to their marital status, sexual orientation or mental state)
3. Go Shopping. You’d be surprised how many times you’ll look up from a magazine in a newsstand and find something much more interesting right in front of you than that dumb Cosmo quiz. Start practicing your sexy, breathy “Hi”. Try it. Say it with me….”haaaiii” there you go, stretch it out.

Use Caution

1. Stay Focused: Make sure not to get so mesmerized that you accidentally follow someone out of the secure area and into a taxi when you are supposed to be connecting to another flight.
2. Watch for Spouses: If a man is carrying a purse or a woman is holding a Sports Illustrated there is a good chance they are traveling with a spouse. There are many other clues that may apply….plan accordingly. Nothing worse than a cat fight at the airport.
3. Look Out for “Playas”: Unless you’re into that sort of thing, watch out for those just out for something quick and dirty. This is a respectable article and I am talking about real connections.

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