We’ve turned airports into shopping malls, because airline passengers aren’t an airport customer they’re the product to be sold to. Longer dwell times to fill with shopping, therefore, have become a feature not a bug.

Restaurants, too!

Even if you resist the urge to buy books and souvenirs at the airport, arriving 3 hours early will probably mean you need to eat a meal that you would have otherwise eaten at home or at a cheaper restaurant.

And even if you’re not hungry, you might choose to sit in a comfy seat at one of the airport bars, having a few drinks and appetizers.

I’m only in that category because I don’t drink coffee every day.

When I used to drink it daily, it did nothing for me except remove my irritability and prevent a headache.

Now, I take at least two non-coffee days between coffees. I don’t depend on coffee on any given day; I can wake up with energy and go about my life without it.

But when I do have coffee, it has a huge effect on me. I get super caffeinated. And it tastes delicious.

It’s Saturday morning and I still feel energized from the coffee I had at noon yesterday. I could hardly sleep. It’s kind of a problem.