I travel for business all the time and know that airports are places in urgent need of random kindness. Hurry and anxiety are rampant as people try to manage the stress of missed flights, late flights, tiny seats, bumpy rides, unexpected fees, and unwelcome surprises. Lately I've had opportunities to make a tiny dent in the airport frenzy at the cart line.
I remember when we could rent a cart to haul your bags for $1.25, but over the last few months, airports have raised fees as high as $5 and often travelers stand at the cart line, stymied by a lack correct change or credit card to pay the fee. At first, impatience (the currency of airport life) was my reaction to people 'holding up the line.'
Then I realized this was an opportunity to help. Now when I see someone clearly frustrated by a need for help with their bags, unable to liberate a cart for lack of cash or a card, I simply step up and put my credit card in the machine so they can get the cart. Typically they think I am just stepping in front of them--but when I tell them to take the cart, you can feel tension slip away. To make sure they aren't embarrassed, I always leave them with encouragement to pay their "airport karma" forward.
