As I was standing in the security line at Newark Airport last week, I was in a rush.  Or at least I felt like I was in a rush.  In fact, I was well over an hour early for my flight, but I felt compelled to try to rush through security and get to my gate, where I would sit and wait and be annoyed at how long it took for my plane to board.  I don't know if it's all the people who are actually in a rush, or the cold, oppressive feeling of being in a linoleum and stainless steel airport, or if it has something to do with the militaristic TSA people, but there's just something about being in an airport that makes me nervous and anxious. 

Jump ahead to my return flight from Tampa, FL, and things were different.  I don't know if it was because the airport was carpeted, or the TSA people were nicer (they were), or because I wouldn't have minded missing my flight and staying in Florida a little longer, but I didn't feel like I was in a rush.  I even got pulled aside for the private "stand in a futuristic booth while some gizmo rotates around your body" security screening, and I had a wonderful time.  I even made a joke to one of the TSA people, who responded to me in a semi-human manner.  Come to think of it, there weren't as many people in line with me, and there was Christmas music playing in the background.  I was whistling along with the Christmas music.  How can you not? 

This experience brings to mind the idea of airport psychology.  It seems obvious that airports could do a few things to ease the tension experienced by travelers.  Paint the walls in calming colors.  Play some music.  Make those TSA idiots smile at least once per day.  In the world of "we'll treat you like a criminal until a strip-search proves otherwise," it would be nice to feel calm and relaxed every once in a while.