Planning ahead pays off when something eventually goes wrong at every step.

Late start, traffic, late shuttle, understaffed security, long lines, construction, gate moved to another concourse, gate moved to another concourse - if you put enough buffer time in the schedule, you can still make the flight.

In the 1980's they wouldn't let a guy from Apple keep all his stuff with him. He and his buddies got off the plane, maybe to hire a car I don't know. I think he was talking about driving.

Yes.

Doesn't matter, I'm wired the same way.

The last thing I want is to start thinking of the worst that could happen. I am very creative and my brain won’t shut up once started. I’ll get stuck in a strange airport for 12 hours, and have to sleep in a chair which will hurt my back and I’ll have to get a refill of muscle relaxants, which will probably get me addicted and homeless. My cat will miss her meal and starve to death. My bank will see that I’m outside the travel window I’d told them about, see strange changes from Tampa, and cancel my debit card. Or if I’m heading to a business trip, it’ll leave such a bad impression on my boss that I’ll have to get a new job.

I could go on like this for an hour.

I’m not really that anxious 99.9% of the time, but add in the inherent stress of travel, especially if it’s for business, and we’re off to the races.

Orrrr, I could get there early since I’m awake and moving anyway, find a lounge, and have a leisurely breakfast and beverage before settling in with my Switch or an ereader. That’s my choice by a wide margin.