Arrrrgg,,,, the anticipation is killing me.

It's been a month since my last business trip and I get to go to SLC for a few days starting next Monday. The part I'm anticipating is travelling bf. I love to travel bf, especially on airplanes. It will be interesting this time, however, since I'll be catching a connection in Cincinnati, which usually means a tram ride to the next gate. And SLC is getting cool this time of year and I don't get in until 10:30 pm. I purposely travel during the evening hours to avoid the business rush. I've never had a problem with airport or airline personell regarding bf, but I do notice the occasional odd look from people. The most notable was from a lady in an airport restaurant on my last trip. If looks could kill, I'd be wounded. I just smiled at her. I haven't been in the Cinci airport recently and I can't remember the floor covering. The Minneapolis airport is mostly carpet with a tile floor in the center where all of the terminals come together. It was neat to feel the differences in temperature of the tile floor as I walked across it. Man, I can't wait. I think I'll book a trip to Phoenix in a couple of weeks and take advantage of the remaining warm weather.

 

Conecting thru cinci should be no trouble. There are large carpeted areas at all the gates, marble or tile in the large concourse areas and moving sidewalks. If you arrive on comair you'll need to take the tram into the terminal. I've done it all BF in december with out any coments. Salt lake is going to be fun for you as well it's mostly carpeted at all the delta gates. If your schedule allows take a hike into the cottonwood canyon it's beautiful. let us know how everything goes... the anticipation is the best part !
Archie

 

Yes, please tell us how this works---bf air travel is one of the few things I still haven't done. My god, when I was young, you weren't even supposed to do this in shorts or sandals; thank God I got over that a long time ago. But bf and in shorts? Or just bf? I'm interested in hearing from you, and anyone else who does this.

 

I think it would be great to go on an airline both shirtless and barefoot, I havent done either as of yet and im not sure what the policy is most places on that but its an interesting idea.

 

I'm back!!

Preface: Please excuse any spelling and grammar errors as this is being composed completely off of the top of my head with little regard to thought and composition.


Here's how it went. I left my home airport in the evening and the plane was sold out. This wouldn't typically discourage me, but my confidence level wasn't there yet and it had been over a month since my last biz trip. The other thing in my way was the fact that the first plane was a small, cigar-tube jet that boarded outside. It was raining and in the 60s. Decided to keep the flops on while I boarded. The bad thing about these small planes is, I had to check my bags plane side, this meant I didn't have anywhere to put my flops when I kicked them off on the plane. Probably a good thing too since we had to deplane outside in Cinci and had to wait for 10 minutes on cold, wet pavement while they unloaded our luggage. Once I stepped into the terminal, I found a place to put all my shit down and shed the flops. I purposely use a backpack for my luggage and use the front pocket for my shoes. It makes it really easy to retrieve them if neccessary. The floor at the gate was carpet, but the main floor was tiled linoleum. I quickly found my confidence and would not look anyone in the eye. I feel if I make eye contact and they see I'm bf, then I can read their reactions. I don't care what people think, and the best way to remain that way is not to make eye contact. This also makes you look confident in yourself to the other person. I did have to take a shuttle to the next terminal and that was an experience. I think they try to see just how many cattle they can get on a small bus. I was a bit afraid of getting stepped on, but it didn't happen. The gate for my flight to SLC was also very crowded, but I didn't pay any attention to the people there. The restrooms were filthy. I swear, I don't know how a guy can miss a damn urinal, but obviously several hundred had. I had to do my thing with flops on. I boarded the plane and took my seat. It was soooo nice to be comfortable for a 3.5 hour flight. When I deplaned, one of the flight attendants was standing on the jetway at the plane's door telling everyone to watch their step since the bridge and the plane didn't line up exactly. When she mentioned it to me, she looked down and pointed. I knew she saw I was bf, but she didn't say anything. The weather in SLC at 11 pm was cool, in the 40s. It was then that I remembered how good warm concrete feels. I found my rental car and left the airport. I got to the hotel, a Hilton, and checked in, still bf. The rock floor was really interesting to feel, especially the uneven surfaces. The next morning, I went to the restaraunt with my flops on. The waitress said "aren't your toes going to get cold?" I said "I barefoot a lot and it doesn't bother me unless it's really cold. At 6 am, it was 37 deg. F. I kicked my flops off under the table and hit the buffet line. For the rest of the day, I had to be shod since I was working, but after I finished, off they came. I always wonder if anyone else has driven this rental car bf. The next morning, I had breakfast in the same restaurant, but this time I left my flops in the room. I had the same waitress as the previous morning, this time she didn't say anything. I had a 11:30 am flight and it was already 8:30. There wasn't any hot water in the hotel, so I had to do the best with what I had. I checked out, still bf with several people in line behind me, and complained about not having hot water. They knocked off a nights stay. I took the rental and gassed it up bf, took it back to the airport where they had a manned return line. The attendant asked if I had forgotten my shoes, I said they were in my luggage. I entered the airport and found a self service check-in kiosk. Got my tickets and found my way to the security screening area. The lines were shorter than I remember from last time. Everyone was removing their shoes in a proactive manner. I guess they were taking my lead. I made it through security with no problems and headed for the gate when a security guard stopped me and asked if I had forgotten my shoes at the screening area. I said they were in my luggage and he left. I found my gate and waited to board the plane. Not many people in the airport were wearing sandals since the weather was cool. This didn't bother me, I was comfortable. The plane to Cinci was full and I had to place my backpack under the seat in front of me. This sucked since it was a 3 hour flight and my legs are miles long. I spent most of the flight with my feet on top of my pack. BF on an airplane is a common sight. I'd rather see them bare as opposed to socked since you know that socked feet are most likely sweaty and smelly. The thing you don't see often are people boarding and deplaning with bf. We arrived in Cinci and deplaned. The terminal was empty for the most part which is unusual for 5 pm. I opted for walking to my gate as opposed to taking the tram. It wasn't that far anyway. The metal moving sidewalks felt interesting since they have ribs that run longitudinally. The "A" terminal, where my gate was, was absolutely empty. Since I had a 2 hour layover, I walked from one end of the terminal to the other stopping in the small shops just to kill time. The terminal floor was carpet with sections of ceramic tile. The tile was cool to the touch and felt good after walking awhile. It was time to board the last plane and, since it was heading to NC, I saw more people with sandals on, many with flops. Of course, there was that one person that everyone hoped wouldn't sit next to them. Fortunately, they were travelling with somone, so the chances of sitting next to them were less than previously expected. Of course, there were a few young ladies I wouldn't mind sitting next to either, but that didn't happen. The ride back home was uneventful. My home airport was empty as expected. I did take a moment to check my soles to see how dirty they became. Much to my surprise, they weren't dirty. That would soon change since I had to walk across the parking lot to my car. Boy, did it ever change. I must have found every oil spill between the airport and my car. Since my office was on my way home, I stopped in to drop off my pc. Our building is carpeted with areas of tile. I dropped off my stuff in my office and walked around a bit to check my mail, etc. This isn't the first time I had been in our building bf, I just wish it were during biz hours. I left my office and headed home. Too bad this trip is over. Now I'm planning a trip to Phoenix thru Atlanta. I can't wait.

 

sounds like you had fun.. thanks for the cool report

 

In my mind, making deliberate eye contact is searching for acceptance from people. If I make eye contact, I just smile and carry on. Not making eye contact deliberately shows that you're minding your own business.

 

There are times when just staring straight ahead, or being completely focused on whatever it is I'm in a place to do, it what works. I'm like that anyway, bf or not. But then there are other times---

 

Hmmm, cold rainy weather, oily parking lots, stuffy hotels... Not my cup of tea for barefooting. I'd rather be poor and get to go barefoot in warm weather and in nature and in barefoot-friendly small towns every day than to have to put up with flourescent lights in offices and business trips to cold rainy oily cities and hotels. Certainly there must be a way to survive without such sacrafice. That's why I like my hippie friends. They don't care how much money I make and we just get to frolic blissfully in the sun each day barefoot without a care. That's the life!

 

All of these things add to the overall experience. There's a world full of sensation waiting to be felt through your feet.

 

Sounds like the right attitude. Make the best of wherever your feet happen to go.

 

Another BF trip under my belt.

This time it was to sunny Phoenix and it was BF all the way there and back. I arrived at my home airport for my early evening flight. I decided to wear the Tevas into the terminal building so my soles wouldn’t get super dirty from the parking garage. I didn’t want dirty soles to start my journey. Once inside, I found a chair near the ticketing counter and ditched my Tevas. I found an empty self-serve kiosk and got my tickets. I went to the security screening area where there was a rather long line. I had someone comment that I must be a frequent traveler since it looks like I’m ready for the hassle you always get at the X-ray machine when they tell you to remove you shoes or else face a personal screening. I said “yeah, I’ve found that traveling barefoot is easier all the way around”. I sailed thru security and gathered my crap for the journey to the gate. Once at the gate, I located a seat to sit in that was out of the way. After a while, a rather hot looking babe sat down near me and kicked off her shoes. She wasn’t wearing socks and she had a nice French pedicure. I began to think to myself that it would be nice to sit next to her on the flight to Atlanta. Apparently my luck was running good that day. I boarded the plane, found my window seat and waited. I saw her get on and nearly passed out when she plopped down in the aisle seat next to me. Right away she started a conversation. During the flight, she asked where my shoes were since she didn’t see any on the floor. I told her they were in my luggage and that I like to be comfortable and I’m most comfortable when barefooted. She asked a lot of questions about the usual stuff and particularly about being hassled by airport personnel about being barefooted. I told I’ve yet to be questioned or asked to put shoes on. The conversation continued and we eventually landed in Atlanta. I dared her to leave her shoes in the bag she stuffed them in and walk off the plane and to her next gate barefooted. She took the dare and I followed her to her gate. She said she liked to be barefoot but had reservations about being bf in public places because of what people might think. I said, some people get uptight, but for the most part, they will mind their own business. She said she was going to remain bf for the rest of her trip. “Cool” I thought, another convert. Since I had a 2 hour layover, I found a sit down eatery which happened to be a Sam Adams bar. I found an empty booth and ordered something to eat. I did nothing to conceal the fact that I was bf and people, including those that worked there, didn’t seem to mind. I finished eating and made my way to the gate. I boarded the plane and had a whole row to myself. By now, it was 9 pm and dark as hell. We landed in Phoenix and I made my way to the rental car bus. This meant crossing the main road in front of the terminal building. There was a roof over this section of road and the concrete was black as coal. I boarded the bus with a few other people and we were taken to the rental car area. I got off the bus and nearly had my first mishap from being barefooted. I turned one way and a man turned another and nearly ran over my foot with his luggage. I got to my car, exited the area and made my way to the hotel. It was an Embassy Suites that I had stayed at before. The floors were paved with textured tiles which felt good to walk on. I checked my soles after I got to my room and they were blacker than they’ve ever been. The next morning, I walked bf to the lobby for breakfast. This is when I thought I might get asked to put shoes on since it is a restaurant and in a rather high-dollar hotel. It didn’t happen. I did this twice during the week. I checked out 2 days later, took my car back to the corral, caught the shuttle to the airport, got my ticket and found my gate. This time I didn’t care if my soles were dirty before hand. I thought that walking on all that carpeting would wear some of it off anyway. I was early, so I got some lunch. By now, this was the 3rd restaurant I had been in bf. No one seemed to notice. As I was eating, I saw a woman walking down the hall carrying her shoes. She was bf now too and looked liked she was enjoying herself. After eating, I had more time to kill so I walked from one end of the concourse to the other a couple of times. It was interesting to feel the carpet as it would feel damp near restaurants. It was especially wet near garbage containers. I can only imagine what it was. As I boarded my flight, the attendant standing in the doorway made the comment “I see you’re ready for the long flight”. I replied that it’s good to be comfortable. The flight from PHX to Atlanta was uneventful. I had another 2 hour layover in ATL where I got something to eat, this time in a Sports Bar. I found the restrooms were clean compared to other airports I’ve been in. This is true for the PHX airport as well. I always used the handicap stall since it seemed to be the cleanest. I hated to land at my home airport since it meant that my bf trip was about over. I made my way to my car which was in the parking garage. The pavement in the garage was as black as the concrete in PHX. Again, I checked my soles and they were just as dirty as before.

Now all I can do is wait for the next trip.

 

Sounds like you had one heck of a great time. Knowing me, I'd be drooling over the hot looking babe's french pedicure during the entire flight!!

 

What a great report ! Did you have any chance for hiking around the Phoenix area? I was curious about that part of the country as I've never visited there. Oh, Did you wear sunglasses this time or did you make more eye contact? The details in your report are very informative. Thanks

 

The only time I wore sunglasses was on the plane and that was to darken the light from the movie screens so I could get some Zzzz's. I made a point to notice people and make eye contact. I had a pilot pass me in the hall from behind and he turned around and looked at me and my feet. Other than that, no funny looks.

Unfortunately, I was busy the whole trip and didn't get the chance for any extra curricular activities. I will be going back in a few weeks for a longer stay, so maybe then I'll be able to venture out.

 

I have stayed in many Embassy Suites around the country. Not once have I had a comment about being barefoot at their complimentary happy hour or breakfast. I have also enjoyed a few dinners in their restaurants and no problems there either.

 

Glad to hear you ditched the shades. It's a lot more fun to watch others meet your gaze, look down see you're BF and then guage their reaction. Some will smile others just look away, as if they are at a loss for words. I recently had a woman ask me why I always walk barefoot. I explained all my reasons and since then she has been super friendly. The eyes are a gateway to the sole.
AuNat: where else do you enjoy barefooting? Are you much of an outdoor person. I am a huge fan of hiking barefoot and would love to hear of your favorite areas and terains.

 

I LOVE the outdoors. I live in NC and am only 15 minutes from Hanging Rock State Park where there is a ton of fine hiking. The weather has been really nice here lately and we didn't take the opportunity last weekend to go to the BLue Ridge Parkway to take in the spectacular fall colors and do some hiking. I love to hike BF, it's kinda like getting a free foot massage. My son always announces to anyone we meet on the trail that "my dad likes to hike barefooted". I have been asked how I like it by several people. Others seem too afraid to ask.

I like the soft cool ground the most. I dislike the golf ball sized river rocks the most. I always end up stepping on one in my instep and getting a bruise. I know I should pay more attention, but it's difficult to see them sometimes, especially when the leaves are falling and covering them up. Gravel doesn't bother me. I also worry about those hidden tree roots or sapplings that get broken off and usually point straight towards the sky.

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is full of great trails. They are mostly bare earth and fun to hike bf on. I like to feel the differences in temperature along the trails, and if your feet get too dirty, there's always a stream nearby to wash them off. The other advantage of hiking bf is you can wade in those streams at any time and not worry about taking your shoes off and then putting them back on with wet feet.