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The endless intoning over the loudspeaker relentlessly reminds us *not* to leave our luggage unattended, *not* to carry parcels or gifts for people we don't know and to report any suspicious behavior as we trudge through the airport to our final destination.

On and on, airport after airport they have to remind us that we must keep our luggage with us at all times. Even, of course, after we've had the once-over by security. One might think we could escape the constant drone past the metal, explosives and suspicious looking item interrogation we'd just been though. But no, they still need to jackhammer this into our head for the hours we might be stuck at the gate.

A serious side-effect of this is the fact that bathroom stalls have not grown in size to accommodate the presence of both our bodies and our luggage in one tiny location. Nor does it help much that people have ballooned their carry-on contraptions to the size of a Mini-Cooper.

I smile as I watch one Channel-clad blonde in a tasteful brown ensemble that probably cost more than my monthly paycheck struggle to navigate her animal-print carryon into the stall ahead of me. Teetering precariously on stilettos I ponder the amusement factor if she should lose her balance before parking the truculent, two-wheeled behemoth behind the door. The stainless closes with a clang, I don't get to witness the outcome.

Some airports have tried to make some accommodations. Newark, for example, actually lengthened the stall by an extra foot. Chicago, does not. Boston seems to have almost enough room to get in *and* close the door in one maneuver. Washington DC just closes the entire restroom making you dash a good mile to find one not located in the middle of the airport where the gates aren't.

It's more than a nusiance in most cases to try and manage your carryon (even one of a reasonable size), your coat, your ticket (please keep on hand at all times), your sunglasses, your snack, beverage and trinkets, candy, book, souvenir, cell phone, wallet all within a 2' square chunk of damn tile littered with paper toidy-covers or other debris.

But of course, it's necessary and therefore should be tolerated with a patriotic sense of duty. And when your sunglasses, wallet, snack, beverage, etc. fall into the loo? Hum taps and move on, it was just another victim of the war on terror.