Airports As Thresholds

Hello class,
Last week, we engaged in a discussion regarding whether bathrooms were spaces or places. Many argued that a washroom was indeed a space due to the transient nature of the location. In other words, people temporarily use this space and then leave. Others argued that a washroom was a place because it could be a secure place for the homeless or simply a quiet place to think.
This week, the issue of whether an airport is a place was raised. Marc Auge argues that an airport is a “non place”, or a place of circulation and mobility. Furthermore, an airport was discussed as being a threshold and as such, a door to something new.
As in the question regarding washrooms or prisons, I argue that a space or place depends on your point of view. For example, are you a prisoner or a visitor to the prison? In the airport example, I believe that although the airport may be a threshold, it is not a threshold from the workers’ point of view.
As in any occupation, airport workers spend a large amount of time at the airport. Perhaps more time than is spent at home. In many cases, airport careers last up to 30 years. What occurs is that these job locations become personalized. For example, personal lockers are issued to hold personal items.
Finally, I argue from a social constructionalist point of view that the airport as a place is a negotiated experience for workers. For example, in recent years, Air Canada has strained industrial relations by imposing wage and employment cut backs thus making the airport a sour experience.