Gallatin Field Airport,
Bozeman, Montana

Summer 2001

For a couple of years in my midtwenties, I had a job at the local airport. I worked for a regional carrier for United Airlines, and my job title was “cross-utilized agent.” I learned how to book itineraries on the ridiculously complicated computer system; there’s a reason why gate agents look slightly crazed when staring into those hidden screens. I also became adept at using orange wands to guide planes toward the correct gate.