Seriously, Who Buys Porn at the Airport Bookstore?

I'm in Detroit waiting to get on my flight to NYC. I've been here since 4:30 AM so I've been killing time perusing the books and magazines in the little bookstore.

These are the same books and magazines I checked out in the airport bookstore back home in LA, but that's absolutely irrelevant. I have to go in. I just love that bookstore smell, the soft lighting, the ambiance of knowledge to be gained.

I don't need to buy a book since I'm rereading "The Bluest Eye" by Toni Morrison right now. But I'm sorely tempted to buy a magazine. And there's so many of them available and helpfully organized by section. Women's general interest and beauty. Women's fitness. Travel and leisure. Entertainment and music. News. Sports. Men's general interest.

And then , last but not least, stuck over in the corner, the plastic-lined magazines with black plastic things in front of them so that we can only see the titles. Ta-da! It's the porn section!

I'm really wondering, who exactly is buying porn at the airport? I mean, have you ever sat next to someone who put down their little tray table and busted open an issue of Hustler or Black Tail? Playgirl?

Thankfully I have not.

So do people buy the porn and then stuff the mags in their carry on so they can salivate over the pictures later on? And why are the magazines covered with plastic? After all, I can browse Vanity Fair to see if I want to get it, but a porn buyer just has to take his or her chances.

I guess a naked body is all that's required.

If you have ever purchased porn in an airport before, let me know the 411. Did you read on the plane or surreptitiously stuff it in your bag next to your copy of Newsweek?

And with that, ladies and gentleman, I'm headed to NYC, porn free.

Comments

Jameil said…
hahahaha. you are insane. i didn't even know they sold it at the airport bookstores. the atlanta bookstore is really the one with the most extensive magazine selection ever but i already had 2 magazines, 2 books and a newspaper so I didn't pay that much attention to the selection. the norfolk, va. airport, surprisingly has a lot of magzines, too, but i remember walking into ATL like WOOOOOOOOW!!
I have never seen anyone buy porn at the airport but somebody must right? Why else would they carry it? ha.
Dena said…
if i may ask, why are you going to nyc?
thailandchani said…
LOL.. Funny! Truthfully, I've never bought p*rn, nor have I seen anyone else buy it at the airport. If I sat next to someone who broke it out, I'd want to move!
Anonymous said…
They probably sell porn at that airport bookstores so they don't have senator's acting out in the public bathrooms like they do at some traveling stations!!!! Have a safe flight!
Anonymous said…
Good Answer Cyndee...Good Answer!!

HORNY SINGLE TRAVELERS! Its hard when you are on the road all the time...cheaper then buying the video from the hotel!
none said…
I sure as hell wouldn't want to see someone reading it on a plane.
M said…
Oh, no, I save my porn buying for road trips. And the bus.

Kidding, kidding...

Have fun in NYC!
Toni Campbell said…
since i work in a bookstore (and used to work in an airport bookstore) i have learned that for some people there doesn't have to be a certain time or place for porn. you would be surprised at how many well dressed businessmen and grandfathers we see in the sex books section reading porn at 9 in the morning!
Mamita Umita said…
NYC in the Fall!! I am JEALOUS!
Although I had my fill of NYC this week, on a boat with 1,000 Nuyoricans.
Have a wonderful trip, Liz! And as they say, (sort of,) don't buy anything I wouldn't buy.

I have never noticed the porn section in airport bookstores, but I will check out the takers next time I fly somewhere.

Hurry back. We need you in California.
Jen said…
Well, probably the traveler men for later on? Or am I being sexist here? But you know what... all those dark covers do seem to be aimed at men.
Ian Lidster said…
Have a wonderful time in the Big Apple. Buy porn for the plane ride. Don't think so. I'm not puritanical of heart or loins, but I'd still be embarrassed to make such a puchase.Added to which, I wouldn't want anyone to think I 'needed' porn to find fulfillment.
1969 said…
So they have something to do when they check in to my hotels?

Safe travels!
Tafari said…
All man, you were 15 minutes from me (I live near DTW).

Years ago when I was a flight attendant, we had passengers with porno mags & it was no big deal as long as the seat around them had no kids & they were discrete.

Personally, the mags are wack, they should sale dvd so we can pick them up to watch on laptops!!!

Bygbaby
Liz Dwyer said…
Everybody,
So sorry to not have the time to reply to all of your comments while I was gone! You all made me laugh a whole lot...and Bygbaby, DVDs??? Oh my goodness, let me hope that never comes to pass!

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