I've been a tenant at my airport for about 6 years. I'm only now learning all the multi-generational drama and politics that have played out amongst the owners and tenants for the last 30+ years. I've done my best to friendly and helpful to the vast majority of the people that are friendly and helpful to me, and to be civil to everyone else.
That said, sometimes I feel like I'm back in my hometown, where I was an Anglo in the middle of an Italian neighborhood.
Is this just my airport?
I've been living on an an airpark for almost 20 years. We absolutely love the place. We were hoping for the same kind of community that we were part of at our old airport in NJ where we spent every weekend for years, but slowly discovered we had little in common with neighbors and flying mates here. I'm friendly with everyone and everyone is friendly with me. There is lots of gossip, drama and even feuds among different groups and individuals here but I'm not part of any of that. We do our part to keep other's conflicts tamped down.
I'm not sure what being an anglo among Italians is exactly but I'm always the black guy among white people. That's generally comfortable except when someone feels compelled to share that I'm the first black person they've ever really known and liked. Or the first black pilot they've known. That's always an effective way of making things comfortable, thanks.
A couple of people have felt the need to share their distress at all those Latinos moving into town, forgetting the fact that my wife was born in South America. I can only imagine the conversations that take place when I'm out of earshot... well no, I don't have to imagine them. Some people who feel they've gotten to know me, seem to relish pretending that I'm not "one of those people" so I know and agree with what they are talking about. Yeah, right.
But generally, everyone is friendly and generous and would do anything for my wife and I. I will do the same for them. But over the years I've found the best policy is to keep it light, stick to aviation, and try to make friends with those we have more in common with. It just turns out that most of those people aren't at this airport.
Airport culture is great when it works well and we've had the pleasure of experiencing that. It comes and goes just as people do, so we are always open to changes.
