Why are airport bars such interesting places to meet folks?

I'm not sure about airport bars. Never spent much time in them. Combination of avoiding long layovers, the ridiculous high prices, and the tendency to create classes between the public bars and the airlines' lounges for first and business class. But still fond memories of club cars on trains. The egalitarian nature of never knowing who will plop down next to you; the tendency to want to share the adventure and space of a slower paced travel.

My favorite memory is the woman in Portland, OR, who boarded and made a beeline to the club car without even claiming her regular seat, plopped down on the stool next to us, and proclaimed, "God, do I need a drink." Then professed she would much prefer to be going to Hawaii -- lifelong dream of going to Hawaii -- and by God was going as soon as they finished laying the tracks to Hawaii. Turns out she was Mrs. Barbera, the mother of the Barbera of Hanna-Barbera, Flintstones, fame.

I used to work at an airport bar. People are only there for a couple of hour's,and generally are more open to chat to a stranger,as they're in holiday mode

because it's nice meeting people from other places on the planet

Everyone there has traveling in common, so everyone has a story to tell.

Cuz you don't have to deal with the same drunk you're used to seeing around town you can actually get a variety of out of town lushes

Airports are always a good place to go when you want an uplift.

they are nodes

Travelers have a lot to say

no one there plays nintendo (as far as we know)

Chicks on the road are looking to hook up!