The very first time I ever flew was very shortly after 9/11. TSA hadn't been created yet, but the airports were still nervous energy and chaos from what had happened. I remember my carry-on was like a thick plastic grocery bag with a couple dozen vinyl records and I may have had a very small backpack with god knows what banging around inside (loose items, a crappy cell phone, likely some booze LOL). Got to the airport at the last minute and had to run full speed to get to the gate looking like a crazy person. Surprisingly nobody really batted an eye, and man oh man how things would change in just a couple of months!