Airports now have Exit Through The Gift Shop

Recently I have been making more international flights for work. It seems that all airports now have a shopping mall as part of the process.

The process seems to be: pass a gate that requires a boarding pass. Ditch or drink liquids so you can pass the security check (which varies wildly between airports).

There is then some form of passport check – frequently automated.

You are then left with a curving path through a duty free store before you get to the screens announcing the gates.