I was 10 years old the first time I flew in an airplane. It was my mother’s first time too. We dressed in our “Sunday clothes” and flew from the Cedar Rapids Airport to Chicago to visit my aunt and uncle. Mom was nervous but she tried not to show it. Her concern was getting motion sickness so the two of us nibbled soda crackers and ordered 7-up from the “stewardesses.” I loved the thrill of racing down the runway, floating into the air, and seeing the structures below become smaller and smaller.
Since that day, I have flown hundreds of times and amassed thousands of air miles. I still find the take-offs exhilarating. I marvel at the concept of flying and how millions of people move around the world quickly. I love the idea of taking a long journey and ending up in a new culture in hours.
Statistically, flying is the safest form of transportation available. Flying is affordable, especially for the solo traveler. Further, I like the idea of soaring above the clouds. One time while flying at night I saw flittering green lights of the Aurora Borealis over Michigan.
Airports fascinate me. When waiting, as one seems to do often in an airport, I see people of all persuasions. I make up stories about where they are going and what they will do. I overhear bits of conversations that indicate the expectations people have for their trips.
Like other folks, however, I find flying to be less romantic than it once was. I still get motion sickness sometimes, and turbulence causes anxiety. Airplane food is non-existent. Sometimes I get bumped into First Class and the food is better. I get frustrated with delayed/cancelled flights and try to be patient. I have always made it to my destination but once got stuck in Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris for three days.
Going through security tries my patience. I remain irritated that my bicycle pedal wrench was confiscated several years ago. I feel sorry for the crying babies on planes and for myself when I end up sitting in front of one. People who take forever getting their carry-on luggage into and out of the overhead bins annoy me.
Regardless, I am grateful for airplanes and the freedom to move about the world. I am also grateful that I don’t fly often anymore.