Air travel. Not my favorite form of transportation.
Didn't bother me much, way, way back in time. Then the Challenger blew up and the engineers wanted 'real' computers to redesign the SRB's (Solid Rocket Boosters). Me being the 'Small Systems Specialist', the powers that be decided that those 'real' computers fell under my purview and I was elected to install them and get them up and running.
This took grundles of training classes in another city and grundles of flights to get there. Steep descents, steep ascents, high winds and white knuckled, near death experiences almost weekly, and voilà - you have a teensy fear of air travel.
Throw in a couple of screaming kids a few years later, add being frequently ill and schlepping through the airport, toss in a very large dash of OCD, add the two airplane pothole experiences (dropping straight down for a few seconds - sending you floating in the aircraft), and pages of intricate packing lists and you now have a severe aversion to air flight.
Years of fairly smooth flights and not travelling with a mentally handicapped daughter had lulled me into a fairly good mood about my upcoming travels. The 14 hour flight has me concerned, and coming back - the customs part looks a bit stressful - but doable.
So here I am - on track, getting my Enrichment Newsletter almost done today, my packing lists coming along quite well for being unusual (taking stuff to leave over there for when I am 'living' there), my list of Things To Do is actually getting some boxes checked off.
Treated myself for being so on top of things: I reward myself with a news break.
The top headline at MSNBC.com?
Swine flu has airports, airlines scrambling
Travel companies are on alert; governments issue travel alerts
What the heck happened while I was getting my act together?!?
The article actually says:
"Tour operators are skipping scheduled stops in Mexico and, as of Tuesday, Australian airports will not allow planes from North America or South America to land unless the pilot radios ahead with information about the health status of all passengers."
So I am not worried about the plane losing an engine, plummeting into the ocean, blowing up at 35,000 feet - me?
I am worried they won't let the plane land because some lady looks sick ...
Diverting a flight because I am run down? Now that is horrifying.
8 comments:
I, myself being a worrier, have nothing good to say. Sorry. I will pray for you.
I'm with Liz on this one.
Curse that swine flu!!
I sure hope everything goes okay and you make it to Australia without a hitch. I will also pray for you!
I hate flying in general. It makes me nervous and I always land with headaches.
That said, this sucks. I'll add another prayer that your plane lands without any issues.
Just take your breathing mask and you will be OK. There are no pigs in your pen.
Dad
I can't even imagine being turned back at the airport! Hope everything goes well. Keep us informed.
I'm sure you'll make it just fine. It can get so silly sometimes... they reported on the news that someone (or two people??) who were thought to possibly be sick, maybe even with "swine flu" were only just "drunk" on this one flight, sooooo just make sure to drink water or soda and you'll be hunky dory! You are gonna have a great flight and a great time with your hubby! I'll keep praying for you. Love ya'!
Shelley's right. You can start drinking after they refuse to let you land. No, there are way too many prayers going up for you.
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