Tonight's picture was taken in August of 2003. This was Mattie's second trip on an airplane and out to Los Angeles to visit my parents. Mattie loved adventure and seemed to be fascinated with plane travel. So much so that he always remained awake and alert for the entire plane trip! I happen to love this photo of Mattie and Peter testing the pool waters together and dressed in matching suits.
Quote of the day: Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re right. ~ Henry Ford
It has been a very long day of travel to get to Los Angeles. A five hour flight seemed like 10. I have been on turbulent flights before, but this one was bumpy throughout almost the entire flight. So much so that there was practically mutiny to get access to the restrooms on the plane. Every time there was a break in the choppiness and the pilot took off the fasten seat belt sign, people then tried desperately to use the restrooms. However, as soon as they got to the door of the restroom, they were sent right back to their seats because we hit more choppy weather and the requirements of seat belts were rightfully enforced. It almost became physically unmanageable! So we had to contend with constant turbulence, lack of access to restrooms, and being confined to a tight and VERY FULL space. It wasn't a recipe for happiness, and I honesty don't know how the crew works in these conditions. Because they have to manage the tensions of hundreds of people.
Now that was only part one of the problem, part two of the issue were my row mates. I had a mother and son team sitting next to me, and the husband/father of this team sitting in the row in front of me. This three some was noteworthy. The mom, who sat next to me, wouldn't disengage from her carry-on luggage at ANY TIME. What I mean by this is, she had bags and bags ON TOP OF HER LAP. I am not talking a purse or small bag. I am talking about back pack size bags and try two of them on her lap and one at her feet! I was certain a flight attendant would flag her, but it NEVER happened. This woman flew with these bags on top of her, and in essence on top of me at take off, throughout the flight, and even during the landing!!! If it were only that, it would be bad enough, but there was more. Her and her son had anxiety about the window shade. They HAD to have it DOWN, so no one could see outside. I have the exact opposite issue as they do, I NEED TO SEE OUT! It helps with my motion sickness and my level of anxiety about flying. So what made them at ease, drove me absolutely BATTY! Then it was there nonstop talking and the passing of notes to her husband in the row in front of us. It was an absolute side show and some how I felt like I was in center ring. TRAPPED in a dark plane cabin, unable to leave my seat, and dealing with turbulence.
By the time I landed in LA, I was very ready to get off the plane. I had developed a violent headache and was feeling ill. Yet don't you know it, we remained parked on the runway for 25 minutes after we landed since there was a plane at our gate. I naturally can put all of this into context, since I am happy to have gotten here in one piece and am alive to tell this tale. But United truly had me laughing. Their safety video has moved from being serious in nature to that of pure entertainment value. I felt like I was watching a commercial plugging all the places they fly to, rather than something that was going to inform me about my safety. I also think it is interesting that this video now replaces the attendant having to walk you through these steps. You can see the video for yourself:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WqAAQ0ZZMyw
The other issue that had me and countless other passengers were the seat back TVs. Not the fact that they had them, but the fact that there is close to an $8 charge if you want to view anything on them. I assure you that even if you bring your own headphones, the system shuts off after two minutes in the air unless you pay to use it with a credit card. You can't even see a map of your flight without paying for that perk. Given that other airlines give you access to this form of entertainment for free, this to me was very distasteful especially when you reflect on the fact that you are migrating across the Country in what feels like a cattle car.
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