No More Flying
I traveled to Baltimore with my boss and his wife. It was supposed to be a nonstop flight and I have for a long time, dreaded flying. The plane went to Seattle first, then to Atlanta, Georgia, then finally arrived in Baltimore. I was a mess by then, a fierce headache and nausea and a renewed fervor to end my flying days when this trip was over.
Whereas I had only made it through the ordeal by reinforcing myself with several drinks, I somehow overlooked this precaution on the return flight. I guess I thought since I was returning home and since it was midday Sunday, that I wouldn't be needing a stiffener.
The flight bounced and swayed all the way to Atlanta in a blinding snowstorm. Even my boss and his wife were white knuckled this time. Our planned one hour layover in Atlanta, which I was counting on to nicotine and caffeinate myself, was spent circling the airport. When we landed, we were to RUN to the next plane (the 4000 mile leg of the trip).
I suddenly couldn't do it. Not my job or the expense or anything was going to get me on another airplane - ever! So I broke it to my boss as we ran down the corridor that I wouldn't be getting on that plane. I couldn't even get my luggage off the plane.
So, the vodka I had wolfed down at the last minute (probably the catalyst for my foolhardiness) started to warm me up as I headed to the rental car desk to rent my first ever car. Since it was Halloween, I was greeted by a silver-haired ghoul with bloody mouth and dagger finger nails. I got my car and took off for a very long journey. It was so cold and I had no coat but I still felt emancipated.
I drove 3500 miles and it took me almost a week. It snowed for most of the trip and I had no chains, no coat or gloves, not even an ice scraper. Just a calm resolve that I was right to stand up for myself and ditch the plane. And I have never flown anywhere again.
Whereas I had only made it through the ordeal by reinforcing myself with several drinks, I somehow overlooked this precaution on the return flight. I guess I thought since I was returning home and since it was midday Sunday, that I wouldn't be needing a stiffener.
The flight bounced and swayed all the way to Atlanta in a blinding snowstorm. Even my boss and his wife were white knuckled this time. Our planned one hour layover in Atlanta, which I was counting on to nicotine and caffeinate myself, was spent circling the airport. When we landed, we were to RUN to the next plane (the 4000 mile leg of the trip).
I suddenly couldn't do it. Not my job or the expense or anything was going to get me on another airplane - ever! So I broke it to my boss as we ran down the corridor that I wouldn't be getting on that plane. I couldn't even get my luggage off the plane.
So, the vodka I had wolfed down at the last minute (probably the catalyst for my foolhardiness) started to warm me up as I headed to the rental car desk to rent my first ever car. Since it was Halloween, I was greeted by a silver-haired ghoul with bloody mouth and dagger finger nails. I got my car and took off for a very long journey. It was so cold and I had no coat but I still felt emancipated.
I drove 3500 miles and it took me almost a week. It snowed for most of the trip and I had no chains, no coat or gloves, not even an ice scraper. Just a calm resolve that I was right to stand up for myself and ditch the plane. And I have never flown anywhere again.
