Flying Again

   If you want to see what the world has to offer you have two choices. You can either go to your pocket sized device and transport yourself across the globe in seconds and enjoy the sites through the eyes of someone else's lens or you can make the better choice and pull yourself away from the comforts of home and actually visit these places for yourself. Well in order to get to these locations you have to travel and in this day and age with demanding jobs with moderate pay or extra demanding jobs with no freedom or pay it can be difficult. So you're likely to have to get on an airplane to make the most of the time you have. This is of course a great way to see places that are ordinarily too far to drive in the time you have to vacation but for me its a bother.
  I know, I know. Sometimes you have to fly. I've heard it all before. "You'll never be a good travel writer if you don't fly," they say. I can see how someone would ask that. "What are you going to write about if you don't go anywhere?" Someone that would ask this to me is a little close minded. "What is it about flying that you don't like." Ah. That's the question isn't it? That's the one question that I have to ask myself on occasion. Its usually after a long break between flights and when I'm looking at a vacation being planned far in advance. Well I just took a plane ride that reminded me.

  Here's the answer. Its not the flying. The flying is actually fun. I love the acceleration at take off and the feeling of a little G-force pressing down on you as you climb to cruising altitude. I like to see Earth from a bird's perspective. I think that it's only natural to want to see things differently and there is no quicker way than jumping onto a plane. If you're lucky you might even get a clean window that allows decent pictures to be taken. It's the rest of the flying experience that I have a problem with.
  Okay so I'm going to admit this right now. I'm a baby. I don't like to be inconvenienced in the slightest. I'm not a big fan of crowds and I sure as heck don't like being told what to do. I know that we all feel this way but for some reason my tiny little brain is inept at handling these things as an adult. Oh well, I've managed for 38 years and I'm still going strong.
  I was reminded the other day just how much of an inconvenience the airport can be. Parking lots full of people rushing to get inside the airport because they didn't bother to manage their time properly, crowded lines to check in and don't get me started on baggage fees. I think if I could make it work I would fly with no more than one carry on and purchase a new wardrobe when I arrived at my destination. At the end of the trip I would just donate the clothing to a local homeless shelter or something just to save me the hassle of luggage. By the way, I'm pretty sure there's a special corner in Hell for you people dragging two bags behind you, crashing into everyone without even an apology. Yeah it's right next to to where all the T.S.A. agents will be. Okay not all of them but I've met a few that I'm pretty sure will be there. I just hope they have to stand on the burning coals of Hell with their shoes and belts off. They can leave their coats on though.

  Of course the worst part of flying unfortunately is your fellow passengers. Everyone fighting to get past one another in an aisle only 22 inches wide and jamming carry on bags that clearly aren't carry on size into the overhead bins. I don't get it. Why can't you be responsible and make sure you're bags are going to fit? Is it because you really don't understand or are you that selfish that you think rules and guidelines don't apply to you? I have my opinion but feel free to make your own. After the flight we're all cramped and grumpy and ready to get off the plane but the only way to do that is to patiently wait and exit the plane. Unless you're a jerk like the people that nearly knocked my daughter back into her seat so they could get off the plane a mere 3 seconds faster. To you I have words and strong feelings that would shatter the family atmosphere of this blog. 
  Yes I'm whining a little and for that I'm ashamed. But I can't help but be reminded why I like to drive as much as I can. Sure it takes longer to get where you're going but you get to see much more of the world at your own pace and up close. I know I'll be on a plane again, in fact we'll be going to Alaska later this year so it's guaranteed but I don't have to like it. I applaud you all that get through the airport experience with a smile on your face. Forgive me if I think you might be a little crazy, though. Have a good weekend folks.

Brandan