Why I fly.
I’m not one of those people who love to fly. In fact, in the air, particularly upon descent, I am one of those people convinced she’s about to die. My stomach has not butterflies, more like hummingbirds or no, bats; yes, I have bats in my stomach. I break into a cold sweat. I get religion. I write my mental will. My heart rate increases and I wait, wait, with measured breaths, until we’re safely on the ground. I wonder how people do it all the time and then realize I’m one of those people, making approximately 10, 800 mile round trips per year.
Why do I do it? In a word, relationships. I love my job, and flying makes it possible to succeed in my career. In person time with clients and colleagues cannot be substituted with only conference calls and e-mails. My family and friends, too are part of why I fly. I get to see some of each every time I travel and that is another reason.
I’d endure far more uncomfortable situations to get to any of them.
But sometimes, particularly on descent, I wish I could just teleport.
May 2nd, 2007 at 12:00 pm
I luv the descent. It means the nightmare is almost over!
May 2nd, 2007 at 10:39 pm
I can so much relate to this, Marijean! The only two reasons I am flying are my family&friends, and my work. I wish they had better trains in the US.
May 5th, 2007 at 7:24 am
I’m a big fan of iPods on planes, because it helps distract me. Chocolate too.
May 8th, 2007 at 3:12 pm
I love to fly. I wish I had a job that required me to fly. My husband flies all the time. Thanks to him we have been able to take our four kids on some nice trips using frequent flyer miles. Usually I am glad to work at home with my kids but when he says he had an opportunity to watch a movie in his hotel room on his last business trip….I am reminded about how I do like to fly.