is so beautiful.

last night was perfect. clear skies to watch the ground fall away underneath you. the lights of downtown shimmering and the residential street lamps looking like strings of white christmas lights. then as you head away from the bright lights the farm land looks like a patchwork quilt under a light dusting of snow. up at cruising altitude there was a faint haze... a distinct line between the darkness of space and the stars above and the specks of light below.

it was awesome... i had a row to myself... leather seats and quiet contemplation.
then when i landed i had a stretch limo ride home through gently falling snow
all i needed was someone to be here to share it with


i just like flying no matter what it's like. anyone else?

i like flying. just about everyone i know is scared of it. i enjoy it.

When flying, I dread it for months beforehand. I feel physically sick in the airport. I get into my seat and the panic attacks really begin. I'm convinced that there's no air, I'm convinced that I'm going to have to run out of that plane and run all the way home and the more terrified I get, I get more convinced that the agonising muscle-tension headache is really an aneurysm or something that's going to kill me if I don't relax soon.
The door shuts and then I know I'm trapped in that little tube thing for the duration.
I drink lots.
After about an hour, the drink kicks in and it finally feels a little better.
Once landed and out of the plane, I feel like a prisoner who's been released after 10 years inside.

I wish I felt more like you do about flying

I prefer night flights. It's prettier on take-off and if you're travelling long haul you can sleep through it. I get bored easily on planes.

I haven't flown since 2001 (before 9/11). More than being afraid of terrorists, I'm afraid of airport security. I've already gotten hassled by police because they thought I was middle eastern (my brother gets that too).

What is the security like now?

i check all my baggage so i'm only wearing my jacket and purse. it makes going through security much easier.

emm said:

if i have more than a small duffel, i do the same. i'd rather wait at the baggage carousel than deal with security drama.

Haystack said:

maybe you should bring yourself to joy as you are waiting for your flight?

applekisses said:

It depends where you fly from. British and American airports can be a nightmare but I'd much rather have the hassle than what you get at some other airports, like Athens, where you may not even get your bags checked.

emm said:

Reincarnate said:

Do they make you take off your shoes and everything?

emm said:

Groovy idea. Masturbation Lounges in airports. With that line from Prince's 'Mellow' playing in a constant loop, encouraging people to bring themselves to joy.

applekisses said:

Yes - you have to take your shoes off when you go through the scanner and your shoes go through the scanner that they scan the hand baggage in. Your jacket also. You have to walk through the scanner carrying nothing - I've even been asked to place a newspaper in the machine.

In Britain we had a ban on hand baggage until recently - it had to be checked as hold baggage. I think they were worried about people carrying liquid chemicals on board because the authorities had received intelligence that liquid-based chemicals could be activated as a bombing device. Then that stopped and people were allowed to carry their items on board as hand baggage in a clear plastic bag. Now I think it depends on the airline.

We have to allow 3-hours for check in now in the UK for extra security checks.

i've had to take my shoes off but it just depends on the airport. i contemplated no longer wearing a bra because it sets off the detector but it's really not a big deal.


flying this summer over the great lakes was amazing! you know logically that they are big but even still i could not get over how vast they were! i was in awe. it really gives you a new appreciation for this amazing place we call home.

This story made me laugh - it's been reported today:

Flatulence leads US jet to divert

An American Airlines plane made an emergency landing in Nashville after passengers reported the smell of sulphur from burning matches.
The matches were found on the seat of a woman who had attempted to conceal the odour of flatulence with the matches, Nashville airport authorities said.

All 99 passengers and five crew left the plane while it was searched.

The woman was questioned by the FBI but released without charge and allowed to board another American Airlines flight.

"It was determined that she was trying to conceal body odour," said Lynne Lowrance of the Nashville Airport Authority.

She had "no malicious intent but had struck matches which is against [Transport Security Administration] rules," Ms Lowrance said.

The unidentified woman had an unspecified medical condition, Associated Press news agency said.

She was carrying safety matches, which the TSA allows in carry-on luggage.

The matches are not allowed to be struck, however.

I fly everynight, it's called percocet.

when I flew out of Brisbane, Australia it was late at night... it was very peaceful

We're flying overseas with Lucy for the first time in a few weeks.

Anx said:

I love it too.
Airports as well. To quote a they might be giants' song, 'everyone's excited and confused'.

2the9s said:

better tell that broad to be quiet.

Anx said:

I'm the same. I check everything. It's just easier that way.

2the9s said:

[Edited 12/6/06 12:27pm]

... for the other passengers ....

Reincarnate said:

Check, check, aaaaand double check.

2the9s said:

get kids flying early otherwise they become adults and are afraid to try it

ohhhhh quite the adventure though 9sie... do you have an mp3 player you can put all of her favorite music and stories read aloud on? failing that load her up on cough syrup
i kid, i kid

CarrieMpls said:

i don't mind when i have to hang out in an airport for a long time. it's not preferable, but i can always keep myself occupied. video games, magazine shops, sitting around orging on my laptop, or just peoplewatching - it's an interesting environment for now and then. if i traveled all the time, i'm sure it would get old quick.

I love flying at night! Fortunately I do it for a living

CoJones said:

i had my first experience where the co-pilot was also the flight attendant
a 16 - seater... and the smallest plane i have been on. i was nervous but it's just a noiser version of the bigger planes.

not sure i could handle what you do though! or a helicopter...
anyone been on a helicopter??

emm said:

Helicopters are even better as they're mor maneuverable

exactly! it's like being a passenger in a limo ( ) or a passenger in a race car

one i am comfortable with and the other not so much.
guess i'm not a big daredevil