Gary and Airplanes

My Husband

Gary will not step foot in an airplane. He says if he is going to die it won’t be in an airplane. While I agree with some of his thinking, I also disagree. I’ve always wanted to go to Hawaii. Since Gary won’t step foot on an airplane this is an impossibility. Unless I go by myself, which I will not do. So, I’m left dreaming about Hawaii. I live vicariously through my daughter who has been there. Although, I do use the phrase never say never. Because in life you never know what kind of possibilities may come your way.

Gary is always spouting facts about this plane or that plane that has crashed. It does happen, but there are so many flights that take off and land on a daily basis. So, the odds are it won’t happen to you. 

Not A Big Fan

I’ve flown before. I’m not a big fan of flying, and I was glad to have my feet back on the ground. The airline pilot saying we were 30,000 feet in the air when we leveled off didn’t help. Nor did the stewardess who was explaining how to use the emergency exit. At the end of her speech she said, “but don’t worry we won’t have to use it”. Which left me worrying the whole flight, that we may indeed have to use it. We arrived safely in South Carolina, my youngest daughter lived there at the time. Of course, there was always the return trip I had to worry about. But I did enjoy my time there. South Carolina is a beautiful state. If you’ve never been there, I encourage you to go. 

Tips

I googled fear of flying and the tips on the website are nothing my husband would use. Step onto the plane with confidence. Was one of the tips. My thought was how do I get him that close to an airplane to step onto it. The only way would be if he were drugged and nearly comatose. If he was zonked out for the entire flight I may have a chance. Blindfolding him won’t help, neither will saying a prayer before stepping on the plane. He just won’t do it. I have resigned myself to the fact wherever we go we will be driving. If I cannot make Hawaii a reality I will settle for out west. The Dakotas, the Grand Canyon. Anywhere would be a treat for Gary and I who go nowhere. 

Can We Surpass This

Gary’s irrational fear of flying has put up roadblocks. On the national average one in six people have this fear. It is quite common. Gary isn’t the only one. God forbid if we were in an airplane and there was turbulence. The pilot may not get nervous, but my husband would. Truthfully so would I. Being that high in the air if something did happen. There is almost zero chance of survival for anyone. The word screwed comes to mind. My thoughts are while you are going down you have time to think about and know you are going to die. I cannot imagine the terror you’d face. Facing your own morality is daunting. Perhaps I agree with Gary, and we should drive everywhere. Flying is overrated and something we do not need to do. 

I know the one time I did fly I panicked a tiny bit during the landing. Certain we were going to crash I clutched the seat ahead of me. The guy sitting next to me said, “you look like you’re panicking”. I replied, “that’s because I am”.

Pair Up

Gary and I are compatible that way, I guess. We most likely will not step onto an airplane for the rest of our lives. Unless one of my friends contacts me and asks if I want to go to Hawaii. I may reconsider.

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Stay on the ground, it’s safer.

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