Traveling
As I sit here on my computer for the 2nd time today, I can’t help to think about our impending trip the UK again. I don’t know what exactly it is about flying that I hate… perhaps the thought of being so high up in the sky with no control over what happens.
The last time I flew was less than a year ago, and I went to San Diego. I hate that flight. It was only like 3 hours but that was the longest 3 hours i’ve ever had. Everytime I fly I say i’ve had enough flying to last me a few years, then I end up flying again within a few months. Walking down the jetway to the little door open on the other end, and entering the pressurized cabin I hate. It’s that smell, that feeling that instantly makes me sick. Looking down the aisles in a relatively small airplane (DC-9 or Airbus)… notcing how small it is and how fragile it could be.
Everytime i’ve gone on a transatlantic flight (too many to think about at the moment) I drug myself with something either a few minutes before or a few minutes after boarding. Mostly I overdose on sleep aids…. where at home that would probably kill me, but on an airplane it wouldn’t even put me to sleep. So I stopped going that route.
We always fly British Airways — they are hands down the best airline for transatlantic flights that comes in and out of metro once daily. A first class ticket costs anywhere from $8,000 – $10,000 and you get like a seat/bed and caviar. We opt for coach (World Traveller), which would be considered first class on any american airliner. You get pillows, blankets, slippers, eye mask, tv’s on each seat, and a first class meal (as compared to other american airlines). Plus you typically fly on a 777. The aisles are wider, seats are comfier… but still, it makes me nervous. Flying to London seems quicker than coming home, although you lose and never regain a night’s sleep. You leave at approx. 6p.m. and you arrive at Heathrow about midnight EST, which is 5a.m. GMT. Coming home is during the day time, so it drags on forever, and since your flying into the wind, is a much longer flight as well.
The last time we were coming home from the UK I got this bright idea that since alcohol increases it’s potentcy in your system while at 50,000ft that I might try another method. Since I was suffering from a major chest cold on arrival the last time, I had taken along some NyQuil — that stuff knocks you out quick. I had some left when boarding the plane, so I chugged what was left in the bottle. I put my black coat over my head and I didn’t regain consciousness until about an hour before landing. That was great. I now have a solution to the misery of flying.
Although, now that I have two kids we have to add in another factor here. A very rowdy 4 year old, plus a whiney, cranky, I don’t wanna sit still 1 year old. How am I going to do this? The last time Chris went he was a good boy… until landing time came, then he screamed right along with about 10 other babies … in harmony. Thank god that held off until landing though. We don’t feel like spending $800 on a seat for an infant so he’s sitting in dad’s lap the whole way. Chris for once will get a seat. I think if all else fails they could both probably fit together in one seat. I’m dreading the thought already! We will be banned from BA when we are done. Andrew is so much different than Chris. British passengers are somewhat polite and kind, but if they have to sit through a 6 hour flight hearing a cranky child whine, I know i’m going to hear it. Going won’t be bad because they’ll fall asleep, but coming home will be hell on earth. God help me.
