It is definitely a conversation starter to admit that I have never flown on an airplane before. I usually get one of two reactions: empathy, due to the similar experience of not having been on an airplane before, or deep confusion, due to how unbelievable that fact seems. I have several reasons as to why I have never been on an airplane, and with them, I have several questions as to what it's like being on an airplane.
1. What is it like to "fly?"
I know "flying" in an airplane is essentially sitting in midair, but what does that feel like? Does it feel like you're suspended in the air? Do people not have this eerie feeling about how they are literally one thousand feet in the air?
2. Whenever I do travel, I travel with my family.
And whenever we do travel together, they find that it is just more convenient to drive to our destination rather than fly. The farthest I have ever traveled was to Wyoming for the Yellowstone National Park... which brings me to my next confession.
3. I have never traveled over seas.
Yes - not even to Hawaii. I have not yet had the luxury of doing that just yet. My parents have come from countries overseas, and I am very much low key jealous of that.
4. Is airplane food good or bad?
Over my lifetime sans flying in an airplane I have heard the latter more often than I do the former. I have also heard mixed reactions towards certain airplane foods from certain airlines. But honestly, I would really love a straight answer because I am a person who likes to be prepared for the unknown, especially if the unknown will be something I might have to consume.
5. Airports seem confusing.
I have dropped off people at the airport before, but mostly for the perk of riding in the shuttles that surround the airport itself. One look at the airline time schedules, and it seems like I'm reading hieroglyphics yet it's in English. And there's a plethora of security that airplane riders have to go through, it seems overwhelming and tedious.
6. What is the process like from the gate to the plane?
I have seen plenty of TV shows and movies take this process and minimize it so that the person who's going to ride the airplane is already turning in their ticket so they can go straight to the plane, but I know that this is not the real case. What's it like having your stuff and yourself thoroughly examined?
7. Turbulence seems scary as all heck.
I have heard about turbulence and from what I have heard. I feel like turbulence is one hundred times worse than when a rollercoaster vibrates in place, as if it was simulating an earthquake. I have heard a spectrum of reactions, and even the most assuring ones scare me at least a little.
8. Are the views as pretty as people say it is?
I've seen people post on Snapchat pictures of their window seat views, but doesn't the sight and fact of being above the clouds seem to be overwhelming, at least in the slightest? If it is, does it ever overwhelm the pretty view?
I know that all of these questions are questions that are best answered by myself, but, like I said, I find it helpful to be prepared for the unknown. Fortunately, my airplane virginity might be taken sometime soon this year. Wish me luck? Until then, I'll still be an airplane virgin and I think I'll be okay with sticking to gravity for a couple of more weeks.
