Yes, I am 21 and I just experienced my first plane ride. For those of you who have never been on a plane as well, let me give you a little background. I am terrified of heights, I repeat terrified. Although I bought a plane ticket to San Diego California, alone, to adventure to see my aunt and cousins. I was up for the adventure. Now I know going somewhere alone can seem super scary as well, but it allows you to speak to people you wouldn’t normally talk to, to learn to ask for help, and to learn new things about yourself. I encourage everyone to adventure while you can, because at some point in your life you will not be able too.
Before you get on the plane be sure to bring some gum this helps with your ears popping if you’re anything like me you will thank me later, considering my ears pop going from Cincinnati to Kentucky. Be aware of the baggage fees, normally you get one personal item and one carry-on. I brought a duffel bag and then tucked away my purse in a backpack for those lady’s.
Now of course, I didn’t want to pay outrageous car parking fees, so my lovely Twiddle Jalan (shout out to him he’s a great friend) dropped me off. He explained to me that when I went into CVG (The airport I was traveling out of) that I would look for the name of the plane and then the gate. There are literally signs everywhere do not worry follow the signs. He told me what to expect in security as well. (I had asked a million people at work questions before I left). Keep in mind that I over think everything so literally I wanted to be fully prepared. As I’m standing in the security line some chick asks me if I know what terminal this is. I look at her dumbfounded and said “Girl this is my first flight.” Then as I’m putting my stuff on the platform this man named Justin let me know what I put up there and how everything works. FYI you take off your shoes, yes its weird, but hey you got to do what you got to do. Turns out Justin works with computer software and traveled to Cincinnati from Texas. He was working at children’s and he told me all about his experience at a hotel near University of Cincinnati. Needless to say he himself also had some adventures. He hadn’t really gotten good human interactions besides from work so just simply helping me he enjoyed. Yes, I know some of you may be thinking uhh she talked to a strange man in an airport but I also have a pretty good judge of character and I took precautions. For example, he offered to hold my bag because I was struggling and I let him hold it for about five minutes until I took it back. This man genuinely wanted the company and to help me out. I encourage anyone who has been on a plane to do this because Justin literally made my experience so much easier. I repaid him in coffee it was the least I could do.
Then I finally got on my flight and I sat next to a woman named Shauna. Shauna was a doctor at Cincinnati children’s (Small world) and she instantly knew it was my first flight when I asked if the seat next to her was 11b. she was so kind and she showed me everything I needed to know. From how the oxygen bag worked, to the Wifi, to the exits, etc. never underestimate the power and impact you can have on an individual. In this instance just getting to know Shauna instantly made me ten times more comfortable. I mean after all if anything were to happen she was right there. ha-ha.
Just meeting these people on my first flight I felt like it was meant to be. After all, you never know what others are going through, and we are all going through something. I encourage everyone though to just get out of your comfort zone whatever it may be. Hopefully after my experience your first plane ride won't seem so scary.
