Has it been a long day? Has the day not even begun but the clock says ten after 5:00pm? Looking for a cup of coffee that's nine hours away? Are you feeling spontaneous, or just running like hell from the Bond villain who discovered your true identity?
Everyone has their reasons for getting on that plane; one of the stories is from my personal experience and the rest are from family and friends. All stories are told in first person.
1. Coffee and Muffins!
I met an old lady (I can say this because she addressed herself as an old lady to the flight attendant) who had the aisle seat next to me. She was so excited to fly and was babbling about coffee and muffins. I said, "Oh, are they going to serve us that on the flight?" "Oh no, not here!"- she said. "No, I'm on this flight as a connector to NYC. There is this sweet little coffee shop down past the theaters that I love to go to." I didn't know what to say, I told her to save one for me and laughed. I guess that is one way to rake in the sky miles: going for a coffee run.
2. DISNEY!
On a flight to Florida, I was blessed with a window seat. I always get a window seat if I can help it. Right behind me was a first-time flyer: Jake, a rambunctious and over-excited six-year-old. Being friendly, I asked him if he had flown and where he was heading. "I'm going to Disney!!!" What a proclamation! I don't think they were actually going to Disney, which I think is hilarious in a way. I believe they were visiting relatives at a beach or something. Minus the chair kicking, the window hitting and the barrage of questions that spewed from this young man's mouth, I was amused. As far as he knew, he was on a plane to Disney. Maybe he did make it there after all. The flight made him tired and when we landed, his dad carried him off the plane.
3. To Get the **** Off the Ground!
So there we were, sitting on the tarmac and we were sixth in line for take off. Then the pilot came on and said that we would be departing only ten minutes late. I looked at my watch and figured, "that's not the worst thing." I look out the window again and sat back. Five minutes later, the captain turns the plane around and announces that the fuel line is not taking any fuel and that a technician has to fix it.
People are pissed. I didn't mind. I wanted to be on a safe plane. We park by the terminal again and two technicians pull up and are on the wing of the plane. Next thing I know they have the wing open and are ripping wires and cables and hoses out of it like spaghetti. I laughed to myself and motioned for the stranger next to me to have look. My coworker in the seat ahead of me says, "So the fuel line won't take any fuel, but will it give it back?" All of the color left the stranger's face and I laughed a little too hard.
4. To See Your Lover!
We had a long lay-over in the UK before making it to Germany. There was a passenger from my previous flight from Logan pacing about the concourse. He was part German I believe; made sense why he was flying to Munich. Time passed and we soon were boarding a very delayed flight. As luck would have it, I ended up sitting next to him. He was fidgeting all over the place. I asked him if flying made him nervous. He said no, that he quite enjoyed the experience of it. No, he was nervous because he was flying back unexpectedly to surprise his girlfriend and propose to her! Like something out of a chick flick! I hope she said YES!
5. To Just Go Somewhere!
It was 7 a.m. I know, right!? I had to be up at 4:30 to get to the airport on time. Oh, what a day! I was there in form, but not in spirit at the gate, waiting for the 7 a.m. departure to LAX. In the line behind me was a young woman who was more awake than I could ever hope to be. She had a single carry-on and her backpack. She looked beyond exhilarated to be leaving at 7 a.m. I must admit, the sunrise on take-off is something I won't forget. I asked her why she was flying to LA. She said, "I don't know, kinda felt like it the other day." I was like, "OKAY! Sure, just pack your bags on a whim." She said she had a friend there and they decided last minute that she would fly out and take a road trip up the Pacific Highway. I admired that. There is something about spontaneity that makes me wish I had more of it. When we landed in LAX, I wished her safe travels.
