What could possibly be worse than waiting in endless store lines, dropping hundreds of dollars on holiday presents? Try waiting in an airport for seven hours, desperately trying to catch a flight during a brutal blizzard.
It's every traveler's worst nightmare: the fear of not getting home for the Holidays.
Of course, one can not possibly predict the weather, but it is certainly risky planning a trip during the winter. Some don't have a choice--especially college students.
I was one of the fortunate ones who got on a flight before they started getting canceled, but even then it was a rough ride. Taking off on mounds of snow was, as expected, bumpy and uncomfortable, but once we were in the air, it was a fairly smooth ride. All was going well until it was time to descend into JFK.
The plane physically dropped, causing a few nervous shouts to echo. The wind must have blown the plane, tipping it over slightly. But it wasn't just one small incident of turbulence. For the last twenty minutes, the plane rocked side-to-side, as did my body. I felt like my brain had detached from my skull, and was bouncing like a rubber ball inside of a jar.
Several people had gotten motion sick, only worsening the horrendous airplane smell. I was beginning to think the only way the plane was going down, was by landing in the Atlantic Ocean.
I've flown on planes hundreds of times, but never had I ever experienced turbulence this threatening. I love flying, and planes are probably my favorite modes of transportation, but I couldn't wait to get on the ground safely.
Finally, the wheels touched down and we had made it safely. I was never happier to be home than I was in that moment.
Traveling during the winter can be unpredictable and stressful, but I hope everyone gets where they are going, safely.
