If I Get Up...I Get Off!

North Carolina car tags proudly display the motto, "First In Flight".  I have had few opportunities to fly, but I must say the first time was the most memorable.  My employer was upgrading to a new accounting software system and the bookkeeper, Glenda, and I were required to go to Montgomery, Alabama for training.  Driving would have required us to be away from the office too long.  Since I don't like heights and I'm prone to panic attacks, I really didn't want to go.  Glenda was in charge of making all of the airline and hotel reservations. 

I fretted so much over the airline flight, I decided I couldn't do it without "assistance".  I know I wasn't trusting God, and I shouldn't have accepted them, but a friend offered me a couple of her Xanax anti-anxiety pills--just in case.  Just knowing I had them gave me a little boost of confidence. 

The first leg of our flight was from Charlotte to Atlanta, Georgia. You know you can't fly anywhere without going through Atlanta.  Glenda and I met at the airport the evening of our flight.  She had my tickets.  Back then, family members could go with you to the concourse and wait with you to board.  My husband had flown several times, and he assured me that flying in a big plane is just like sitting in a chair in your living room.  I must not have believed him because, courage waning, I headed for the nearest water fountain and took a Xanax.  Immediately I began to worry.  What if I have a reaction?  It's illegal to take someone else's prescription drugs. 

Calming down, I watched as other flights were called and passengers boarded planes.  As I looked out the window, there were no other planes on the tarmac near our gate...or so I thought. The ticket agent announced, "Here's our baby now".  I looked out and said to my husband, "Where?"  He pointed down.  Way down.  It was a tiny "puddle jumper."  Glenda said to me, "I was afraid to tell you we're flying commuter.  I thought if you knew, you wouldn't come."  Yeah, you're right, I wouldn't have come.  Thanks a lot, dear friend.  Instead of going from the gate, through the jet bridge, into the plane...here we go, down some metal steps and onto the tarmac.  We have to walk up more steps to get on the plane...carrying our bags.  After we store our luggage, we take our seats near the front right side of the plane.  Others boarded the plane after us, but not nearly enough to fill the seats.  

Thankfully, the Xanax had kicked in when the pilot came on the intercom to announce:  "Would some of the passengers on the right side of the plane please move to the left side.  We need to redistribute some weight."  Glenda quickly glanced in my direction.  Woozily, but with determination, I said, "If I get up...I get off!"  

Copyright 2011 Charlotte Laney