Fly By Morning.

Tomorrow morning I'm flying out to Kingston to see my sister and my nephew.

Lately I've had this odd feeling of dread when I think about flying anywhere. This is only one of many recent irrational fears I've developed and I have no idea why.

I (used to) love flying. The uncomfortable seats, being unable to sleep, the crappy food, the shitty headphones, and the terribly re-edited films to make them family friendly. There is something reassuring about a stewardess crashing into your elbow with the beverage cart and somehow always hitting your funny-bone. Or the old people scrambling over top of you as soon as the plane takes off (the seatbelt sign are still on) to go to the bathroom.

I think Peru fucked me up. Probably something to do with the full 24 or more hours of travelling one way. Not being able to escape it even for a second. I remember enjoying it but I also remember when I got back to Canada after 4 days of crazy travelling I didn't want anything to do with an airplane for at least a month. That month has now turned to 4 months.

I'm not afraid of terrorists, getting sick, or recycled air. I think know I'm going to go despite however I feel about flying because there is something more important at the end of the road. A free trip to Ontario. Oh and my nephew.

It seems there is only one way to get over your fears. Lying in your bed in the fetal position.

Leg Room or Hero Complex?

I arrived at the airport and like most people I went to check in. Both people at the counter were busy so I waited and eavesdropped. Not something I normally do but this one was a little interesting.

There is a man in his late forties talking to the lady at the counter just loud enough so I can hear him.
"Oh, and I need my seat in the emergency exit row. Preferably the window seat."
"I'll see what I can do, sir."
"I really need that seat."
"Here is your ticket, sir. Row 8 Seat A. Window seat in the Emergency Exit row."
"Thank you."

This made me wonder what was so important about this seat to this guy. It's just a Dash 8 flying to Vancouver from Victoria. Does the extra 3" of leg room really matter? Or is it that if the plane goes down (which it won't) does he want to be the hero that throws the door off so everyone can escape the aircraft. Making him the hero.

After I got off in Vancouver to board my next flight up north and I noticed the people sitting the emergency exit rows. Two old people who I'm sure as hell couldn't lift that door if an emergency did arise possibly dooming me to a death trapped in a plane.

I knew the old lady sitting in the window seat was there for the extra leg room. She knew that I knew it too as I stared at the back of her head the whole flight to Prince George.

I think the airlines should institute a policy where only people capable of removing and throwing the door should be allowed to sit in the emergency exit row. Because of their ability they will be rewarded with an extra 3" of leg room.