Life with Rudy

Traveling Terror

I’ve never been on an airplane. I’m a pretty “grounded” guy, to say the least. Half of the reason is because I’ve never had reason to jump in a several thousand ton metal bird that logically shouldn’t get off the ground, and the other half, well, is because an airplane is a several thousand ton metal bird that logically shouldn’t get off the ground.

Even so, I’ve watched several planes take off and land in my day, and even though it looks relatively harmless, I’m told both events could get a bit rough, depending on the conditions, and how experienced the driver is. I think if the time comes when I have to venture on an airplane, I’ll be doing it on a nice sunny day in July, and will have a copy of the pilot’s résumé in hand prior to boarding. Oh if it were only that simple.

Despite it all, though, by air is considered the most popular way to travel. Hundreds of thousands of people all over the world at any given moment on any given day are in an airplane headed for a destination. I personally don’t have a problem with that fact, but I do find it a bit amazing that with all the negative aspects that have been presented with flying, people are still willing to show up at an airport, have a stranger scan every inch of their body looking for a fingernail clipper, sit in a relatively small seat for several hours, and endure the agony of defeat when you finally land and you’re jet legged beyond belief. Sorry, that just doesn’t sound like my idea of a vacation.

But looking at the news the last little while, one would have to wonder twice about the whole idea of flying, anyway. The media are anything but hesitant to inform us of the latest terrorist plot that’s happening somewhere on the planet, and from what I can gather, the “big” ones all have something to do with an airplane. Not every plane of course, but the way I see it, it’s fair game for every metal bird with wings these days, and this one has just as much chance as that one. Round and round the terrorist goes, when he stops, no one knows.

It boggles my mind that we’ve reached this point, but my question to you: is it really safe to fly? Are we risking our lives if we step out of the terminal and onto the most used means of transportation in history?

My answer: definitely! Flying is risky, dangerous, life threatening, and the most popular way to travel. Crazy? Not really. Traveling by car is even more risky, dangerous, and life threatening statistically. The point is, there are risks involved in anything when it comes to travel. A terrorist on an airplane is a man with a bomb, a terrorist on a road is a moose standing in the centre of the lane.

That, my friends, is what we call “Risks”. The main thing is to not let it bother us, and to live life as normal as possible. “Be who you are and say what you want,
because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.”

I’ll see ya on the road, or maybe in the air, but either way, let us not allow our plans and adventures be affected by some other aspect of life.