TRAVEL|TAKING OFF
The Flight To The JFK Airport
Craziest flight ever!
As I did some more reminiscing on my cruise ship memories from three years ago, another short, but unforgettable moment popped up in my head yesterday.
I have to say, that I love airports! I can’t get enough of the vibe inside of them. There’s something about them that just makes me feel so alive. Maybe, it’s seeing so many people from all walks of life there. They’re one of my favorite places to hang out at along with a library.
If I could live inside of an airport, I would do it in a heartbeat!
Wishful thinking aside, the flight experience from the Boston Logan International Airport to the John F. Kennedy International Airport, was one for the ages.
I had just finished my tour with American Cruise Lines in 2018. Feeling prideful, sad, and joyful at the same time leaving people I had gotten to know on the American Constitution ship (two of them had died since we departed ways…their deaths shocked me when I found out the news).
The workers that left the ship with me on that day, would get their own rides to take them to their destinations. I picked up an uber to take me to the Boston airport.
I get to experience some of Boston before I leave this city. ‘’This place is beautiful’’ I’m thinking as I enjoy the uber rider to the airport. ‘’Is that the stadium where the Celtics play? It is! Wow!’’
This uber ride was unreal! The guy driving me is very friendly too. We chat for a bit, telling each other where we’re from. Before you know it, the ride is over. It’s one of those rare uber rides that you wish lasted for two hours instead of a few minutes.
I’m at the airport! The driver and I part ways and wish each other well.
This line is long! After I get my bags, check-in and go through security, It’s time to head to the right gate. My sister calls me during the process. I’m so excited to hear her voice! It makes me even more excited to be heading back to San Antonio. The plane that I’ll be riding on to New York City was running late.
I still couldn’t believe I was heading to New York. It had been eleven years since I got to experience my first taste of that city with my oldest sister and her boyfriend at the time.
Even though I wouldn’t have any time to explore, just to pass through there again had me so hyped!
The plane had finally arrived. The excitement I had was hard to contain. ‘’Let’s do this!’’ After the passengers who flew on that plane left, a few minutes pass by before we could go inside.
I was in Zone 4, the last group who could get on board. I walked with my backpack of goodies. I’m hyped to fly again. The flight attendants welcome us aboard. Everyone starts to get seated. I try to get as relaxed as possible. I got a window seat (as usual). I love window seats except when it’s a dark flight! After what feels like a lifetime of waiting with anxiety, it’s finally time to jet!
So long Boston, we oughtta get together again in the near future.
The pilot gives his announcements thanking us for flying with him. This is the part where my anxiety kicks in. The takeoff! Those takeoffs always leave me a nervous wreck. The plane rides the road real fast before the takeoff!
‘’Oh goodness, this is fast! Be calm Gerald’’ I tell myself. The plane goes up…up up up. We’re in the air. Usually, this is the part where the airplane will start to coast in the sky, but, that hasn’t happened yet.
‘’Um. Why is this ride going so fast? Wow! We are going really fast in the air.’’
This doesn’t feel like a normal flight, this feels like a car ride! I was confused. I mean it’s exciting, but the feeling of zooming in the air didn’t feel comfortable at all!
I’ve never seen the outside of a plane look so fast-moving before. I expect the plane to go into coast mode at some point, only… the plane never does.
The pilot is going warp speed in the sky like the Starship Enterprise on Star Trek.
The pilot is booking! He must have somewhere he wants to be later on that day. He’s not playing around up in the hazy blue sky. I just hope nothing crazy happens before we get to the JFK airport.
After several minutes of trying to get comfortable going warp speed in the air, my nerves finally calm down… somehow.
The pilot is booking! He must have a game he wants to go to or something. This guy isn’t playing around. I just hope nothing crazy happens before we get to JFK airport.
The pilot begins speaking in the intercom.
‘’Thank you for flying with Delta Airlines.’’ I miss the rest of his sentence. He continues speaking.
‘’The temperature is 60s degrees. We hope you enjoy your stay or your next flight. We’re about to be landing at the JFK airport. Thank you for flying with us today.’’
‘’We’re here? Already? Oh, nice.’’ I say to myself.
The sky in New York City is beautiful. I don’t see Manhattan or the Statue of Liberty anywhere near our landing site.
New York City is much bigger than I remember. I’m glad we got there in one piece. The plane ride felt a little reckless for my nerves.
That was the wildest airplane ride I’ve ever been a part of. I didn’t know planes could go that fast… like a jet.
