A flight from Orlando to Seattle is roughly 5 hours and 15 minutes. Lots of time to sit, read, think about my life/last semester, or listen to super mellow music as I stare out the window of my westbound plane. I will never get used to flying from one edge of the country to another; no matter how many times I will/ have done it.
A secret that I’ve kept in is that I am terrified of flying, and the longer the flight, the more time I have to be stressed. When we’re just cruising, no problem. But taking off, as much fun as it is, will forever freak me out. I have been flying from the time I was six weeks old and both of my parents are/were airline people. I should be 100% okay with any aircraft operation; it’s thanks to airplanes that I have everything I have. But while I am on a plane, these are the thoughts going through my head:
1. “I can see the Disney fireworks! Ah Christmas. Gosh Orlando really is so fun, why am I leaving?” (Really though, as flat as it is…there’s lots going on.)
2. “This pilot isn’t my dad, is he sure he knows what he’s doing?” (Paranoia…)
3. “This adorable little girl sitting directly behind me needs to stop kicking my chair.” (But she’s so cute so I’m not going to say anything.)
4. “I hope mom lets me have the window seat, I hope mom lets me have the window seat, I REALLY hope mom lets me have the window seat.” (mom took the window seat.)
5. “Please, Lord, make the turbulence stop. ” (So, this is one of those things that I am notorious for freaking out about. The worst part is that when I grab my mommy’s arm to comfort me, she pushes me away, reminds me that I’m twenty years old and to get a grip. K, well I’ll just close my eyes I guess.)
6. “Gosh America is so beautiful, look at all those pretty lights. I wonder where we are, I wonder how many Christmas trees are below me right now. I wonder how many Notre Dame t-shirts are below me right now. I wonder if I know anyone below me. Ooo another plane! It’s GOTTA be Santa and the reindeer.” (delirium)
7. “*ding* Seatbelt on? Why did the plane move? Are we falling out of the sky? Are we dying? Let me pull out my rosary.” (#CatholicGirlProblems)
8. “I want to get up, I’ve been sitting for three hours, but I don’t want to disturb the sleeping people next to me. Oh geez what to do, what to do.” (I stayed sitting.)
9.  “Dear flight attendant with the antler headband…I love it. Don’t let the Grinch with the Beats in first class get you down.” (Holiday spirit=Happy spirit)
10.  “Where and how and why is everyone on this flight, on this flight?” (Ya know, like where’d they come from? Do you live in Orlando? Seattle? Taking a cruise to Alaska? Everyone tell me your story…I just want to know. I wonder how many people on this plane I have seen before, or will see again. Wow there are so many people in the world. I bet somebody on this plane knows somebody I know. Crazy.)
11.  “Free trail mix? Did the airline hit the jackpot?” (Seriously…)
12. “Boo hoo,  I’m not sitting on the side where I can see the Space Needle.” (Could I be more annoying?)
Now, I am completely aware that all of these things are major first world problems and to be honest, I am more than grateful for being able to jet across the country every Christmas to see my entire family. Â
Merry Christmas!!!Â
Photos provided by the author
Hannah Drinkall is a Saint Mary’s College Contributor to Her Campus Notre Dame.