Those of you who know me even a little bit recognize that I’d rather slather my naked body with raw hamburger and jump into a pit of starving hyenas than fly. I’m better than I used to be. Used to take 30mg of valium just to get me on the plane and there’d still be a lot of whining. A lot of higher-than-a-kite whining, but still a distinct amount of it.
You see, this is NOT designed to make me feel good.
Airplanes taking off in the wrong direction at Newark Liberty Int’l airport.
NEWARK (CBS) ― Planes at Newark Liberty International Airport depart southwest have historically turned to the left on take-off, but now a new regulation that went into effect in December allows controllers to tell pilots to take a right turn.
AS CBS 2 HD has learned, the new rule may be causing some confusion.
At Newark Liberty, some travelers are very concerned. The union representing air traffic controllers says several planes this month were sent in the wrong direction on take-off.
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Neither was this going to make me feel warmish and fuzzy. WHY do they not neuter the damn things or at least chain them up so they can’t go around creating unwanted planes?
(source: Independent.co.uk)
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Other things can happen, too. Like the pilot falling asleep. Like BOTH pilots falling asleep. This is, according to top experts falls under the heading of A Bad Thing.
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Another Bad Thing
Airplane sushi… wherever is Itamae-san?
More “Bad Thing” kinds of accidents can be found on this fun blog.
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But, as a good friend of mine, EW1(SG) – crazy man that he is – reminded me of The Untouchables this morning, I think I can pull a quote out of context that fits the mood regarding flying when faced with the realities of life/work:
Jim Malone: [after a plan goes wrong] Oh what the hell? You gotta die of something.
Lemur King's Folly 
Yah, but that stuff almost never happens.
But I hate the possibility of becoming a statistic. I suppose even staying in bed with the sheets over your head puts you in danger of being the statistical anomaly of having a satellite plunge through your roof and squishing you.
I just don’t tempt fate.
Actually I got to ride a real train (and not a subway) last August across the German countryside to get to a friends house. It took me about 9 hours and I have to say that I completely understand wanting to ride a train from the relaxation standpoint. They are roomier, it is easier to sleep, and the slower pace (and closer proximity to the earth) actually allows you to see some of the surrounding environs. Oh,and intead of dining on a little 1′ x 1′ plastic square is nothing compared to going to a dining CAR and actually having tables you can sit at.
-Quite enjoyable, and I felt much more rested then if I had of taken a plane.