I hope I don’t jinx myself, writing this as I await takeoff. I have been very fortunate to have been on safe, undramatic flights, but sadly this has not been the case with every traveler. I can’t imagine being sucked out a broken window, the trauma of emergency landing, in-flight medical issue, crash, hijacking, or a struggle with an unruly passenger. Granted, there have been some small bumps in the road. I’ve spent nights in airports, have inconveniently been rerouted to unexpected locations, experienced bumpy landings, lightening strikes, painful delays, bad food, and and have dealt with lost luggage. But overall, travel has been remarkably smooth.

 

Like any seat you buy, it’s only as good as the people sitting near you. My biggest complaint is the person that feels they need that extra few inches of seat incline at your expense. Without warning, they drop their seat-back, crushing your knees and the items on your tray table. Consideration or lack of it is the big factor here. You can’t do anything about the inevitable screaming or unruly  children, but you can share the armrests and limited space so that everyone aboard is as comfortable as possible.

 

I can’t comprehend a fear of flying, but have never had anything happen to give me reason. It would be awful to destroy my retirement travel dreams by being afraid to go places. I feel sorry for those with plenty of time on their hands, but trapped in their living room afraid to leave home. My mom was always scared to get on a plane, so despite their financial resources my parents were limited in what they could see of the world.

 

Today, we are off to Los Angeles. It’s a business trip for my wife, but just another play day for me. I plan to go to Anaheim for an Angels game against the Red Sox. I don’t yet have a way there or a ticket but that’s what retirement adventure is all about. Instead of being safely nestled at home in front of the computer, I’ll be a “stranger in a strange land.” I have been to nearby Disneyland but never to this ballpark. The last such adventure in this neighborhood I went to what they call Dodger “Blue Heaven,” but this is where the Angels really fly. Hopefully, it won’t be Hell getting there and back.

 

Now, let me leave behind all that hassle of getting up early, final packing preparation, driving to the airport, and navigating security. Did I forget anything? Yes, I’ll have a couple of those delicious Biscoff cookies; the best part of flying.