I have lived for 22 years (almost 23 years) and ashamedly I have not boarded an aircraft. 😦 You may comfort me by saying “I’m not alone.” I know I will one day because it has always been my dream to travel exotic locations and of course experience different cultures outside of 3rd world Jamaica. I know this year I will be flying. Stay tuned and you will know when it happens. Let’s say that it is one of the goals I want to achieve this year in 2010. I have many friends and family members who have travelled and their experiences of course make me want to fast forward my lifelong dream. As I am penning this post, my mom is freezing in New York. Lucky, right?
In recent times and from ever since there have been terror in the skies. Terrorism is not a far fetched threat these days but it is only a matter of time before the lunatics strike. The government has a duty to protect its people and they should take the blame if any accidents God forbid should occur. As Obama should be vacationing in Hawaii he is busy meeting to ensure what happened recently does not occur again.
With these threats in the skies, security measures must be increased. Passengers on airlines must not be annoyed with all the security checks but should encourage it to ensure their own safety is not compromised in the skies. Of course since we are going to blame the politicians and security agencies and airport authorities when things go wrong; it is also a political issue. How does the left deal with terrorists and how does the right? We get caught up in our own ideologies and miss the point that we should enforce a zero tolerance approach to groups who want to cause harm.
After the September 11 attacks on the Twin Towers and the Pentagon there were many books written about the heroes on the flights. I bought one called Let’s Roll by Tod Beamer’s wife and I must say I find that recording inspiring, uplifting and it challenges one to become a hero. It appears these acts of heroic strengths continue today. With the recent failed attack on Delta Airlines there were a few passengers who sprung into action to disarm the terrorist. However, I think about this each time – Would I have reacted in the same way those heroes responded?
Before I was held up by five young men with knives and guns I had a plan of action of how I would react if a gunman would attempt to rob me. When I was faced with the situation head on I failed miserably. I was so shocked and heart broken I gave in to the request of the robbers which was the safest thing to do. Luckily I escaped because other persons were near the incident.
The plans you make today on how you will respond in danger are great and could work. However, it takes a different mindset to activate your plan of action. If you feel like a victim you will never be the hero of the day. Whatever mentality those heroes are in, certainly it takes a powerful mind to get up and take down someone that could be detonated at any time.
I hope I do not encounter any of that craziness when I fly. I guess none of the 300 passengers expected their flight to have a terrorist aboard or the passengers aboard American Airline’s 331 flight that crashed in Jamaica after the plane overshot the runway or those on the 9/11 flights.
I hope all the terrorists take a day off when I fly. Wishful thinking!
We better be prepared the day we fly. It is one of the risks we have to deal with when flying in 2010 and beyond. Remember your actions could determine your fate and your neighbour’s fate.
Surely the bad guys will strike but we ought to support the agencies that are working hard to keep us safe in the skies. I will not allow misguided terrorists or others to cause to live in a box. I will achieve my goal one day this year and that is to fly to a destination and have fun. Who knows? It could be on business.
Below are some photos taken from the American Airline crash site in Kingston Jamaica. I thought I would share a few.
Impressive photo.
No lives were lost.
The debris on the shore looks horrible. Hope they will clean this up.
That is a main road to the right of the crash site. The plane raced across the road and landed where it is feet away from the Caribbean Sea.
Corve DaCosta's Blog 
Remember that he who lives in fear dies a thousand deaths,…I know how you feel…I am afraid of heights…but I forced myself to do rock climbing once, go on a roller coaster, once…climbed Mt. Aconcagua, once and yet, when I get on a ladder I totally freak out.
Be courageous, do it to dare yourself…afterward you will feel so accomplished.
saludos,
raulito
http://fromtop2bttm.blogspot.com/
Being confronted with an armed robber, the best thing is to give them your stuff and live another day. However, on an airplane, that is different. I think I would act out in that situation.
You are right Ken, giving them what they want is the best thing to do – keeping your life is. However, just recently at one of the churches I worship, some robbers robbed this man of his van and took him to a place and killed him. Most people are thinking he would have opposed the robbers taking his van. It is sometimes hard to give up so easily what you have worked so hard for.
At the end of the day your life is more important. I would try my best to help out on a plane. It would have to be a team effort – I would not be the first to jump on a terrorist on fire.
I have to say … flying sucks. It is uncomfortable, getting through the airport is stressful and now with all the extra crapola to worry about – there is nothing positive about it …. except this: when you get to your destination! It becomes completely worth it. And, when you arrive to another country! The best!! Seeing the world through another’s country’s eyes is not something you can replicate anywhere else but there.
It frustrates me to see that security measures get more and more exasperating and these bad guys always find some loophole or weakness in the system. Other means of transport are a lot more vulnerable (train attacks, etc.) but planes have become these terrorists’ trademark after 9/11 and their challenge to prove they’re smarter.
Anyway, most of the air tragedies happen for things you can’t control as a passenger, so just sit and relax. I love flying and traveling, but I dislike airport procedures more and more.
I think it frustrates everyone. The reports I have watched seeing passengers going through those searches makes me glad. But it is the time we now live in.They are now debating whether screen shot should be used that would show you naked.
I love flying myself and can’t wait till my journey begins.
I think the risk on any given flight is small enough that ordinary passengers should not worry about it. But the safety people should be continually improving their systems.
I have worked for a major airline for 17 years of my life. I can tell you stories upon stories of how a passengers security is breached, first by the employees they hire to work inside the airport. Your a smart guy, I think you have seen enough and read enough to know how that is the biggest threat of terrorism in the air. Does every airline employee know there is a way into getting what you want on a plane? of course they do. As long as GREEDY Corporate airlines keep hiring undocumented workers, no matter what you say or do, there is a way in and pass security.
In an airplane situation, I can honestly say that my family trains in Muay Thai, boxing and are pretty athletic. As with anything you constantly train with physically, when the time arises to be ready to roll so to speak, we are trained. My boys were only victims of an “attempted” robbery because the other guys underestimated their skills. It is smart to avoid physical confrontation anytime, so you did the right thing.
Thanks so much for the feedback.
I have thought about working for an airline. Just now. That would be cool.
Yep, that plane is broken all right. Amazing no one was killed.
My wife hates to fly. She chews on her purse strap during takeoff, landing, and turbulence. She has also been known to cut off circulation in my arm by clutching at it.
lol
This is a great blog. I found you through Kofi Bofah, by the way.
I haven’t flown since August 2001, and we know that a whole lot has changed since then.
Thanks for sharing with us. Glad to connect with you!
Thanks Zack.
Happy you like the blog – come back soon.
You and me both, Corve. I do NOT like to fly at all. Ever since 9/11 I have been a reluctant white knuckled flyer. But I fly because there really is no alternative. And if you live your life in fear that your number is going to constantly be up no matter what you decide and choose for yourself, then you are limiting yourself and your life and your experiences and the quality of living that you deserve.
So, no. You don’t like to fly and I don’t like to fly and lots of people don’t like to fly. Some do anyway. Some don’t. Most do. Hold my hand and I’ll fly to the moon with you . How’s that? We’ll grip each other with the fear of God coursing through our veins, and we’ll get there just fine. Promise.
PS: How’s Jamaica this fine New Year’s evening?
Jamaica is cool this New Year’s evening. The citizens are preparing for new taxes that will kick in this month. The onslaught of the recession is just affecting the country now.
Thanks for the feedback.
Sheez DaCosta, I hope those 5 men get a big dose of karma. I unfortunately have the opposite reaction, I go into Friggin Loon mode. A friend of mine had his camera stolen and i went after him like a loon possessed and eventually cornered him and got it back 😦 . I suppose it depends on the moment. I hate flying so I won’t scare you with my tales.
🙂 I don’t think you can scare me anymore – there are terrorists. Could you beat that?
The incident with the 5 guys is behind me now. The thoughts don’t scare me like they usually do.
Thanks
I had been so behind in news that I learned about this crash just now at your site.
My first flight was when I was sixteen so not too far from your twenty-two. I enjoyed flying then but as I flew more, I became scared of flying to a point where I would try not to fly whenever I can but really you just cannot avoid flying. The reason I became so scared is because I knew too much.
But the one fact you must know is, statistically, your chances of winning a lottery are more than your chances of getting involved in a plane crash!
I hope your goal will come true soon. You appear to me like a person that wouldn’t let anything stop you from achieving your dreams.
This blog breaks all the news, local and international.
They say knowledge is power – guess it lead to your own detriment as well.
You are right-I will not let anything stop me from achieving my dreams.
There are things to worry about more than terrorism or crashes.
1. Run out of diet coke the minute they get to your aisle
2. Big fat guy is sitting next to you
3. Person who thinks the foot space on your side is his too
4. Crying babies
5. Crying adults
See flying is fun.
lmao
🙂 I guess the experience counts more than security lol Thanks
I have been flying my whole life as my father had a small plane. I even took a few lessons! I have no fear of flying. The chances of a terrorist taking YOUR particular flight are very very very small. The fact is that all those stepped up security measures couldn’t detect plastic explosives. Having limited carry ons and metal detectors will only do so much. They need sniffer dogs as well (they use them in Cuba – I assume to check for drugs). Plan your trip and fly with confidence – there are so many more likely ways to die that you ignore every day.
Thanks Jeannie, well said. To some you are cruel – you said “there are so many more likely ways to die tha you ignore every day” 🙂 I hope I am not. Well I watch what I eat. Don’t talk about the streets I wish I could avoid it all.
You are right though about the chances of someone getting unto a flight with terrorists.
Thanks Jeannie.
My first flight was in a small plane trust me after that the bigger ones seems much more friendlier (:
okay ….i don’t trust the small planes. i prefer them big.
Happy New Year. I Pray for your safe journeys this year. As Peter when He walked out on the water suggests and announces… Walk out and don’t be afraid. Have faith that all will be well.
I think you summed it up well Bradley. Have faith and all will be well. Happy New Year to you too.
Every flight I’ve been on in the past 8 years has been terrifying – the whole time that I’m in the air I’m thinking how unnatural it all is and that every sound could be the engine failing and impending doom! Yet I still fly and put myself through torture. Last year when I visited Sweden with work colleagues I was really worried they’d all think I was totally irrational. Therefore I visited my GP and was prescribed some ‘relaxation pills’. Wow! The best flight ever- because I slept most of the journey and can’t remember much after take off. The answer!!!
You have an interesting point of view and blog here. Those are some interesting pictures of the plane that I had not see before.
As for the hero thing, I wonder if you are a true hero if you are just doing that for which you have been trained for and planned for, or are you a hero when have done something automatically because whatever instincts that you have, have taken over for you and determined your course of action. Or maybe a hero is someone who has had time to think about what they are doing and decided to act even though they know everything may come out so horribly wrong for them.
I have always hated flying for so many reasons and now there are more. I was 16 before I ever flew. I view it as a necessary evil.
Geez Bearman you forgot to mention having to wait for the toilet, only to discover the person before you has stunk it up so bad you have to use your complimentary socks over your nose. And then when you return to your seat the friggin food cart is blocking the aisle and you have to wait forever …by then you have missed your meal 😦
i agree that last year was a scary year for many people. When you are living just a paycheck away from not being able to make your mortgage, life can be pretty damn scary…
Geez, I’m sorry to hear you were robbed like that Corve…you definitely did the right thing though. I was born and raised in Washington D.C. which was/is one of the most violent cities and also one of the murder capitals of the entire U.S. and there were always gangs and drugs and thugs around which saddened me greatly and made me more pessimistic than the usual person which is why I guess I don’t go out of my way to meet people and travel and such but I regret that. I’ve had friends and relatives who were violently murdered by random strangers and it still affects the way I see the world (which is mostly negative) but that’s just my own experience…I encourage others to overcome their fears and try to be optimistic because – take it from me – it’s hard living with constant anxiety and worry!
Thanks much for the post 🙂 I had the same phobia few years back but I’m now cured! 🙂
That must be some good news.