" Houston, we have a problem"!
Remeber last week when I said I wish I could click my heels together and be in DC?
I meant it!
Those are my Frye boots, clicking away. Re took this picture at lunch while we were laughing about my blog entry.
See, I am TERRIFIED to fly. Yes, I am the one who usually suggests an adventure or a vacation, but about a week before I am to leave I start getting nervous.
So, my wonderful weekend came to a close.
I have taken my valium, boarded the plane, calm, and looking forward to going home and seeing my family.
All systems are a go!
It is a glorious day, and we have lift off...
I am actually looking out the window and enjoying the sites of DC. I'm thinking to myself...
Oh look there's the Capitol building, the Washington monument, and over there...
Well, you get the idea.
I start thinking... Gee, we seem to be touring the city rather than climbing to a higher altitude...
If they don't start climbing soon we might be waving to some F-14 fighter jets, and that can't be good.
It is getting a bit eyrie as you may imagine, being so close to the buildings and all, very 911...
Suddenly the captain comes on and announces " This is your captain speaking, we are experiencing some issues with the landing gear. They are stuck and we are working on the situation".
Landing and stuck!!!!????
"WE WILL BE LANDING EARLIER THAN EXPECTED, WE ARE ON OUR WAY TO DULLES AIRPORT"!
Let me tell you NO amount of valium was going to help me at that point!
He comes back on and says" We think we have it under control, we EXPECT to have a normal landing, HOWEVER, there is another problem, but we will tell you about that one, once we are on the ground.
WHAT?
I start thinking bird strike , engine out, somebody better get Captain Sully on the phone and have him walk the pilot through landing this thing on the Potomac!
I start to have a panic attack, I am out of my seat surveying the other passengers analyzing their responses to this imformation.
The co- pilot comes out, I assume to calm the passengers.
All I could think was .... Is talking really what you should be doing right now?
Start pushing some buttons, pull some levers!
The only thing I want to see you in the isle with is a TOOL BELT!
We have a possible catastrophe on our hands and your mingling?
And then just as he is about to hit my row, he is rushed back to the cockpit.
We are assured that the landing will be fine and it was.
At the gate they informed us that not only was the landing gear failing, but the sensors on the plane were telling the plane it was not in flight while it was!
Just as I was going to insist on them letting me off the flight they did.
I made it to the restroom and balled!
I called my brother who is a United airplane mechanic and my father who is a pilot looking for some instruction on how to handle this situation.
I called them at a dozen times only to remember they were hunting and at that moment sitting in tree stands!
I tried texting but my hands were shaking so bad it was very difficult to make sense.
After two hours of updates and many calls back to Marie. My brother called and said there was no way that plane was flying out tonight,.
As if I was going to get back on that plane!
After waiting to speak to an agent for another hour in line, I took control of the situation.
I demanded to be put on a flight in the morning. I did not have any more valium with me so, even if I could have gotten out on another plane I physically could not have gotten on it.
Marie came back to the airport to get me, took me home and took care of me.
So Monday morning I gave it another try and I have to say I felt a bit better about that flight.
I mean what are the odds of that happening to someone two days in a row right?
I spent most of Monday sleeping off all of the wine and valium.
I am back and feel like myself again!
Thankful to God that the plane landed safely, and to friends who love me and understand that flying just isn't my thing!
Thanks Re, and Carly
XOXO
photo credit Carly Glazier
I didn't forget!!!!!!
And the winners are...
Heather good thing you liked Grace
and Katrina you win the cards, but if you would rather have a Grace I can make one for you!
Tuesday, November 10, 2009 at 05:04PM
Reader Comments (4)
Yippee skippy! I can't believe I won, you just made my day! Up until this point it had been full of crabby sick kids and doctor visits!
I am so glad you are back safely, and that you had someone in town to come get you and give you some TLC! Can't wait to hear all about your trip.
Diana, I am so excited to win!!!! Can you see me doing the happy dance.... I love the cards but I would really love a Grace. Any color, any left over ribbon, anything I just love them they are too cute. If it is too much trouble I would be honored to receive the cards. I'm sorry your plane ride was so scary there is nothing worse. I have control issues so I can relate, I have to leave the ride to someone else. URGH!!!! My son has gone off to college in Kansas and we live in California so the fear of flying is going to be taking it's toll on me. Visiting back and forth but I miss him so it's worth the fear. Thank you again for the wonderful give away. I just love your blog thanks to Elizabeth's class I now have a blog I look forward to each day.
Sincerely, Katrina
I originally thought you may have been on the flight that landed in the Hudson. That one was pretty amazing. I work for US Airways and that was our first big incidend and very scary for all of us back in the office. Glad to hear the outcome of your trip went well. I've worked for an airline for over 20 years and I also get the jitters just before heading to the airport. But the fact that I don't want to spend 4 days in a car win over and off I go. 3 1/2 hour and Im in Illinois. The take offs still get me everytime. Great story thanks.
wow! that is CRAZY!
all i now... happy you're SAFE and sound!
hAppY weekend girl... i will FOR SURE be pouring some wine! :)