8:28 PM Tue, Jul 24, 2007 | Permalink
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I just returned from a wonderful visit home to see my family and boy, what a trip....in more ways than one! Peter is 19 months now and all energy as I've explained before. However, this was one flight I won't soon forget. It was a direct flight returning late from Chicago to Austin and I thought that maybe he'd sleep...well, he did, for awhile. But, about 15 minutes before the plane was about to land (12:15 am) the pilot came on the load speaker to talk about...well, a lot of things. Things that really weren't necessary when it's 12:15 am and I'm concentrating on keeping Peter asleep. Actually, there were a lot of kids on the plane -- so you would have thought he would have tried to keep the volume down. Instead, the crew flashed the lights over and over again and the pilot went on about the normal things only it seemed to be at record volume. Peter couldn't stay asleep -- instead he was scared out of his mind. He screamed at a pitch and intensity even I hadn't heard before and it went on for about 15 minutes. There was nothing I could do to comfort him -- he was tired, hungry, jet lagged, hot, uncomfortable and ticked off. I can't tell you how happy I was to get off that plane! I'm sure my fellow passengers were feeling equally thrilled with our parting of ways. I just hope he isn't going to think of that horrible 15 minute experience every
time he gets on a plane. He was pretty good the rest of the trip -- just the typical toddler issues. So, I am hoping to seek out the advice of fellow parents for my future travels. Let me just say I won't be doing anything other than direct flights until he's about 18. It's either that -- or I'll be riding on the exterior of the plane!
Thanks for checking in!
Christine,
I feel your pain. Why do all pilots feel the need to make these ludicrous "announceemnnts" mid-flight. I travel alot. It's tiring, and I would love to count on the down-time to grab a much-needed nap. Barring an emergency, anything the pilots have to say can wait until the end of the flight, or when taxiing to the gate.
I just think alot of pilots are frustrated DJs.
Blsin
One word: Benadryl. I know, I know... "Drug my child? Never!" But I'm telling you, it's a parent's best friend.