An Adventure in the Air

I was about 7 ½ yrs old back in 1982 or 1983 & I was going to fly from Mississippi to Connecticut for a visit with my grandparents. I was so excited and a little scared because I was going to fly alone. Times were different very different in the early 80's and it was common for young children to fly alone.

The flight there went well. I remember feeling special because a pretty stewardess got to escort me onto the airplane; I got to visit the pilot and even received a special pin of wings to pin to my shirt. I can't forget to share that I even got the window seat! I was glad I didn't have to fight my little sister for it!

I had a wonderful visit with my grandparents and soon it was time to fly back home. I don't remember being scared as I got back onto the plane. I met a boy who was also flying by himself and we talked some before the flight took off. But not long into the flight something went wrong.

I remember hearing an announcement about losing an engine. Even at the young age of 7 I knew that an engine was important. I also seem to remember hearing us losing 2 other engines too. I am not positive about this but kind of remember hearing how our plane had only 1 working engine out of 4.

I was taken from my seat to sit with a man. The little boy who was also flying alone got paired up with another adult also. The man I was sitting with talked to me some and told me how we were going to land in Washington DC.

A stewardess got up and showed us how we were sit for the emergency landing. We were told to put our heads between our legs like touching our toes but to grab our ankles or to brace ourselves on the seat in front of us. I remember trying each one out and I liked touching the seat in front of me better so I could see what was going on around me.

The man next to me explained how the landing may be bumpy or we may hit hard. That scared me some but I don't remember it being bumpy at all.

We were taken off the plane and a stewardess paired me up with 3 different people to keep an eye on me. I don't know why they did this since I was so young but I remember two of their names. They were named Ricky and Terry. I remember thinking it was pretty funny since Ricky was a woman and Terry was the man. Terry had his wife with him but I don't remember her name. Terry sold make up and gave me a huge make up kit as a present. I got to ride around Washington DC with them for some reason. I don't know why I would have left the airport but then again I was only 7. I guess maybe we had to wait awhile for the next flight to Mississippi and I think we rode in a cab. Maybe we got a free tour of DC who knows.

I remember seeing all these buildings I had only seen on TV or school. I liked the Washington Monument the best because it looked like a pencil.

I also remember eating at a restaurant with them which I think was at the airport since it was a small restaurant. But I had fun and I didn't understand seriousness of the emergency landing and I wasn't scared. I also don't remember talking to my parents on the phone about what happened but I am pretty sure I did because I know they told me how worried they were as my grandparents were too.

The rest of the flight home was fine. I remember greeting my parents and getting a lot of attention from everyone around me. I really didn't understand what a big deal it was for in my little mind we had just taken a fun trip to Washington DC! But my biggest memory is my mom taking the make up kit from me. I remember I had wanted it since my friend gave it me. I find it funny what kids remember and what they forget.

I was never afraid to get on an airplane again. I loved flying and as the years went by my sister and I flew by ourselves many times to visit.

I will admit today I am nervous about getting on airplanes. I don't fly as much as I use to plus I am older and understand more.

I will never forget my adventure of flying alone on airplane. I was young and I don't remember being scared but I remember it as an adventure.