Flying is No Longer Fun

Last year I flew right after the underwear bomber had tried to pull off his nasty bit of treachery. I flew back from Colorado to South Carolina on the day after the bomber's attempt to blow up a Northwest Airlines flight. At that time I was worried that it would be difficult going through airport security. Surprisingly things went very well no problems or delays. Could be the airport security hadn't gotten new security measures into place yet. Who knows?

Unfortunately, almost a year later, things are getting more complicated at the airport. Body scans and pat downs will probably end my flying days. No way do I want to be subjected to this type of invasion of my privacy. I'm a United States citizen. My ancestors were early settlers in this country. I'm not going to cause any trouble and neither will anyone I know.

Many people are willing to be subjected to these indignities because it makes them feel safer. I am not one of those people. It doesn't make me feel safe. It only makes me feel angry. I think this gives the terrorists a victory. They can brag about how they affect the world. This will not stop them from trying to cause us harm.

Then a few months ago I heard the announcement that 65,000 planes should not have taken off last year because of poor maintenance. Not only do we have terrorists trying to bring down planes, but sloppy plane maintenance. Do I want to be blown up or be on a plane with mechanical failure and end up crashing? No way.

I know, everyone says that flying is safer than driving your car. At least when you're driving your car you feel like you have more control over your fate. Yes, it's probably only an illusion, but you don't have to put up with the hassle of the airlines, and airport security. It gets worse all the time. You have to pay to check bags, you can't bring fluids over 2.5 ounces through security. You have to take your shoes off when you walk through the security check point. All because of some lunatic who thought he'd carry explosives in his shoes. I tend to carry everything with me now just because I rebel against having to pay for that checked bag. Many times I just buy what I need in liquid form once I get to where I'm going just to make things easier.

If I can't get somewhere by car, then maybe I just won't go. Well, I say that now, but I'm sure the first time my sons calls me and asks me to come back to Colorado I'll give in and be combing the internet for cheapest airlines to fly. I'd drive that far without a problem, but unless my husband can go I probably won't drive by myself. Although, Bea, my Yorkie, makes a pretty good travelling companion. We could have an adventure.

I could take Bea on a plane, but they would charge me $100 just for her to fly one way. They never have pet specials. Darn those airlines.