Terror in the Sky
The main article is “Terror in the Sky”. Society today has many reasons why flying can be so dangerous. A few examples include being hijacked by terrorists, aircraft malfunctions, and passengers going crazy while in midair. What is your scariest moment when flying? I want to say mine will be hijacked by terrorists. I don’t know what their attentions are and their ultimate end game.
You are being hijacked in midair, oh gosh. The sickest moment you will have and will remain with you for the rest of your life. No matter, if the US Marshall on board can disarm the terrorist from carrying out their plan. It’s the near death and not knowing feeling will stick with you. Every time I hear an airliner has been hijacked, it always brings me back to September 11th, 2001. Recalling watching both planes flying directly into both World Trade Centers causing both towers to collapse to rumbles. “The impact left a gaping, burning hole near the 80th floor of the 110-story skyscraper, instantly killing hundreds of people and trapping hundreds more in higher floors” (Onion, Sullivan and Mullen)
The second, scariest thing about flying is aircraft malfunctions. Would you ever imagine a door plug blowing off an airplane while in flight at 16,000 feet. Next time you order airplane tickets to travel on vacation, would you sit near a window or not even fly again? I wouldn’t let this hold you back from traveling if you go on a website called Flight Aware and look at active flights currently in the air. The number of aircraft in the air versus door plugs blowing out is a very rare malfunction. According to ABC News, “Sunday evening, Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun announced he canceled a two-day leadership summit and instead will hold an all-employee safety meeting from the 737 factory in Renton, Washington on Tuesday. Sunday evening, Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun announced he canceled a two-day leadership summit and instead will hold an all-employee safety meeting from the 737 factory in Renton, Washington on Tuesday” (Hutchinson).
Lastly, passengers going crazy. This is an ongoing issue today in our society. People think they are entitled to everything above other’s needs and their needs are a priority. What is the real reason behind all of this? My personal belief is due to elevation differences people start acting out of the norm. Could it be a lack of oxygen their body is not receiving? I’m about to leave for New Mexico next month and I love to fly. I am going to bring iPods, a face mask, and a neck pillow to help me relax and tone out all the craziness going on.
Regardless of the reasons everything is going to happen for a reason. Don’t let a group of terrorists mess up your plans to visit family during the holidays, a door plug blowing off which is a very rare occurrence, and people going wild on airplanes. You can’t let fear override what you want to achieve. Once you have a fear of “Terror in the Sky” it will not allow you to do the things you want to do in life. Conquer your fears, by building resilience and seeking support when needed.
Works Cited
Bedford, Keith. “Photos: A look back at scenes from the 9/11 attacks.” New York City: Times Wire Services, 10 SEPT 2021. Picture.
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Hutchinson, Bill. ABC News. 8 Jan 2024. 20 Feb 2024.
Leff, Gary. “Woman Climbs on the Seats, Pounds the Overhead Bins Screaming about her Evening Plans.” View from the Wing, 28 Sept 2020. image.
Onion, Amanda, et al. History Channel. 17 Feb 2010. 20 Feb 2024.
“Plane door blows out mid-flight, makes emergency landing.” Fox News 13 Seattle, Jan 2024. https://youtu.be/YiXY38aUeRI.
