The thought of being in a plane, flying, seemed like the scariest thing ever, even worse than going on a rollercoaster for the first time.
But on Nov. 13, my biggest fear – and if I’m honest – a personal goal – became a reality. Within two hours of arriving at LaGuardia airport, I was on the plane with my friends ready to take flight. And I was scared and excited all at the same time.
Preparations for this first flight started way earlier because I had to learn to pack. Since this was my first time, I wasn’t aware of what was allowed and what wasn’t. I had to pack liquids and creams each under 3 fluid ounces, which seemed to be so little. I kept wondering how I would do my hair, if I had brought enough gel or curl cream. Packing everything, I felt like it wasn’t enough and perhaps I underpacked. However, once I put all my things through scanning, they didn’t pull me over. Everything was thankfully in the clear.
We arrived at LaGuardia about two hours early, so I had plenty of time to relax in the waiting area. My advisor offered to get us food before we boarded the plane because we wouldn’t be able to eat for a while. She got me a sausage, egg and cheese, and it was the most expensive sausage, egg and cheese I’ve ever had: It cost $14.75. It was OK and I thanked her for it because it kept me full until dinner time.
While waiting for the plane, I decided to cool my nerves by playing games with Zoe Reyes and Md Ferdous, the two other BRHS students going to Nashville for the national Journalism Education Association’s fall conference. We played Roblox for about half an hour, specifically Volleyball Legends. It was kind of hard to play because my friends were absolute noobs, and they kept missing the ball. Soon enough, after all the Roblox struggles, it was time to board. Students and advisors from two other NYC public schools were traveling with us, so before we lined up, a helpful passenger snapped a picture of us all. Then we lined up according to the numbers on our boarding passes.
Standing in line, I fiddled with the ticket. The line moved really slow, and as my ticket got scanned my fears became more prominent. The Southwest plane had open seating so anyone could sit wherever they pleased. All the front seats were taken, so my peers and I went to the back. We put our suitcases in the overhead bin, and thankfully there was space for the three of us to sit together.
As we sat and waited for everyone else to come in, I could feel my palms getting sweaty. My heart raced so fast every time I imagined the plane taking off, and I couldn’t relax. I kept telling my friend, “I’m so scared,” and she would reassure me every single time. I even texted my dad how scared I was, and of course, he also reassured me in the best way he knew how.
Soon enough, everyone was in their seats, and the plane was ready to take off. The flight attendants made sure each overhead bin was closed securely before we took off. Then as the plane began taxiing, which I wasn’t aware planes even did, the microphone people announced we were taking off. The plane hadn’t even started flying, and to be honest, I was already terrified.
Once it started flying upward, it felt so weird. It almost felt like a rollercoaster, but weirder. I could feel my heart and it felt strange whenever the plane turned sideways. My ears also hurt as they started popping. I tried sleeping but my ears kept popping, making it hard to sleep.
Fifteen minutes before we landed, I decided to use the restroom. A flight attendant started small talk with me asking how the flight was going, and I told her it was pretty good and it was my first time. She seemed excited and pulled out a black bag with cards and stickers. She told me usually they have wings but this time they didn’t. She and one other flight attendant signed my card, and it was so sweet and cute.
As we landed, she announced to everyone that we had a first-time flyer, me. She welcomed everyone back home, or to Nashville, and said, “We have a first time flyer with us today, Joanna.” I was shocked, since obviously my name isn’t Joanna, but it is my mother’s name. It was bittersweet since my mother is no longer with me. My friend was laughing at me, and my advisor was confused on how they found out since she, for once, didn’t create small talk. It was all around a sweet moment.
The way back was a bit better, but with a lot more turbulence. Our flight had gotten slightly delayed because it was so windy back in New York. The plane would shake a lot every now and again, and sometimes it would turn and my heart would feel all weird again.
Although 884 miles doesn’t seem like a lot, it was an hour- and 55-minute plane ride. Minus the complications on the way back and my ears popping, I would most definitely want to travel by plane again. The flight attendants told me planes are the safest form of transportation, and I believe them. I would definitely revisit Nashville when I am of age, and get to experience it to the fullest, and of course travel to many other places – on a plane.
