Lance Langley
Nelson
English Composition
02 September 2015
My First Airplane Ride
The first time I few on an airplane was thrilling. The fear of the unknown can be very exciting, but also very nerve racking. It was March of 2012, departing from Wichita, layover in Denver, and final destination Seattle Washington. I’ve seen it hundreds of times in the movies, but experiencing it for real is something one just cannot capture on screen. The rush of the takeoff, the smooth flying, even the flight attendants are things I will never forget.
The Wichita airport was surprisingly deserted, the long corridors leading to a large, mostly empty room. The emptiness of the huge building was surprising, and had a bit of an eerie feeling. “Well, at least the lines aren’t long” I thought. Check in was easy enough, handing my I.D to the lady behind the counter. With a big smile she handed me my boarding pass, and wished me a safe flight. Going through security didn’t take long. I had heard that I would have to take off my shoes, but I hadn’t thought about my belt. After taking a minute to re-dress myself after the security check point, I looked down at my ticket and headed to the terminal. Finding the terminal gate was also easy, we appeared to be the only flight scheduled that time and for that side of the airport. I found a seat, close to the window and sat down. As the clock ticked closer and closer to the departure time I could feel my nerves rise. Then, the airplane appeared right outside the window. It quietly and slowly taxied up to the terminal and the hallway attached itself to the side of the plane. “Well, this is it, here we go” I thought. The intercom came on and they started calling sections to board. I was in the last group to board the plane.
Entering the airplane I remember thinking how small it was. The pathway was pretty narrow, and only two rows of seats. I guess it made sense, we’re only flying to Denver, a short two and a half hour flight. Finding our seats, I knew I wanted the window seat. After the attendants made sure everyone was seated, and assisted people with the overhead luggage, the safety speech started. Over the intercom a voice instructed us the proper way to use our seat belts, as the attendant standing in the aisle demonstrated. “In the unlikely event of a water landing…” Are they serious? I remember thinking. Trying not to show how truly frightened I was I laughed along with the rest of the passengers. Everyone else seemed so calm, even bored with the whole event.
The plane slowly started inching forward. I could feel my heart pounding. When we made it to the run way I was so surprised by the force the airplane had, it throw me back in my seat so suddenly, the airplane picked up speed impressively fast. Looking around at everyone, nobody else seemed worried that the airplane was shaking so much. Looking out the window I suddenly realized we weren’t on the ground anymore! This was it, we were in the air. Not long afterwards, the plane seemed to quiet, flatten out, and reach “cruising altitude” As the captain put it.
The view was amazing. Although it was mostly farmland, it was beautiful. I’d never seen it from 25,000 feet above before. Squares of browns, greens and yellows created a patchwork quilt for as far as the eye could see. Slowly the landscape changed, leaving green squares of farm land behind for tan ridges with shadowed valleys. Then the mountains came to view. Even the airports roof was designed to look like mountains. We circled above the tops of the Rocky Mountains a few times before making out final descent into Denver. Which is something they really do say, not just in the movies.
The landing was much smoother than the takeoff. The engines still roared as we decelerated down the run way. We taxied up to our terminal and the instant the seatbelt lights dimmed everyone was too their feet. I merged with the human traffic and shuffled down the narrow aisle way trying not to knock people with my bag. Stepping foot into the Denver airport I finally felt myself relax, I let out a sigh of relief. Then I remembered, we still have to go to Seattle! No problem, now I know what to expect. Maybe I could even catch some sleep while on the second flight. With two hours until departure and a feeling of great confidence after conquering my first flight, I took a walk around the airport. Exploring all the little shops, restaurants, and artwork decorating the walls. Denver is much larger than Wichita’s airport. By far much more busy. People running everywhere, hurriedly trying to catch their flights. The airport was beautiful I must say. Painted murals lined the walls, along with statues and sculptures placed in the middle of huge and never ending halls.
Before long it was time to find our terminal. I felt a lot less anxious than I did boarding in Wichita. Not to say I wasn’t still nervous. I was definitely ready to get to this whole ordeal over with. We found out seats, listened to the safety speech, and had the same startling takeoff. But once we were in the air, I felt at ease. And was able to close my eyes for a short rest. By the time we arrived in Seattle it was dark out. I felt hungry, and exhausted. Emotionally exhausted I think. After plucking our luggage from the carousel, we hauled ourselves outside. That night, I plopped down on the bed and let a big sigh of relief. Flying wasn’t so bad.