Leaving on a Jet Plane

Feb. 8, 2013

It felt surreal. As if I was watching a movie or meandering through a dream. As we crossed the bridge to security on concourse A, I couldn’t believe it was actually here. This moment: the one that I’d both anticipated and dreaded for the past 9 months was finally here. It was finally time to get on that plane, step out into the world, and discover my adventure.

When we went online to check-in for my flight 24 hours before, there was a bit of a hang-up. “Hang-up” is not a word you want to use when discussing the trip of a lifetime, but we discovered my account with British Airways was not set up for online check-in. After waiting on hold with the airline for 15 minutes—and my Mom waiting on hold with them for nearly another hour—we learned that the service we used to book did not allow for online check-in. So, the best advice the agent could give us was to check in, in person at the airport to claim my seat.

We decided that we would get up early to go to the airport so that I could get a good seat. After flying to Philadelphia and San Francisco last year, I was a bit tired of middle seats. A window was my preference, but something with leg and elbow room would do.

So Friday morning, my adrenaline woke me up about 7am. I had just a few last items to throw in my bag before I left. That few items grew into a few more items and our “early” departure kept getting pushed back further and further. By 9:30, I got in the shower convinced I was ready to go. That was when I realized I’d forgotten to pack my toiletries into my already crammed suitcase. I got the kit together and wedged it into my bag. The duffle that had barely closed before now had a solid 7-10 inches between the zippers.

With some help from my Mom, we re-arranged everything. Advanced levels of Tetris are easier than packing for a five month international trip. With both my mom and I sitting on the bag and pulling the zippers together, we got it closed.

We arrived at the airport just after 11am. Upon reaching the British Airways check-in counter, we found it was completely deserted. The voice on the courtesy telephone told us that the British Airways desk was only open from 12-4pm each day.

Walking around to kill some time, we got a cup of coffee, looked at some of the new construction, and enjoyed each other’s company for what would be the last time for several weeks. At noon, we returned to the counter. I got checked in, but learned that my bag was 10 pounds over the limit. We decided not to worry about it and paid the extra baggage fee. The attendant told us that the fee allowed me to have up to 100 pounds and if I wanted to add more to it I could. We informed her that this was most definitely not possible!

With the bag checked, she moved on to my seat assignment. I requested a window but she informed me they were all full. She did say there were a few aisles available and secured me one on both the flight to London and to Prague.  With boarding pass in hand and bag onto the plane (hopefully!) we went back home to get my brother and grab my carry on.

My carry on was a similar struggle to wrestle closed. I eventually gave up on my backpack and switched to an old rolling bag we had. It does have backpack straps on it so I could use it for school, but I have learned in the past twelve hours that these straps are more than just a little flimsy. If they are still attached when I arrive in Prague, I will be surprised.

As a few final preparations, I emptied my wallet, taking only the items I thought I’d need. I set my voicemail (for the first time actually) and turned off my phone. After saying “good-bye” to my brother and my parents and I headed back to the airport.

“You know we are living vicariously through you for the next few months, right?” My Mom asked me.

“I figured,” I said. “It’s funny, for as nervous as I was, I realized, it’s just a long vacation.”

“With a little school thrown in,” my Dad added.

We crossed the threshold back into the airport. I couldn’t believe it was actually here. This moment: the one that I’d both anticipated and dreaded for the past 9 months was finally here. It was finally time to get on that plane, step out into the world, and discover my adventure.

My flight was out of gate 37A. We walked around the terminal and passed customs. Going up the escalator and we crossed the bridge to security for the A concourse. When we came to the sign that said, “Boarded passengers only beyond this point” we stopped.

“This is it,” my Dad said.

That was about the last coherent thing we said. While I didn’t see it coming, all three of us lost it! Between the tears, we exchanged hugs, “I love you”s, and “good byes.”

“It’s just vacation,” I said, not sure if I was reminding them or myself.

After the last good-bye and good-luck were exchanged, I walked up the ramp and into the line for security. And that was it. I was on my own. The adventure had begun.

My gate happened to be at the bottom of the escalator out of security. I took a seat where I could see the 777 that would carry me across the pond and began to think. The more I thought, the more excited I got. It did: it felt like a dream. It felt surreal.

When they called my section to board, I gathered my things and got in line. That was when the gate agent—in a lovely British accent—informed me I was in the wrong line. Great! Not even out of the country and I look like a stupid American.

My seat (37D) was in the very back of the plane—three rows from the back. My bag wouldn’t fit under the seat so I wedged it in the overhead compartment and sat down. The middle seat next to me was empty and a younger girl sat in the aisle (37F).

I forget how the conversation began but she asked me if I was going home or going to visit.

“I’m actually studying abroad,” I said.

“Me too!” she said. “But not in London. I’m going to Prague.”

“Me too,” I said. “I’m Zach.”

“Britney,” she said.

A few minutes later, the door closed. No one wound up sitting between Britney and I so we used the seat to pile extra stuff in.

When the plan took off, It was oddly anti-climactic. Yet at the same time, as soon as the wheels lifted off, I got a giddy rush once again. The adventure was beginning!

(My laptop battery is almost dead. Will post more about the flight, when I can recharge.)