So I’m starting a new trend. Every September I subconsciously put myself in unique situations that tests my knowledge, mental state and physical alertness. Last year it was a 7.6 magnitude earthquack in the costal regions of Costa Rica (http://www.helpingturtles.com/2012/09/day-67-day-earth-stood-still.html).
This year it’s being a passenger on a plane which makes an emergency landing with one engine.
This past week I joined some friends in the OBX (Outer
Banks, North Carolina). After an extended weekend of various pool activities,
building sand mermaids on the beach, stuffing my face with crabs, it was time
to head home – or at least back to the Midwest.
My best friend and I head to Raleigh/Durham International
Airport (RDU) where we have an evening flight to Chicago Midway International
Airport (MDW). The skies are clear and the outside air is humid. Inside the airplane’s
cabin, the cold, dry non-circulated air hits the top of my head. Like any other
flight, once the flight doors are closed, and the cabin pressure is equalized,
my sleepiness kicks in. As we taxi to the runway, I fall in and out of a neck
snapping napping state.
The take off for me is always the best part. Like my high
school friends that had the tuned up, faster cars, the feeling of acceleration
always was a unique, welcomed experience. The engines are in full thrust, and
the brakes have been released. Your head
is being thrown back into the plane’s seat as you use your neck muscles pry
your face around the person sitting next to the window, just so you can get a
glimpse and perspective on how fast you are actually going.
BAM……GLUNK…GLUNK….GLUNK…..half way down the runway with the
front wheels now off the ground. Smell of engine smoke (without the sight of
it) fills the plane’s cabin. Like a horribly tuned choir, a single high note
escapes out of most mouths and everyone looks around to see what has happened.
The plane is now fully in flight with this awful repetitive loud “GLUNK” sound
being felt on the floor boards. For the most part everyone remains calm. The
sound finally stops and the plane slowly increases in altitude.
After what seems like a half an hour (more like 3 minutes),
a flight attendance comes over the PA and announces a very unreassuringly
statement of how the pilots are currently looking into something’s and will
give us an update when they have things settled. Finally a pilot comes over the
PA and announces that he believes a bird flew into one of our engines (pilots
side – left side sitting in the cabin) and we are now currently flying on one
engine. The next step is to prepare an emergency landing back at RDU. The pilot
was very calm, professional and confident in their abilities to perform such a
task as they have trained for this type of scenario.
Shortly after the flight attendants go over the emergency
procedures and prepare for the landing. We circle back to the airport and begin
the descent. They instruct us that as we land, we should put our heads in our
laps and brace ourselves if there should be any type of impact. Right before
landing the crew chants “HEAD DOWN, STAY DOWN, HEAD DOWN, STAY DOWN, HEAD DOWN,
STAY DOWN, HEAD DOWN, STAY DOWN, HEAD DOWN, STAY DOWN, HEAD DOWN, STAY DOWN,
HEAD DOWN, STAY DOWN, HEAD DOWN, STAY DOWN, HEAD DOWN, STAY DOWN, HEAD DOWN,
STAY DOWN, HEAD DOWN, STAY DOWN, HEAD DOWN, STAY DOWN, HEAD DOWN, STAY DOWN”
We land.
This had to be one of the smoothest landings ever, even with
only 1 engine. Props to the pilots. Fire trucks come and check out the plane.
After no immediate threat was detected we taxied over to the gate, where we
deed and waited to hear what was next.
WOW. What an experience. One can often day dream about the
“what if” scenarios as you lead your day to day life. Anything can happen at
anytime. Most think events are inevitable while others blame luck. However,
it’s not the problem that defines the moment, it’s how you and everyone else
reacts. Clearly in this situation I had no way of changing the odds. It was up
to greater powers to determine my fate.
When I was smelling the smoke, listening to that GLUNK and
feeling that repetitive vibrations come from below, like everyone else’s, my
mind was playing out the most obscure, theatrical scenarios that could come of
this. This would only continue to play out as we were updated with our actual
scenario and possible outcomes as the plane attempts to make an emergency
landing. I feel that during these moments, you have your “reflection time” with
yourself and really have that one-on-one talk to catch up. Are you happy with
your life? Did you accomplish what you wanted? Do you have regrets? You can see it on everyone’s face as they are
gazing out the window, praying in their laps, attempting to text their loved
ones, hiding their tears or just starring blankly at the seat in front of them.
Me? I’m happy. Knowing that I made some life changing moves
over the last couple years and really followed my heart, has been exciting.
Granted I’m on the brink of having a zero balance in the bank, I have learned
and experienced so much that there really has not been enough room for regret
or FOMO (fear of missing out) to set in. This especially stands true as I
already have future plans for “epic-ness”. Now I’m not just talking about one
day I want or plan on doing X, Y and Z.
No, I mean I actually am in the middle of hiking the Appalachian Trail and
perusing my next adventure at the same time. Life is wonderful! So much to look
forward to: great relationships with family/friends, promising career and
excellent health!
So I leave you with this…very fitting.
