Six Hours of Nothing
I hate sitting in a plane for six hours without wifi or electric power (i.e., available AC plug-ins). A few airlines offer these options but way too few for me. United Airlines is operating out of the '90s. But at least the torture is over. Arrived in L.A. at 3:10 pm. Slightly hazy light-blue sky, same old traffic congestion (i.e., 405 jammed bumper-to-bumper), warm desert-like air.
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Posted by Jeffrey Wells on June 17, 2009 at 3:42 PM
comment #1
Kanye West
says ...
Read a book.
Posted by Kanye West
at June 17, 2009 3:48 PM
comment #2
Kristopher Tapley
says ...
You missed the gloom. Yesterday was the first sunny day in weeks.
Posted by Kristopher Tapley
at June 17, 2009 3:53 PM
comment #3
scooterzz
says ...
welcome back...your timing is perfect, apparently the worst of june-gloom is over...i spent the afternoon seeing the 'culture clash' show at the getty in malibu and it was beeyoutyful....
Posted by scooterzz
at June 17, 2009 3:56 PM
comment #4
Ulysses
says ...
I'm a Canuck living in Phoenix, a city that I can't abide, but I like LA even less. The insane traffic frightens me.
Posted by Ulysses
at June 17, 2009 4:02 PM
comment #5
RustysaGoodDog
says ...
Hey Wells, glad you're in town. Can you now bump the 'Bruno' photo down. Thanks.
Posted by RustysaGoodDog
at June 17, 2009 4:44 PM
comment #6
hollyman
says ...
Welcome back. Are you back to stay?
Posted by hollyman
at June 17, 2009 4:44 PM
comment #7
larry braverman
says ...
Did you recline your seat?
More importantly - did the person in front of you?
Posted by larry braverman
at June 17, 2009 4:48 PM
comment #8
mrmystery
says ...
What Kanye said: READ A BOOK.
Posted by mrmystery
at June 17, 2009 4:54 PM
comment #9
Redmond
says ...
Fly Virgin.
Posted by Redmond
at June 17, 2009 5:30 PM
comment #10
Travis Crabtree
says ...
My smelling salts, please!
Posted by Travis Crabtree
at June 17, 2009 6:16 PM
comment #11
Fudge Ripple
says ...
I can happily spend 12 hours on an airplane that's in the air, reading a book, listening to music, napping. Love it.
I can't spend 20 minutes on an airplane that's sitting on the tarmac without going out of my friggin' skull.
Posted by Fudge Ripple
at June 17, 2009 6:40 PM
comment #12
lazarus
says ...
When I was a kid in the late 70's there seemed to be a lot of plane crashes, so I refused to fly again, and didn't until around 1997. Since then I was a little edgy upon takeoffs, but felt fine during cruising altitude, even on overseas flights. Landings were never a problem either.
But a year ago, after flying like 6 times in one month, I suddenly started getting panicky not only during the takeoffs, but as soon as the plane would begin its descent (which can sometimes be like 30-40 minutes before the landing). Never escalated into a full-blown panic attack, but extremely unpleasant: sweaty palms, inescapable thoughts of impending death, etc.
So the last time I had a scheduled flight, I got off the FlyAway shuttle at LAX, and as soon as I walked into the terminal I knew it was just not happening that day. Turned right around and caught the next shuttle home. Unfortunately, I had to be in DC for work the next day, so I had to have someone cover for me while I caught a Greyhound coast-to-coast. Not as horrible as the stories would have you believe, but it sure ain't Amtrak (another option but the ticket was twice as much).
I haven't sworn off future flights, as I hope to go back to Europe soon, but no way in hell I'm getting on another plane without taking a pill first.
Posted by lazarus
at June 17, 2009 6:54 PM
comment #13
scooterzz
says ...
laz --i've been prone to panic attacks for a couple of decades and have actually done exactly what you just described...
that said:
from the mid 80's to mid 90's, i flew twa coast-to-coast on a weekly basis (sometimes more)...this ensured nothing but first-class seats and total access to the ambassadors club...it was in the club that i was introduced to elke sommer (an actress i was very fond of when i was a kid)...when i told her how much i hated take-offs and landings, she always made it a point to get her seat moved next to mine (or mine to hers) so that she could (literally) hold my hand so i wouldn;t be nervous....i'm not sure it actually calmed me down so much as kept me thinking what a surreal scene the whole thing was.......
btw-- back then, if you flew 'first', you could take the helicopter from jfk to the city for $50.....20 min. jfk to the regency but that was REALLY an anxious trip.......
i don't fly much anymore because it's just no damn fun.....(that would be my 'get off my lawn' moment)...
Posted by scooterzz
at June 17, 2009 7:22 PM
comment #14
corey3rd
says ...
flying was more fun when you could bang the stewardess in the restroom. Damn those terrorists!!!
Posted by corey3rd
at June 17, 2009 7:32 PM
comment #15
sumo-pop
says ...
I thought something happened to you Jeffrey. Glad to see your ok. A full day without a post had me concerned.
Posted by sumo-pop
at June 17, 2009 7:39 PM
comment #16
Stringer Bell
says ...
What about an 'in Flight Magazine'?
Posted by Stringer Bell
at June 17, 2009 8:30 PM
comment #17
Stringer Bell
says ...
Also, can't you put a movie or 2 on your Ipod?
Posted by Stringer Bell
at June 17, 2009 8:32 PM
comment #18
dangovich
says ...
Great story scooterzz. Such a random yet meaningful celebrity encounter.
Posted by dangovich
at June 17, 2009 9:45 PM
comment #19
EdHavens
says ...
I hate flying, and gladly get sloshed before takeoff, so I can pass out for the trip.
Posted by EdHavens
at June 17, 2009 11:14 PM
comment #20
LexG
says ...
HE at a temp standstill:
Man up and watch LEXG's MANK and LYONS parody (or various other YouTube masterworks)....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2yI-nkVkxo
Posted by LexG
at June 18, 2009 3:55 AM
comment #21
vansmith
says ...
Make sure you come to the Urth Cafe on Melrose, we'll give you the once over...lol...
Posted by vansmith
at June 18, 2009 4:54 AM
comment #22
Edward
says ...
You've got to be kidding Stringer...watch a movie on an Ipod? Reading a book would be a far better use of your time. We're seriously contemplating an European vacation in the fall. Going to leave the laptop at home, load up the MP3 player and get a few good books. After a couple cocktails, I'll be fine.
Posted by Edward
at June 18, 2009 7:30 AM