In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “Helpless.”
Helplessness: that dull, sick feeling of not being the one at the reins. When did you last feel like that –- and what did you do about it?
On a plane trip some years ago, I was aboard a flight from Chicago to Washington Dulles International Airport. During midflight the seatbelt light activated above my head with a chime to capture the attention of the passengers.
The flight attendant asked everyone to secure their seat belts and raised their trays. The other flight attendants began securing their carts and collecting the trash from the passengers. The pilot’s voice advised us to expect some turbulence and assured everyone would be ok.
I watched the flight attendants secured themselves in their seats, and their facial expression gave me an unsettling feeling as I watched the attendants secure themselves checking and rechecking their seatbelts. Their actions and appearance made me a little nervous.
I was seated next to the emergency exit door because I seek out the seat to accommodate my long legs. I looked out of my window to see we were still over the West Virgina Mountains, and at least twenty minutes before touch down at Dulles.
Suddenly, the plane shakes, and I could see fear and concern on everyone face including the flight attendants. I remained calm yet nervous as the plane shook several more times.
The passenger next to me began reading the laminated emergency information booklet. With tears of fear in her eyes, she asked if I could open the door if there were an emergency. With a smile on my face, I quickly responded saying.
Sure, I can open the emergency door. However, just as I exit, I will reach back for your hand. But you better keep up. She immediately removed her three-inch heels, telling me, now I can keep up.
The turbulence continued for several minutes. However, we eventually landed safely.
As the plane taxied to the gate, I noticed passengers in the rows of seats surrounding me, began putting their shoes on. While I stood waiting to exit, several of the passengers explained they overheard my statement and watched the young lady take her shoes off, and they all did likewise.
We all joked and laughed about our little ordeal of helplessness.
One of the passengers with a young daughter around six years of age explain how her daughter overheard my comment. Suddenly he young child said she was going to grab your other hand while holding on to her mother.
We all laughed and smiled, and we were happy to be back on the ground, no longer helpless.