My New Fear Of Flying

"Equal and Opposite Reactions"
               By Patti Liszkay
Only $3.99 on Amazon Kindle
      http://amzn.to/2xvcgRa

"Equal and Opposite Reactions is a rollicking good yarn about complex relationships and emotions in middle-class American culture. The author has created an incredibly funny romantic comedy, which transcends the ubiquitous romantic triangle and expands it into a quadrangle, complicated by the interweaving of relationships between the children of the principal characters.  Cleverly plotted, twists and turns, and exceptionally well written, this part drama and part slapstick comedy is a tour-de-force. Bravo Patti."
- R. Bruce Logan, "The Narrative Arc"

My New Fear Of Flying

​     This Thursday, January 24, my daughter Claire will be interviewed about her medical mission work among the most vulnerable populations on the planet,

...on Windy City Live, Chicago's ABC-affiliate daily talk show.

     The other day Claire called and informed me that I was welcome to come onto the set and watch her interview from the wings. And so tomorrow I'll be flying from Columbus to Chicago.
      And I'm dreading it. The flight, that is. I'm worried about the aviation inspectors and maintenance techs and air traffic controllers who are working without pay. How many of them are calling in sick these days? How are the air traffic controllers, whose jobs are already among the most stressful of occupations, faring on the job under the added stress of no income?
         I, who have never before had the least reluctance about flying - in fact, I've always loved flying (see post from 12/27/2013, "I Love Flying"), - don't want to fly. I'm going to. I just don't want to.
          In truth, though, I feel less fear of a plane crash than shame at having to face the TSA agents. I can't stand the thought of the hardship and anxiety they and their families are going through right now. I can't stand that I'll be one of the travelers who'll be adding to their unpaid work load. I wish there was something I could do and I keep wondering what I should do when I go through security: Say something to the agents, tell them I'm sorry about all this?  Buy gift cards to hand out to them? Are they allowed to accept gift cards? Would they find a gift card demeaning? Even so, what good would a $5 or $10 gift card do for someone who doesn't have money for food, the mortgage, gas, and the heating and water bills?
         I don't know how I'll be able to look any of those TSA agents in the eye. I know this mess isn't my fault, nor will my not flying improve the situation for  400,000 unpaid TSA agents, but I still feel guilty.