- R. Bruce Logan, "The Narrative Arc"
My New Fear Of Flying
...on Windy City Live, Chicago's ABC-affiliate daily talk show. |
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.