The Friendly Skies

You are looking forward to flying United's friendly skies today. It's a beautiful early September day, not a cloud in the sky. Looks like perfect flying conditions, which is good since you get airsick in choppy weather. You have been working hard and need a vacation. You used your frequent flier miles to visit your College buddy in Los Angeles. You haven't seen him since his wedding, and now his wife is pregnant. You plan to propose to Joanne and want your friend’s reassurance that there truly is wedded bliss.  

You are on the 8:15AM non-stop flight from Boston to LA. You board early and take your coach seat. The plane is empty; it looks like you'll have a whole row for yourself. As the plane taxis from the gate for an on-time take-off, you hum along listening to the Rolling Stones through your headphones; “I see a Red Door, and I want it Painted Black.”

The pilot announces over the intercom, "Folks, we have reached our cruising altitude of 31,000 feet. It's going to be a smooth, on-time flight. We are turning off the seatbelt signs. Our in-flight cabin service will begin shortly." You wonder whether you should order a cocktail even though it is only 8:45AM.

You hear a commotion up front. Shouting, screams. Two men are at the front of the plane. They are holding sharp objects. They order all the passengers to the back of the aircraft. You realize it's a hijacking. How could that happen? What happened to airline security? How did they get on the plane? You wonder what they want.  Where are they taking you? Cuba?

One of the flight attendants makes a phone call from the airphone. You overhear him say that the pilots are dead, and a flight attendant stabbed. You are shocked. That is not what typically happens in a hijacking. You feel your heart racing, wondering what’s next.

The plane is flying erratically, going up and down. You wonder who is flying the aircraft. You start to hyperventilate. It sounds like luggage is bouncing around the overhead bins. Passengers are shouting and crying. Will the hijackers be able to land the plane safely? You start to pray. A passenger makes a phone call. You hear him say, "It's getting bad, Dad. A stewardess was stabbed. They seem to have knives and Mace. They said they have a bomb. It's getting very bad on the plane. The plane is making jerky movements. I don't think the pilot is flying the plane. I think we are going down."

The plane goes into a dive. It is plunging. You are going to crash. Your stomach feels sick. This can't be the end. What about your parents? Your friend? Joanne? Out the window, you see buildings, a city. It’s New York. The skyscrapers are rapidly growing closer. You scrunch your eyes and hold your breath.

The passenger is still on the phone. He says, "Don't worry, Dad. If it happens, it'll be very fast…" You hear a scream, "Oh my God, Oh my God, Oh my G.."