A typical weekend
Sunday, 14 October 2007 | 55 readers so far
Friday evening I flew home from Denver. Home for me is the Atlanta airport followed by a 70-mile commute up I-75 and into the Appalachian foothills.
I sat next to a crazy lady on the plane. OK, not really crazy but really, really nervous. She had her shirt pulled up over her face half the flight. Every time the pilot banked the plane or there was any noise at all, she freaked out. She was a nice lady other than the crazy. I tried talking to her to make her less nervous. She was mad at her husband who was sitting across the aisle. I think she was mad because he fell asleep while she spent the flight freaking out. She bought me a beer and drank one of her own. We talked about her son and her life in rural Pennsylvania in between her panic attacks.
The crazy lady told her husband she was going to kick his ass when we were getting off the plane. I think it was because he thanked me for “helping” her during the flight. I’m not sure I helped. Some people freak out when they aren’t the one behind the controls. I know because I’ve lived through that stage in my life.
I got home at 2 AM, hugged my wife and before I knew it the alarm was bothering me. 5 AM hurts when you don’t hit the rack until three hours earlier. Especially after you’ve left your 20’s behind forever.
The rest of my weekend consisted of military drill. We lost our commander, Major Chris Dockery. He was replaced by a captain, who seems like a good officer and a nice guy all around. I complained a lot about Major Dockery in my blog while we were in Iraq together. Never by name. He has a different kind of management style than what I’m looking for in a boss. Nevertheless, I’m going to miss him. He was an honest and sincere man and he cared about his troops in his own rather bureaucratic and stubborn way. I’ve served under worse men. Major Dockery, if you happen to read this blog entry, I can’t say it was always a pleasure, but I respect you sir. Safe journeys.
1 October 14th, 2007 at 9:27 pm
eaglehawk says:
Thank you for your service. I do understand the plane nerves, on my first flight I had a panic attack for 3 weeks prior to the flight. Now I have no problem with flying.
2 October 15th, 2007 at 11:11 am
Trevor says:
Eaglehawk,
What changed? How did you deal with your fears?
3 October 15th, 2007 at 8:16 pm
The Outlander says:
It is not said often enough. It cannot be said enough.
To all the men and women of the United States Armed Forces prepared, ready, and willing to make the ultimate sacrifice in the name of the greater good, the United States of America, Democracy, and Freedom -
Thank you.
We are forever in your debt.
4 October 16th, 2007 at 1:00 pm
Orlando says:
“He was an honest and sincere man and he cared about his troops in his own rather bureaucratic and stubborn way.”
I believe you have that backwards. Anyone can turn into a nice guy once the pressure is off them.
5 October 16th, 2007 at 9:50 pm
Trevor says:
Hey Claffey,
Glad to see you’re alive and kicking. I tried contacting you through myspace about a game I owe you!
Anyhow in regards to our Iraq commander, I would have commanded differently, but I wasn’t in charge. We all came home, and I learned some things. I’ve moved on but I still have my memories of our year together.
6 October 18th, 2007 at 2:03 am
kitanis says:
I can relate about the plan incident.. been around a few of those kind of flyers myself. Once on the way to Qatar I saw a young airman who worked in Civil Engineering get scared to death of a little rough air.. not pretty but she later relaxed after ten hours of a 18 hour flight.
Funny how some of the commanders you end up having are rough to work with.. but actually good folks in the end after they leave.
But those days are behind me.. I work in DOE now. its a whole different world. Trevor as always.. good to see you posting sir
7 October 18th, 2007 at 10:14 am
Trevor says:
Thanks for checking in Kitanis. Glad you’re alive and kicking.