Classic Rant #161 (December 29, 2009): The Plane Truth

I have taken many airplane rides during my life, both for business and pleasure. The last plane trip I took was a return trip from Virginia on business, and that was a few years ago.

I don't like to go on a plane. I am not afraid of riding on one, like some people, but I like to be "in control" when I travel, and I don't feel that I am in control when I take a plane trip.

I would much rather drive to my destination, if at all possible. In fact, each year, my family and I drive to Florida on vacation.

The latest incident, where some religious zealot idiot wanted to blow up a plane, has solidified my resolve:

I will never, ever, go on a plane again ... if I can help it.

Look, I understand that living in New York, you really can't get to Europe by driving there. If I ever have an inclination to go to different countries, I guess that I am pretty much stuck, unless I take a boat there. But from where I am, you can drive to Canada in about five or six hours.

But for traveling on the Eastern Seaboard, I will never take a plane again ... famous last words, of course, but I would like to stick to this decision I have made.

Since 9-11, I have been very hesitant to go on a plane, and even before then, I was not a happy plane traveler. My family and I were on a plane just a few months before 9-11, and both my wife and I felt that there was something wrong with the trip. We couldn't pinpoint it, but something didn't feel right. Nothing happened, but we were happy to get off the plane--and as a family, we haven't used one since.

I guess it has something to do with being in the air. Look, if you are in a car, and something happens, at least you are on the ground. If something goes wrong in the air, where do you go?

And this latest episode--where this idiot snuck in chemicals that he could later mix into an explosive--has sealed the deal for me.

I remember that the last time I took a plane, I just about had to disrobe in order to get on the plane. And then this guy sneaks onboard with these chemicals, undetected. If someone can explain this to me, I would appreciate it.

Sorry, planes are not for me. I would rather take the extra time and drive.

By driving, I won't have a potential terrorist sitting next to me, and that is the way I like it.