Over the weekend, I flew down for suburban Boston as I mentioned in my last post to see my mother who is recovering from a shoulder replacement. This had to be a one day turnaround so the only way was to drive to New Bedford, MA and take a Cessna twin engine puddle jumper to Martha’s Vineyard. For me, since I do not like to fly to begin with (although I do it 100 times a year), this had the potential to be shear terror.

I waited at the New Bedford Airport for my flight. I was the only one in the terminal. I was the only one that boarded this 7 passenger plane. The pilot introduced herself as Kim. I said I was Barry. She instructed me on how to escape the plane if necessary. I hope it wasn’t. She asked me if I was ready. I said sure, but I had two questions: Was the flight really only 10 minutes? She said it was bad weather so it would take 12. Could I listen to my iPod the entire time even during take off and landing (I figured in 3 songs we would be there). She said yes as long as she could not hear the music through her headsets.

She turned the key and started the airplane. We rolled down the runway and took a turn to take off. Now, this being a twin engine with two people (and no luggage), this plane took off like a helicopter. Now I fly on alot of jets which many times to me seems like a flying carpet or couch. But being in this plane, felt like we were really flying and that wasn’t necessarily a good thing. I could see everything the pilot was doing and it wasn’t much as we made our way through the air turbulence. Only 10 minutes I said to myself. 10 minutes of terror. I was almost through the first song. My hands reached under my seat and nicely fit into the grooves other white nuckled flyers had made before me. If I could breath, this might even be fun. Song two had just started. I closed my eyes and sang the words to the song. I am sure Kim would not hear me above the noise of the engines and wind. We then started to descend to the airport. Third Song. The pilot was lining up for the runway. She was struggling against the wind. We were over the runway – and pluck she landed this bird perfectly. Kim brought the plane to a stop. Turned around and said. "Thank you". I finally breathed out and said "No, Thank you!"