The Air Up There

 No one ever wants to see lightning and this blown up 

storm cloud out of their window while flying.

Especially when it seems to get closer instead of further away.  This is

not my idea of fun and it's usually about this time I start to wonder why 

I really wanted to go on this trip in the first place.

Nothing can make the palms of my hand sweat faster as I tighten my seat belt for the unavoidable bumpy ride.  However, on a recent trip when that was my view out my window,  I was somewhat comforted by the fact that I had recently read an article by Conde Nast Traveler entitled Ten Things You Need to Know About Turbulence.  

It emphasized that turbulence-related injuries are rare which they stated "only 20 passengers -- out of the 800 million who fly each year in the United States -- are injured due to turbulence".  My sister, who is a flight attendant for Delta Airlines, has always told me that turbulence is just like a rocky road.  Of course, never mind that it's a rocky road that is 30,000 feet in the air.  It never really brought me comfort unless she was sitting in the seat next to me whispering it repeatedly in my ear.  However, Conde Nast confirmed that as well saying it's just a "rough patch".  The most reassuring part of the article is that they say pilots know when turbulence is going to happen and they are not only trained to deal with it but they are trained to avoid it as well.  And, according to this article,  "the safety of the aircraft is rarely in question".  

And, even more convincing that staying buckled is a great idea is because clear turbulence is not detected by weather radar.   That means flight crews are unable to forewarn passengers, therefore Conde Nast says, "most turbulence-related injuries are due to clear air turbulence".

And, while you are not required to purchase a ticket for children under the age of two, you are putting them at greater risk for injury should your child not be in a child safety seat.  The G-forces are simply too strong for you to be able to hold your child in your arms should you hit unexpected turbulence.  Just this past February a baby went flying out of it's mother's arms when a United Airlines flight hit unexpected turbulence.  Some people say getting a bulkhead seat is a good idea if you choose to hold your baby but there really is no substitute for a baby being strapped in a child safety seat.

 I only needed to read the Conde Nast article once to convince me that I will

 be wearing my seat belt from start to finish on my next flight.  Bottom line is

I am always a happier flyer when I see the sun out my window but from now 

on, sun or storms, I will be buckled up!

BUCKLE UP!

TRAVEL M GIRL