How to Relax While Flying: Learn Techniques That Will Make Flying Less Stressful Through the Honest, Humorous, Storytelling-Style of This 50-Year Veteran Flyer

By Donna M. Trickett

How to Relax While Flying, will not only help you to pass the time more enjoyably, as you wait for your flight to leave, but it will transport you to places you may never have been before, through the playful and honest storytelling-style of Donna Trickett.

How to Relax While Flying, is filled with stress-reducing lessons derived from each true short story. Each chapter describes a trip Donna made with her airline pilot husband, Nelson, for over 50 years. You will laugh at their honeymoon standby mishaps, sing to Mr. Rogers in first class and discover the unique beauty of Palmer, Alaska; Riccione, Italy; Hana, Maui; Jasper, Alberta; and the Isle of Man, to name but a few. You’ll take on a more positive outlook on air travel, as you gain a pilot’s perspective and learn truths about airline safety.

As a bonus, chapter 27 has valuable tips for standby travelers and chapter 28 has tips to promote relaxation while flying.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Mar 16, 2021
• ISBN: 9781664162365

Donna M. Trickett

Donna M. Trickett has written four previous books: Inside Mom's Mind (dealing with Alzheimer's), Caregiving 101 (caring for seniors), Treasures from the Wreckage (true story of the death of her daughter), and How to RELAX While Flying (fifty years of flying with her airline pilot husband).Having been an elementary school teacher, and engaging in a wide variety of activities in her retirement community, Donna believes that God's not finished with her, yet. www.DonnaTrickett.com

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Copyright © 2021 by Donna M. Trickett.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Rev. date: 03/15/2021

Xlibris

844-714-8691

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CONTENTS

Dedication

Preface

Introduction

Chapter 1 Our Standby Honeymoon

Chapter 2 Jump Seat Jitters

Chapter 3 Searching for Scrimshaw

Chapter 4 Our Son Earns His Wings

Chapter 5 The Seven-Minute Dash to Gate B-28

Chapter 6 Hawaiian Dream Vacation?

Chapter 7 Hippos in Alaska

Chapter 8 Floridian Fantasy

Chapter 9 Healing in Tucson

Chapter 10 Over The Blue Ridge Mountains

Chapter 11 Tucson Revisited

Chapter 12 Tracking Our Ancestry

Chapter 13 Bermuda Holiday

Chapter 14 Going to College in Texas

Chapter 15 California Here I Come

Chapter 16 White Knuckle Departure

Chapter 17 Following The Donner Party

Chapter 18 Arriverderci Roma

Chapter 19 The End of A Career

Chapter 20 Clowning in Canada

Chapter 21 Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood in The Sky

Chapter 22 The Side-Effects of 9-11

Chapter 23 But We Want to Get to Los Angeles!!

Chapter 24 Discovering The Cove

Chapter 25 North Carolina Shuttle

Chapter 26 From The Pilot’s Perspective

Chapter 27 Tips for Traveling Standby

Chapter 28 Tips to Promote Relaxation

Chapter 29 Definitions of Airline Lingo

Chapter 30 Airplane Identification

Chapter 31 Trivia Game About The Stories

Chapter 32 Helpful Resource Material

DEDICATION

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T HIS BOOK IS dedicated to my husband, Arthur Nelson Trickett, who died before I was able to complete the final draft. He had been an airline pilot for over 28 years, retiring as captain on an MD-80. Nelson was my ardent supporter, editor and total participant in all the adventures we shared together for 53 years.

If it wasn’t for Nelson’s love of flying, we wouldn’t have built all these wonderful memories together. Thank you, sweetheart, for all your patience, love and attention to details.

PREFACE

W HEN ASKED, WHAT was your favorite destination, the one place you would recommend that is a must see? My answer is, "There is no one place."

My husband and I have learned that travel is an adventure…not any one particular destination. How could I choose the quiet cold serenity of Alaska, over the warm exotic beauty of Hawaii? How do you compare the historical significance of Rome, to the enjoyable playfulness of Orlando? It would be like having to pick which of your children you favored most.

I have concluded that there is one thing that will make any and all of your travels, either memorable, or regrettable…and that is your ATTITUDE. If you can find the humor in the situation, and muster up a little patience and empathy for those around you, from the ticket agents to the passengers, you will be amazed at how much better your travel experience will become.

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You can get past the delays, crying babies and long lines with a refreshing new point of view, that will amaze even you.

I’ve grown a lot, over the last half century of flying standby, and I owe a lot of it to the trials, that invariably pop up, into everyone’s life. I didn’t always maintain a good attitude, but when I did, the trip seemed to magically improve.

Try to relax and find the humor in each situation, no matter where you travel. Take time to appreciate the incredible people, you will inevitably encounter, along the way. Then you will discover, as we did, that you are on a magnificent adventure, every time you leave your home.

INTRODUCTION

If you are traveling standby, or became a standby flier because you missed a flight, go to Chapter 27, immediately, for tips that may make your standby experience less problematic.

N OW THAT YOU have that out of the way, let me tell you a little about myself. I’m the wife of an airline pilot. When I said I do, over fifty years ago, I not only inherited a new last name, but also travel privileges on the airline that my husband flew for…which was Lake Central. Now, while you may not have heard of that particular regional carrier, you no doubt have heard of USAirways, which has more recently merged with American.

Merging is the way a mother company can gain more territory and aircrafts, while the lesser company avoids bankruptcy, but, also, loses some seniority for its employees. Thus, Lake Central merged with Allegheny in 1968. Then Allegheny changed its name to USAir in 1979. And after additional mergers, it morphed into USAirways, in 1997, which remained the same until 2013, when it merged with American, to form the largest airline in the world.

Now, I took the time to explain all that merging stuff, in order to say that Lake Central was a very small airline, which meant our standby status, with other airlines, was about that of an ant. We could fly for a reduced fare on United and TWA, as long as they acknowledged Lake Central, as a viable airline. What that all boils down to is that I could fly most anywhere, as STANDBY, as long as my ant status could trump someone lower than an ant…like a slug.

Now I know that reduced fares on standby sounds like an incredible opportunity, for many of you, but it has its downside, which you already know, if you have ever flown standby status. There is the issue of your seniority, your luggage, how many are traveling with you and how much money you have, should you need to stay over an extra night, if you get bumped.

Ticketed or standby, we all experience many of the same frustrations during our travels, from humorous and often tense moments to challenging people. As you read my stories, you will be able to relate to similar experiences you have had. Through my examples, both good and not so good, you will see how my actions had an impact on how well the trip went for both me and my traveling companions. The need to travel light and keep your cool becomes apparent, when confronted by TSA agents, ticket agents, gate agents and airline attendants.

If you are on standby, remember, it is a privilege that can be taken away, either temporarily or permanently, so it’s good to learn to chill out. And even if you paid for a first-class ticket, chilling out is still a good idea., because causing a serious disruption on an airline is a federal offense…so…it’s a good idea to learn to RELAX!

To help clarify the things you need to take from each story, I have added a brief LESSON BOX at the end of each chapter.

In my many years of flying, I have managed to complete a hundred-yard dash to the next departure gate, while carrying an infant and dragging a toddler off one arm. I’ve sung to Mr. Rogers, in first class, on our way back to Pittsburgh. I even argued with a gate agent, in Miami, which almost lost our pass privileges. And once I caught our infant son, in midair, after hitting some turbulence in a DC-3. All those experiences, and a lot more, are tucked away in the pages of this book, along with the tears, laughter and even inspirational moments that I would like to share with you, as you wait for your flight to board.

I’ve never played the slot machines, but I’m guessing that many of my experiences resemble the highs and lows that the one-arm-bandit player suffers, as he waits for the cherries to line up in a row—or in my case, for the gate agent to call out my name on an overbooked flight.

From Honolulu, Chicago and Anchorage to London, Copenhagen and Rome, I have sat in every one of those airports, waiting to hear them announce, Trickett, party of two! Sometimes, that carefully disguised code was to get us up to the gate agent’s desk, to privately inform us that we didn’t make the flight, and there were no other flights leaving that evening. However, on a good day, we would be informed that two seats were available in first class and it was a dinner and movie flight. Wow, we just hit the jackpot!

Finding ways to relax during flying, is an art that doesn’t always come naturally. But once you discover some of the keys that release your fears, frustrations and irritations about airline travel, you will begin to form a new perspective that will transform your experience into a pleasant one.

Pick up your favorite treat at an eatery along the concourse mall. Kick off your shoes and curl up in an empty chair, near your gate, as you lose yourself in the humor and emotions of my true stories, while beginning your travel transformation. But first, be sure you are checked in to your flight and that you are able to hear the gate agent, or you may be waiting for a very long time.

***Be sure to check out the last chapters in this book. (chap. 26) the Pilot’s Perspective, (chap. 27) Tips for Traveling Standby, (chap. 28) Tips to Promote Relaxation, and (chapters 29-31) airline information, as well as, a game page.

CHAPTER 1

OUR STANDBY HONEYMOON

I N 1967, NELSON was a new-hire pilot for Lake Central Airlines, when we met, fell in love and got married. Since the free passes on Lake Central only covered the northeastern states, we opted to fly Eastern Airlines, from Pittsburgh to Puerto Rico, for a more tropical honeymoon experience. We would pay a small fee, for an inner airline pass, and then travel as sta ndby .

Back in those days, friends could go right up to the gate that you were leaving from. After a round of hugs and kisses, they could watch you disappear through the jetway door. No one had to go through any security devices.

So, on a Sunday in August, about a half hour before the 8:30 pm flight to Miami, we strolled into the boarding area, with my parents eagerly waiting to throw leftover rice, as we departed the gate.

Any seasoned standby traveler knows that flying space available is a study in patience and cunning. They become experts in the following rules of standby etiquette:

(1) You never arrive at the gate just minutes before departure time.

(2) You always attempt to get on the first flight of the day.

(3) You never travel on weekends or holidays.

(4) You try to travel lightly—preferably one carry-on a piece.

(5) You always secure an upgrade pass, in case the only space available is in first class.

(6) You allow enough time and money, to sit around for days, if necessary, to get where you want to go. And…most importantly…

(7) You are always courteous to the ticket agents, gate agents and flight attendants, since these employees have more power than the president of the company, when it comes to getting you on a flight.

So how well did we do? Let’s see. We arrived just thirty minutes before the flight. Not good. On a Sunday. Worse yet. With two pieces of check-on luggage and two carry-on bags. Looking dubious. We didn’t even know what an upgrade pass was and we had very limited funds to get us through our honeymoon. Nonetheless, we were in love. Nothing could stop us. Nothing, that is, except the gate agent.

This patient Eastern employee politely asked, Mr. and Mrs. Trickett, would you please take a seat in the waiting area? If we have any available seats, I’ll call your names.

"What do you mean if you have seats?" I demanded.

We’re heavily booked, she replied curtly.

But we have tickets! I held the official pass cards in front of her face, so she couldn’t miss them.

Those are inner-airline passes, she stated firmly, and you have very little seniority with our airline.

Nelson watched from the sidelines. His quiet, easygoing nature was in shock. He would never have bothered anyone in authority, after they had told him to wait. He would never have questioned an airline procedure. Pondering his fading future of wedded bliss, Nelson’s face grew ashen, as he tried to muster up a feeble smile, in the direction of his assertive bride—me.

The gate agent immediately boarded the rerouted Eastern crew members. Then, one-by-one, she systematically boarded eight bumped passengers from a previous flight. Next there was a clergyman, in route to San Salvador, and twelve other standbys, with more seniority.

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I sighed loudly with each name. Surely, we wouldn’t be bumped from this flight. This was, after all, our honeymoon. I returned to the gate agent to remind her of that fact, in case she hadn’t smized it from my peach hat, white orchid corsage and Nelson’s coordinated peach polka dot tie, with matching boutonniere.

Excuse me, Ma’am, I strained to be polite, but I don’t think you understand. We were just married and we’re on our honeymoon. If we miss this flight, we won’t be able to get to Miami tonight.

The distraught employee took a deep breath and then said, Ma’am. The flight is filled. I have a flight attendant checking for any empty seats. But I don’t think there are any. Please. Be seated.

By now, Nelson was looking ten years older, not the happy newlywed one would expect to see, cuddled up next to his beloved.

"We might not get on, I whined. What will we do if we get bumped?"

Bumped was a good expression for the way you feel when you’re turned down for a flight. I wanted to cry. Suddenly the flight attendant appeared, at the head of the jetway. She chatted with the agent, who then announced, Mr. and Mrs. Trickett. There are two seats remaining. But you’ll have to hurry.

Jogging down the Jetway, arm in arm with my sweetheart, I thought I detected a look of terror in his eyes. Oh, well, I thought, he just has some wedding day jitters. I blew a kiss to my exhausted parents, who were still clutching the warm rice in their clenched fists, as I had visions of the two of us sitting together, talking about all of our dreams for our future, as we headed to sunny Florida.

The ground crew whisked our check-on luggage out of our hands, as we scurried on board. The anxious flight attendant quickly escorted us to our seats. We were separated by twenty-five rows. I was seated towards the front of the plane, between two gentlemen, who, I’m sure, were hoping to have a restful two-hour flight.