Love this so much I forwarded it to all my favorite DCA travelers! Here’s a fact which always gave my comfort when I flew back and forth to DC (I’m a fearful flyer): the pilots have to be the best of the best (like have extra certification/experience) to be allowed to fly in and out of DCA. That made me feel great about flying there. Until this year. (But it also made me wonder: can’t we have master pilots for ALL flights?) (But I’ve realized my obsession with the pilots has been misplaced, i should be obsessing over air traffic controllers!)
I am suddenly flying a ton - tomorrow will be my ninth flight of the year - and I will say that there have been a lot more annoying moments than nerve wracking moments. The one time I felt scared was really in my head, and that was the first time I flew into DCA over the Potomac and all I could think about was the crash. I think flying is still all about understanding odds...there have been a very small handful of dramatic terrible events, but for the moment we're still safer on planes than highways. But nerves are nerves and I feel you.
I'm flying to LAX on Wednesday through Charlotte, and then home on Sunday through Philly. Nothing feels more like throwing caution to the wind right now than expecting travel plans will go forward, well, as planned. Add it to the list of ridiculous things that we accept as reality in 2025. Your storytelling here was top notch, by the way!
Well, that sounds like an adventure or two I've had at DCA. Also, the next time you're in DC, let me know! It would be great to get coffee, or maybe steal a helicopter or something.
I live out in the wilds of Northern Virginia, but my office is at 13th and K St., so I'm pretty flexible! Keep me posted--it would be great to see you!
So unsatisfying to never have answers…and I think you are right about lack of posts on X/twitter…there would definitely have been posts on the old Twitter about the situation 😠
I made it home! And I made a new friend at the bar as well. I was talking to her when I saw you. My 335 was canceled and I found a seat on the 715 which departed at 930. It was truly a whole lot of Boston taking over those gates. Snow, while we still have snow to appreciate. Love it. Thank you for writing!
So wonderful. I loved the fashion analysis and I love snow too but I still don't understand why you were delayed at National (my family won't call it. Reagan)!
Just saying here that (going back a post or two) Questlove's SNL music montage is my favorite thing of the year (at least the month); thank you for that joy! We did watch the whole movie too, and it had its moments (along with its not-so-moments), but the montage is 100% fire. Also you may have inspired Nory to start a substack (The Devil Wears Pravda, name credit to Kenna).
Love this so much I forwarded it to all my favorite DCA travelers! Here’s a fact which always gave my comfort when I flew back and forth to DC (I’m a fearful flyer): the pilots have to be the best of the best (like have extra certification/experience) to be allowed to fly in and out of DCA. That made me feel great about flying there. Until this year. (But it also made me wonder: can’t we have master pilots for ALL flights?) (But I’ve realized my obsession with the pilots has been misplaced, i should be obsessing over air traffic controllers!)
It’s all so scary!
Amtrak, always the Acela from DCA or NY locations. I learned there are too many flights delayed or canceled along the NE Corridor.
Current circumstances are not optimal for already nervous flyers. How worried should we be? Asking for a friend...
I am suddenly flying a ton - tomorrow will be my ninth flight of the year - and I will say that there have been a lot more annoying moments than nerve wracking moments. The one time I felt scared was really in my head, and that was the first time I flew into DCA over the Potomac and all I could think about was the crash. I think flying is still all about understanding odds...there have been a very small handful of dramatic terrible events, but for the moment we're still safer on planes than highways. But nerves are nerves and I feel you.
Thank you for this! Have two upcoming international trips and I’ve always been a fearful flyer. Thinking I might need to make friends with Xanax….
I'm flying to LAX on Wednesday through Charlotte, and then home on Sunday through Philly. Nothing feels more like throwing caution to the wind right now than expecting travel plans will go forward, well, as planned. Add it to the list of ridiculous things that we accept as reality in 2025. Your storytelling here was top notch, by the way!
Thanks and good luck!
Love the comparison to the Birkin bag and I too was questioning the chain.
I wonder if the South Africans are as enamored with The British as the Argentinians are 🤔? His father drove a rolls Royce
i'm another Mary, not the one the post is for, but when i read "this post is for Mary," i felt it and thank you.
I’m so glad!
That sounds exhausting.
I was wrecked by the end of the evening
Well, that sounds like an adventure or two I've had at DCA. Also, the next time you're in DC, let me know! It would be great to get coffee, or maybe steal a helicopter or something.
I didn’t realize you were there! I’ll be back in April and May. Definitely in for some helicopter activity.
I live out in the wilds of Northern Virginia, but my office is at 13th and K St., so I'm pretty flexible! Keep me posted--it would be great to see you!
Mine is at 19th and M, perfect!
Superb! Looking forward to it!
So unsatisfying to never have answers…and I think you are right about lack of posts on X/twitter…there would definitely have been posts on the old Twitter about the situation 😠
I made it home! And I made a new friend at the bar as well. I was talking to her when I saw you. My 335 was canceled and I found a seat on the 715 which departed at 930. It was truly a whole lot of Boston taking over those gates. Snow, while we still have snow to appreciate. Love it. Thank you for writing!
So wonderful. I loved the fashion analysis and I love snow too but I still don't understand why you were delayed at National (my family won't call it. Reagan)!
I don’t understand either!
Just saying here that (going back a post or two) Questlove's SNL music montage is my favorite thing of the year (at least the month); thank you for that joy! We did watch the whole movie too, and it had its moments (along with its not-so-moments), but the montage is 100% fire. Also you may have inspired Nory to start a substack (The Devil Wears Pravda, name credit to Kenna).
Please send it to me when she starts!