FLYING THE FRIENDLY SKIES

BY DAN MILLER
(originally posted October 18, 2004)

I just returned from a quick visit with my daughter and beautiful new granddaughter in Germany, so my brain is still readjusting to Nashville time.

Actually, it's much easier to adjust after flying home.... and gaining hours.... than arriving in Europe, where I walked around for one full day like those guys in "Night Of the Living Dead".

But, around 3:30 this morning, I was up, ready to face the day, feeling "as one" with Bill, Holly, Tim and the rest of our morning crew.

Among the events of this trip, my 5 year old daughter got a quick and, she feels, amusing lesson in airport security.

In the past, obviously, I've had to empty my pockets passing through security, and they've put that metal detector wand on my belt buckle....

But last week, leaving Nashville, was the first time I've had to remove my coat, shoes and belt... then be scanned by the metal detector wand, and THEN patted down by the security guard.
I kept thinking a little mood music and candlelight might be next.

They never did figure out what kept triggering the alarm. They asked if I'd had artificial hip replacement. I said, "no, not that I recall".

As you can imagine, my five year old thoroughly enjoyed watching this whole process, and wanted to know if "...Daddy will be coming with us?"

Later though, I must confess, her Mother and I enjoyed watching as German authorities scanned her skinny little 5-year old torso, while she held her arms out to her side.

These days, the process of flying.... especially an international flight.... involves literally hours of lining up and being checked, rechecked, and questioned...... but, from what I could see, most people felt the hassle to be worth the sense of security. I know I did.

I hope when McKensie is grown, she'll appreciate why we do all of this. Beyond that, I hope she'll experience a time in this world when it's no longer necessary.

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