Gotta agree. Probably the most uplifting thing I've seen all week was this afternoon, driving up 101N past SFO. With a huge roar, a
UA 744 cleared the road at about 1-200 feet altitude, gear still going up, powering into the fog. Both myself and the friend who was driving us cheered and clapped.

I have loved flying all my life and still do.
I managed to get a short-term contract a few weeks ago and have been waiting for the check to show up so I can get on a plane and go see my girlfriend.
I will relish this even more in the weeks ahead.I will probably look at the process
differently, but being one whose earliest memories are of going to pick up relatives at the airport and learning to read by reading books about planes, I can't imagine ever having to just completely stop. The miles are
great and I love upgrades just as much as the next guy, but there's just something about breaking contact with the ground even when you're stuck in 21B on a 737.

It's such a great thing we have in this country. Even with the extra security measures, we can still travel to any part of our nation, from one end to the other in a single day. No papers, no documents, no permissions needed(yet). Just plunk down your money and go. No matter who you are or where
you're going. Take that away, and they really have won.

JD

[This message has been edited by Jet'Dillo (edited 09-15-2001).]