| How often do we discuss issues like safe | | | | Suppose you're flying from Los Angeles |
| air travel, maybe just around the time | | | | to Tokyo. Consider flying nonstop. Fly |
| we're getting ready to fly either, on | | | | directly from Los Angeles to Tokyo or |
| business or for leisure? The other day, | | | | with the least possible stops. Some |
| some of us had a lively discussion over | | | | airlines might offer overnight layovers |
| coffee, on this very topic. Not because | | | | in New York, London, Dubai, New Delhi, |
| any of us are on that anticipated | | | | or Beijing before you disembark in |
| spring-break vacation. One of my | | | | Tokyo! Choose a larger and spacious |
| colleagues was reading an article in the | | | | aircraft over the smaller ones. Boeing |
| morning paper. | | | | and Airbus have a reputation for being |
| Aviation safety has many dimensions and | | | | the best and safest in the business. |
| is such an interesting topic today! | | | | Whether you're taking off to a business |
| Remember the 1920s, when the | | | | meeting or a weekend getaway, it's |
| barnstormers gleefully flew over our | | | | always good to stay alert and pay |
| grandparent's roof? Perhaps, most of us | | | | attention to pre-flight updates. Also, |
| still consider it as the 'romantic | | | | be sure to research the destination |
| period' in aviation history. The | | | | you're visiting, it will keep you |
| barnstormers flew into small towns | | | | inspired to board that plane relaxed and |
| across the US, flaunting their flying | | | | ready to unwind. |
| abilities and taking paying passengers | | | | Many of us tend to dump our carry-on |
| for rides. Our grandparents and their | | | | luggage into the overhead bins. Even |
| peers couldn't fly during those days. | | | | though you might have a huge list of |
| Maybe just a couple or more flew across | | | | items to carry-on, try to keep the |
| Ontario or California. However, in the | | | | weight of your carry-on as light as |
| aftermath of WW II, civil aviation was | | | | possible. |
| to undergo a full scale | | | | Many a times, I've seen passengers |
| commercialization. | | | | removing their seatbelts after take-off. |
| Through the years, we've seen sweeping | | | | It's always a good idea when in your |
| changes in air travel in the US and the | | | | seat to stay buckled up. If the plane |
| rest of the world. Imagine those days, | | | | hits unexpected turbulence, the seat |
| when aircrafts were built entirely of | | | | belt keeps us safely in our seats. |
| wood and canvas! Only the daredevils | | | | For those of us who love a good cocktail |
| could fly during those days, no? | | | | should consider not overdoing it. The |
| However, today, we have airports in New | | | | high altitude and cabin pressure makes |
| York, alone, handling over 100 million | | | | the alcohol affect us more strongly. |
| passengers annually. Here's where trust | | | | Moderation is always good, no? Water and |
| comes into play. Over its hundred years | | | | fruit juice are always ideal in-flight |
| of implementation, aviation safety has | | | | beverages, especially if you're taking a |
| come of age. And with the co-existence | | | | flight to a destination where you'll |
| of major aircraft manufacturers, Boeing | | | | have to deal with jet lag. If you |
| of the United States and the European | | | | haven't brought your Ipod or magazines, |
| Airbus, aviation safety is a | | | | take out the in-flight magazines offered |
| billion-dollar industry today. | | | | on the airline you're flying and watch a |
| Even though there is a huge emphasis on | | | | little TV, listen to some music or the |
| the use of aviation safety equipment, | | | | movie. |
| many of us still don't want to take the | | | | In the end, safety first, of course, |
| chance. But flying is fun, no? Our dream | | | | but, if you are a nervous flyer, remind |
| of flying dates back to the mythical | | | | yourself that you're bigger than your |
| days of Dedalus and Icarus! So, what do | | | | fears and wherever you're jet setting |
| we need to do in order to play it safe? | | | | to, it will be well worth the adventure. |