Every time I fly, the window seat always calls my name! Yet, for many years I ignored the call and convinced myself that the aisle seat over the wing was the better option. I base that on two things:
First, most people don’t know that I spent ten years as a Trooper with the State of Nebraska, with most of that time in the Executive Protection Division as a body guard for three governors. That was twenty years ago and the statistics suggested that the aisle seat over the wing was the safest place. As I recall, this bit of information was based on crash analysis. The fuselage was structurally the soundest over the wing and there had been instances of objects piercing the skin of the aircraft with unfortunate results to the person occupying the window seat.
The other reason I chose the aisle seat was for some unwritten rule in business that suggested if you couldn’t afford first class, you at least showed savvy by being in an aisle seat, as far forward as possible, so you could at least see first class!
Now there are some practical reasons for this choice. You don’t have to disturb your row mate should you have a weak bladder, and you can be first to jump up when the plane has come to a complete stop, grab your bag from the overhead bin and…wait!
Well, on my last flight I succumbed to the call! Actually, I realized I had to be true to who I really am – a window seat guy! I like to see where I’m going. But it’s not just about the view, although it can be intoxicating and inspiring, it’s about the wonder of flight itself. You see, sitting in the aisle seat reduces the trip to just transportation, I might as well be on a bus!
As I look out the window from 13-F, I realize I never tire of what flows below, even if we glide above a cloud layer, there is purpose, a divine design waiting to reveal itself to any who will see and understand. I value the magic of flight. It is what keeps me looking up when I’m on the ground and what draws me to life below the wing.
There is one other reason that might have soured me on the aisle seat. I had a flight attendant spill "very hot coffee" on me! Along with profuse apologies, I did score a bottle of champagne! But even champagne along with fleeting thoughts of a "coffee" lawsuit can’t keep me from the window seat anymore. It is who I am. KS
