Due to the fact that airports don’t have free internet (which I think is ridiculous), my next couple posts will all show up on this blog all at once.  You’ll have to take my word for the fact that the events depicted really were spaced out, and didn’t all happen at once (as cool as that would be).

We’re at the airport in Los Angeles (which is enormous beyond all reason) and I’ve never seen so many huge planes in my life.  The international airport, by the way, is far more interesting than the domestic one (in my humble opinion).  There are so many different countries with planes here, and they ‘re all kind enough to roll past the window we’re sitting by so we can get a good look at them.  Singapore Airlines, Air Switzerland, Air Philippines, China Air, Qantas (our ride to New Zealand/Australia), and a plane that says Lufthansa on the side…where the heck is that one going?  In other news, airport food is OBSCENELY expensive.  I just got a Whopper and a medium drink from Burger King and it cost me $7.37…didn’t see that coming.  We also flew in on a Boeing 737…coincidence?  I think not.  We found a currency converting station a lot quicker than I personally expected, so that was nice.  In fact, we were a little too efficient at re-checking our bags and running our other errands, because now we have a solid 4 hours to sit and do nothing but wait.  No worries though, we’ve got plans to watch a movie and possibly explore, so we’ll get through it together.  It ‘ll be good practice for the 13+ hour flight to Aukland, New Zealand that follows this wonderful layover.

All of this interaction with planes has got my marketing mind going a little bit (you’ll soon understand why I have no future in this area).  Here’s my idea:  Planes with see-through floors!  And that’s not even the best part, that distinction is reserved for the slogan that comes along with these transparent beauties.  Here goes:  “__________________ Airlines, where EVERY seat is a window seat.”  Get someone you know who has a nice low commercial voice to say that line to you and just try to tell me it wouldn’t be a successful franchise.  Would I get on one of them?  Absolutely not, I’m terrified of heights.  Doesn’t mean other people wouldn’t.  I can’t help but feel as though it would make flights (especially the long ones) just a little more interesting.  I’m open to any suggestions for names, as it might be hard to pitch this idea to people in the airline business without one.

I haven’t flown anywhere in a long time, but it was my understanding that pilots are supposed to be reassuring when they speak to the passengers.  Evidently our pilot from Minneapolis to L.A. didn’t get that memo.  As we were passing over the Rockies, we hit some pretty bad turbulence.  About halfway through it all, we were oh so pleasantly greeted with the following message from the pilot: “I’m sure you’re all wondering about the bumping around we’ve been experiencing these past few minutes…so are we.”  Nothing inspires confidence like a pilot that has no explanation for his plane rocking around like he just flew through a flock of pterodactyls.  At any rate, we made it here alive, and soon enough we’ll be on one of these skyscrapers on wheels they call planes here at L.A. International.  New Zealand or bust!