Feb. 18, 2000 - Friday
Harry's first ride on an airplane was wonderfully uneventful. Our pre-flight
strategy worked and Harry was a champ, even with at least four other infants
and toddlers on the plane not managing the circumstances so well.
Harry slept in the car during the short 20 minute ride to the airport, then
woke to the captivation of large glass atriums and shops and aisles full of
different colors and lights. In fact, he and I had a nice little walk around
the gate area while we waited to board. However, being in the "those with
small children or needing special assistance" category, we were among the
first on the plane and, while that's helpful for dealing with the extra stuff
associated with carrying a child, Harry needed to wait the better part of a
half an hour while the rest of the plane filled. Not surprisingly, waiting that
long in those cramped seats was uninspiring and Harry got a little impatient
(who doesn't?).
Of course, Harry was a little hungry at that point as well, but his mother and
I were committed to delaying feeding until the airplane doors closed and cabin
pressurization began. My impression is that many parents, and indeed many stewardesses,
don't realize that it's not just takeoff and landing that affect little ears,
but also that initial cabin pressure in preparation for takeoff as well. The
trick is to extend feeding from the beginning of cabin pressure, through an
undetermined taxi period and then takeoff. We got lucky. Our taxi to the runway
was short and Harry was still concentrating on food during takeoff.
With just an hour and twenty minute flight, my next stress was hoping that Harry
would be hungry again in time for landing. But, my emotional capital was spent
for naught because Harry slept the entire second half of the flight and through
the descent and landing without so much as a whisper of 'hey, pay attention
to me.'
