I'll Take My Reward Now

I hate flying. Never have liked the idea of being 7 miles in the air in an object built by man. I know, I know... it's the safest way to travel, you're safer than when you drive, etc. etc. Still, it's unnerving. Anyone that knows this little fact about me and also the fact that over the past year I have taken probably 60-70 flights should be very proud of me. I'll give you a moment to applaud...

OK. Thanks. Wow. I didn't expect that sort of response. Really, thank you.

I mention this fear of flying because last week I was on a plane headed back to NJ and I had a Jack Bauer moment. Here, let me set the scene.

I was on stand by to catch an earlier flight and was happy to see I got on. I get in my seat and am thrilled to see that I'm alone in my three seat row. Score! I'm gonna be sprawling!
Now, in comes these three guys. (cue the music) They look like they could be brothers, and they're pretty close and giving each other short glances, but not saying a word. One guy sits in the row in front of me. The next guy takes his seat across from my row and the third guy sits two rows back. Lucky for them, they are also alone in their rows.
They shut the cabin door and we're told there will be a bit of a delay because of traffic going into Newark (typical!). Now it starts getting weird.
Still, no words have been exchanged between these guys, but they start getting antsy and looking at each other more often. The guy across from me even stands up and looks back to the guy two rows back, catching his eye, and then sits down.
The plane starts taxiing to the runway and that's when I start getting nervous. The guy across from me looks at the one right in front of me and utters the first communication to him, confirming my theory that they know each other. He mouths to him, "you okay?" and then looks down to his bag and pulls out his cell phone.
I assumed he was pulling it out to turn it off... but instead he pulls it out and turns it on--seconds before we hit the runway. The phone comes to life and he scrolls through his contact list. I'm trying to catch a glimpse at the name, but I can't see it.
We make our final turn onto the runway. The man's hand is hovering on the 'send' button, waiting to place a call. Now, I'm freaking out! I was faced with a decision. I can't get up and ask a flight attendant anything. They are all strapped in their seats and my movement would ensure me a long night being detained. I knew if I was going to do anything, I would have to do it myself.
The engines pick up to full speed and I reluctantly leaned over and tapped the man on his arm. Staring at his phone, I use my best acting skills to excitedly ask him, "Is that the new Motorola RZR?" He looks at me and nods. I reached over and obnoxiously touched the phone and said "can I see it?"
While the guy wasn't happy, he did let me grab the phone and I began to look at it, ogling over the features and checking out the 'interface'--all the while asking him stupid questions that I didn't need answers for.
After we were in the air and steadily climbing, I said 'oh! i forgot I'm not supposed to be using this!' and turned off the phone, handing it back to him.

It was probably not anything truly dangerous, but, come on! Wouldn't you be a little taken aback? Fear can do a lot of things to a person--not the least of which is invent scenarios and 'what ifs.'

Sure, I didn't save the world. But, for that moment, I felt like I might have.
I know I shouldn't be scared of flying. I know I shouldn't live in a state of fear. I think that having a beautiful wife and amazing baby to go home to has just changed what I have to look forward to.