Travel Sickness

Yes, a serious reaction to a serious threat is warranted. But at what point does the reaction actually do the terrorists’ work for them. As I tried to cram my camera equipment into my hold baggage and decide what not take, these questions were pretty high in my mind. Not books to distract me from the tedium of the flight. No iPod to ease me through takeoff with great music (I’m a nervous flyer). No basic set of clothes with me in case the bags have lost.

I understand the risk. But if, as we seem to be doing, we make travel so miserable for everyone that all we get to carry on board is a handful of belonging is a clear plastic bag, then we’re doing the terrorists’ work every time someone gets on a plane. We’re allowing them to adversely affect every flight people take. We’re letting them win.

Still, I’ve been spared the flight experience. My passport is out of its plastic bag. Our flights were cancelled. We’re not going anywhere. The holiday is delayed, possibly cancelled.

Somehow, we’ve got this one wrong.