It could only have happened to Janet

I can’t make this stuff up.

A not-so-funny thing happened when I arrived at Indy Airport last Wednesday morning. For those who have read my column over the years, you know I have told quite a few “interesting” stories about my travel adventures. The truth is, my friends and family hesitate to travel with me by plane or automobile.

And so it was last week when I grabbed my carry-on out of Chuck’s Nissan Versa, I heard the fire alarm blaring and a voice encouraging everyone to evacuate to the nearest exit. No one seemed to be bothered enough to be moving towards any door.

As I was entering the large atrium of the airport, I quickly stopped because I saw the line for TSA check-in winding through the space, stretching from both concourses A and B. This wasn’t good. People were looking at their phones and watches. Like me, many were probably wondering if an airport could actually catch fire.

If you’ve never been to the Indianapolis Airport, you should know that for the line to reach the middle of the atrium, there had to be hundreds of people waiting. By the length of the lines, it had to have been blaring for quite a while. Lights flashed and the alarm continued until, after about 15 minutes, it stopped.

Ah, the joys of flying in the modern era. (Photo provided by Janet Hart Leonard)

I could feel the relief of everyone in the line. Now the TSA process could begin. All TSA check-in points were open, and it was like herding cattle. They MOOVED us through in record time. (Sorry, I couldn’t resist.)

I found it interesting how people looked while they waited. Some were anxious and fidgety. Others seemed settled in and waited patiently. Most people were staring at their security blanket – also known as a cell phone.

All was good – flights left on time. I settled into my window seat, and a sweet young couple followed me into my row. As we took off, a toddler two rows in front of me let everyone know he was not happy about flying. He let us all know quite loudly. His objection continued until we were over Kentucky (I’m guessing).

About the time the little guy got quiet, I realized a girl about three years old was tap dancing on the back of my seat. Tap. Tap. Tap. The area where she was dancing was on the muscles I had used to pull weeds two days before. They were tender and wanted to be left alone. That wasn’t happening. I slouched a bit in my seat. I reminded myself that the flight is only two hours long.

I dozed a bit as I had gotten up early for my 9:00 flight. The Leonard rule is to arrive at the airport two hours before boarding. The toddler in front of me must have awakened from a nap and needed to remind those flying that he was still unhappy about flying with us. I think we were over Georgia by then.

We landed on time, and Emily was waiting for me in the pick-up area of the Tampa Airport. Chuck will arrive in a few days. We will be flying back home together … you might pray for him. He is a brave man to travel with me. It’s rarely a dull moment when I’m flying the friendly skies.

I told you I couldn’t make this stuff up.

Janet Hart Leonard can be contacted at janethartleonard@gmail.com or followed on Facebook or Instagram (@janethartleonard). Visit janethartleonard.com.