Band Camp

Tomorrow will be canceled due to lack of interest.
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I thought there might be a problem when I eyed the two Peter Pan busses at the Delta drop-off zone. The teenagers piled off in their matching uniforms and chipper smiles. One of the sky-hops flicked a cigarette away, started towards the bus and said, "I can't believe it. 700 pieces of luggage."

I thought to myself there is no way that they are going on my flight. There must be dozens of flights to all over the world that they could be on.

On a good note, check-in and security were a breeze (unlike the hysterical CNN reporter was squawking) and the Starbucks was open even at 6:20am. But as I settled into my seat with a hot beverage and a New York Times, I heard the swish-swish of their vinyl jackets as they marched (in line- I kid you not) to my gate area.

Ok. There are several gates here. I bet they are going to Florida. That is where marching bands go, right? This won't be an issue. I continued to read my paper and relaxed.

But as they announced our flight and started seating, I realized that the band was on the flight. And once I sat down in seat 37F, I realized that they should give me a jacket with a yellow crest too because I was sitting smack in the middle of them.

Thank god for I-pods. The entire flight was one bundle of energy and continuous chatter. I guess teenagers don't know how to relax yet. They were always moving. Switching seats. Leaning over seats. Bouncing their knees. Talking from row to row. Maybe obnoxious from an older perspective, but acting really totally age appropriate. I did begin to feel a bit old.

There was one very cute moment. Originally the middle seat next to me was empty and there was a pretty All-American looking girl sitting in the aisle seat. Once airborne, a tall awkward boy with glasses and acne was called over by her. He squeezed in, also bringing his enormous black duffle bag which he somehow got under his seat. Throughout the flight, they didn't talk much but they were constantly poking and teasing and tickling each other. At first she more than him, but eventually he got into it. They must have been an item because I remember the same adolescent flirty play that constituted physical contact, when I was young.

But by the end of the flight, she had her head on his shoulder and their hands firmly clasped together. They both were looking straight ahead and smiling. Content, they were relaxed in each other's company even as the rest of the group threatened to explode in a frenzy of teen energy at any time. It was beautiful sight and made me think of my own companion and how just holding her can calm the most of frantic of moments. A comfort at any age.

Of course, I can not judge any of this behavior because I am guilty of it too. I remember traveling overseas when I was 15 for a summer program. We took over that fligh - I’d be surprised if we didn’t storm the cockpit. If I remember correctly, we had folded seats down (I am not sure how we did this) and made large flat group areas to sit in. We did sing alongs. We roamed the aisles of the huge plane, causing havoc with the flight attendants. We brought our own food and had picnics on the floor. I am sure we were horrid to the other travelers.

We even took out a guitar and sang folk songs. Badly.

At least the Golden Eagles checked their instruments.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Posted by alexis at November 25, 2004 11:07 AM