/ˈnɜr
byələnt/
-adjective
1. Being in a state of anxiety, especially over the possibility of turbulence. 2. Scared to fly.
My new contribution to the English language!
By now I am sure you have all heard about the US Airways A320 that “landed” in the Hudson River. What a fantastic example of how to ditch an airplane in a very densely populated city! I talk to my students about bird strikes and I have a pretty good collection of bird strike photos – damage to windows, nose cones, engine intake fan blades, leading edges of the wings, etc. This is one that will go straight into my lesson plans. (And am I the only one wondering if they’re gonna get their luggage back? When that Air France flight crashed off the end of the runway in Toronto back in 2005 a lot of people lost their passports. This is something I actually think about when flying! I think I should get one of those passport holders to wear around my neck.)
Of course, I not only look at this accident from the ground instructor’s perspective, but also from the scaredy-cat perspective. I don’t like to fly. I’m skeered. I always sit in the window seat at the trailing edge of the wing – right wing if at all possible. I sit there so I can supervise extension of the wing flaps for takeoff. I also like being able to observe aileron and spoiler movements. This comforts me. I like being over the wings. You feel movements less and I’m assured being only a few steps from the emergency exit. I freak over the slightest turbulence even though I know perfectly well it’s no big deal. I’m always afraid something like what happened to Flight 1549 will happen to me. I can only hope it would end so well!
Before our flight on Monday from Shanghai to Vancouver, I wanted to share my anxiety with DH. I wanted to say, “I’m nervous about turbulence.” What came out was, “I’m nerbulent!” You’re welcome, ladies and gentlemen, for this necessary contribution to the English language.
Did I mention I have two flights tomorrow?
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{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
I will proudly integrate the word “nerbulent” into my lexicon. It actually sounds like a proper word from the dictionary — you could have fooled me! I was actually wondering about the luggage too. And the carry on bags. I would totally dig out my passport, wallet, cell phone (and ipod of course) to stash in my bra before exiting. I figure if I stash them in my bra, then I won’t be scolded for “thinking about material belongings” as we wait for rescue. Do you think they’ll hire divers to go down and get the bags?
Poor baby…
Next time I will try to comfort you before the flight or even “commensurate ” with you during the flight, instead of laughing or joking about it.
I am so sorry and I miss you baby
DH – don’t worry, your presence alone comforts me! I figure if you are sleeping as the airplane rocks around, everything must be okay!
Miss you, too!
Jessica – I bet they will salvage the luggage, but you can imagine what condition it will be in!
I love the new word! I plan to use it a lot actually. You sound just like me. Since getting my temp visa for Brazil I worry about my passport too. I’ve started hanging on to it during take off and landing instead of putting in my bag under the seat – just in case.
I was actually on a flight from ATL back to Brazil when that crash happened. I am sooooo glad I didn’t hear about it before. I lived in Lexington when the flight that killed 50 occured due to a runway error. The head of my program was on that plane. Now, takeoff makes me so nervous. I have to have a window too where I can see the ground continue to inch further away, then I can calm down. Now I think birds might also make me nervous.
So glad everyone was safe.
Totally love the new word and will begin using it immediately. As a pilots wife I’ve had the good fortune to be blessed with 50+ international trips over the past 4 years and I assure you, I’ve been mighty NERBULANT on at least half of them! Thanks for writing such a readable blog! – Bella
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