When you’re listening to this podcast, I’ll either be in the middle of my flight back to Japan or just touching down at Narita Airport. I hope so. So, today’s topic is all about taking a plane.

First off, let me be honest—I’m not exactly an airplane enthusiast. Sure, I love spotting planes in the sky or at the airport; they look cool and all. But when it comes to actually flying, I’m not a fan. Some people might think I’m a bit off for feeling this way, but here’s the deal: every time I board a plane, I write letters to my family and friends. It’s almost as if I’m composing my last message. I approach flying as if I were boarding a spaceship.

What’s the source of my anxiety? It’s the thought of all the things that could go wrong. What if the pilot isn’t feeling well and loses consciousness mid-flight? What if today’s ground maintenance crew isn’t meticulous and misses something critical? What if there’s a collision with another plane? Or what if there are some unruly passengers on board? It’s all terrifying!

And let’s not forget turbulence. People who aren’t fazed by flying always say that airplanes have the lowest accident rate in history. But honestly, who cares about statistics in that moment? I’m more concerned that today might be the day when history takes a turn for the worse. I see people around me calm and relaxed when the plane starts shaking, and I can’t help but think they’re crazy. How can they stay so composed when there’s clearly a potential danger?

I’d love to have an interview with the pilot before the flight—ideally, two interviews. I want to get to know them better, so I can trust them a little more before taking off. And wouldn’t it be great if we had an open evaluation system for pilots, kind of like Google reviews? I’d love to see ratings and feedback from previous passengers before I board.

Of course, I always check the airline reviews beforehand. If the reviews are bad, even if it’s cheaper, I might think twice about booking it. Since moving to Canada, I’ve had to fly a few times, and surprisingly, I’m getting a bit more used to it. I no longer spend the entire trip feeling nauseous. Plus, I’ve even managed to take a nap on long, stable flights! I’m seeing my own growth here and I want to give myself a round of applause.

So today’s goal is to watch a movie and get some work done during the flight. If I can pull it off, it’ll be a testament to how far I’ve come in overcoming my flying fears. Just a heads-up—I’ll be skipping next week’s episode since I’ll be in Japan, I am willing so. hopefully staying alive and not in the hospital or in my tomb. Thanks for tuning in to this episode of Tidbit Note. Until next time, keep exploring, stay curious, and keep striving to improve yourself!