I had a realization this morning about the wonders of travel today. I can leave my house in suburban New York and be in San Francisco 8 hours later. This includes the time it takes to get to the airport (including checking a bag (if people still do that), going through security and boarding my flight) then flying 6 hours to San Francisco and traveling a short distance to San Francisco once we land. I will note that some people would be horrified if they did not leave more fudge time at the airport (in fact, I have a friend who wants to arrive at the airport at least 3 hours prior to the flight departure).
About 15 years ago, I did a day trip to San Francisco. I took the first flight out, a 6:30 am. I had a bunch of business meetings. Then drinks and dinner in San Francisco. Following that, I took the redeye back and I was at my home by 8:30 am then next morning.
I have to take a step back today and remark on what a wonder travel can be. It almost feels like something out of a science fiction novel from the 1930’s.
It is easy to become jaded in our world but every once in a while you have to just marvel at things we can do. We book flights online with a few clicks, navigate crowded airports, and perhaps grumble about legroom or turbulence. But let’s step back and truly appreciate the sheer marvel of what’s happening. We are soaring through the sky at hundreds of miles per hour, thousands of feet above the earth, propelled by immense power and guided by intricate technology. This isn’t magic; it’s the culmination of decades of scientific advancement, engineering innovation, and human ambition.
Consider the pioneers of aviation. Just a little over a century ago, crossing the country was an arduous journey that could take days, even weeks, by train or car. The idea of traversing that distance in a matter of hours would have been unimaginable. They dreamt of flight, but the scale and speed we now take for granted would have been beyond their wildest dreams.
Today, that dream is our reality. Whether you’re a business traveler jetting to the Bay Area for meetings, a family embarking on a West Coast adventure, or someone simply seeking a change of scenery, the ability to bridge this vast geographical expanse in a handful of hours is nothing short of extraordinary.
I am in awe of the experience itself. You can look out the window at the curvature of the Earth, watching the landscape unfold beneath you from the patchwork fields of the Midwest to the majestic Rocky Mountains, and finally catching that first glimpse of the Pacific Ocean – these are views and perspectives that were simply unattainable for the vast majority of human history.
Most of us immerse themselves in a book or a movie once we sit down on a flight. Maybe, next time you find yourself settling into your airplane seat for that cross-country journey, take a moment to appreciate the incredible feat of engineering that makes it possible. Acknowledge the legacy of innovation that has brought us to this point. And marvel at the fact that in the blink of an eye, you can journey from the vibrant energy of New York to the iconic beauty of San Francisco – a true wonder of our modern world.