A few years ago I would sometimes take my airplane-crazed son over to watch the planes at RDU Airport. One Saturday we were watching from the General Aviation terminal as a private jet pulled up. A couple about my age hopped out, walked out to their expensive SUV, and drove away. At the time, I didn’t consider this the part of the show that my son wanted to see but the scene stuck with me.
It was a moment where my mind was opened to new possibilities. Who were these people and how do they afford to travel by private jet? How could I one day travel by private jet? This couple didn’t look much different from me and yet they’re high flyers while I’m just a lowly blogger.
I recently set up some simple gear that tracks airplanes as they fly over (I am a radio geek, after all). Occasionally, I’ll see one cruising over at 45,000 feet. Private jet, of course, and I can feel my mind kick into gear again, plotting a course to someday reach that same altitude.
It’s funny how that works. I don’t really want for anything. My life is pretty sweet, and then something comes along that gives you a peek into a new world you didn’t really know existed.
I don’t need to travel by private jet, but it’s fun to imagine being there some day.