Video: 85-year-old former President jumps out of a perfectly good plane

It’s hard enough to get me onto a plane in the first place; I’m not likely to jump out of one unless I’m completely out of options, parachute and wingman or not

Well sir, after you experience my last air trip you might change your tune. Flying from Dallas/Ft. Worth to Reagan National last week there was “weather” over DC. We went into a hold pattern for a while before the decision was made to divert the flight to Dulles. The plane made two (as in close to landing) attempts to land at Dulles before the flight was diverted to Baltimore. After hanging out on the tarmac for some time and being informed it would be at least midnight before we could be refueled for that thirty mile trip to Reagan National, the decision was made to get the plane to a terminal gate. We were then delayed by an outbound plane’s problem with its tow bar which blocked our approach and was cleared just in time for the ramp to be closed because of lightning 15 feet shy of getting to the gate. 45 minutes later the plane was at its gate and we were informed the plane would not be going further that night and we could pick up our luggage and get further information in the terminal.

My luggage was not on the plane. The airline couldn’t find a bus so they were putting all the passengers six-to-a-van into taxis to get us down to Reagan National. Thankfully, the parking area was still open and I was able to get my car and get home and have a whole three hours of “rest” before I had to get up for work.

If at some point I had been given the option to jump out with a parachute, I would have done it!

highhopes on June 12, 2009 at 8:34 PM

I attended a funeral this morning for a 96 yr. old lady. The night she passed away she was joking with the priest as he was giving last rites, then told him she just needed to go to sleep now. Wow! What a way to go. I’m thinking President Bush ‘41 is just that strong, as is his son, George.

24K lady on June 12, 2009 at 8:30 PM

I envy 96-year-olds with that level of cognizance. They know they will pass over soon and are comfortable, even happy, with that fact. They have come to terms with their own passing, in part because they have seen so many go before them and can make it easier for those they leave behind. My personal hope is to be aware and fully cognizant until the end and pass over as a result of old-age not some disease.

As to the Bush Family- what a class act these people are. They live their lives as they would without the media showing up to record these events. I have no doubt that GHWB would have jumped from that plane today with or without the media attention. They are who they are and don’t need to affirm themselves through popularity polls.

highhopes on June 12, 2009 at 8:52 PM