Those Fabulous Men and Their Flying Machines
3 Comments Published by Jason on Saturday, July 7, 2007 at 08:00.
I live less than a mile from an airport. Now mind you, it's not a very big airport, but it's big enough to hold a small fleet of Lear Jets that belong to a local barge company. These things take off at all hours of the day and night, and the runway that they use goes right over the top of my house. Actually, in winter, you can SEE the end of the runway from my house. So, yeah, it's loud from time to time.
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About a week ago, there was a knock on my door. When I went to answer it, two very severe looking men in Army uniforms were standing on my front porch. They introduced themselves, and asked if I had noticed an increase in flight activity over my house in the last few months. I told them no, it seemed to be about the same as usual. Nothing out of the ordinary. They asked if the noise was a problem. Again, I said no, but it was a little annoying to have a plane fly over the house at 2am. I chuckled. They did not.
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They proceeded to ask me several more questions. Can I make out letters or numbers on the planes? Have I met any of the pilots? Do the planes seem to be circling the airport more than normal? To all of these questions, I answered no, not really, or I don't really pay that much attention. It was a little bizarre, but it's a public airport, they can do what they wish. The questions didn't make much sense - at least at the time.
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Monday, I received a letter in the mail telling me that there would be an increase in air activity at the airport over the next few days. The Army will be training local law enforcement on anti-terrorism procedures, and to expect "more activity than normal".
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The fuck they say. It's like living in a foundry. Where there once were maybe 5-6 flights a day, there is now a near constant roar from 10pm until dawn EVERY FUCKING NIGHT. Helicopters (dual prop, I might add). C-130's landing and taking off. Sirens, lights, BANGS (that's comforting mind you at 4am to hear what sounds like GUN SHOTS aiming right at your house). There's nothing like being jolted awake out of a great dream, to have shit rattle off your dresser and crash to the floor from the vibration of massive flying machines skimming the top of your house. Hell, if I'm going to be awakened at that time of the night, it'd better be for something GOOD - not poltergeist activity brought on by distant seismic shocks.
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At the same time, though, I'm learning about different kinds of military aircraft. While watching CNN the other night at dinner with some friends, one of the guys said: "Damn that's a big plane." To which I responded: "Actually, that's a C-130 transport planr used mostly by the 101st Airborne Division to transport troops from place to place. It can hold about 60-100 men depending on the arrangement of the fuselage." They looked at me like I had 3 heads. I just kinda smiled and said: "it's hot when a guy talks plane, isn't it?" They didn't get that joke. I thought I was damn funny. Plane/plain. Get it?
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Oh, bite me...
ooh! i should plan a visit sometime soon. :D
Bring earplugs. It's horrible...
And I thought I had it bad cat sitting.
You win hands down.