Not Yet As The Crow Flies

When I was a young child watching the Jetsons on television, I dreamed of the day when we would have flying cars. It seemed so ideal. It would not matter where the roads were. We would just fly where ever we wanted. It's really simple to a child.

As I grew a bit older, my perspective changed. When I began driving as a teenager, I would have loved to have been able to get in my car and fly. I would not have to worry about sharp turns, because I could take the same path as the crows. So, I should be able to go just as fast as I wanted. Right? Well, maybe, if I had been the only one in the air.

As I have matured and found myself driving in one of the most traffic congested metropolitan areas in the nation, I have often wished I could rise above all the mess and fly to my destination. But, there's a major problem. I would not be the only one. I would have to avoid not only flying cars coming toward me, but those coming up from below me, those coming down from above me, and I must not forget those behind me.

Of course, it is true that airplane pilots contend with this sort of thing every day, but these are professionals. Also, they are not having to deal with the incredible number of different drivers all traveling at varying speeds to different destinations. These drivers meanwhile are talking on their cell phones, putting on their makeup, and lighting up their cigarettes and all without the aid of co-pilots. And they also have lots and lots of accidents.

No, we don't have flying cars like the Jetsons. But given the way I have seen people drive just on the streets and highways, I thank God that is so! Until the crazy drivers are removed from the mix, I am content to do my driving on the ground.

That's my two cents.

Wade Houston
September 17, 2007