Paul Oberjuerge: Oh, yeah, the lightning

Memo to self: When flying IN WINTER go for the itinerary with fewer
takeoffs and landings. The weather, and all. In winter, it's likely to be sketchy.

Kind of a rough ride across the country. The 757 (an instrument of
torture, I've decided) was packed. 40-some rows of 3 and 3,
sardine-can-like. Beyond packed, because X number of squalling little kids were sitting on moms' laps.

I was a little queasy throughout, and that was BEFORE we got into the
storm sitting over Georgia.

And ALSO before we were hit by lightning about 15 minutes before
landing.

I was looking out the window, trying to keep my mind occupied, when
there was this brilliant flash, on the left side of the plane. The
plane also jolted a bit. I knew right away it was lightning because,
oh yeah, it was very loud, too.

That got my attention, you bet. About 60 seconds later, the captain came on the intercom and said "that was interesting" or something like that, and added, "we're fine up here." Which is always nice to hear.

So, when we finally got on the ground, and were taxiing, the flight
attendant dude got on the radio and said, "good thing these planes
are made so well. ... The four members of this crew have been flying
for 20-some years apiece, and that's the first time ANY of us has
experienced that."

This was after some people on the plane clapped when we got on the
ground. I'm not sure I've heard a round of applause for landing
since, oh, the 1970s.

Anyway, maybe I should have started this from LAX, sted Ontario. I wouldn't have been landing in Atlanta for another plane change. I hate LAX, but maybe it's not worth a lightning strike.