"The stars will wheel forth from their daytime hiding places; and one of those lights, slightly brighter than the rest, will be my wingtip passing over."
Ryan Bingham
Up in the Air
2009
I look at travel in the form of two avenues. The first , for business and the second, for pleasure. Combining travels business purpose with the personal purpose of pleasure allows me to encourage each of you to analyze... "what's in your suitcase?". Yes, it is a play on the movie and Ryan Bingham's "what's in your backpack " speech, but, honestly... when one travels we must pre-plan and prepare for the adventure, we must account for our belongings.
So if flying to a destination is an adventure? Is landing at your destination the start to your experiences?
In the film, the topic of the crumbling economy, a company wide travel initiative and the connection of love in the air, was just enough to realize that life is a moving target and sometimes we don't always hit the bulls-eye. I used to see air travel as a luxury, I used to view being up in the sky as an escape and a dance with the clouds. After seeing this film, I realized that things happen after you land, not necessarily before or after take-off.
I want to first look at the film in context of the economy. Wasn't this film pivotal in the engaging environment that surrounds people and circumstance in today's climate? The idea that a man is a scapegoat for business owners who cannot fire their own, yet, becomes the catalyst for a life changing choice, to identify himself as struggling with the reality of being alone.
Was Ryan Bingham alone, or was he flying away from the reality of his own existence?
The fast paced skill of a business man, turns into a personal rendezvous for a man while uncovering loves deceptive tones at the least shining moment. Along the way, Ryan meets a woman named Alex, a frequent air flier just like himself. She has a knack for experiences and adventure, but a confidence beyond the average eye, with intrigue and beauty. Alex has it all, yet, the concept of reality sends the audience back down to the ground when the baggage has to be checked, and the luxury seen in the air becomes a fantasy on the ground.
So, back to this suitcase idea...
What goes in your suitcase when you travel? Pj's, a toothbrush, a few pairs of clothes, some tangible items, perhaps a mini version of your bathroom sink? If your suitcase had to be empty, who would you take on your adventure? Could you leave everything else behind?
As I realize each day that people are more and more important than the objects we use to define one another, I can idealistically see that the perception is often deceiving. Maybe in my false interpretation I don't give people the benefit of the doubt. I, in all actuality give people a pedestal and let them tell me how grounded they actually are.
Is it ok to be grounded? Or do we all want to be above everyone else?
If I pack a suitcase that I could risk losing.. I'd make sure I leave the baggage of my perceptions tucked away beneath the dress shirts, I'd make sure I put my insecurities in the overnight bag, and I would make sure I had an itinerary folded into the pj's. Because ultimately... if I have the confidence to accelerate down the runway.. I'd make sure I had myself a fabulous co-pilot.
Because ultimately... flying alone won't laugh your jokes, and flying alone, won't see the world alongside the view from up in the air.
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