Flying is sometimes dangerous, just ask the Trojans

October 19th, 2007 | Posted by PostmanR

E spent a considerable amount of his time last evening enjoying Midway Airport’s lovely bar, Reilly’s Daughter, because his flight was delayed due to inclement weather. You see, flying in such weather can be a dangerous thing. It is best to drink in an airport while waiting out the weather, rather than risking your life, right?

But see: he was on the ground. The USC Trojans were up in the air experiencing nature’s furry. And it was a bit scary up there. From the LA Times via FanHouse:

Several players, administrative staff and coaches’ spouses said passengers were hurled out of their seats and hit their heads on the ceiling when the plane dropped while making an approach through a lightning storm. The pilot aborted the approach and circled before landing without incident, said Dennis Slutak, USC’s director of football operations.

Some of the passengers were not wearing seat belts at the time, but others said their seat belts broke.

“There was a moment there when I was thinking, ‘This is it,’ ” Slutak said.

Said sophomore safety Taylor Mays: “I was screaming.”

At their hotel, senior defensive end Lawrence Jackson said he was going to see the team trainer because a popsicle stick had pierced the inside of his mouth during the drop.

“That was terrifying,” freshman fullback Stanley Havili said. “I thought I was going to die.”

Everyone seemed to come out relatively OK, which is good. I’m not an ill-wisher, people. Although, you know, there’s a metaphor somewhere in all this. USC coming to Notre Dame — two sinking programs — on a plane filled with turbulance. You see what I’m getting at?

Yes, no? No, yes?