Fit to Fly?

There was a little airport drama this week. At check in, I was chasing Jude around with a juice box and banana. I think all the motion in my delicate state caused consternation among the airline attendants. They asked if I had a "Fit to Fly" certificate. We explained I'm only in my 7th month and there should be no cause for concern.

They were concerned.

I was ushered into a small "hospital" in the basement of the airport. Umm. Let's just say that it's a good thing David was with me. He was exceedingly nice to all the concerned officials. I vacillated between extreme annoyance and extreme laughter at the "seriousness" of the situation.

My blood pressure was taken. My due date inquired. And a doctor was summoned from a back room. He asked if I was feeling any pains, nausea, or having vomiting. I said "no, feeling very fit to fly." He signed a waiver.

They then explained that for the return trip, I would need another certificate, signed less than 24 hours before our flight. But we would be in small town Sri Lanka...on vacation. It didn't matter. They assured me I could not fly home without a doctor's note.

We were then escorted through several lines in the fast lane due to what a guard called my "extreme state."



So on Wednesday afternoon, we found a little clinic. A 90 year old doctor asked what I needed and I told him to please take my blood pressure and write a note that said I was "fit to fly." He asked about my husband, my son, my country of origin...but not much about my pregnancy. They he asked if the certificate needed his stamp on it. I said that would be helpful and he stamped it.

Honestly, by the time we finally made it through all the airport lines, medical forms, and customs officials yesterday I was wondering if I was "fit to fly."