The Benefits of Travel

SOMETIMES I WONDER if getting stuffed into an oversold America West sardine can is worth it. But after venting my frustration with the whole travel process I usually end up concluding that if for no other reason there is educational value in it all. It gets me out of my normal box and allows me to see some other people's boxes.

For example, in this last trip I saw Indianapolis as never before. They've done some wonderful things with their downtown. The canal walk is a delight. And since we were staying on the campus of the Indiana University I saw that world. Did you know that not all public art work on university campuses is ugly?

Yet, in spite of the creative pockets in Indianapolis I got the sense that there is a lot of deferred maintenance on public buildings and in the airport. This suggests that the economy isn't as hot there as in the West.

And then, I got to spend parts of three days in the world of the Lilly Endowment. It was an inside look on how philanthropic foundations think and work. While I'm sure each foundation has its own subculture and values, the Lilly folks are intent on using their money to change the world through sustainable projects. It's inspiring to see their passion and their well-oiled, but not rigid, machinery at work. They are using money to foster creativity in others.

Then there is the world and subculture of the airline industry itself. It happened that my flight yesterday from Indianapolis to Phoenix was the last for Captain Bart Bradley -- his "retirement flight." So there was a lot of fun hoopla in his honor. As we taxied out to the runway two airport fire trucks shot water into the air from both sides of the taxiway, creating an arch through which the plane drove. Then when we landed in Phoenix and were taxing toward the terminal two more fire rigs repeated the ritual in his honor. When they opened the cabin doors there was cheering and photos with corporate dignitaries. It was a unique way that people in that world honor their own.

And I got to see it all. Now if I can unlock my knees from the cramped position they were locked into for nearly five hours yesterday, I may consider air travel again.