It seemed odd for about 30 seconds and then I realized I was the master of my own ship and free to do what, when and how I wanted. I decided right then that I wasn't going to forgo anything I wanted to do or see because I didn't have someone with me. Flying solo doesn't mean alone.
I left college to fly and see the world. And the first time I was deadheading to Paris to join a crew for a double crossing I realized I had to meet up with them on my own. At 21, it sure seemed daunting but when I got to the right hotel, on the right day at the right time, I knew I could do anything! There was no stopping me.
Years later after I'd left the airline, I arranged to meet a boyfriend who lived in another city at the time, in Paris. By this time, I was in the middle of a successful marketing career and absolutely comfortable traveling alone. After getting off the Air France shuttle at the Arc d'Triomphe and catching a taxi to the hotel where we were meeting, the memory of that first solo trip to Paris came back to me and I was invincible!