Battle of the Helicopter Parents

Amusing to watch, if nothing else.

You know the ones. Hovering. Flighty.

Overly picky about where they sit down.

Quickly maneuvering to give their charges any advantage and to keep them safe.

Helicopter parents must have thought themselves in paradise.

Prepping for TV interview. (A Super Dad notices Mom screaming from car, “Wipe his face. Wipe his face!”) ©

Pretty common to hear the Coast Guard helicopters overhead – especially during holidays and summers.

Some boater is always in trouble in the lake, in Galveston Bay, or offshore.

We wave at the bright orange birds daily, but they are much too busy to pay social calls.

Last night the Coast Guard was doing normal practice manuevers over the Galveston Bay when some ill-advised birds apparently attempted a protest. 

(Were the birds drunk after a big seafood dinner? Or just bird-brained ornery?)

Feeling a hit, the helicopter pilot knew he had to find a landing spot fast.

“Honey, while you’re there, can you pick up some milk?” ©

And what could be more welcoming than the obscenely bright glare welcoming glow of the Super Target/Home Depot parking lot?

It’s true. Target has everything. Even nests for big birds.

Home Depot has all sorts of tools and says right there on the sign “Pick Up Here.”

Perfect.

It’s common for people to stop in Home Depot for repair stuff, but this is probably a first.©

The helicopter landed without incident.

Shopping carts and yellow tape fenced off the area.

No one cared they took up more than one parking space.

Now safe, embarrassment passed, they are a bit amused by all the attention.

(No sneakin’ in and out unseen around here. Nope, just plan on sittin’ down and vistin’ a while with the locals. Coffee? Junior bacon cheeseburger? Wendy’s or Chick-Fil-A’s fries?)

We don’t often get to see and thank these guys up close for all they do.

An added bonus? There’s an elementary school right across the street!

Serious helicopter-loving parents grabbed the kids out of beds, bundled them up against the drizzle, and hurried over.

Helicopter moms who never let a teachable moment go by, detoured for a bit for before lining up in the drop-off lane. (“Don’t cry. The school won’t mind if you’re tardy. It will not ruin your perfect attendance. It’s a helicopter in the parking lot for goodness sake. You don’t see that every day.”)

Of course people have to wiggle through all the TV crews. 

TV film crews were also helicoptering. Jostling for position. A little discussion here between two of them.©

Chick-Fil-A is sending over a steady stream of food and hot coffee. Welcomed as it is 40 with drizzle-ish fog.

The Coast Guard has gone over every tiny inch of the helicopter and the engine to assess damage. They plan to take off in a couple of hours.

Checking under the hood.©

It’s turning into a nice PR event for the Coast Guard.

Meanwhile, one of the local cops scowled and said “It’s making a mess of the parking.”

(I examined the mostly empty parking lot. Replied “Well, it’s not exactly a big shopping day.”

He did have to smile. Likely he was chilled and unprepared to walk around  outside all morning. Coffee was being brought. And he did cheer up when the TV camera crews came over. )

A big orange bird sitting in the mist.

Somehow that’s just perfect.

For those dreaming of flight.

Whirl away, little helicopters,

Phil, the Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge.

Helicopter in the Mist. Sounds like a movie with a happy ending. The blue striped lighthouse is Kemah’s. Galveston Bay is about two blocks that direction from here. ©

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