helicoptering again

James's helicopter uncle still hovers.

But heck, what do you expect?  He had never flown all by himself before, and he's still such a young-looking (sometimes young-acting) 18-year-old, and he was really nervous about checking in and going through security with his carry-ons and such...

So of course I drove him to the airport instead of making him take the train and I stood there making motions to him ("take off your jacket", "take off your glasses") as he put things on the security conveyor belt and I stood there until he was well past the security checkpoint in case he had any problems.

But he apparently did fine and got on the plane to Philly and made it to New Jersey sometime this afternoon, and now he can be play the part of the college freshman, the working man, and the urban sophisticate triumphantly returning for a week in his home town with his friends and family.

And maybe next time I'll be able to let him take the train to the airport.