AMERICANWAY

JESSICA KARLINSKI my sentiment. I'm sure that more often than not, I will fly somewhere that will connect me through Charlotte. Changes would go a long way toward making flying much more enjoyable. David Brakebill, Key West, Florida EDITOR ADAM PITLUK RESPONDS: Excellent constructiveness, David. We'll be sure to share your email with the powers that be, and we cer- tainly appreciate your patronage. SPICY R EADING My wife and I feel it's the balanced masala of topics that you serve through American Way that keeps us engaged throughout the flight. You per fectly inter m ing le stor ies about ghosts, practical suggestions to combat jet lag, romantic and affordable getaways … you even sea mlessly throw in a r ticles on the philosophy of life. Like most people, we tear out pages, and the stories have long-lasting ef fects. Even simple decisions like choos- ing which movies to watch are made easier after reading about an actor you wrote about. Thanks for making our travels even more pleasant and providing us with residual ef- fects that linger long after the trip. Jayant Kamicheril, Reading, Pennsylvania GROUP EXECUTIVE EDITOR TRAVIS KINSEY RESPONDS: I have been with American Way for more than 10 years, Jayant, and I can say with certainty that we have never once been credited with a "balanced masala of topics." Thanks so much for the kind words. It is our hope that every issue will have something for everyone and, even better, many things for everyone. WHY I LOVE WINGLETS I was absolutely delighted to see and read the ar ticle " W hy I Love Winglets" in the September issue. Not only was the article informative (sizes, function, none on the 787, etc.), but it also provided the basis for a flashback to my childhood when jets were entering the commercial airline business and kids loved the way they looked. In school during the 1950s and '60s, paper was used by kids for three primary purposes: schoolwork, spitballs and as materials for aeronautical origami. Several of us employed multiple designs including a "boxy," large wing-area desig n . Interest i ng ly, t he la r ge w i nged variety flew with more stability and control when we turned up the wing edges ("wing- lets") just a little. A smile-inducing memory was stirred, and it was great to realize by reading your article that some basic aero- nautical concepts are still valid, but it also made me wish I had recognized the commer- cial importance of winglets and the value of writing a patent back then. John F. Kay, Ph.D., Encinitas, California INTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS SENIOR MAN- AGER JOE PAPPAL ARDO RESPONDS: I wish more people paid the kind of close attention you did, John, to the construction and operation of paper airplanes. There are great aerodynamic truths to be learned about them, and in your case, the lesson stuck. Whenever I learn something new — and from writing "Gearhead" I always do — I feel a childlike thrill, and I am so happy my col- umn generated a response from your inner child. DEAR ADAM PITLUK, I just finished reading the "Editor's Note" ("A Mother's Love") written by your wife in the Octo- ber issue of American Way, and I have never been more touched by anything I've read at this or any altitude. (I'm the guy in 21A wearing sunglasses to hide his wet and swollen eyes.) In the fall of 2013, my wife, Nora, also underwent a prophy- lactic bilateral mastectomy after testing positive for the BRCA2 mutation. I was very scared and against her taking what I thought to be a huge risk to undergo such a serious surgery, especially in the midst of a stressful career. Nora is a clini- cal hematologist/oncologist who specializes in BRCA genetic testing. She has helped countless women make the courageous decision to proac- tively prevent breast, ovarian and uterine cancer. She is not only the most compassionate clinician I have ever met but also the best person I have ever known. All that said, the risk of losing her to such an insidious disease never hit me so hard until she decided to undergo surgery. It is an incredible thing to watch an amazing person do something so selfless — especially when it is for you and your children. I know you understand that. Your wife Kimberly is an incredibly brave person. Adam Voss, Rancho Mirage, California EDITOR ADAM PITLUK RESPONDS: As is your wife, Adam. Kimberly very much appreciated your letter. And so did I. BRAVE STORY I have traveled heavily the last month, Adam, and I was so excited to read the October American Way. The first thing I do is turn right to the "Editor's Note," because I love reading the way you describe everything. I sometimes wish your messages were longer, because they are quite enjoyable, and I am always able to relate in some way. So imagine my surprise when I opened to the column and you weren't there. I was so disappointed. But then I looked toward the end of the note and noticed the beautiful lady on the page had the same last name as you, so I read it anyway. Thank you, Kimberly, for telling your brave story. I don't have a brave story to tell, but the night before I read this, I found a lump in my breast, and your message was so encouraging. I was in a hotel room, thousands of miles from my husband, and I felt a little scared at the possibilities of that lump. I was able to read your article the following morning before speaking to my husband and, again, I just want to thank you for being brave. A lump can be so many things, and you helped me remain positive until I could get it checked out by my doctor. So, thank you. Leslie Windler, Tulsa, Oklahoma KIMBERLY PITLUK RESPONDS: I am so glad I was able to bring you some comfort, Leslie, at least enough to get you through your travels. I'm wishing you all the best on your findings and hope that it turns out to be nothing. If not, know you are not alone. Be steadfast in your care and further prevention. I have my gynecologist, Dr. Amy Mos, to thank for stay- ing on me for five years until the timing was right to make this leap. FUTURE EDITOR? Wow! What an impactful guest columnist. Through my travels, I have had the opportunity to meet many people. Several of them deal with the dis- ease that merits so much attention each October. Your wife's story was a somewhat familiar one. My family and I have supported two dear friends, both young mothers, as one made the same decision and the other fought and is winning against the disease. I applaud your wife's courage to know and her willingness to act. As a father to three daughters, my hope is that they will one day not have to consider such a decision or deal with such a disease, which is why I choose to support efforts to prevent and cure it today. On a lighter note, I would watch my flank! American Way may have found a new Editor-in-Chief in waiting. Darren Depper, McKinney, Texas A.P. RESPONDS: Very kind of you to say, Dar- ren. As for my job, I've got nothing to worry about — she's too smart for this line of work. Or maybe she will take up modeling, as her reconstructive plastic surgeon, Dr. Ricardo Meade, said when he saw the magazine, "As a BRCA-carrier role model, you are the same as, if not prettier than, activist Heidi Klum." Missed it in the magazine? All American Way articles are available on aa.com/americanway Lilly, 6; Kimberly, and Maddy, 8 1 6 D EC E M B E R 2 01 4 A A .CO M/A M E R I C A NWAY

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