Dan's Papers - June 22, 2007 - North Fork Airlines

Remember this song? "Come fly with me, let's fly, let's fly away. If you can use some exotic booze......" No, this isn't about Frank Ol' Blue Eyes Sinatra, or even about exotic booze - whatever that is. Rather, it introduces congratulations to Bedell Cellars winery in Cutchogue. American Airlines has selected a merlot from Bedell to serve to first-class passengers on all transcontinental flights this spring and summer.

Bedell's owner Michael Lynne said, "Of course I'm thrilled about it." North Forkers are pleased, too. Especially those who fly first-class (I never have). And this from Diane Teitelbaum of the airline, "Long Island is really a hot spot for wine in the United States."

Wow! I live in a hot spot (always fearful, I wonder if that's because of global warming). Nevertheless, I'm one to build on success. North Forkers should not be satisfied with this honor, though great. One airline, for a few months, is hardly a showcase for our superiority. In wine or just about everything else.

We have, on the North Fork, all the makings of our very own North Fork Airlines, an airline of unparalleled excellence. We'd be uncharacteristically foolish if we did not seize the moment and soar to the skies.

Now, North Fork Airlines would need an airport, of course. And that's no problem. Why, in just about the center of the North Fork we've got Mattituck Airport operated by Teledyne Mattituck Services. Located on Airway Drive in Mattituck, Teledyne has been doing its thing (repairing airplane engines) for 60 years and to rave reviews internationally, I might add.

True, the planes utilizing Mattituck Airport are not the big guys. NFA will have smaller, more intimate planes, much like the North Fork itself. And listen to this. The day I visited the airport all I had to do was sign my name. Not one person even asked me to empty my pockets and take off my shoes. Yes, NFA will be hassle-free.

I guess every airline needs flight attendants. NFA has a ready-made supply of these folks in retirees from the Hampton Jitney. That bus service, from Greenport to New York City, has always had the most delightful trip hostesses. They collect fares and generally make the journey pleasant. Now, in their retirement, they can soar to new heights. I know they'll love working for NFA. For one thing, unlike travel on the Long Island Expressway, there's hardly ever a traffic standstill in the skies. And no lurching stops for red lights. Little kids don't run out from behind parked clouds. Yes, there's much to be said for hostessing in the heavens.

And NFA will have in-flight movies. Not something that will offend your grandma or scare your kids. We'll show "The Souls of New York: North Fork" from the talented Brent Sterling Nemetz. It's all about our land and our life.

Don't even think peanuts. When it's munch time on NFA we'll have North Fork wine, of course. But accompanying that wine? We'll ask Jeri Woodhouse of Taste of the North Fork to provide us with top-notch stuff from her Cutchogue-based kitchens. They're on Cox Lane and worth a visit when you get your feet back on the ground. And maybe Jeri will give NFA passengers a little gift package as a remembrance of their flight. Jeri makes those gifts for weddings and dinners. Everybody likes them.

Jeri won't provide the cheese, though. If we eat cheese or yogurt on NFA, we'll get it from Catapano Dairy Farm in Peconic. You should visit there, too. Especially if you like cute goats! And if it's June when you fly NFA, you can have plump, sweet strawberries hulled at the Mattituck Strawberry Festival and rushed right over to your plane as it prepares to take off.

Shortly before you land, NFA will help you ease your leg and arm muscles - get them moving! From Peconic River Yoga in Riverhead, owner Kate Buhler or a member of her staff will lead passengers in chair yoga. That way, as you take on Philadelphia or Paris, you're in tip-top shape.

Oh, yeah, the last few lines of that Sinatra classic? It might very well be the NFA theme song. "Up there where the air is rarified, we'll just glide, starry-eyed. You may hear angels cheer."