Re-Prioritized Lives Sometimes Yield To Old Ways

It's not uncommon for individuals vividly reminded of their own mortality to come away from the experience somehow changed, often with a renewed sense of purpose and priorities. Survivors from two airliner accidents told the New York Times about their ordeal, describing how their lives have changed -- mostly for the better.

Three-and-a-half years ago, Air France flight 358 skidded off the end of a rain-slicked runway in Toronto. Just seven weeks ago, Continental flight 1404 veered off a runway in Denver. Both planes were destroyed by fire after leaving the runway rather unceremoniously; yet miraculously, all passengers and crew aboard the two airliners survived to tell of their harrowing experience and their lives since.

Software developer Mike Wilson, 38, was on the Denver flight. After the crash, he vowed to cut back his 60-hour work week to spend more time at home with his wife. "Right after the incident, it was kind of a high priority for me," Wilson said. But soon, old ways found their way back into his routine.

"The old saying 'Time heals all wounds,' it's true," Wilson said. "It kind of lasts a real brief amount of time, at least for me. Then the realities of life set in. I think it's really easy to fall back into those old habits."

Maria and Gabriel Trejos were also aboard the Continental plane. Maria, who works nights, says she has become more patient and generous with her husband since the crash. "Like not getting mad when it's 5 o'clock in the morning and you just got in at 1:30 and your husband has to get up and you have to make coffee," she said.

Husband Gabriel just feels glad to be alive, and has vowed to quit complaining - about anything. "I really don't have a right to complain anymore," he said. "It's just kind of a waste of breath, you know?"

Co-workers have seen the change in Gabriel, too. "I used to complain a lot with my buddies at the warehouse," he said. "Sometimes I tell them how I don't complain anymore. I've been through a plane crash. They go, 'Oh, yeah,' and start talking about something else."

26-year-old weight loss counselor Kelsey Anderson has struggled with her conscience, unable to keep a promise that she made to another Denver passenger. "We promised to keep in touch," Anderson said. The other woman has left Anderson two messages since the crash. "I feel guilty about not having responded to her. For some reason, I don't want to. I think I just don't want to talk about it."

Jeb Tilly, 37, and his wife, Ashley, 31, were also on Flight 1404. Of his post-crash thoughts, Tilly said, "You come to conclusions about how you're living, and just make little tweaks to highlight the meaningful things and lessen the things that are less meaningful for you."

Aboard Air France 358, passengers included 15-year-old Lisa Popow, who was traveling alone. For a year after the crash, Popow saw a psychiatrist. "Driving cars, when it's raining - anything brings me back. I'm now at a point where I can talk about it and not get emotional."

54-year-old yoga instructor and Reiki master Philippe Lacaille, along with his wife and two of their four children were also on Flight 358. He blames post-crash stress on the break-up of his marriage. Although he misses his former life, he has found meaning in the change.

"I decided to live life fully," Lacaille said. "I wanted to give back to people who needed help. I started volunteering. I decided to go to homeless shelters and shelters for kids who come out of jail."

Of course, there's some who can go through life's slings and arrows with out seeming to bat an eye. Passenger Roel Bramer, 68, said he never suffered after the Toronto crash. "My number of dinner invitations has gone up exponentially," Bramer said. "If anything, life has become better."

Bramer said that Air France called him five days after the crash to ask if he had any urgent needs. "I said, 'As a matter of fact, I do. I've run out of Veuve Clicquot. Can you send me a case?' If you've survived a plane crash, you've got a lot to be thankful for."

FMI: www.continental.com, www.airfrance.com