Falling Up, why post-apocalyptic

There appears to be numerous apocalyptic stories being written in the last few years, coming out in novels as well as movies. While the action is impressive, it seems rather negative to me, having millions of people die in disasters.

To me, a post-apocalyptic setting is better. The story can be about rebuilding, a much more positive choice. It still leaves room for drama, conflict and action, since there will be a lot of lawlessness and tyranny.

In the early days of thinking about my novel, I realized that modern civilization would be a problem for someone who could fly.

- Someone who lands on someone else's property is a trespasser.
- Someone who travels to another country, not through regular methods, without going through customs, is there illegally.
- Someone who carries goods across borders without going through customs is a smuggler.

It would mean my main character would be considered a criminal in many places. That would make it implausible to then write him as a hero, or even a good person.