Airplane Jitters

[NCHeel23]

Heys Guys! I'm pumped about my 1st disney trip in 16 days but the nerves about flying for the first time are starting to rear their ugly heads. I'm excited but still anxious. I'm looking for a good website with tips and information on what to expect the first time flying. I'm also open to any information you guys have about the details of flying for the first time.

 

[WillCAD]

I've never been nervous about flying, but the best advice I can think of to give you is to sit on the aisle and imagine that you're on a bus.

I find most of my flights to Orlando to be very pleasant, relaxing experiences that help me to come down off the high-stress of home and work and settle into the quiet bliss of a visit to my Mouse's house.

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

www.takingflight.us

Their message board is very active and it is located at: www.takingflight.us/forums

There are several DISers on that board. Taking Flight is a free fear of flying support forum. There are commercial pilots, small plane pilots, a psychologist, a nurse, several business travelers and lots of regular folks who just get nervous flying. Check them out. Very friendly group! Beware of other sites that try to sell you expensive DVDs.

PM me if you need more info!

 

[jonestavern]

I am a nervous flyer, too. Here's some of what I do to calm down-

be totally packed days before
be off to the airport in wicked early--no going nuts in traffic snarls
play soothing music in the car &/or Ipod--I like classical, very ordered
bring plenty of cash & coupons for your favorite libation--my choice--bloody Marys
then I meditate, do puzzles--bring something to keep your hands busy
I also carry my DMom's rosary

My Dad, Uncle were pilots in the military/civilian life & they always say they'd rather be flying than driving the roads with amateurs!

Jean

 

[Dan Murphy]

This is a good site also........

http://www.fearofflyinghelp.com/

 

[swillis]

I am not a nervous flyer, but I am an anxious traveler in general. I always take a Dramamine before flying, even though I don't think I would get airsick. And I make a ritual of buying "Trash" only when I fly. (Trash is the gossip rags like the Enquirer and Star)

With a good book and headphones to drown out the screaming kids I can usually nap for most of the trip (Dramamine makes you drowsy)

You'll be fine..

 

[judykay53]

Be prepared for different "feels" and "sounds" of the plane. I wasn't warned about this last year. I like flying and getting to my destination quickly. But things you feel when the plane is changing altitudes or the drag when the landing gear comes down was unexpected. The first time the landing gear was lowered I looked at the guy sitting next to me and he said" That's the landing gear coming down. That's normal". I had very pleasant conversations with the people sitting next to me going down and coming back. One was a young man flying for work and going on to Costa Rica and coming back was a teenager excited about meeting up with his dad and going on a hunting trip, even showed me pictures of a deer his dad had previously shot. He was so thrilled to be seeing his dad.Anyway, it made the flights go really quickly.

 

[soonerhunt]

I went about losing my fear of flying in completely different way. As I was researching airplanes and seating and size I ran across a couple sites that showed terrific pictures of airliners. At one of these sites there was a picture of a 747 that was involved in the worst plane crash in history. This got my interest peaked and I began reading about this crash, which lead me to read about other crashes. The more I read the more nervous I got, but then I began to realize the more I did read that I was reading about the same crashes and that in the past 35 years there have been very few crashes in the USA. I guess I always thought there were hundreds of crashes I was dead wrong it really is a small number. So when they say you’re more likely to be struck by lighting they’re not lying. Also a good book to read is called “Ask the Pilot by Patrick Smith” your Library probably has it.

 

[dudspizza]

I love to fly, but the bumps can make you nervous sometimes.... imagine the flight as your very first ride on a fun vacation at Disney World. Some folks have suggested closing your eyes and imagining that you are actually on a ride at the world....

Have fun. Things will work out fine. Look at the hundreds of flights there are in the US on a daily basis. How often do you hear about mishaps? Almost never. You hear about car crashes on a regular basis on the radio and tv.....

Duds

 

[soonerhunt]

Hundreds, there are thousands of flights each day in fact I've heard just in the U.S. there are 6000 flights a day

 

[Rebecca12345]

This site might help orient you to where your seat on the plane is, especially since this is your first time on a plane -
(Or help you choose the next time you book a flight)

http://www.seatguru.com

It helps me to know where I will be seated & others in my family/group I might be traveling with. Also, it tells you what amenities the flight may offer
ie movie, meal, a snack...


Here is my first time experience flying- I was abt 14 & was flying to another state with a friend. After we were seated, belts buckled, I asked her
"how do we open the windows?" I was serious

Flying is awesome!!!
relax & bring along a good read & a bottle of water,
a snack & gum for your ears. Swallowing hard & moving your lower jaw forward at the same time stretches your ear canal & helps your ears clear.

enjoy your vacation

 

[Dznypal]

my DH was always afraid to fly

a few years ago he just up the nerve he was going to do it--

he talked to my brother who was a pilot for Midwest at the time--

so we had it set up to go to New York for the weekend--

my brother was going to fly there with us and take the next flight back--

well he had a meeting come up at the last minute but said he would meet us at the airport and make sure DH gets on the plane--

the morning came and I knew this was going to be a problem--

but I did manage to get him to go the airport

while we were waiting for my brother DH goes to the mens room

while hes there my brother comes and I tell him things arent going good-

my brother goes to the mens room looking for DH--he comes back to me giving the "hes not in there" look I thought great Im going to NY by myself

DH finally comes by us and my brother keeps just calmly talking to him until its time to get on the plane(we were of course the last to get on )

as soon as he gets in his seat he just settled in and starting reading the paper

I call my mom from the hotel and she just got done talking to my brother and my brother said he just stood by the door blocking it if he saw DH running for the door!!!

We have the Bob Newhart show when he had the fear of flying workshop and it is just so funny---it hits home all the way

after we were at the hotel the new york cab ride was scarier then the flying itself

and now he loves to fly go figure

we've been to Hawaii and that is no easy flight!!!


so go and enjoy the flight---getting there is half the fun of a vacation

 

[WDWLinda]

I'm not crazy about flying, but I figure its the thing I have to do if I want to travel like I do. Also, I always try to remember the most dangerous part of your trip is driving to the airport - far more car accidents than plane accidents.

Good luck - you'll do fine!

~Linda

 

[KikiNJ]

There's a book called "Flying Without Fear" by Duane Brown, it has a chapter on each stage of the flight, what to expect, sounds, etc. It's nice to have during the flight so you can refer back to it.

 

[lauren0309]

The most nervous part for me is taking off. When the planes are lined up on the runway waiting for their turn to go and then speeding down the runway and lifting off. That is the only part that really bother me. Once in the air I'm okay. I read to distract myself and this time I am flying Song so I will watch tv in flight. Before I know it, we'll be landing.

 

[tinkerrn]

BUMP

The most nervous part for me is taking off. When the planes are lined up on the runway waiting for their turn to go and then speeding down the runway and lifting off. That is the only part that really bother me. Once in the air I'm okay. I read to distract myself and this time I am flying Song so I will watch tv in flight. Before I know it, we'll be landing.

Had to comment on this....I am thinking of flying AGAIN!!!! I am pretty terrified of flying. Flown many times before...just freaked out the last time. I ended up getting off the plane at La Guardia and caught a cab back to my BFs apt. in Manhattan. Not sure what triggered it....I just had a panic attack thinking about the take off. That bothers me most. I hate that feeling of take off. Reminds me of a roller coaster. Not sure how I am going to deal with this...but I am going to go to the sites you all have posted about.

any more suggestions???

 

[WillCAD]

BUMP




Had to comment on this....I am thinking of flying AGAIN!!!! I am pretty terrified of flying. Flown many times before...just freaked out the last time. I ended up getting off the plane at La Guardia and caught a cab back to my BFs apt. in Manhattan. Not sure what triggered it....I just had a panic attack thinking about the take off. That bothers me most. I hate that feeling of take off. Reminds me of a roller coaster. Not sure how I am going to deal with this...but I am going to go to the sites you all have posted about.

any more suggestions???

Seek counselling.

Panic attacks like that are usually a sign of a true phobia, and the best way to deal with a phobia is with a licensed, professional counsellor who can help you to overcome the fear. It's not something to be embarrassed about, but it is something that you can overcome, with the right help.

There's nothing like the elation you feel when you beat a long-standing fear and finally do something that used to terrify you.

 

[Servants of Evan]

The most nervous part for me is taking off. When the planes are lined up on the runway waiting for their turn to go and then speeding down the runway and lifting off. That is the only part that really bother me.

And that's one of my favorite parts. I admit it, I love flying. The mechanics of flight, etc. Yep, I'm a flying geek. My dream job would be to fly for Hawaiian or Aloha airlines doing the daily inter-island shuttles in my 737 ... those airlines and pilots have a lot of take off and landing cycles in the typical day.
Lauren, as you know the planes will line up on the taxiway. Only once the runway is cleared will another aircraft be allowed onto the runway unless there is a displaced threshold -- but that's an advanced topic discussed in session 102... Really, it's nothing to worry about. The flaps are set, the throttles are advanced to 70% N1, and you're off. You feel the thrust in your back as the plane is pushed forward... After you're rolling they'll advance the throttles further, the co-pilot announces V1 (nose up) Go/No Go (point where if your going to abort a take off you need to start braking) and V2 (rotate up, up and away). Only after positive climb has been established is the gear retracted. Once they hit a certain speed they can begin to retract the flaps as the added lift flaps provide is no longer needed. It's sweet...

 

[diannaneglia]

Everytime I fly I have to get some xanax from my doctor...I only take anywhere from a half to one...you don't notice you have any drugs in you at all when taking it...just feel exceptionally calm...and they are pretty safe. When I fly, I get physically sick...I cry...I can't think straight...I've never seen anyone as bad as me...but I am sure there are some people who are...anyways...this is why this time...I am driving to my destination...plus it is cheaper.

Just my 2 cents!

 

[WeLoveThePoly]

I also take Xanax. It doesn't totally relax me but it takes the edge off.

I'm not excited about our flights this years since they are not non-stop. Taking off and landing twice on the way down and the way back. Yuck!

At least I'm not like my sister - she has such a fear of flying that she can't even go to the airport! One of our friends was going to pick her parents up at the airport and my sister went with her. My friend had to turn around and take my sister back home because as they got closer and closer to the airport my sister started having a panic attack!

Debbie