Am I beign irrational?

[Christine]

I just wanted to add that Xanax wears off pretty quickly. If you take 25 mg it will be out of your system by the time you land and you will not feel groggy. I think Ativan is even quicker.

Dramamine, on the other hand, well, it makes me feel like crap ALL day (and does nothing for my anxiety).

 

[mom2boys]

I am a nervous flyer too - ok in the air but take off & landing always find me saying my prayers. I will not let this keep me from enjoying a trip - anywhere. When DH worked for a major airline we were able to fly a lot. We even went half way around the world to New Zealand. I have never had a "scare" on a plane but I did lose a friend in a freak wind shear accident back in the 80s. I am of the opinion that when it is my time to go, there is nothing I can do about it. I do feel better when our entire family is together on a flight - I can't stand the thought of my kids growing up without a mother.
You could probably find a "group" that would help you overcome your fear of flying.

 

[DSNY FN]

I was the same way my wife G/F at the time in 96 asked me if Iwanted to go to Disney with her and her family. I agreed they didn't mae any mention of the flying part though so about a week before we are to leave they hand me a plane ticket I just freaked out I hated the thought of flying. I had never been on a plane and I had no plans on ever gettin in one. The trip arrived and we made ourr way to the Detroit Airport I headed straight to the bar for a few double rye and cokes still didn't help. They had to actually push me down the boarding platform to get me on the plane I stopped half way down and was turning around I really didn't want to fly. I now have no problems with flying and have taken quite a few flights it does get easier the more you do it. Hope you feel better about it and make it through. We flew to Disney on our honeymoon to and the flight down was ok but the flight home was a little less than spectacular we were stuck on the tarmack for over 2.5 hours in an electrical storm I think that scared the crap out of me to I would never board a plane in those conditions again.

 

[SugarBear]

Here's a site that might help you with your fear of flying...

http://www.fearofflyinghelp.com/

 

[Banshee]

Thank you all so much for the advice! I do appreciate it.I have flown once to Texas the flight down was uneventfull (though I was afraid), it was the flight back that was bad!! There was major turbulence from a storm so much so that the plane had to land in Georgia. I know that is where a lot of my fear comes from,but I also dont want to put my children through that! I had never thought of the auto train.How much does that average? Thank you all very much!

 

[Banshee]

Thank you for that link sugar bear!

 

[disdreams]

Also, I think is funny when people quote the old "you have more chance of getting in a car accident than a plane crash."

I always want to say "yeah, but which accident (car or plane) do you have the most chance of surviving?" It is rare that someone survives a plane crash but many people walk away from car accidents. That logic never worked for me....and I know, I'm not helping right?

Christine:
No matter what, your chances of getting into an accident, dying....period... are MUCH greater in a car than a plane. Also, even if you don't die in a car crash, you could be paralized, lose a limb, etc....

 

[faithinkarma]

I always want to say "yeah, but which accident (car or plane) do you have the most chance of surviving?" It is rare that someone survives a plane crash but many people walk away from car accidents. That logic never worked for me....and I know, I'm not helping right?

The non fatal car accidents are not entered into the equation. So you are in fact statistically more likely to die in a car than in a plane.

In fact, the only vehicle in which you are safer than a plane is a school bus. I offer that particular statistic because it is the one I remind myself of before and during every flight.

 

[ToyStory Fan]

Last year DW and I had the same debate and decided to fly. We will be flying next trip as well. The drive is doable (18-20 hours), but takes its toll (bad weather can increase that time by a few hours easily).

The train is not as secure as flying, car rental will probably be cheaper than flying (believe it or not)

The auto-train (depending on where you live) is not much of a bargain either and if you are time constrained it kills a good day and a half, each way .

$200 for the week for a full size, plus gas and tolls - usually unlimited mileage. Airfare will be approx $150-$200 per passenger. If you are that nervous about flying I would go with the rental car.

 

[dianeschlicht]

The most dangerous way to travel is to drive. THat little fact alone should make you feel better about flying. That and the fact that you really don't want to pass your phobias on to your children.

 

[Micca]

Has anyone mentioned how much more time you could spend at WDW if you flew? Sometimes I swear I've had enough of the hassle of flying, and how much more relaxing a car trip to WDW would be. Then I start thinking of two looonnnnggg days in the car going, and two even looonnnnger days coming back. I know that doesn't solve the fear of flying problem, but maybe the thought of more WDW time would make the anxiety more bearable.

 

[Banshee]

Thanks again everyone

 

[DisneyJules]

I'm an extremely nervous flyer so I sympathize with you. Though I just go and do it. Here's some stats they may reassure you, http://www.airsafe.com/airline.htm Of course I hadn't read these the last time I flew so I was nervous as ever. I also recommend anxiety tapes by Lucinda Bassett, she's amazing. I listened to mine while flying and they calmed me right down, I was quite amazed.
Happy flying!