Any other fearful flyers?

[duck_adoo]

Hi! We will be in the middle of our decent to MCO 48 hours from now. I have to say...I really, really, really, dislike flying. I don't know if it's the control thing or what. I know you are more likely to get in a car accident, then a plane accident. But, my brain just keeps saying that I'm more likely to survive a car accident than a plane accident. I have flown several times before. This is the first time flying with our 2 5 1/s dd's, and the fear factor has increased in recent years. I don't know if it's an age thing (only 36) or what. I certainly don't want to convey my anxiety to the girls (dh will be there too), but they know. I've just said to them-how afraid can I be, I'm getting on the plane right? We're flying southwest,direct flights. I've got candy, xanax (?) from my doctor. (I don't want to be totally out of it). I've actually had trouble sleeping the past few nights. I'm really looking forward to the trip, I just want the flight to be over.Any helpful hints would be appreciated. Thanks! Duck

 

[Beverly Lynn]

you know the airlines put out a fearful flyer class a couple of times a yr. it is pricey but from the feedback I have heard it is well worth it.

whats your fear? if you can conquor that then the problem is solved. aircrashes are far and few between as opposed to car crashes. you are safer in the air than you are on the ground. I love to fly. so does my daughter.

 

[singitalto]

I can totally relate!!!

I am 40 now and I have been on a plane many times. My last flight to WDW was last October, I was sooooooooooooooooooooooooo afraid. I started thinking so much stress to go on vacation- is is worth it?(I guess i should have gotten that Xenax stuff???) I talked my DH into going Amtrak to Orlando so I wouldn't be so stressed out. Yea I know, trains crash too- but they it doesn't scare me the same way.

If you find a way to beat this fear thing let me know. 2 1/2 hours beats 21 anyday!

 

[imgoingtodisney]

In 1996 I flew with husband and 4yr (at the time) son. In 1987 (when I was 30) I did fly to Vegas from Mass by myself. However this Oct I am flying alone with 9yr son and I am somewhat frightened. Yes, I believe some has to do with the age factor. I'm also trying not to frighten him.

 

[Disney-Kim]

I am also afraid of flying. I always had anxieties but as I flew more often
I outgrew them (in my 20's) but then a year ago we had a scary landing and now I am soooooooooooooooo scared too. Anxieties overtake me and I feel panicked (sp?)
that the pain is going to fall out of the sky. you know when you take turns or go to lower altitude....the subtle movements freak me out...I think the plane is falling. I dont' know why I think this?? but I have a hard time talking myself out the thought. I also have a hard time looking out the window now......scared of the heights.....this is all since last summers flight.

Flying to Hawaii was only a tiny bit scary.......because we were on an DC10...HUGE plane.
The movements in big planes are so much more smooth and subtle. but the flight to LAX was torture.......

I am also nervous about WDW flights...taking dramamine.......

 

[Beverly Lynn]

have you ever tried to get hypnotized before you fly? I remember this one lady telling me all about it. how she used to be so afraid to fly yadda yadda yadda. then she got hypnotized and she has no problem flying now. it might work!

 

[Lilly]

There was a website posted here on the DIS that really helped me. I think it was called fearofflying.com. Sorry, I dont know how to do links. If this isnt it, you could do a search and find it. This site helped me because it made me understand the principles of flight and it also helped me know what various noises were and why certain things happen in the air. I hate turbulence and when the pilot even mentions that there could be some turbulence ahead, I would begin to panic. This site suggested that you watch the liquid in the cup on your tray, so that you could see that even though it felt bumpy on the plane, you really werent bouncing as much as you might think you are. Anyway, I hope this helps. Have a great time!

 

[Dizzy-Disney4]

Until recently, I never thought of myself as scared of flying, have flown many times in the past...even once in a little puddle jumper by myself. Its never been something I looked forward to, but it never really bothered me. I haven't flown in about 10 years and when we started to plan our trip this year to WDW in October, I found out just how afraid I am now. I found great tickets on expedia, and when I went to click to book the tickets, I suddenly had weird things happen to me...tunnel vision, broke into a cold sweat, and felt like I couldn't breathe. My Mom said it sounds almost like an anxiety attack. I have to go back to Florida for a wedding in November and when I went to book tickets for that, the same thing happened. So...we're going Amtrak. I don't like the idea of taking pills, especially for the trip in November because its just my DS (8) & myself going. I never would have thought of hypnotism...I'll have to remember that next time.

 

[duck_adoo]

Thanks for all the replies. The http://www.fearofflying.com link was really good. It certainly helps w/the FAQ section. thanks again. We'll be leaving for the airport in about 12 hrs
Duck

 

[scanne]

I have a fear of flying! Big time! When we flew out to Las Vegas in April I took Xanax and I was a little giddy (ok I had some wine, too). But coming back it did not help when we were going through some wicked turbulence!!!!

I just booked a weekend trip to WDW for October AND I'm going in December. So I have to fly 4 more times! And the worst part forme is take off and landing. And the WORST part is that I might be pregnant when we go (we're trying ) and I don't know if I'll be able to take Xanax or anything! I'm going to try to psych myself into believing that I will be perfectly safe! Wish me luck!!!!

 

[mrs.pixiedust]

My husband and I have never flown before. This will be our first time and we'll also have our 4 year old and 8 month old in tow. I'm afraid and I'm just hoping my 4 yr old doesn't "wig out." I'm stressed about how everything works at the airport. I haven't really sat and thought too much about the actual flight. Oh well, maybe it won't be too bad.

 

[msdis]

I too hate flying and the minute I used to buy the tickets it would all start in. The panic, the nightmares, the dreams of flying in my sleep. With about 6-7 trips in the last 24 months the anxiety has lessened with each flight. Now I worry more about connections and other trivial details. It definately has to do with lack of control of a situation in the unknown. No doubt about it! If we were all pilots and had the same training to KNOW how to handle the situation we would all be a little less afraid. It's that fear of knowing we know nothing, and can do nothing about it. I find boats to have similar effects although I agree several feet from the water a lot more comfort than 30,000 feet from the ground; as I can not swim. It's that helpless feeling we all get when we know our limitations are not adequate for the situation. I know someone who would love to travel and his DW has been begging him to take her to WDW. HE CAN'T! He breaks out in a panic attack and take xanax just THINKING about it. Those fears are real. They too are looking at Amtrak even though the statistics are worse. It's that helpless feeling. My DH has a fear of driving to WDW. We live about 30 hours away and he has fears of accidents, being broke down in the middle of the night, getting lost, getting killed in a motel in an unfamiliar area, or getting killed by a mugger somewhere along the highway. These fears are all real too. Maybe we should all just stay home. LOL! BTW- we will be flying to WDW next week, renting a car to drive around in for 1+1/2 weeks, and taking the 3 day cruise. Are we daring or what?

 

[Luvdisney]

I get nervous about flying but I think my fear isn't the thought of flying it's the ear pain I always get. I have never been able to fly without getting this really bad sharp pain in my ear. I try popping my ears and even tried those earplanes but it doesn't seem to help. I even take decongestants before I fly but no relief. My 7 y.o. son is scared to death of flying. Once when he was 4 and we went to WDW and flew. The plane banked a little before landing at MCO and he started screaming "the plane is tipping and we are all going to die!" Has any one tried hypnotism on a child? Were do you find a person who can do this? The last time we went to WDW we went via the Autotrain. It was nice but oh so long..... I'm planning another trip for either Jan or Aug of '02 and my wife thinks I'm nuts for wanting to fly. She thinks I want to torture my son.

 

[The Princess]

We are flying to WDW on Sunday and I understand exactly how you feel!! I am having panic attacks too!! I just want to get there. Everyone tells me you should be so happy you are going to Disney. I am trying to keep my fear away from my daughters (8 and 5) because they don't need to be crazy like their mother!! Last time we took Amtrak and I hated that too. Maybe if we could move to Orlando it would be better ha! ha! I wish you luck and a safe trip and please do the same for me.

 

[gm]

I have flights in december and March2002 and they are with stopovers so we will be going up and down up and down twice before reaching mco. That is the scariest part for me the takeoff. Somehow I have a screw in my head stating when we takeoff the plane is about to fall we we are gone. Also whenever there is turbulence I am thinking "okay we are going down" it is so scary and is it worth it? well for Disney I guess. I probably will have to try dramanine or something too on our december trip.

 

[Ted and Holly]

I am terrified as well. For me it is a control thing. I don't know where I am, how fast I am going, how high I am and whether or not everything is going as planned. AND, if anything happened, I could not fix it. My life is in the hands of pilots, the mechanical functioning of the plane and whatever other higher powers are out there.

I was just starting to feel better about flying, when our plane had to make a scary emergency landing on our last trip to WDW. Our next trip os booked and getting closer... the anxiety is setting in. Here is what I am doing:

1. Flying a different airline than usual. SWA by the way, has had no crashes (with fatalities) in the 30+ years they've been flying. Better than the Concorde now.....

2. Every night, I track the flight we are taking on www.trip.com and watch the route it usually takes, watch it's speed and alltitude, and watch it land safely night after night after night.

3. We've visited the airport and watched others board our particular flight, watch it take off safely.

4. I will get some medication from my doctor before we leave.

So far, this seems to be helping.... the nightmares have mostly stopped.... I'll let you know how it goes!


Holly P