Can you help me fly?

[Derby4me]

Alright Dissers, I need some help. I HATE to fly. H-A-T-E to fly. This becomes a little bit of a problem when you are a lover of Disney World yet live four states north. Usually, I would be a little anxious, maybe pop a pill, board my flight and exit the plane after a few hours. However, now I am the mother of two beautiful kids, and I am being very careful to not pass on my fear of flying to my 2 year old and my 9 month old.

It’s obvious that you all are a well traveled group. I’m looking for affirming words and statistics/facts as to why my fear of flying is irrational. I don’t even care if your statistics/facts are true as long as they are believable...Really! I know this is something I can overcome. I just need a few reassuring facts to give me a little self confidence as I board the plane.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Some airlines have programs for people who have a fear of flying. There may or may not be a fee involved. It tends to be taught by a Senior Captain with a syllabus designed by psychologists. Often the class will actually take place in an aircraft (on the ground).

So check with some airlines that operate near your home and see if they have such programs.

 

[Cdn Friends of Pooh]

Here is a Free Online Course - (you just have to register on the site) ... my husband took the time to go through it and he's a much better flyer now that he knows what all the sounds, etc. are

 

[carpedm]

Here's a list of your odds of dying in various ways... (and these are true)

Cardiovascular disease: 1 in 2
Smoking (by/before age 35): 1 in 600
Car trip, coast-to-coast: 1 in 14,000
Bicycle accident: 1 in 88,000
Tornado: 1 in 450,000
Train, coast-to-coast: 1 in 1,000,000
Lightning: 1 in 1.9 million
Bee sting: 1 in 5.5 million
U.S. commercial jet airline: 1 in 7 million

However, whether your fear of flying is rational or not, your body reacts the same to it, so you really need to think about what is causing the anxiety. For my wife (mjaclyn), it wasn't all about fear of crashing, but rather mostly about the fear of being in an enclosed space without a way to escape. Therefore, she focused on that specific anxiety to help her reduce her fear of flying. Don't expect the fear to go away, but there are things that you can do to reduce the anxiety and/or panic.

There are a number of programs available to help with your fear of flying. However, one thing that most recommend, and we've found very helpful, is to ask to meet the pilot before the plane leaves the gate. Just ask at the gate, explaining your anxiety, and they are usually very accommodating. This does a couple of things: 1) Get's you on the plane with a purpose, 2) lets you associate a human face with operation of the plane, 3) gives you assurance that the flight crew is well-trained and very experienced, and 4) it's fun for the kids as well.

Hope this helps. Just be aware that you are by no means alone in your fear of flying. Many people experience it, and many people have overcome it.

 

[Derby4me]

Thank you all for your great suggestions and statistics. I will checkout the online class and the facts are very comforting! I think I might even print them off and take them in my carryon just incase I get a little anxious.

My fear is more about the idea of falling from the sky. Years ago, I saw a commercial for a movie about a plane crash. I wish I wouldn't have even seen it! Every time I think of flying I get a visualization of that scene and think of how horrible it would be to die that way. However, I REFUSE to let it stop me. There are to many adventures I want to take with my family.

 

[disneysteve]

This becomes a little bit of a problem when you are a lover of Disney World yet live four states north.

Just something else to think about...

We don't mind flying at all and we live 7 states north of Florida but we drive to and from every year - just got back last Sunday in fact. You are much closer than us. Have you considered just driving there? If we were in Virginia, flying would never even cross our minds.

 

[starwood]

I much prefer driving than flying. Flying has become such a hassle. I prefer the freedom of driving.

 

[SDSorority]

Alright Dissers, I need some help. I HATE to fly. H-A-T-E to fly. This becomes a little bit of a problem when you are a lover of Disney World yet live four states north. Usually, I would be a little anxious, maybe pop a pill, board my flight and exit the plane after a few hours. However, now I am the mother of two beautiful kids, and I am being very careful to not pass on my fear of flying to my 2 year old and my 9 month old.

It’s obvious that you all are a well traveled group. I’m looking for affirming words and statistics/facts as to why my fear of flying is irrational. I don’t even care if your statistics/facts are true as long as they are believable...Really! I know this is something I can overcome. I just need a few reassuring facts to give me a little self confidence as I board the plane.

Have you ever heard of "Rescue Remedy"? It's made by the Bach Flower Essence company. It helps me a LOT- available at all health food stores. Here's the link to the website: http://www.bachflower.com/Rescue_Remedy.htm

 

[bdoyledimou]

I fly all the time for business and pleasure. One year in particular i had about 998,000 air miles (one short flight to Chicago to get me over the Million Mile club, but that was cancelled due to weather )

I have more miles in the air than i do in my car, and i am 40 years old! Best seats are right over the wings. there is less "tilt" as you are in the pivot point, there is less noise from the various components, and when you look out you don't see the distance to the ground, you see the 3 feet to the wing surface.

 

[Derby4me]

Just something else to think about...

We don't mind flying at all and we live 7 states north of Florida but we drive to and from every year - just got back last Sunday in fact. You are much closer than us. Have you considered just driving there? If we were in Virginia, flying would never even cross our minds.

I live in Ohio, as in 5 minutes from Michigan as north as you can get Ohio. So while it's only 4 states, it's a pretty good hike. We actually were originally thinking about driving, but will two small children (2 and 9 months) we decided an 18 hour drive wasn't the best decision for our family at this time. Also, when we factored in the price of gas, and a hotel room for one night each way, it only cost about $100 more. I think it's worth the money!

Also, I think it's something I need to overcome. I would rather just get over my fear. I have dreams of a trip to Europe with my Husband and I'm not willing to give that up...even if it won't happen for another 18 years

I really do appreciate the suggestion though. Thanks for responding!

 

[Derby4me]

Have you ever heard of "Rescue Remedy"? It's made by the Bach Flower Essence company. It helps me a LOT- available at all health food stores. Here's the link to the website: http://www.bachflower.com/Rescue_Remedy.htm

I have not heard about this! Thank you! I am a nursing mother, so I'm hesitant to take some medications because he will get it. However, I'm up for somthing like this! I'll have to read a little more and run it by the pediatrician. Thank you again!

 

[Derby4me]

I fly all the time for business and pleasure. One year in particular i had about 998,000 air miles (one short flight to Chicago to get me over the Million Mile club, but that was cancelled due to weather )

I have more miles in the air than i do in my car, and i am 40 years old! Best seats are right over the wings. there is less "tilt" as you are in the pivot point, there is less noise from the various components, and when you look out you don't see the distance to the ground, you see the 3 feet to the wing surface.

This is a great suggestion! We are flying Southwest so will get to select our seats once we board the plane. I usually to to sit near the back of the plane to be curtious to the other riders, but my noisy child is older and is a great listener now and the baby is pretty quiet. I think we could pull off those seats without disrupting the rest of the plane.

I can't even imagine flying as much as you have, but I guess it's just a testiment to the safety of the planes. Thank you for the tip!

 

[woodleygrrl]

I fly at least twice a month for work and it is not one of my favorite pastimes I can tell you that.

I went to my doctor and he gave me xanax. Problem solved. I take two little pills before I get in the plane and all of that anxiety and panic I was having is no more. And it doesn't make me that tired either.

There is no shame in asking the doctor for help if what you are experiencing is keeping you from enjoying your life.

Jennifer

 

[woodleygrrl]

I live in Ohio, as in 5 minutes from Michigan as north as you can get Ohio. So while it's only 4 states, it's a pretty good hike. We actually were originally thinking about driving, but will two small children (2 and 9 months) we decided an 18 hour drive wasn't the best decision for our family at this time. Also, when we factored in the price of gas, and a hotel room for one night each way, it only cost about $100 more. I think it's worth the money!

Also, I think it's something I need to overcome. I would rather just get over my fear. I have dreams of a trip to Europe with my Husband and I'm not willing to give that up...even if it won't happen for another 18 years

I really do appreciate the suggestion though. Thanks for responding!

And ps? hello from a former Toledoan!

 

[disneysteve]

I live in Ohio, as in 5 minutes from Michigan as north as you can get Ohio. So while it's only 4 states, it's a pretty good hike.

My apologies. I was thinking of the I-95 corridor so 4 states would place you in Virginia, not Ohio.

I fly at least twice a month for work and it is not one of my favorite pastimes I can tell you that.

I went to my doctor and he gave me xanax. Problem solved.

There is no shame in asking the doctor for help if what you are experiencing is keeping you from enjoying your life.

Jennifer

I would second this. I'm a physician and I can tell you I regularly prescribe mild sedatives for patients who are afraid of flying. It isn't a bad way to go at all. And perhaps after you do it a few times, you'll find you won't even need them. Or you'll find that just having them with you just in case is enough to settle your nerves without actually having to take them.

 

[Derby4me]

And ps? hello from a former Toledoan!

Ha! You called it!

Thanks for the suggestion!

 

[WaltD4Me]

My sister HATES to fly too. On the other hand...I love it. It means I'm going somewhere. My sister and I travel together to WDW and I always tell her to do her mantra..."In 3 hours I'll be at Disney." "In 3 hours I'll be at Disney." That and 1/2 a Xanax gets her through the flight .... the plane ride home is a little more difficult.

 

[chirurgeon]

I know I'm not the best person to ask about a fear of flying. I have been flying since I was 7 and have always loved it. I do not fear falling from the sky. I fear another flight with 110 12 year olds, they were coming home from an Easter Break field trip to Washington, DC. I was stuck on a 6 hour flight from Pittsburgh to L.A. Talk about insanity. I have never been so happy for turbulance in my life. They finally had to sit down. This was of course before the more stringent regulations these days. But I still shudder at the thought of all those kids without parents on a plane.

Its all about perspective.

Kim

 

[Cin]

I hate flying too. But I love love love WDW! And to get to WDW I have to fly as I too live too far to make a short drive. I take my Bible and my Disney books with me and try to focus on reading them to keep myself distracted from the fact we are flying. I wear my cross so I can feel like I am somehow closer to God and his protection. I rub it like you would a worry stone I guess but it works for me. I pray a whole lot and try to stay calm and appear to others like it's just an everyday trip for me, but inside I am a bundle of nerves. I try to gauge whether a sound is odd or abnormal by other's reactions around me, I always freak when they drop the wheels down and the engines go quiet or whatever it is they do that gets us ready for landing, but now that I am seeing no one else even flinches at the sounds and everyone else is calm and going about their own business so I am starting to get used to it a little. I still really want to kiss the ground when we land every time and I always thank the pilot and co pilot for our flight and great landing. As a parent you especially have to keep it together and set a good example for the kiddos. I never let my kids know I was freaked out, even though they knew mom didn't like flying they really never knew how much I really dread it. Keep your eyes on the prize so they say, your goal is getting to Disneyworld so think happy thoughts, pray or do whatever you need to cope and distract yourself. Actually having the kids is a good distraction since you can focus on them instead of your being freaked out. And seriously, thousands of planes take off and land safely every day and so will you!

 

[becauseisaid]

One thing that should help you tremendously are your kids. Remember...you will be distracted with them at the airport and on the plane. Concentrating on their needs will keep your mind off of your fears. Anything you can do to distract your mind will be a good thing. And, let's face it, kids are GREAT distractions!

Good luck! Phobias are no fun.