convince me to fly!

[waltdisneyworlddreamer]

I have never been on a plane before and have always been too scared to even think about flying. BUT, my husband refuses to drive to Disney anymore. (too long, too tiring and wastes 2 days in the car each way) SO, for my love of Disney and to get to go I am trying to convince myself that I can fly and not suffer from a major panic attack. When you weigh the pros and cons, flying seems great--the non-stop flight only takes 2 hours, we will be refreshed when we get there, etc. We will be traveling with our two DS, 7 and 2. We may even have another child, 5yo with SIL, BIL, DM and DD. Does anyone have any first time flying experiences??

 

[Chicago526]

I think there is a web site that deals with fear of flying and has great suggestions on how to prepare yourself for that first big flight! I can't remember the name of it, but you could do a Google search for "fear of flying" and I'm sure you'll find it. I guess it describes the noises you might hear on the flight (that bump-thump you hear right after take off is the landing gear folding back into the plane, for example) and also gives you tips on staying calm.

Just remember, you're more likely to get hit by a bus crossing the street than have something bad happen to you on a plane. Flying is so much safer than driving, yet we get into cars every day without a second thought.

Good for you for facing down your fears! Good luck!

 

[dreams91]

I am a horrible flyer. This was my first "long" flight....5 1/2 hours long! I called the dear doc who set me up with a RX for Xanax. Worked perfectly!!! I usually clutch my fingernails so tight into my DH leg, but no need to with the meds.... So take that flight with the meds and you'll be fine!!

 

[DisneyWorld Delight]

waltdisneyworlddreamer-

You must at least try it. If you don't like it after that, don't do it again. Your pros for flying are all valid and reasons thousand of people fly everyday. Drug yourself up and go for it!

 

[pumpkinboy]

How about an appeal to reason? Well, that's never worked before, but here goes: Statistics show flying had the lowest fatality or injury rate per mile travelled than any other method of transportation (even walking, folks!). Millions and millions of ppl fly every day, with no problem at all.

So there's the appeal to facts. I sense, however, that this is an irrational fear, so perhaps that consultation with the doc might not be a bad idea.

Good luck to you!

 

[disneydebi]

I hate to fly also.
We drove a couple of years ago and I swore never again...

We just returned from our trip on 11/13... FLEW!

I highly recommend Ativan! I took one about 1/2 hour before boarding. Our trip down was quite bumpy... but it didn't bother me (can't say the same for my hubby). It's weird.... I knew it was bumpy, was totally aware... but somehow it didn't send me into a panic like usual.

I still dont look forward to any future flights.... but at least i know there is a way to get through them with less stress and panic!

There are a number of web sites that deal with fear of flying that are helpful as well...

 

[n2mm]

My love for being in WDW far outweighs my fear of flying. I use to get sick right before I would fly, mostly on the car trip to the airport. I've gotten so much better. We can be on a 8:30AM flight and land at 10:30AM and be checking into our resort before noon. Starts my vacation so much sooner. We go often because hubby is a CM. And he will ONLY fly, so to get there, I have no other choice. Good Luck!

 

[mom2cinderella]

I flew to Vegas in 97 and did not fly again until a few weeks ago. The only things that got me on the plane were Disney and Xanax (oh yeah, and the 36 hour train ride to WDW in April of 03). I can't tell you how much the Xanax helped. I am planning on flying again in January and November - which for me is amazing. Before our first family trip to WDW last April, I would have sworn I would never get on a plane again.


You can do it!

Michele

 

[inkkognito]

The website is www.fearofflyinghelp.com
It was an enormous help to me. I am scared to death of flying, but also very logical, so it helped me understand how planes can be airworthy and what all those funny noises and changes in speed actually are for.
I also carry Xanax just in case, although I don't need it unless the flight is really bad. Actually, it doesn't do all that much for me, just sort of takes off the worst of the edge.
Barb

 

[JoeCathyAngelina]

My wife hates, hates, hates, to fly; so last March we drove down to WDW for my DD's 3rd birthday from Boston, Ma. We departed downtown Boston on Friday afternoon at 1:30 pm, filled the gas tank, used the bathrooms, switch drivers every 3-4 hours and were walking around Downtown Disney Saturday at Noon. 23 hours, It was No Big Deal !!!
Driving from Kentuky you could Leave at 5 in the moring and check into your WDW hotel room at 7 the same night.
Transfers to the Airports, Lines and waiting around the Airports, unexpected delays at the Airports, Rental cars...... Flying isn't a 2 hour trip.
This April we're Flying Down to WDW. It's No Big Deal !!!
The Point is, Flying or Driving both take time and patients.
Try flying this time.

 

[TandyR]

Transfers to the Airports, Lines and waiting around the Airports, unexpected delays at the Airports, Rental cars...... Flying isn't a 2 hour trip.

This is why we take the train. For the 4 of us to go down from Maine to Orlando...it cost the same as flying. Yes it takes longer, but we have a blast on the train. We don't have the stress of flying or the stress of driving. We can sit back and watch the world go by...have dinner, lunch and breakfast as part of our ticket and we just have a very good time.
So if you really can't get over your fear of flying check out the trains. (I am not afraid of flying at all and I do fly at least once a year, but I like trains so so much better, they seem more laid back and less stressful.)

 

[mmiller711]

My sisters and I are all big babies when it comes to flying and none of us have flown in years. This year my Sister's son-in-law took them on an expense paid vacation to the World. Included were tickets for the flight down. Well, my sister really wanted to go, it was her daughter's 30th birthday, so off to the Dr. she went. Armed with Xanax she got on the plane Nov. 12th and returned last Monday. She called to say she will never drive again! The flight took less time than the 2 1/2 hour drive to the airport and the meds helped take the edge off her fears.
I know I could brave the plane ride for a trip to Disney but my DH refuses to fly! He never has and says he never will! We'll see

 

[erikthewise]

Originally posted by pumpkinboy
How about an appeal to reason? Well, that's never worked before, but here goes: Statistics show flying had the lowest fatality or injury rate per mile travelled than any other method of transportation (even walking, folks!). Millions and millions of ppl fly every day, with no problem at all.

Many years ago I read in the Guinness Book of World Records that the safest form of transportation is actually the escalator, which had (at the time) one fatality out of about one trillion passenger trips.

But as there is no escalator that goes to Disney World, flying is your best bet!
I have a very rational fear of heights, but flying does not bother me at all. Even takeoff is as gentle as a lamb compared to a city bus pulling away from a stop.

Do your best to get a nonstop flight! Southwest flies nonstop out of Louisville, Delta out of Cincinnati and Louisville, ATA out of Indianapolis, and Airtran out of Dayton.

When you DO fly, if you get nervous because of a strange noise or something, just observe the experienced fliers around you. If they are calm, there is nothing to worry about!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

I don't like to fly. I am terrified of takeoff. I am certain we will have a catastrophic mechanical failure. The really idiotic thing is that once the plane is airborne and stable I am fine. Landing doesn't bother me, either.

I don't think my fear is bad enough to warrant medication, and I want to have my wits about me in case something goes wrong! I am one of those people who always watches lots of "worst case scenario" type things so I am always planning for the bizarre. Maybe I am wrong, but I think a train derailment would be worse. And really, like everyone else has said, people die in car crashes EVERY day. Planes only tend to crash on occasion.

Be brave and bring a good book or something else to divert your attention. Good luck!!

 

[DC7800]

Originally posted by jackskellingtonsgirl
Maybe I am wrong, but I think a train derailment would be worse. And really, like everyone else has said, people die in car crashes EVERY day. Planes only tend to crash on occasion.

Planes seldom crash, but there are few - often no - survivors when an accident does happen. Statistically, trains derail more often than planes crash, but generally with only a few passengers having rather minor injuries. You are also much better off within the train car, with its heavy steel construction (the Acela trains described as "rolling bank vaults"). Typically you have a few hundred feet of train between you and the point of "collision", not right up there with it like in an automobile.

That shouldn't put anyone here off from flying, don't misunderstand me. I'd still recommend the train for comfort, convenience, and safety, but if you are considering a trip by plane you have no real reason to worry, just go ahead and enjoy the flight. But if you are going to lose sleep over it or something, there are alternatives to the airplane or car.

 

[DisneyWorld Delight]

waltdisneyworlddreamer,

Have we convinced you?

 

[waltdisneyworlddreamer]

Oh, I wish I knew!! The thoughts from those that are pro-flying are very comforting. If you think about it, there are thousands of flights that depart and arrive safely everyday. I just have this thought that the one flight that i'm on will be the one. Taking medication to ease my fear would totally be out of the question. I rarely even take a Tylenol. I would find strength in prayer! If I get a big group of others together that would go with us, I think I could do it. I just hate the thoughts of something happening because I came up with this big idea for a trip. I hate the thoughts of knowing your plane is going down and knowing you're going to crash. If we go, it will be the first part of November, next year. I can see me going through all this planning, making reservations, etc, and then backing out at the last minute. I appreciate all the replies and help. I guess we will all find out next fall!!!

 

[erikthewise]

On a typical day, more than one million (1,000,000) people fly on airplanes in the US. Since 9/11/01, there has only been one fatal incident involving a scheduled passenger aircraft, when a turboprop taking off from Charlotte crashed and killed 21 people. That's out of over a billion passenger trips! If you WANTED to die in an airplane crash on a commercial passenger plane, and spent your whole life trying to do so, you couldn't do it!

 

[waltdisneyworlddreamer]

If you WANTED to die in an airplane crash on a commercial passenger plane, and spent your whole life trying to do so, you couldn't do it!

I like that thought! That is a really intersting way to think about it.

 

[Chicago526]

Originally posted by waltdisneyworlddreamer
I would find strength in prayer!

Well, at 30,000 feet, you're a lot closer to God, so he'll hear you for sure!

Not to be a Debbie Downer, but about 1 year ago (I think) there was an Amtrak derailment. Lots of injuries and 1 death. The death was a woman that took the train because she was too affraid to fly.

I think it just shows that if it's your time, it's your time. Regardless if you're on a plane, train, bicycle, or asleep in your bed. Live life, don't fear it!