First flight in 20 days and I am FREAKED OUT!

[jenfur]

I am not flying to Disney, but from Charlotte to Seattle (5.5 hrs), but I figured most people on this board have plenty of experience. I am so nervous. I try to think about it as if it isn't happening to me and I'm okay...until I'm lying in bed and see myself in the cabin buckling in- my heart rate goes up and I get all panicky. I am starting Buspar soon for anxiety, I don't want anything that will knock me out in case there is an emergency. I have tried to get support from my family, most of them are helpful. DH and DS (10) have flown alot, my brother has been all over the world, and my DD 14, who will traveling with me, recently had her first flight. They did have an incident where the pilot overshot the landing and had to go around, then when they finally landed, he slammed the brakes pretty good. I thought I was doing good until I talked to my mom (never flown) and I tell her how bad I would feel if something bad happened to me because I wanted to go on a trip, you know would my other children blame me...she says "well, can you cancel?" Thanks mom!

Any advice or things I need to be prepared for? I am taking my netbook, a dvd player and a book. Everything we have will be carry-on. Why does it take longer to get there than to fly back, by like a whole half hour, I'm guessing the jet stream? I really don't want to embarass myself. We're flying US Airways, Airbus 321 (I think)- yeah, the Rio flight news ain't helping.

Also, my flight lands at 12:17 and we need to catch a bus that leaves at 12:50- the pick up area is just downstairs from the terminal we will be in- can we make it?

 

[uva185]

US Airways is a pretty basic no frills airline these days. There is no in flight entertainment.

I have never flown in coach on the A321 aircraft but in first class the plane shakes a bit right after takeoff (especially evident by things rattling in the galley). Don't freak out, it only lasts maybe 5 seconds and happens on every flight I've taken on a US Airways A321.

Flying west takes longer in part due to the jet stream but more specifically the prevailing winds over North America blow West to East (even if you are not flying in the jet stream)

Will you be checking luggage? If everything is on-time you might be able to catch the bus but sometimes it can take awhile for luggage to come out. Is there a second bus you can take if you are running late?

 

[allison k]

I've been flying since I was very young. It wasn't until after I flew to Japan when I was 13 years old that I began to have a fear of flying. Weird, huh? Back in 2000, I learned that I could go to an MD for meds - which is looks like you've done - and it definitely has helped. But, to tell you the truth, what has helped me the most is my neighbors. They are both pilots at Alaska Airlines. They've gone through the realities of the safety of flying with me many times, and that helped a bit. Then my neighbor told me of a conversation she had with a frightened passenger. The passenger had commented that the rain was making her nervous about flying. My friend said, "I have 2 boys at home, and I feel safe taking off. If I didn't, I wouldn't leave them." Knowing that they leave their boys (1 and 4) 2-3 times a week on a plane and are comfortable has helped me accept the fact that flying is safer than driving...

Just know that you aren't alone in this flying phobia. You'll do fine. Hopefully, you'll do so well on your first flight you fly all the time after it!!!

 

[fla4fun]

What helped me was learning as much as I could about what different sounds and sensations I would experience on the plane, and what they meant, so I would know if something was "normal" or unusual. I also went online and searched for videos of my airline and type of plane, so I could see some take off and landing videos, to also get an idea of what was typical. Knowledge is power!