Flying for the first time alone....

[DisneyJules]

I'm flying for the first time alone this October and I'm already anxious. I do NOT enjoy flying and I'm even more anxious at the thought of flying alone. I'm heading to Calgary for an interview to work in the Walt Disney World cultural representative program, which I'm completely thrilled about. But I'm not looking forward to flying there.
Any advice?

 

[CEDmom]

Start a book a few days before you leave so you can really get into it on the plane. Bring a few snacks you really enjoy. Also a CD player with some nice relaxing music would be a good idea. Ask for an aisle seat so you can get up and move around more easily. Good luck, it sounds like an interesting job. What types of things would you be doing, if you don't mind my asking?

 

[DisneyJules]

Thanks CEDMom, I'd be working in the Canadian Pavilion in either Merchandise, Attraction or Food and Beverage. It would be an amazing experience and one I should definitely not pass up. And I'd be living with people from all over the world in a very nice apartment. It sounds like a great program, and of course I'd could visit the park any time!

 

[CEDmom]

Very interesting. Again, best of luck to you. Let us know if you get the job.

 

[GailT]

That sounds great. I can relate to you about flying but you are safer up there then if you were here in MA going into Boston on the express way. Do what that last poster said, start a good book so you can read when you are on the plane, all kinds of snacks and ya know what helps me, talking to the person beside, behind or in front of me, relaxs me a bit. I actualy held the hand of a lady beside me because she was afraid and she asked me, she was fine, you'll do just great.

 

[CamColt]

Ill be looking for advice here too as Im flying alone for the first time in Dec and I too am very anxious about it.
However something I found that really helped me on my last flight(Im axious when Im not alone too ) is we flew on Song airline where they have the tvs at every seat. Playing the trivia game with other passengers really made me forget I was flying for a while. Im hoping that will help again.
Good luck!

 

[shortbun]

Travel incognito, pretend you are someone else. LOL!
Journal about your trip. Writing things down while they
happen is really interesting reading later.
Hope you get the job!

 

[Barb D]

Needlework (like crocheting) helps me get through takeoff and landing. I usually can't focus on reading at that point, but the needlework keeps my mind and hands occupied.

 

[arminnie]

If this helps any - two of my friends who are absolutely terrified of flying find that they do better when they are alone.

One says it hardly bothers her at all when she is alone but she is scared to death when she is with her DH - and she does love him dearly - it's not like she doesn't like to fly with him because she doesn't like him.

 

[Simba's Mom]

What helped me was just a stroke of luck-I got seated next to a little girl, under 10. She wasn't at all afraid of flying. I was so afraid of embarrssing myself (How can I be afraid of flying when she's not?), that while at first, I was concentrating on not letting my nercousness show, after a while I realized I had no nervousness! Hopefully. they'll seat you next to a little child who's not afraid of flying.

 

[syncer55]

A pair of headphones and a nice pillow will help you get through.

 

[DennisP]

Good Luck on your interview. The job sounds wonderful. And don't worry about flying. Just think "Disney" thoughts all the way to Calgary. You'll get through the flight with no problems.

 

[Mr.MouseFan]

Normally, I am a panic when it comes to flying! For some reason, the first time I flew alone (last December), I didn't bother me. Maybe it was because I had the earliest flight and the latest flight respectively, or maybe it was because of the Zoloft. It always seems I stress out before getting on the plane but once I'm situated, I'm fine.

 

[Kallison]

A glass or two of wine makes me feel fine about flying.

 

[spacemountain]

Originally posted by Simba's Mom
What helped me was just a stroke of luck-I got seated next to a little girl, under 10. She wasn't at all afraid of flying. I was so afraid of embarrssing myself (How can I be afraid of flying when she's not?), that while at first, I was concentrating on not letting my nercousness show, after a while I realized I had no nervousness! Hopefully. they'll seat you next to a little child who's not afraid of flying.

That's what happened to me my first time on Tower of Terror.

As for tips, my family has a ritual of touching the outside of the plane when you're getting on for good luck. If nothing else it will make you calmer.

 

[DisneyJules]

Originally posted by CamColt
Playing the trivia game with other passengers really made me forget I was flying for a while. Im hoping that will help again.
Good luck!

Trivia Games?!,ahaha That's awesome, I don't think Air Canada does that sort of thing, atleast not these days, they would probably charge you extra to play games I even had to pay a $10 fee there and back to select which seat I wanted.
You guys are the best! Thank-you SO much for your advice, I'm going to print this page and bring it with me on the plane. The people sitting next to be, or "person" shall I say (I'm sitting on the isle is going to think I'm a little nuts, but so be it. It's funny, a few of you mentioned people being ok when flying alone but not with others, I've heard that a few times now. Maybe it'll prove to be true, I sure hope so!