Help! I'm scared to fly! Would you ever cancel a wdw trip bec. of that?

[TN Traveler]

Fairytinkerbell----I understand your anxiety when it comes to flying. I have that somewhat too...actually I think everyone does to a degree. I have been a travel agent now for 9 yrs and I have clients that absolutely refuse to fly anywhere. They'll drive for 2 days to Miami to board a 4 day cruise but they won't fly 2 hrs!! I guess I was always fine w/flying until I had children and then I started seeing things in a different way and always thought
what if...... ? Still it never stopped me. Then after 9/11 and my business took a nose dive, I decided I was going to hold off flying too for a while. But DH wanted to go to Key West in October, we found a great flight schedule and rate and booked it. It was only 6 weeks after the attacks! I was so nervous but after I saw how security had increased and how careful every one was, I felt alot better. I still get butterflies somewhat but not as bad. I'm fine w/taking off and once I'm in the air I'm great. I love to look out the window and try to figure out where I am. I have seen the Bahamas, NASA, the entire FL coastline, and Disney from the air. So cool! Working on my fear of landing but getting better.
Hang in there and KNOW you aren't the only one that is a little nervous! I am constatnly praying before we leave home, once we get to the airport, when we board and as we're taking off. I know then that I'm safe in God's hands and all will be wonderful.
Have a great vacation!

 

[auntpolly]

Originally posted by Jon99
My simple solution, have a few beers while I am waiting for my flight

I'll have a bloody mary, thanks!
Honestly, it really does the trick for me!!!

And I always pray for God to keep us safe -- and I ask that nothing even mildly scary happens! If you believe in God, you have to remember you're in His hands....and that's not a place any of us need to be scared!

 

[auntpolly]

Originally posted by fairytinkerbell
better now at the airports, right?

You'd better believe it! In fact, you'll soon have a few new reasons to hate flying !!! (Random searches, slower lines, getting to the airport so early, humorless security guards.....just kidding, it's all for our safety!!)

 

[GrammieMame]

Use my travel prayer: "Dear Lord, if it's your will that I will go in a plane crash, please let it be on the way back and not on the way there".

 

[dan-tot]

I have been flying for a number of years and had no problems. I flew about a week after the plane that I was going to fly went down near chicago when the enging fell off. I knew about the accident before hand but I still flew. I have flown numerious times after 9/11 and have flown to disney every year after and we will fly this year as well. I have driven from Md and it took me 19 hours. I think New York it would take you about 22 hours driving time. I think I would like to be experiencing Disney for 20 hours instead of I-95. I have a fear of falling from heights but I still went on Tower of Terror I have walked up a 40 ft building stairs which was outside and open which meant that you saw everything. I moved past my fear. I still get a little feeling when I am up high but I don't let it effect my actions. Let me part with this thought. Flying is alot safer than driving. When they door closes you don't have control but don't loose control of yourself.

Dan-tot

 

[two-foxes]

I haven't read all the posts yet, so if this is a continued repeat of info, I am sorry.

First, let me say, my mom worked for United for 35 years, so I have flown my entire life A LOT...easily a hundred + flights, across the country and world. For the last 4 or so years, I have grown to hate flying (all pre 9/11.) The terrorists attacks didn't give me the "nail in the coffin" feeling nearly as much as the jet that crashed in NYC shortly after the attacks. I am pretty much fine, too, once we are at cruising altitude, but I am a flat out mess until we get there. I just wait for the engines to explode.

I have taken Xanax or Ativan, both of which zone me out, but I still get "oh my god, we are going to crash and die feeling." Recently, I went to a therapist (we are trying to have little rugrats, so I want to learn to deal with flying w/out meds) and I tried EMDR. You can do an internet search for it. It worked quite well (also learned about my control issues..ahemm.) Although nervous on my last flight (no question about it) I had a much calmer feeling, and I was actually able to do things at our destination, rather than just crashing for 4 hours because I took a bit more Xanax than the Doctor prescribed. (I should add too, that this particular first med free flight was delayed due to mechanical problems and it was an ugly landing in San Fran....HATE that landing there.) I still have my flying rituals (always fly united, have classical music playing loudly at take off, tune out the sound of the engines)...but I am on the way to doing it all free of zombie meds! We are NOT flying United this next flight out, so that ought to be a bit of an adventure.

What I can say is this, we will all go someday. One of life's guarantees. One of my coworkers was killed in a car accident...boom dead, at the age of 30, my same age. We all have to give up control in that area of our lives, as hard as it may be. I am still trying!

 

[thatdarncat]

Wow, what a great thread. I have had trouble sleeping lately because of my upcoming trip to Disney in September. I too am freaking out and hate to fly. My boyfriend isn't scared at all. In fact he wants me to go to Italy with him next year. I can't imaging myself flying for that long, over water too. What a nightmare! But I can't let my fear of flying interrupt my life. Oh I will cry and grasp the arm rest and pray and wave down the flight attendant to get me a vodka and orange juice, but I'm going to do it. My main concern is trying to look normal once I get off the plane. You know, the mascara has run, I'm red in the face, my eyes are puffy and I'm exhausted from being to scared. I want to get to Epcot as soon as I throw the hotel my luggage, and I don't want to be tired and look like i got beat up. That's my motivation not to be scared! LOL. I want to be calm and look good when I get off the plane! I'm going to go check out that site now. Thanks for posting it!!!

 

[HugsForEeyore]

I am glad to read this thread, since it's nice to know that all of us who fear flying are not alone. I flew about 10 years ago with no real fears, but nowadays I am terrified at the thought of flying. Fortunately, I live close enough to WDW that I can drive or take the Autotrain (which I absolutely love!), and I never ever once considered flying to Orlando.

Sad thing is, my best friend is disabled (and can't travel) and moved to Las Vegas. I want to visit her so much (and Disneyland too!), but I keep backing out. Whenever I start thinking about setting dates and make plans to fly there, I start having sleepless nights, and a deep-down queeziness that does not stop. Only when I call off the trip does the feelings stop. I just can't get past the thought of crashing and having nothing left of you. That thought just completely freaks me out.

I am actually thinking of taking the train across the country, but I can't afford the sleepers. I also think I could handle a short plane ride over a long one, but to get to Vegas it's a long flight for sure. I would probably not enjoy any trip I fly to, since I would start dreading the flight home. Sigh. No easy answers.

 

[Ashes8380]

My mom is TERRIFIED of flying, so we t ook the train down. We're from Albany, NY. It took about 24 hours, but we got a sleeper car, and it was so much fun! If it wasn't so darn expensive, I'd be doing in again on my next trip, just b/c it was a good time. However, flights to WDW are about $225 from here, and a sleeper car on a train was almost double that I believe.

 

[montblanc]

I too experienced the same. When I was younger there was no problem, now I'm nervous on flights..."What's that noise the engine made?" "Is the wing dipping too far?" etc., lol.

After some calculations I figured out driving was about 12 3/4 hours which was about right. I'm less stressed and the driving doesn't tire me at all, in fact I like bringing my own car to WDW. If you live in NY you could do it in 16 hours or less I would think, with two drivers it would be easier but it still could be done in just a day.

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1970 - Disneyland (By Car)
1999 - All-Star Music (By Plane)
2003 - Port Orleans Riverside (By Car)
2004 - Contemporary (By Car)

 

[KarenB]

I didn't get a chance to read all of the replies in your thread, so if I am repeating someone, sorry.


What helped me to relax a bit when flying is this:

I went to the Fear of Flying website and printed out (about 15 pages but worth it) the section about all the noises and movement a plane makes from the time it pushes away from the terminal to the time those last seatbelt fastened signs go off at the end of the flight.

This helped me because it gave me some understanding of what the plane is doing. My kids still joke with me (in good fun) and constantly repeat a sentence from this----- "A plane is happiest in the air!"

Hope this helps a little! I know that being afraid to fly is an aweful feeling.
Karen

 

[sters]

Heck no! Sedate yourself and grit your teeth, but don't cancel your trip!

 

[fairytinkerbell]

You guys have some fascinating stories to tell! I am not scared to fly anymore - i'm sure i'll be nervous on take off, but if i'm gonna die i guess i'm gonna die!

I always have followed plane crashes etc. to see who's "the best" and i would have to say Jet Blue and Delta. That's just my opinion...

Let's all go to www.fearofflyinghelp.com and go through their lesson one more time (if u didn't already) and post back. I think it will get rid of all our worries.

WDW here we come!

 

[Rhonna]

Often fears/anxiety cannot be "logically thought away". For those individuals, meds might be the answer.

I have two different friends who have serious problems flying. One had her first panic attack ever when flying. Both ended up going to the doctor and both were prescribed Xanax. It's for anxiety.

One friend said it worked well and no side effects.

The other said it worked great but apparently she's very sensitive to meds and the side effect she had was that she would wander around the airport, talk to strangers, not pay as close attention to her child. She didn't realize she acted that way, her husband had to tell her later. He keeps and eye on her when she takes the meds.

So if you choose to go that route, make sure you try the medication out first under controlled circumstances with a friend/family member watching you to see your reaction. Or travel with them.

Rhonna

 

[DisneyJules]

I HATE flying as well! When we flew down to Orlando this year I was so nervous during the flight. Though my father had just finished Lucinda Bassett's Anxiety program which is a series of tapes on anxiety, I popped one in and listened to it the entire way there, it helped SO much! They really helped me to relax.

 

[2Disneybuggs]

I am afraid to fly too especially now. So we drive. Ths time I get so tempted to just book a flight but I know my anxieties will not make it worth it to fly. You have to do what you feel is best for you. Maybe your Dr can give you a Rx to take before you leave to be clamer on the plane.

 

[Gottalovedisney]

Flying is probably one of my least favorite things to do! But we live in Mass and I can't imagine driving 24 hours to WDW when I can fly in 3!!! My problem is actually two fold. I have anxiety attacks AND terrible motion sickness. My doctor prescriped Lorazepam for the anxiety. Problem is I can't take any motion sickness meds if I take it. So I'm either very calm about being sick or very anxious about feeling well!! I've decided I'd rather feel good when I land!!! So I deal with the anxiety by talking with my kids, reading or listening to music. Before I know it I'm there!!!

My whole life I always wanted to go to Hawaii, which is about a 15 - 16 hour flight from Mass!! I always said I'd never go because of the length of the flight!! Well, wouldn't you know it, my husband won a week long trip to Maui this past March through his company!! He was going with or without me! I couldn't let a free trip to Hawaii pass me by, so I sucked it up and went The flight down was fine and we had a wonderful trip. The flight back from maui to LA was horrible!! Terrible turbulence, people fainting & screaming, and me with my head in a bag the whole time! I was in tears when we landed and I still had to fly all the way back to Mass!! I made it through the return flight by taking 4 dramamine and sleepin the whole way. I figured if we went down, I'd sleep right through it! LOL
My hubby thought for sure that was the end of flying for me but nope, we're heading back to WDW in December! Fear is a fact of life but you can't let it rule your life!!! Go and have a wonderful time, you'll be glad you did!

 

[jandklumley]

I'd jave to agree with pennyplanner. After many years of virtually and some times literally in tears, I had my doctor give me Zannax (sp?) fo rour last trip. That was the best flight I have ever had!!! I actual was relaxed enough to fall asleep. Unfortuately, there is no remedy for the pre-flight terrors.

Hope this helps!

 

[fairytinkerbell]

these responses to my post are terrific - they really help!

I have to go an review the website - sometimes i still get nervous about when they shut the doors and u r stuck! i don't want to sleep on the flight, i think i will take dramamine.. and i usually also use a nasal spray to keep clear- so i don't get ear pain..

 

[fairytinkerbell]

still scared of flying,,, you guys too?

when is the last time you flew??
i flew back in 99, 5 years ago!