Help!!!! Scared to Fly!

[TheDisneyGirl02]

I know I posted something about the liquids that can be carried on in a carry on a few days ago, however I need some advice desperately. I am flying on Saturday and I am starting to have really bad anxiety about it. I haven't flown since 2000 and I am so afraid to get on the airplane.

Can anybody offer any words of advice? I would really appreiciate it!

 

[TLSnell1981]

I used to be a nervous flyer. After 9/11, I decided no one was going to make me afraid. Nobody was going to take away my simple pleasures in life. I also realize that flying is so much more convenient. A 15 hour drive or a 2 hour plane trip? A slow boat to Italy or a plane ride? If you really can't quiet your nerves, ask your doctor for some meds for anxiety. Good luck!

 

[halld6479]

I flew last Sunday morning for the first time down here with my whole family, and if I can do it anyone can. I was so scared of flying that I once walked thru Elvis's plane tied down to a tarmac across the street from his house and the movement of people in front of me made me think the plane moved my husband said I walked right over the family in front of me and turned the prettiest color of green and got to the back door.
A few years back my dad called and told me the next day he was going to have emergency bypass surgery, I could not get on the plane so I was not there for him, well never again. I got on and set looking out the window at how beautiful everything looked, I am hooked.

I got to the point that flying, could not be as scary as driving through Nashville or Atlanta the last couple years, and it was not.

just grab you suitcases and remember you are heading to Disney

 

[AllyBri]

A friend is taking her Christmas cards to write out on the plane, she actually has them stamped and the address labels on already, so she said she will just take the cards and address book with her. This takes time because she always writes a little note to everyone and she is also taking her Christmas catalogs with her to look at.
The one good thing about JetBlue is the TVs, I think it's a great distraction for people that are a little nervous.
I sure you will be just fine.

 

[disneyholic family]

I know I posted something about the liquids that can be carried on in a carry on a few days ago, however I need some advice desperately. I am flying on Saturday and I am starting to have really bad anxiety about it. I haven't flown since 2000 and I am so afraid to get on the airplane.

Can anybody offer any words of advice? I would really appreiciate it!

i get anxiety attacks before every flight - usually about a week before and then leading up to the flight.

I am terrified of flying. However, since i'm an american living overseas, i really don't have any options if i want to get home to see my family.
So fly it is. How do i manage to get on the plane, despite my fears?
I keep telling myself how very much safer flying is than driving (which is true - it is - you have a much better chance of being in an accident on the way from the airport to WDW than on the plane to orlando).

and i tell myself how professional the pilots are. And how new and advanced the planes are, with duplicates of every system (system redundancy) so that the planes today are even safer than the planes of the past.

and then i try to put it all out of my mind. Since i want to get where i'm going i just try to forget about it.
And as the day comes closer, i'm usually so very busy with all the many tasks associated with travel, that i'm too busy to think about it. If you're not busy enough, then clean your house or something so that you'll be busy.

and usually on the day of the flight, i'm also so busy, and trying to keep track of everything, that i don't have time to think about it..

once on board the plane, that's it. You're there and on your way to disney. What could be better????

 

[Keara'sMom]

HI!

Please know that you're not alone in this! I've been slowly developing a fear of flying over the past several years--I used to fly without thinking about it and now I'm undone by the mere idea of it. Well, I didn't want to stop traveling, so I talked with my doctor on the recommendation of a friend, and she prescribed Ativan. It works like a charm for me!! Basically, it's an anti-anxiety medication that you take approx. 45 minutes before you fly. In my experience, by the time I'm on the plane, I've become very chilled out! It just takes the edge off for me. My friend also takes this, and it makes her sleepy (she falls asleep soon after takeoff!).

Just an idea--good luck, and I know how you feel!

 

[fla4fun]

I hadn't flown in 25 years when I made plans to go to London a couple years ago. I was really nervous, but I decided to find out as much info as I could about the flying experience. I watched every documentary to hit the TV, and I did tons of research on the Web. One of the best websites I came across was fromthecockpit, set up by a female pilot. She had a question and answer section that addressed a lot of the issues I was concerned about, had videos of take offs and landings (my worst part of the trip), and thorough explanations of the different noises and sensations you experience during flight. I really enjoyed the flight when it came time to take it, even with the turbulence of flying around a hurricane (Hurricane Wilma). Knowledge can be your best friend.

 

[TheDisneyGirl02]

Thank you so much for all of the words of advice and encouragement. I really like TLSnell1981's word of advice about not letting 9/11 take away the simple pleasures in life.

I'm going to call the doctor today to see if he can give me something.
Thank you, Keara'sMom for the amount of time it takes for the medicine to take effect. I was wondering about that.

We're flying AirTran on the way down and Southwest on the way home. Does anybody have any experience with those airlines?

Thanks again for the words of encouragement and taking the time to help me feel better about flying!

 

[kgilchri]

I completely understand, as I feel the same way about flying. I get very anxious anytime I had to fly (which I do at least twice a year). I tried to bring books or other things to distract me but nothing worked. I finally just broke down and went to the doctor. She prescribed me a .5 mg dose of Xanax and it really did help.

Btw, we flew SWA (Southwest) for our trip in January and had a lot of fun. The flight attendants usually have a great sense of humor and so do the pilots. I liked the fact that they were joking around and being sarcastic. It helped calm my nerves.

Good luck!

 

[Not so Dumbo]

I finally just broke down and went to the doctor. She prescribed me a .5 mg dose of Xanax and it really did help.

My doctor prescribed the same med. and dosage for me too.
I've been so scared to fly my whole life that it took me 30 years to finally have enough nerve to do it and that was only because I had the Xanax. It makes me fall asleep or at least close to asleep about 20 min. after taking it. Which is a great excuse to give DH for not being able to watch the kids.

Basically, no matter what I told myself about flying, my fear was so unrational that nothing was going to make it better..... there for I take the drugs.

 

[Nicolle76]

I know exactly how you feel. I haven't flown since 2004 and we didn't go on vacation in 2005 because I was too scared to fly.

We booked our trip to Orlando last night and I had a little cry before hitting enter on the confirmation screen. I am scared but I keep telling myself that if I didn't go, I would regret it. My mom died in 2004 and never got to do many of things she wanted. I could drop dead tomorrow so I am going to have fun while I'm here.

 

[TheDisneyGirl02]

Thank you all for the kind and supportive words. I was telling my boss about it today and he says to me, "I'm going to have everyone tell you their worst flying stories!" So much for support at work! LOL!!!!

I'm trying to remain calm and just look forward to WDW...if I can do that, I should be fine.

 

[TLSnell1981]

The fear of flying comes from control issues. It is difficult to give a stranger (the pilot) complete control over our safety. This is more difficult for some of us than others. I have to remind myself, that I don't control the world and that I'm tougher than I think. I'm not going to let a little thing like fear get the best of me..

 

[luvindisneyworld]

ATIVAN,It was my Best Friend the time that we did fly otherwise I dont think tht I could have done it.

 

[charm73]

I work for an airline, I tracvel for work, and I HATE to fly.

I constantly remind myself that the pilot wants to get there safely just as much as I do. I implant myself into a good book and put on my MP3 player or tv with Noise cancelling headphones and try to forget I am on a plane.

 

[Keara'sMom]

ATIVAN,It was my Best Friend the time that we did fly otherwise I dont think tht I could have done it.

Me, too! Just got two more for our Jan. trip!

 

[disneyholic family]

I work for an airline, I tracvel for work, and I HATE to fly.

I constantly remind myself that the pilot wants to get there safely just as much as I do. I implant myself into a good book and put on my MP3 player or tv with Noise cancelling headphones and try to forget I am on a plane.

i tell myself that too - about the pilot wanting to get there safely...
my daughter swears by her ipod...the moment you're allowed to use electronic devices, on go her earphones...

she's actually even more scared than i am....gets paralyzing anxiety attacks before she flies....yet she flies anyway.....she even flew by herself to the far east on two different occasions....the thing to do is fight your fears...
don't let them take over your life..

 

[TheDisneyGirl02]

i tell myself that too - about the pilot wanting to get there safely...

I think about that too. It's been a bit better tonight because I'm frantically packing. It's still in the back of my mind though...

 

[DeadHead]

Hi, I sympathize with you, I'm also a VERY nervous flyer. Like others here I suggest you go to you doctor. My Dr. usaually prescribes a low dosage valium, and that seems to help some. Try and have a good flight.

 

[fan of the TTA]

flying's fine, there's like a 99.9 chance that the flight will rubn smoothly. just remember...the crew give safety anouncements for a reason