I HATE Flying!!!!

[Jonell]

Our next WDW trip is coming up in March. Our original plans was to drive the 20 hrs from OKC to WDW. Now my husband is reconsidering this and wants to fly. I agree that flying would be easier and I would like to arrive at WDW without being exhausted from the car drive. My problem is I have only flown once in Sept which was to WDW. I absoultely hated it!!! I was scared to death on the plane. I was dizzy, nauseated, sweaty palms almost full panic attack the whole flight. Can anyone else relate? I really do want to fly there but I want to be more relaxed on the plane. Any tips on how to get over this fear?

 

[RainbowsMist]

Right there with ya!! Which is why I only fly non-stop.
Last year my doc prescribed Ativan. It helped take the edge off. I wanted to be knocked out the entire way but that didn't happen I also did a free "Fear of Flying" course online last year before our flight to WDW. It really helped a lot!
I'm not nervous yet about our upcoming trip. Someone told me the more you fly the less you become nervous. It'll be a little less than a year since our last flight so maybe that's true
I seriously would look into the Fear of Flying course online. It doesn't take long and explains everything. It put my mind to rest about a lot of the worries I had and gave great tips on things to do while you're feeling those things in the air. http://www.fearofflyinghelp.com/

Best of luck!!

 

[DaniB]

Before our trip, my husband went to the doctor and got some medication. I'm afraid I forget what... He took it the morning of our flight so he would be "relaxed" on the plane. It seemed to help! And I remember he did not eat a few hours before the flights.

 

[jennwdw]

Ativan is your friend! I haven't flown without it since 1997. LOL. Check with your Dr., of course, but I like it because it does not knock me out but it takes the edge off.

 

[DJT]

Flying more and hating it less didn't work for me. I still hate it. I asked my doctor for something and he said sure, because he would need something if he flew, too. Since my adult niece was flying with me, I decided to not take it before I got on the plane and then once we were in the air, she and I talked and talked and had a good time so I ended up not taking it at all. Fortunately for me, there was no turbulence on the flight down and also none on the flight back. I was so thankful for that.

 

[pepe of ohio]

We've flown 3 times many many years ago and I swore after the last trip.....no more. It's just not worth it for me....I'd come home and for days feel awful from the stress....muscles tight and sore. Yeah, drugs might help, but I'm not going that route....it just postpones the aching muscles for later.

We're a 20 hour drive to WDW.....we discovered Amtrak years ago and that's how we go, over 20 trips, it's a long trip from Ohio to Kissimmee but we don't mind it, very relaxing and arriving in WDW calm and collected is what it's all about. My wife will fly with no problem but caters to me and it's a no arguement issue...going to WDW, book the train.

My big problem with flying is once we're up, and I want out, massive panic sets in and I'm trapped....why put yourself through that just to get on vacation in 2 hours. This past December trip we drove with daughter and son-in-law and daughter, which we haven't done for over 20 years....that was about as bad as flying for me...cramped car, miserable weather, and we drove straight thru in 17 hours. that cured me of the car route, back to Amtrak and I'm meet anyone else going at the airport or train station. My peace of mind and comfort are more important then getting there super fast.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

Not a big fan of using drugs to "relax" when you have a fear of flying. It is an emotional response that can lead to physical issues and I think as another poster mentioned, its better to educate yourself, fight the fear and try to go that route then seek a pill to solve the problem. I'm all for medication to help eleviate or treat a physical issue, but not as much for a mental issues (not saying though that some mental issues don't need drugs to help in treatment).

I know there are many that swear by the pills, or having a drink or two to calm your nerves, but once you force yourself to overcome your fear, you won't need them. It is hard to overcome fear, no doubt, and I will admit I've had serious fears when I was young, but I forced myself to overcome them and it wasn't easy.

 

[goofy4tink]

I used to hate flying. It's still not my favorite way to pass 3 hrs but it gets me to my destination much more quickly than driving. And there is no way I am driving with my dh that far!!
I flew with my adult dd a few years ago. She hadn't flown very often...about twice in her life, and she was about 32 at the time. She did okay from Providence to MCO. But we had to drive to Pompano Beach to visit relatives. When we flew home, we flew from Ft Lauderdale to Tampa, and then to Providence. Oh man...that short flight between FtL and TPA was a nightmare for her. We didn't fly very high, so it was bumpy all the way. She was in tears and shaking. I kept telling her to just watch the FAs. They were walking around, serving drinks!!
I tell everyone to just watch the FAs...if they are going about their business, you're good to go. If they are in the middle of serving drinks and then turn white and head to their jump seats and buckle in...okay, you may want to start worrying.

This mentality has worked very well, for the most part. At least until we were flying home from London. My youngest dd, then 15, turned to me, as white as a ghost, and said there was a problem. Why, I asked her. She said, look at the FA, she's running down the aisle!! Well, first she wasn't 'running'..she was moving spritely. I told my dd it was a huge plane....it was surprising they weren't wearing roller skates!! The FA just needed to get from the rear of the plane to the front, no big deal.

Really, flying is safe. Bring a magazine to read, wear headphones to block out the engine sounds. Bone up on what is to be expected as far as sounds and movement go. Watch your FAs.

 

[Rudegrle]

Forget the face your fear crap... I fly all the time and still hate it, still get panic attacks, sweaty palms, dizziness, you name it. My Doc gave me Ativan a couple of years ago and it does take the edge off. I no longer *need* it for most flights, but I like knowing I have it in my bag if I do.

 

[goofy4tink]

Forget the face your fear crap... I fly all the time and still hate it, still get panic attacks, sweaty palms, dizziness, you name it. My Doc gave me Ativan a couple of years ago and it does take the edge off. I no longer *need* it for most flights, but I like knowing I have it in my bag if I do.

While I can understand the need, and ease, of taking something to face the fear of flying, you have to realize that anything that takes the 'edge' off is going to dull your reflexes a bit. So, if there were ever to be any kind of issue, you just aren't going to be as alert and able bodied as you should be.
It is always a good idea to try to deal with your fears. I don't think I would say it's 'crap' to try to face your fears. It can only benefit you in the long run.

 

[Hoopfamily]

XANEX. I take this, and I could ride on the wing. My wife says it makes flying with me much more pleasant.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Hypnosis.

 

[car55]

I used to like flying. Now I'm just tired of it. I always wanted to try taking Amtrak from Connecticut to WDW. Five years ago I did this and I love it. It is a little less time than driving and I arrive in Orlando rested and relaxed. Amtrak has a good website that you can plan your trip. The eariler you book the more money you save. For me the cost with a roomette is about the same as a first class plane ticket. With a sleeper meals are included and the food is good. You also sit at a real table and eat. you can move freely around the train to the lounge when you want. I love the train to WDW.

 

[Vickis3js]

I hate flying. We normally drive to WDW every year beause of my fear. We flew in March and I made it down without going into full panic mode. A friend of mine told me a story once and something about it just clicked. She said she had friends of hers that were a married couple that were both pilots. She said that they had children and would fly seperatly and leave their child with a relative while they went to work. She said that when she revealed to her friends that she was scared of flying they both looked at her and told her that if they were not 100% sure that it was safe they would never do it. They think of their child everyday when they board that plane. For some reason thinking of the staff as people with families they want to get home to helped me a lot. I did hypnobirthing when I delivered my last DD and I used some of the calming techniques I learned to make it through take off. Word of advice though is tell whoever you are flying with you plan on doing that LOL. My poor DH tried talking to me to calm me down and I snapped and yelled at him because he broke my concentration. Poor guy.

When we flew in March I actually made it the entire way down to FL. without even crying. It was a HUGE accomplishment. Of course the way home we had horrible weather and turbulance and it didn't help that I had some moronic idiot behind me talking loudly about the things that could go wrong. I swear it took every ounce of energy to not climb over the seat and smack him. I was a mess that time.

 

[Rudegrle]

Forget the face your fear crap... I fly all the time and still hate it, still get panic attacks, sweaty palms, dizziness, you name it. My Doc gave me Ativan a couple of years ago and it does take the edge off. I no longer *need* it for most flights, but I like knowing I have it in my bag if I do.

While I can understand the need, and ease, of taking something to face the fear of flying, you have to realize that anything that takes the 'edge' off is going to dull your reflexes a bit. So, if there were ever to be any kind of issue, you just aren't going to be as alert and able bodied as you should be.
It is always a good idea to try to deal with your fears. I don't think I would say it's 'crap' to try to face your fears. It can only benefit you in the long run.

Yes, you are correct about not being as alert and dulling your reflexes. That's the whole point. Until you've been in the situation of having a full fledge panick attack at 40,000 feet in the air while being stuck in a flying metal tube w/ a bunch of strangers, it's hard to pass judgement on those who might need mediaction to fly.

I've been there, and it's not fun. Tried facing the fear, did not work. I was to the point where I felt helpless about flying. When I finally broke down and went to the doc (after refusing to for so long) for medication, I had only wished I'd done it sooner.

As I said before, I fly A LOT. I flew w/ out mediaction for a long time and developed a fear almost out of nowhere. Ativan helped me for a couple of years and I now I've been able to fly w/out it. But there is peace of mind knowing it's there in case I need it.

 

[goofy4tink]

Yes, you are correct about not being as alert and dulling your reflexes. That's the whole point. Until you've been in the situation of having a full fledge panick attack at 40,000 feet in the air while being stuck in a flying metal tube w/ a bunch of strangers, it's hard to pass judgement on those who might need mediaction to fly.

I've been there, and it's not fun. Tried facing the fear, did not work. I was to the point where I felt helpless about flying. When I finally broke down and went to the doc (after refusing to for so long) for medication, I had only wished I'd done it sooner.

As I said before, I fly A LOT. I flew w/ out mediaction for a long time and developed a fear almost out of nowhere. Ativan helped me for a couple of years and I now I've been able to fly w/out it. But there is peace of mind knowing it's there in case I need it.

Believe me...I am NOT a happy flier. I keep it bottled up inside of me when flying with my dd..she is a basket case as it is. Do I have full fledged panic attacks? No. And if I did, I wouldn't fly until I had figured out how to do it without the panic attacks. I also have that whole 'metal tube full of people' mentality. But, I sure as heck don't want there to be an issue in that metal tube and have a bunch of passengers who aren't capable of dealing with it due to their being on anti-anxiety meds!! If someone has to fly that often, I would give hypnosis a shot. Worth a shot.

 

[Rudegrle]

Believe me...I am NOT a happy flier. I keep it bottled up inside of me when flying with my dd..she is a basket case as it is. Do I have full fledged panic attacks? No. And if I did, I wouldn't fly until I had figured out how to do it without the panic attacks. I also have that whole 'metal tube full of people' mentality. But, I sure as heck don't want there to be an issue in that metal tube and have a bunch of passengers who aren't capable of dealing with it due to their being on anti-anxiety meds!! If someone has to fly that often, I would give hypnosis a shot. Worth a shot.

Until you've been in mine and other people's situation, I think it's better not to judge.

You can't control other people, and other flyers will take medication. You WILL be stuck w/ a bunch of passengers that are on anti anxiety meds. To say that they won't be able to handle a difficult situation because of their meds is ridiculous. I'd rather have people calm than freeking in out in mass hysteria.

Like I said, don't judge unless you've been in that situation yourself...clearly you have not.

 

[pepe of ohio]

Until you've been in mine and other people's situation, I think it's better not to judge.

You can't control other people, and other flyers will take medication. You WILL be stuck w/ a bunch of passengers that are on anti anxiety meds. To say that they won't be able to handle a difficult situation because of their meds is ridiculous. I'd rather have people calm than freeking in out in mass hysteria.

Like I said, don't judge unless you've been in that situation yourself...clearly you have not.

I totally agree with you...until you've walked in my shoes, you can not be a judge of the fear.....

 

[Cherinva]

Our next WDW trip is coming up in March. Our original plans was to drive the 20 hrs from OKC to WDW. Now my husband is reconsidering this and wants to fly. I agree that flying would be easier and I would like to arrive at WDW without being exhausted from the car drive. My problem is I have only flown once in Sept which was to WDW. I absoultely hated it!!! I was scared to death on the plane. I was dizzy, nauseated, sweaty palms almost full panic attack the whole flight. Can anyone else relate? I really do want to fly there but I want to be more relaxed on the plane. Any tips on how to get over this fear?

I was the same way for years....my problem was getting on the plane....once I was in the air I was better. I used to get physically ill before flights...a couple of years ago I was diagnosed with panic attacts...the doctor gave me Xanex.....works like a charm. I take one before I leave the house and I'm good all day long. I don't get drousy and I'm fully alert...and I'm completely relaxed so I can enjoy the flight. I hope you can find something that will work for you.

 

[goofy4tink]

Until you've been in mine and other people's situation, I think it's better not to judge.

You can't control other people, and other flyers will take medication. You WILL be stuck w/ a bunch of passengers that are on anti anxiety meds. To say that they won't be able to handle a difficult situation because of their meds is ridiculous. I'd rather have people calm than freeking in out in mass hysteria.

Like I said, don't judge unless you've been in that situation yourself...clearly you have not.

I am most certainly not judging...merely stating my opinion. I firmly believe that anything that changes the way you think or behave (and anxiety meds do just that otherwise they wouldn't be worth taking) is going to make a difference in the way you react to any given situation.
Would I rather have a plane full of passengers on anxiety meds vs a plane full of freaking out, overly anxious fliers??? Absolutely!!! My argument is that there are other ways of dealing with panic attacks.

I used to get cold sweats, and start shaking if I was out doing errands and any kind of 'official' vehicle went in the direction of my house. This started right after I had my first child. It was absolutely ridiculous. My brain knew that the chances of my house burning to the ground or of someone kidnapping my child was pretty slim...especially since my dh was there!!! Rational? Nope, not at all. As time went on, I was able to deal with it....time showed me that no one was out to get my child and the house was going to burn if I was there or not and my dh was capable of getting himself and the baby out!! But, I did have to talk to professionals about it. No, it didn't take all that long. And no, I'm not saying that everyone can deal with their issues the same way. What I am saying is that I have had those panic attackes...I do know what they are like. And they were pretty darn near crippling.

I am in no way saying that people shouldn't take medications in order to fly. I'm sure there are plenty of people out there who benefit from these meds. But it seems to me that every time someone here mentions being nervous when flying or being too afraid to fly, there is a multitude of people recommending medications. And I firmly believe that meds are not needed in every case of fearful flying.
That would be my point..not to cast aspersions upon those who feel the need to medicate. Just trying to be balanced here. A little bit for, and a little bit against.