Im freaking out...Have a flight on 9/11

[HersheyKisses]

Ive always had a fear of flying ...Im the person who is quietly freaking out while everyone around me is calm on the plane. I just get so tense and nervous especially during takeoff. During takeoff I literally become paralyzed with fear and I dont loosen up until I see the FA's passing out refreshments . Everytime the pilot comes over the speaker my heart drops outta my chest in fear .I think OMG he's going to announce something is wrong and than I pratically hyperventilate.

When I booked our flights a few months ago the prices were very high ...much higher than what Im used to seeing .I noticed that the flights on 9/11 in particular were lower in cost and it also coincided with the MNSSHP and the dates we'd be in florida so I booked it.

However I just finished watching two 9/11 documentarys and Im freaking out. Im so scared . They went through the minutes on the plane and I could just picture myself and my family on that ill fated plane and Im just freaking out now. Please tell me that all the cockpits are like dead bolted and impossible to get into ?!Please tell me that security and the possibility of a terrorist attack on a plane is now slim to none !!? I think I may pass out in the airport due to the fear ill have on that day

 

[DebbieB]

Ive always had a fear of flying ...Im the person who is quietly freaking out while everyone around me is calm on the plane. I just get so tense and nervous especially during takeoff. During takeoff I literally become paralyzed with fear and I dont loosen up until I see the FA's passing out refreshments . Everytime the pilot comes over the speaker my heart drops outta my chest in fear .I think OMG he's going to announce something is wrong and than I pratically hyperventilate.

When I booked our flights a few months ago the prices were very high ...much higher than what Im used to seeing .I noticed that the flights on 9/11 in particular were lower in cost and it also coincided with the MNSSHP and the dates we'd be in florida so I booked it.

However I just finished watching two 9/11 documentarys and Im freaking out. Im so scared . They went through the minutes on the plane and I could just picture myself and my family on that ill fated plane and Im just freaking out now. Please tell me that all the cockpits are like dead bolted and impossible to get into ?!Please tell me that security and the possibility of a terrorist attack on a plane is now slim to none !!? I think I may pass out in the airport due to the fear ill have on that day

The possibility of a terrorist attack ona plane is now slim to none!

First of all, the pilots on the 9/11 plane came out of the cockpit and the terrorists rushed the cockpit. They do not do that anymore. If a pilot needs to use the bathroom a flight attendent guards the door while another goes into the cockpit and locks the door.

Second, people would not sit by and follow what the terrorists say. In incidents that happened since then (shoe bomber, underwear bomber), the passengers restrained the terrorist. No one is going to sit by anymore.

I heard a report yesterday that flying is much safer now than 10 years ago. The accident rate is down because of safety improvements. I can't remember the last time there was a fatal plane crash with a major airline. Keep in mind US 1549, everyone lived.

Maybe your doctor could prescribe something for you (Xanax?).

 

[chicagodisneyfan]

I am flying from LA to Chicago on 9/11. I did not give the date a second thought. Take a Xanax and you will be fine!

 

[Alesia]

You'll be fine, but stop watching 9/11 documentaries.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

The date 09/11/2001 is significant because of the events that occured, but 09/11/2011 bears no other significance to the date 10 years prior outside of it being an anniversary. There is no correlation to the dates, there is nothing to fear.

 

[goofy4tink]

Nothing to worry about. Stop imagining that stuff in your head/mind. You are your own worst enemy!!!
Air travel is very safe nowadays. Could there be an 'event'? Sure, I suppose so. But, it won't be a repeat of 9/11, that's for sure. Proceedures have changed.
Get on that plane, take something to calm you down if need be.

 

[ancestry]

I agree with everyone else. You are driving yourself crazy. If you can't get your fear under control before you go call you doctor to get a little help from some medication for this one time so you don't have a meltdown on the plane.

 

[My 2 princesses]

I think that would be the safest day to travel.

 

[PatMcDuck]

I had a flight home from Orlando on 9-11 and ended up rebooking to 9-12. I was a tiny bit nervous, about it being the 10th anniversary. But was more concerned the airports would be on high alert and ultra-stressful. We live in NJ and 9-11 is a huge event EVERY year, all the TV stations turn to the live coverage, etc.

Ended up with a pin code for our Universal Hotel, and 4 nights was cheaper than 3, so DH was convinced we should stay another night..... leaving Monday morning now.

 

[focusondisney]

The possibility of a terrorist attack ona plane is now slim to none!

First of all, the pilots on the 9/11 plane came out of the cockpit and the terrorists rushed the cockpit. They do not do that anymore. If a pilot needs to use the bathroom a flight attendent guards the door while another goes into the cockpit and locks the door.

Second, people would not sit by and follow what the terrorists say. In incidents that happened since then (shoe bomber, underwear bomber), the passengers restrained the terrorist. No one is going to sit by anymore.

I heard a report yesterday that flying is much safer now than 10 years ago. The accident rate is down because of safety improvements. I can't remember the last time there was a fatal plane crash with a major airline. Keep in mind US 1549, everyone lived.

Maybe your doctor could prescribe something for you (Xanax?).

Good post on the whole. And not to scare the OP further, but there was a major crash (a Continental regional plane) about 2 years ago here in Buffalo. It was pilot fatigue/ inexperience issue & all 49 people died. Very sad. So tragedies can happen any day, not just on 9/11. And you are still safer in the plane than on a highway.

You'll be fine, but stop watching 9/11 documentaries.

This is worth repeating!!!

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

However I just finished watching two 9/11 documentarys [sic] and Im [sic] freaking out. Im [sic] so scared . They went through the minutes on the plane and I could just picture myself and my family on that ill fated plane and Im just freaking out now. Please tell me that all the cockpits are like dead bolted and impossible to get into ?!Please tell me that security and the possibility of a terrorist attack on a plane is now slim to none !!? I think I may pass out in the airport due to the fear ill have on that day

It is ridiculous to worry about this. However, I realize that you cannot control your fear. You really need to get help with your fear of flying. Talk to your physician or get a referral to a therapist. Do a Google search for "fear of flying," you'll find lots of good advice.

 

[disneymarie]

However I just finished watching two 9/11 documentarys and Im freaking out. Im so scared . They went through the minutes on the plane and I could just picture myself and my family on that ill fated plane and Im just freaking out now. Please tell me that all the cockpits are like dead bolted and impossible to get into ?!Please tell me that security and the possibility of a terrorist attack on a plane is now slim to none !!? I think I may pass out in the airport due to the fear ill have on that day

The first thing I would do is, stop watching the shows. It was a terrible thing, you have seen them before. But you are planning a special trip, focus on that. I have a flight fear, and actually have ativan for anxiety panic disorder.

That aside, flying now is the safest mode of travel. I have the same anxiety fears driving my family to WDW on any day.
The amount of scruntiny, checks, and triple checks of passangers on 911 is going to be the highest. My thoughts are that innocent people may be denied tavel that day by profiling.

We can't live our life in fear to leave our homes that day, as it gives those idiots power over us. There leader is dead, the money he had to train and infiltrate is gone, they are done with extravigant plans.
Our lives are going to change so much seeing nothing happen on 911 and you will be part of it.

Get excited packing and planning to wonderful time you will have.

 

[SAtella]

I read the top of this thread and thought I could be related to HersheyKisses! I am the exact same way, fear of flying doesn't even begin to describe it. I know how you feel, what you feel, the anxiety, powerless, no control if something happens. I'm not sure I have much advice but that I continue to fly every year. I say a prayer. I ALWAYS thank God when we land on the ground. I have tried listening to music, doing word search puzzles or watch a movie with my son.
As far as flying on 9/11, it's probably one of the best days to fly. Security will be on high alert.
Take a deep breath, say a prayer and try to relax.

Shelly

 

[HersheyKisses]

Thanx you guys I do feel better about flying on that day now knowing security will be really high. I do feel absolutely powerless when Im on the plane if something were to go wrong. I try to relax but during takeoff and the first 10 or 15 minutes nothing at all will calm me down. I just quietly freak out . On my first flight I was freaking out and it made the other passengers HATE me so now I keep my hysterics to myself LOL. I only fly Jet Blue because they have the tvs and the snacks . That makes flying with my kids so much easier and it also calms me down to have the tv as a distraction. Im sure ill relax when I see the FA's pass out the snacks .

 

[fastergoofy]

There's some good advice in this thread.

First of all, I used to have severe anxiety. As others said, talk to your doctor about it. There's no reason to suffer with it these days.

Secondly, I'm just about ready to complete ground school (initial private pilot training). All those fears I had about safety are pretty much gone. Understanding how flight works, how pilots are trained, and learning all of the extremely strict FAA safety rules has eliminated the last of my concerns.

If you don't have any medication to take, I suggest just focusing on other things. Just understand that the flight attendants are required to be seated and strapped in at certain times too. They may also be very busy with routine work or assisting passengers before they get to you with a snack. Be patient and calm and enjoy your flight!

Oh, and just close your eyes and picture Soarin', if that helps.

 

[kukalaka]

Our family flew down to DW two years agoon 911. Granted, it wasnt the 10th anniversary, but the media always goes back to that story this time of year. In addition to the previous suggestions, I would bring a good book and/or relaxing music for your IPOD. We have found that secuity is high and airports are not busy at all. Relax, do some deep breathing excercizes and enjoy your trip!

 

[Alesia]

Thanx you guys I do feel better about flying on that day now knowing security will be really high. I do feel absolutely powerless when Im on the plane if something were to go wrong. I try to relax but during takeoff and the first 10 or 15 minutes nothing at all will calm me down. I just quietly freak out . On my first flight I was freaking out and it made the other passengers HATE me so now I keep my hysterics to myself LOL. I only fly Jet Blue because they have the tvs and the snacks . That makes flying with my kids so much easier and it also calms me down to have the tv as a distraction. Im sure ill relax when I see the FA's pass out the snacks .

Why not just bring your own snacks? That way you don't have to wait for the flight attendants to do it.

 

[mdsoccermom]

Good post on the whole. And not to scare the OP further, but there was a major crash (a Continental regional plane) about 2 years ago here in Buffalo. It was pilot fatigue/ inexperience issue & all 49 people died. Very sad. So tragedies can happen any day, not just on 9/11. And you are still safer in the plane than on a highway.





This is worth repeating!!!

My husband used to live right around the corner from where that plane crashed; friends of his used to live in that house. The current owner of his house told us that so many people in that neighborhood had friends and family on that flight. So sad.

 

[bumbershoot]

Why not just bring your own snacks? That way you don't have to wait for the flight attendants to do it.

I think she's talking about the timing of the flight, not the actual snacks. The fact that they are at altitude and the FAs can get up and move around.

Second, people would not sit by and follow what the terrorists say. In incidents that happened since then (shoe bomber, underwear bomber), the passengers restrained the terrorist. No one is going to sit by anymore.

And the reason people did sit by was because hijackings were never like *that* before. It was just so unprecedented. But not anymore.

We just finally told our 7 year old about it all, and had to be VERY careful in explaining all the changes for safety (as opposed to the silly theater stuff) because we're flying *tomorrow* and I didn't want to panic the poor kid, and that concept, that hijackings were never done for purposes other than "I want to go THERE instead of here" in the past, was really something that struck us.



OP I hope you were able to feel OK on the plane for the sake of your kids, and I hope the Nick Hotel serves you well! For future flights I strongly recommend bringing things to distract you! In my single days I'd buy a Cosmo and read naughty articles (while having my fingers crossed in the one hand holding the magazine, so I could deal with my worries but not freak anyone out)....nowadays, especially with a kid that's reading, Cosmo is right out, but I've found HIM to be distraction enough. And if he's not, then I've got books/my Kindle to look at, or I look at the SkyMall catalog, etc etc. Distraction until altitude is the name of the game! Find what works for you.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

All that angst for nothing.....