I've never been on an airplane!!! Who here has???

ClaraBug said:
Speak of...we are probably flying Southwest or AirTran...any comments??
We've taken Airtran once in the past and are again this December. The free XM radio was neat but I felt as though the seats were somewhat uncomfortable - not much wiggle room. More so than other airliners I've been on... which isn't really too diverse I guess: Northwest, AA, Continental. But if the price is right, we don't really let it affect our decision.
 
skier_pete said:
OK, I'll bite.

I've flown hundreds of times, and I have no fear at all of it, and I don't think it is at all scary. (I find it less scary than Soarin'!) I believe all the stats about how safe it is, and whenever anyone claims they won't fly because it's not safe here's what I say.

How many people do you of that have been hurt or killed in a car accident?
Now, how many people do you know that have been hurt or killed in a commercial airline plane crash?
Now, which one seems safer to you.

I have only met 1 person that answered the second question with something besides "No-one". The first question, for me, I personally know 5 people that have been killed in car crashes, never mind injuries.

Actually, I can raise my hand on that one. My second cousin died in a commercial plane accident (USAir 427). I only bring it up because I fly almost weekly for work and don't think twice about it. I've flown around 60 or 70 flights this year and not once was there anything remotely scarey where I thought we were in danger. Despite what happened to my cousin, it doesn't bother me. I'm more scared on the parkway going home.

The first time is bound to be scarey but try to do something to distract yourself, like listen to an Ipod. Get to the airport early so that you don't have to be stressed about what to do.
 
I'm 38 and I've NEVER EVER been on an airplane!!!
now...
IN an airplane, on the other hand....:rotfl2:
 
I flew for the first time last January. We flew from Detroit to Chicago on Northwest. I wanted to do just a short flight where if I didn't like it or got too scared, etc I could just drive home. For a while there I thought the pilot was going to taxi the whole way to Chicago. :rotfl2: One of Northwest's hubs is in Detroit so there are a lot of gates and it took forever to get to the runway. My sister warned me that the plane will go really fast before it takes off. I didn't care for the first vertical climb, but it doesn't last that long. Once we where in the air I was fine. Every noise I heard or drop I felt I asked my sister if it was "normal" which she would say yes to. I think I annoyed the people in front of us, who ended up sitting behind us on the way back. It was fun taking off from Chicago because you get to see the city, its like being up in the Sears tower. I didn't like looking out the window so much, but overall it was a very pleasant experience. The dramomine (sp?) helped though it knocked us about about 8 hours after we took it. My sister and I both fell asleep in the afternoon for over an hour! I was really glad that I had my sister with me who had flown twice before, not a lot, but more than me!!! LOL And seeing that she wasn't scared really eased my worries.

I'm a little nervous about flying in January this year since its a longer flight, but I'm hoping to sleep some since we take off at 6:40 am! And I think the nervousness is just part of traveling since I am usually a little nervous before we hit the road for roadtrips also.

Have fun.
 

I do like the window seat. It is neat looking down at everthing. I am a bit scared of heights, but looking down from the plane does not bother me.
Yeah, funny thing about that - fear of heights generally comes into play when you're someplace high that's attached to the ground :)

Shameless plug: United/TED is the only airline that offers tower communications to the passengers - it's on channel 9 of the audio system.
Shameless plug, nothing! Knowing this makes me want to fly TED at least once! That must be SO cool - thanks for the information!
 
Piece of cake..you'll be fine. A few things though...
1. Be sure to arrive at your airport about 2 hrs before departure time...yes, I know that seems like a long time. But, you'll have to go find a parking place, get to the terminal, check your bags, go through security, head to your gate. It's so much better to have plenty of time, especially if you aren't familier with the system.
Wear shoes that are easy on/off. Don't overpack your carryon. Be sure to put any toiletries in that clear quart size ziploc baggie. Any liquids, gels should be travel sized....3 oz, and should all fit comfortably in that baggie. When you get to the security area, take off your shoes, put them in a bin, take out your baggie, put that in the bin. Your carryon bag goes onto the conveyor belt, your coat/jacket goes in a bin. Any change or heavy watches, belt buckles should also come off and go in a bin, just to be on the safe side. All electronics should be inside the carryon bag. Then, you will be directed to a scanner, you walk through, with your boarding pass in hand (they will ask to see it), grab your things as they come out of the 'machine' put your shoes on, take your time..don't let yourself be rushed by those behind you. Put everything back together once you get it all off the conveyor belt (but, do step all the way down and off to the side to do this).

2. use the bathroom about 20 minutes before you board..boarding usually starts about 20-30 mins before take-off time.

3. Once on the plane, stow your carryon bag, under the seat if you can. This way you will have what you need right there and don't have to keep getting up. But, if you have a larger bag, put it in the overhead bin. What should you have in your carryon you ask? A book, magazines. A change of clothes, swim suit possibly, any medications you take, your official papers (passes, room reservation info)

4. Once that puppy is airborne...watch the flight attendents. If they look relaxed and are just going about their business, you're golden. Now, if they suddenly head to their little 'jump seats', strap in and sit there, white-knuckled, then you can start worrying. Hasn't happened to me yet though, so I wouldn't start worrying if I were you.

5. Take you time getting off the plane. There is no rush. You can't make those in front of you move any faster so just chill. Once off the plane, you'll head to the tram, which will let you off right by the security area. You'll be on level 3. Level 2 has baggage claim and level 1 has all the ground transportation. Follow the directions you get in your DME packet. You will go to the DME desk, checkin, then you will be directed to the proper bus line. you will go to your resort...no telling which of three stops you will be. My average time from deplaning to resort checkin has been 70 minutes....4 trips with DME.
Your bags will be taken from the plane to your resort where they will arrive 'magically' in your room up to three hours after your room becomes available to you.

Don't worry...that plane is built to be in the air..it wants to be in the air. The plane likes turbulance, the pilots like it a bit choppy...it's more interesting evidently...not for me, but for them. I just hate it when the pilot gets bored, don't you??!!

Anyway...have a great trip. All will be well. Do not have 3-4 drinks before getting on the plane, it doesn't help and just makes you obnoxious (that would be a 'general' you, not you personally!!!). Take some deep breaths, watch those around you. You'll be surprised how easy it is. Hope this info has helped a little bit...sorry it got so long.
 
ricktib said:
Shameless plug: United/TED is the only airline that offers tower communications to the passengers - it's on channel 9 of the audio system.


I remember being able to do that on other airlines....before 9/11, then they stopped. It was so cool to listen as the controllers handed the plane off to the next area traffic controller. Or the time the tower was telling the planes to be careful on the runway since there was some baggage out there. God forbid they send someone out to move it!!!!
That sure made for some interesting flights...I do miss it. Looks like I'm going to have to fly TED at some point.
 
I didn't think it would happen to me but I got to fly on a DC-3. It was great.
 
Thank you ThAnK yOu everyone!!!! All of your information is very helpful!! Oh and to answer to the question if I am affraid of heights... I'm not so much affraid of heights, but I do get motion sickness from flight simulators (like the Body Wars ride in Epcot it made me feel sick) and when I ride on a boat in the bay or offshore i get really sea sick! But certain rollercoasters don't bother me and I don't get car sick so I guess it depends? I just hope I don't get "air-sick" when flying for the first time. I think thats what I'm worried about. But other than that I'm pretty excited!!! Thanks again for the help and all the responses!!! :thanks:

-Brittany
 
goofy4tink said:
I just hate it when the pilot gets bored, don't you??!!


I DO!!! :lmao:

Thank you skier pete and trypnotic about the arilines. I am only 5'3 so I am not too worried about small seats...DH on the other hand is 6'3. We are both like Southwest and have heard many good thing about the airline. I have not heard much about Airtran so I did some research and JetBLue is rated number one economy class airline and Airtran is rated number two. Southwest and Ted/United were also in the top ten. This will be the first flight my DD's (3,6) so I am thinking they might enjoy the antics of Southwest.

In regards to "air sickness," there are some OTC medications that can be taken that will not cause the severe drowsiness that Dramamine causes. Bonine is very good...go to your Pharmacist and ask them. I am like you I cannot ride any simulated ride, ie Soarin', Star Tours, etc. :sad1: but I can handle the flight of an airbus or a larger plane. I cannot ride the "puddle jumpers" b/c you feel every bump and turn. If you could ride on a school bus for any length of time, you will be fine during the flight. :thumbsup2
 
I can't handle Body Wars either, but have no problem with airplanes.

I chew gum on take-off and landing to help with the air pressure. Keep some hard candy handy, like peppermints, they help too.
 
This may have been suggested, I didn't read the whole thread, but..

treat the experience as if it were a Disney ride/attraction. You've got your FastPass (boarding pass), you go through security, the concourse and get to the gate (pre-show), you board the plane and buckle in, and the ride begins. Mission Space simulates a blast-off and Soarin' simulates a flight, you'll be doing the real thing. Take reading material and if looking out the window or thinking about the fact that you're 5 miles up bothers you, lose yourself in a book. Remember, the crew loves their lives as much as you do yours and this is an everyday thing for them.

For us, once through airport security, we're already on vacation. From then on, it's someone else's job to get us to WDW, we just go with the flow and enjoy it.

Bill From PA
 
I agree with Bill!! To me getting through security is the hardest part...after that its a breeze.
 
The change in air pressure during landing, and sometimes during takoff, can cause discomfort and sometimes pain in your ears.

If you're even a little congested take something like Sudafed an hour before takeoff and an hour before landing. Chewing gum helps. There is a special type of ear plug called something like "earplane" that helps some people.

Almost all airlines provide complimentary soft drinks. Almost no airlines provide meals on flights. You can bring a sandwich.
 
Some great responses on this thread, but I wanted to add two things.

You might want to consider picking up a fear of flying book to read before your trip. Even if you don't know if you will be afraid, most of these contain detailed explanations of what will go during your flight. I think this could be really helpful. Plus, most have sections on relaxation techniques.

Also, if you are really tuned into the flight attendants, you may get nervous over nothing. I've seen anxious flight attendants a few times. Most were over lack of change for drinks or running out of the wrong meal. Once, I saw a flight attendant walk quickly and seriously to the front, get on the phone and say 'We need someone up here now.' Turns out the pilot had to go to the bathroom and they needed someone to watch the door. Just pointing out that this is a job to them, just like any other, and they sometimes get stressed about the day to day stuff just like us!
 
Clarabug,

If your DDs have not flown before, and you fly on Southwest, mention this to one of the flight attendants. They should have certificates they can sign for the kids that say "First airline flight" with date and other info. Cute souvenir to add to the Scrapbook for the trip.

SkierPete
 
Thanks Pete,
I think I just might!! We have told the girls that we are going to Disney but we have not told them when, so the flight will only add to the fun! I know there is another thread, the Family thread I think, in regards to flying with young children. I have been lurking there watching for ideas.

Is the anxiety b/c we have no control and that we put our lives into a total stranger or the fact we are 30,000 ft above solid ground? :scratchin
 
One of the coolest things about flying into MCO is the train ride from the gate area to the main terminal where baggage claim and ground transportation are....one of my DD10's and my favorites things of our whole trip and how we finally know we are there is when the announcer says in that great pre-recorded voice "please stand clear of the doors"
you know you are in Disney heaven when you hear that...anyone else think that is the greatest?
 
Britt_HeartsDisney said:
Thank you ThAnK yOu everyone!!!! All of your information is very helpful!! Oh and to answer to the question if I am affraid of heights... I'm not so much affraid of heights, but I do get motion sickness from flight simulators (like the Body Wars ride in Epcot it made me feel sick) and when I ride on a boat in the bay or offshore i get really sea sick! But certain rollercoasters don't bother me and I don't get car sick so I guess it depends? I just hope I don't get "air-sick" when flying for the first time. I think thats what I'm worried about. But other than that I'm pretty excited!!! Thanks again for the help and all the responses!!! :thanks:

-Brittany


What you will want to do is get seats in the center of the plane. That is the pivot point for up/down and right/left thus it will be the smoothest part of the plane.
 














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