nervous flyer needs information-PLEASE

[HairyAriel]

I am a very jittery flyer who flys very infrequently. We are scheduled to fly out of La Guardia tomorrow (Thurs) at 6:15 am. I have just heard that they are calling for possible showers tonite into tomorrow morning.

I have 2 questions. First, How are takeoffs affected by showers-does this make it more risky to fly? Second, do they delay departures for this type of weather and if so how long a delay should we expect? Are there any vetera flyers out there who can share their rain experiences? I would truly appreciate hearing from you. Thanks.

 

[NEW-B]

Planes will fly in rain no problem. Just like driving in rain, its not a big deal. If there's big thunderstorms or lightning that would be a different story. They may delay the flight due to heavy lightning, but not just rain. I wouldn't worry about it. I think it would be cool to fly through a thunderstorm. . . . well maybe.

 

[Laz]

Athough I don't consider myself a "veteran" flyer, I have flown enough in various conditions to offer a little info.

Showers may slow things down a bit, so you might see some delays. However, I have experienced pilots making up for the delay in the air and still reaching the destination on time. I think you have an advantage flying so early. While you may get delayed 15 minutes or 1/2 hour, the effect snowballs for the rest of the day at larger airports. An afternoon flight could get backed up over an hour. If their are thunderstorms or a hard rain, they will wait until it passes. They will also delay a flight if the destination is under bad weather.

Don't worry about an increased risk. IMO, pilots lean towards the side of caution and will not take a chance with a weather threat.

I have more worries about delays in security rather than the flight. I tend to relax when I take my seat on the plane.

Relax, and have fun!

 

[melk]

I can empathize, I too am a nervous flyer. I don't think rain will delay your flight at all. I also don't think it makes take-off any more risky. We flew last November in a Nor'easter and I was sure they would cancel or delay. But they didn't. The high winds made for a turbulent flight but I did okay. It made me realize that the planes are sturdy and can withstand a lot. Keep reminding yourself that thousands of flights take-off and land every day without incident. It really is safe. Have a good trip!

 

[Pammy_from_WI]

I used to travel all the time for business and never had problems. Last year though I developed some sort of phobia to flying, so I feel your pain! Don't ask me why, didn't have a bad flight or something to trigger it, just happened. We're flying again in Oct. and my stomach gets tied in knots just thinking about it.

As to the flying in rain, I've done it dozens of times. They usually don't delay the flights unless fog moves in or the storms become very bad, like they have high winds or something. I've taken-off during many pretty bad thunder/lighting storms and they usually just try to ascend pretty quickly to get above the storms. Yes, you may have some turblence during take off, if the storms are bad enough. As far as I know it doesn't make it more risky to fly. Remember the pilots lives would be at risk too, so they're not going to take any chances and those planes can pretty much fly themselves!!!

If you do get delayed I can't imagine it would be for long, unless the storms stalled and were really bad.

Have a safe and happy flight! Try and breath deeply and just relax. Remember you're on your way to the happiest place on earth!!!!

 

[barbeml]

I totally understand. I swore off flying a couple of years ago but was forced to fly from Phila to Chicago two weeks ago on business. We flew between thunderstorms on the way back and, to the pilot's credit, every time we felt slight turbulance he just went higher and faster. The bump up turbulence doesn't get me, but the drop down stuff makes me nuts.

As someone else said, the early flights are generally the least problem when it comes to weather delays.

Good luck!

 

[PrincessAurora]

Just remember that rain or overcast weather may make for a few bumps until you can get through the clouds. All perfectly fine, just keep your seat belt on for the whole flight unless you have to leave your seat.

The majority of pilots were also in the military and have landed on aircraft carriers in WAY worse weather.

 

[Magic2000]

I too am also a very nervous flyer! We don't fly very often. However, I just returned last week from Vegas and it was really OK. When we were landing in Las Vegas, the plane was kind of going up and down a bit, and it made me really nervous. But I looked at the stewardess who was just reading a newspaper like it was nothing, and I felt better.

We are flying to Disney in Oct - and I am still a little nervous. I just try to think about how I'll be in Disney in just over an hour. I pay very close attention to the stewardesses - if they aren't nervous, then I try not to be!

Good luck!!!

 

[DebbieB]

What I love about taking off when it's cloudy or raining is the moment when you get above the clouds and the sunshine pours into the plane....reminds you the sun is still up there on a cloudy day!

 

[luvpooh]

I agree in general with the other posters, however -

IT'S LAGUARDIA AIRPORT!!!

The tower controls the flights, as at any other airport, but LGA delays their flights for the tiniest little things. I am speaking from experience when I say you have a pretty good chance of being delayed if it's raining. It shouldn't be by much, especially since you're so early in the AM. Like a previous poster mentioned, the delays will build up throughout the day.

I just saw the forecast though, and you look like you're pretty good to go, so I wouldn't worry about the weather. Flying in the rain is not a problem, it may be a little more bumpy if you're going through the storm, but not bad.

Good luck and relax. My boyfriend is an extremely nervous flier. In fact, we leave in about 3 weeks and he'll start taking Valium next week every night to calm his nerves leading up to the 'big day'.

 

[Mouseteacher]

I have flown many times and up until recently I never minded flying. Lately, I find flying very unpleasant. Not because of the weather but because of the claustrophobic conditions in the plane! There is so little space between you and the seat back in front of you as well as leg room. We usually fly the (now defunct)Delta Express flights (737s) out of Logan.

Last summer, upon leaving MCO a thunderstorm bore down as we were taxiing out to the runway. We sat on that runway for 90 minutes - no air moving in the cabin - the pilot had to shut down an engine and the a/c, no access to anything to drink (fortunately I always carry water with me) and tight conditions - not pleasant! It was the longest hour and half I have ever experienced!

Well, we're going back to Disney in July. This time flying SWA. Same claustrophobic conditions! Perhaps I should try valiums, too! LOL

 

[michygoomy]

Bad flyer here also.....but I've never had any trouble in rain or storms unless I was in a prop plane. That's a whole different story then!

Magic2000--your flight attendent trick is one I've used since I first flew. Worked like a charm until one flight from chicago to cleveland. The flight attendant was in the aisle next to me with the beverage cart. Next thing you know another flight attendant comes walking quickly down the aisle with a very, very worried look on his face. OMG, I was panicked, I was sure there was something terribly wrong.

He finallly reached the flight attendant next to me, leaned over, and whispered to her, "We're out of beer in first class".

 

[dg39]

We're leaving for the world Friday morn. We're driving. A few weeks ago, due to dh job, he might not have been able to go. To make a long story short, I was going to fly with my dd. Well, I am not nervous, jitterry or anything like that. I am down right afraid. I didn't sleep for days, it was always on my mind. Talking about it brought tears to my eyes. Yes, dramatic, but true. Then on the Transportation board someone mentioned www.fearofflying.com. I went to that site & read everything, everyday. It eased my fears enough to talk about it w/o tearing up. Go to that site & it will help you. It explains everything in detail. It helped me....But now dh, can go with us so we're driving again....Good luck...

 

[MouseClubMom]

I flew for the first time in 13 years last week from Orlando to Nashville. My doctor gave me XANAX which seemed to calm me a bit. If you think you may be nervous, ask your doctor about something like that.

Statistically speaking, you are safer in a plane than in a car. The excitement of going to WDW should get you through just fine.

As far as rain, it doesn't affect your flight unless it is very heavy rain or a thunderstorm. The plane is up and over the rain pretty quickly and the pilots fly around any inclement weather.

New-B take it from me. You do NOT want to fly during a thunderstorm. PM me if you want my experience with that 13 years ago.

I do have to say that after flying last week I am more willing to fly again.

Good luck!
MCMom

 

[msteddom]

My dad told me a story that made feel much better about flying. He was on a flight that was experianceing really bad tubulence. The pilot came on the PA and said, "what we're experiencing is in NO WAY unsafe, it is just uncomfortable." I know that in my nervousness it is easy for me to forget that airline pilots would never put us or themselves in any situation that they felt was unsafe. Keep this in mind too, at the end of the flight you get to go to Disneyworld!

 

[jonsmom57]

Thumbs Up on the Xanax. Works like a charm and helped me sleep through the flight. I never do that because i am too nervous.

 

[Harambe]

Michygoomy - what a riot! I also use the pilot or stewardess trick! I picture them planning on getting home to do their food shopping, or whatever! Just normal folks doing a normal job.

Flying really is safe.

 

[dcfromva]

Originally posted by HairyAriel
I am a very jittery flyer who flys very infrequently. We are scheduled to fly out of La Guardia tomorrow (Thurs) at 6:15 am. I have just heard that they are calling for possible showers tonite into tomorrow morning.

I have 2 questions. First, How are takeoffs affected by showers-does this make it more risky to fly? Second, do they delay departures for this type of weather and if so how long a delay should we expect? Are there any vetera flyers out there who can share their rain experiences? I would truly appreciate hearing from you. Thanks.

HairyAriel,
These are very good questions.
If there is convective activity associated with the showers, your departure could be delayed whilst the convective activity moves through --generally this is a relatively short event. At 6:15am, though, you're not likely to have convective activity. If it is just rain, no problem.
(Generally showers will impact the arrivals more than the departures, if at all. )

Here's a web site for the FAA command center which lists the busiest airports and whether or not there are delays in the system:

Link to the Real Time Airport Status...

I don't know if this helps to know, but you can see there are a whole lot of folks watching over your flight.

The flight attendant trick reminds me of a flight I took on SWA where the flight attendant was giving the safety announcement and got to the part about what to do in the unlikely event that the oxygen masks came down. He said, something to the effect that he didn't expect this to happen--because if he did expect it to happen, he would have called in sick that day ....

I hope you are able to relax and enjoy your flight and if any of those fearful thoughts start creeping in--just think about Mickey and that castle!

-DC