Nervous to Fly?!?

[snicker-doodle]

At the risk of putting a damper on WDW plans, is anyone out there nervous to fly. We're going in December...and don't get me wrong...I'm SO excited, I'm having dreams about Mickey at night (don't tell my DD please! ). On that same note, I'm really worried about flying....especially having my entire family on board.

I know this is something that's out of my control, but I'm interested if I'm the only one that has this worry....or if I'm simply off my rocker.

Thanks.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

You are definitely NOT off your rocker and have a legitimate fear.
I can tell you we flew 9/14/01 and I was a bit edgy, but, I did get over it right after I got on the plane. I also flew in October and in January and will be flying in Sept. It is still the safest mode of travel there is.
Try to relax and look forward to the trip. And, I won't tell you DD about your dreams, I promise.

 

[Wish Upon A Star]

I just flew on July 4th . . .and I was nervous about it . . .because of it being Independence Day and all, but when I got to the airport, and I looked at my surroundings and looked at all the other people who would be on my flight, my fears went away. When I got in my seat, I had no nervous feelings at all, in fact, it was one of the best flights I ever had there . . .

We are supposed to be going back on November 30th . . .but are still undecided.

The best thing that helped me was to envision myself already in WDW, didn't even put myself on a plane.

Try not to think about it . . .I'm sure you'll be fine . . .like the other poster said flying is the safest mode of transportation . . .

 

[cindala]

We just flew over the week of July 4th, and we were all very nervous too! We took off out of LaGuardia, and the security was tight. They pulled out almost everyone in front of us to have their check on luggage checked in a separate room. My purse was searched, and after I looked at all the people flying with us, (all families and young children) I felt much better. We had a great flight!

Coming home out of Orlando, the security seemed even tighter, maybe because we were flying into NYC. Both DH and I were wanded and patted down, and DH had to loosen his shirt and his sneakers were checked. Then just before boarding, several people were again pulled out of line to be checked again. They were very cautious. This made me feel safer. We had a great flight home too!

Honestly though, most everyone flying looked a bit nervous, so you are definately not alone! Just think that right now, flying is probably the safest way to travel. There are no security checks on the subways, buses or trains.

 

[MickeyMonstersMom]

(Duplicate post - sorry)

 

[MickeyMonstersMom]

I love to fly, and this will be my children's first experience. However, we'll be coming back the Saturday before Labor Day, and our flight has been changed to a stop at LaGuardia (we were supposed to connect at a smaller hub). I can't help but feel anxious - there will be so many people flying that day.

cindala, do you know much about LaGuardia? I was wondering if we'll have to do much walking to get to our next flight - we're flying US Air for both. It's nice to hear that security is tight - I'd rather undergo a strip search (or even worse!) than worry about my family's safety.

Lori

 

[Mark P.]

My wife's going through the same feelings. We usually fly down every year, but this past Spring, we drove from NJ. The drive for the most part wasn't too bad, but I can recall at least 3 different "close calls" on the drive due to some inattentive drivers(no, not me,lol), and also seeing a couple of different accidents on the way down and back that made me wish we had flown.

We're planning a trip for May of next year, and if everything's "quiet", we'll be flying again.

 

[jmunguia]

I am nervous too! But I was nervous before Sept 11 so, I was hoping that security and maintenance would be tighter and checked more because we are going to Orlando. In theory I feel that they especially don't want disasters happening on flights to tourist areas with the economy being so bad. Not that they shouldn't be cautious for every flight but that thought is what lets me sleep at night. I've always been nervous that the plane would crash or blow up and on top of that I get nausous on planes. Overall, I do think we will get there and home again. Try to think a positive thought about it and hold on to it.

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

Nope, I wasn't too nervous being in the sky, either. I was more nervous the ride from MCO to WDW. Going out of the airport, we were in the lane for the South Airport Exit, and a Montero Sport started merging towards us (it was night beside us). Well, we had to kinda go off the road to prevent them from hitting us. The guy was an idiot, and his wife just waved once she realized what her husband did. People in the cars all around us were beeping at the guy! These tourists who don't know how to drive their rental cars!

Anyways, you just can't worry about the flight. Once I'm up in the air I'm okay, I guess my biggest fear is getting up into the air.

 

[alsipd]

The only thing that scares me about flying is the drive to the airport. I almost get killed everytime, by people in a hurry to get to the airport.

 

[CarolA]

I nearly got killed by an crazy person reading the paper while driving his car on my way to the airport yesterday! Get me into the air and off the roads anytime!

 

[Ted and Holly]

I can't belive nobody has mentioned medication!!!!

I have always been afraid to fly. As time goes on, it has gotten worse, not better with each trip to WDW. Then I discovered Xanax back in November and have flown after taking it on two different trips and next week for a third.

I am afraid of every little bump and noise and turn during the flight. In November, I was already freaked out...our previous trip had had an emergency landing, then 9/11 and then a few days before we were supposed to leave, that plane crashed in Long Island. I couldn't function. It was too late to cancel our trip, so I called my Doc.

Xanax makes me feel VERY relaxed. I talk slower but am totally alert. I think all the scared thoughts, but my body doesn't react to them. No fast heartrate, no sweating, no queasy stomach. When my body doesn't react to the panic, then my mind begins to relax.

My other suggestion is to distract yourself. I like to watch DVD's on our laptop with headphones. It takes my mind and ears away from what is goign on in the plane.

Don't let your fears keep you from flying. Just think... a few hours of being miserable has BIG payoffs.... WDW!!!!!!!!!!

Enjoy your trip!
Holly

 

[BuzzMe]

Holly, you sound like my flying "twin"! Xanax has been a lifesaver for me. I also find listening to music(Disney CD, classical) helps drown out the plane noises. Wishing you a smooth, safe flight snicker-doodle. Have a great trip!

 

[snicker-doodle]

Thanks to all you who responded to this...I'm still nervous to fly, but I do feel better that there are others out there that have the same anxieties! And I know the outcome (WDW!!!) is worth the stress. We're bringing our three DD's with us....ages 5, 3 and 18 months....they'll probably keep me so busy, I won't have time to stress!

Thanks again!

 

[hookedup]

Yes I do feel nervous about it - I always have been kinda scared but now it is really hard.

We are taking Amtrak for this trip just to see how it compares

 

[scanne]

I too was prescribed Xanax!!! It was a lifesaver for my DH! I am a TOTAL wreck when I have to fly. Luckily our flights from PHL to MCO are only 2 hours and 20 minutes. Like another poster, I am aware of every turn, noise, ascent, decent, etc. I think I'm better in an aisle seat, although I always get a windown sit to make sure we're parallel with the ground. One time we were bumped up to first class and I HATED it! You know why? I couldn't see the wing! So I felt like I was in a chair in the sky and it really freaked me out!

The next time I go to WDW, I know I will be flying because my DH doesn't want my fears to infllunce our son (who is going to arrive any day now!). So I will be making a call to my doctor to get some Xanax and I will meditate and do relxation breathing. I do believe (agianst what my body and mind do) that flying IS the safest form of transportation. For me, my fear stems from the lack of control! But when we drove in December we saw a HORRIBLE car wreck that you knew no one survived, so it kind of helped me to see that I need to get over my fear and get on that plane!

So you're not alone.......but meds can help!

 

[Kimkimba]

I'm very lucky that things like flying don't make me nervous. I work for a healthcare organization and I'm based in one of our hospitals (I'm administrative). Judging from the employees (many aliens) we hire, there are more apt to be terrorists working in my hospital than on my flight to Disney. Dh is weary of flying but he's only flown twice. I fly a lot more frequently, so it doesn't bother me. On my last flight in May, I set off the metal detector even though I was wearing just capris and a lite shirt. I also set it off in the White House visitor center, so it must be the metal in my brain. I was padded down more thoroughly at the airport (Philadelphia) than at the WH visitor center. I only had my pocketbook with me on the flight and they pulled me aside to search that, too (in Houston). Security is better, but still not near enough. But that's money talking. USAirways misrouted my luggage on my return trip this past time, too. Didn't show up until the day after I arrived home. Major inconvenience when you don't know for sure if you're getting it back.

 

[epcotfan]

I always pop a couple of gravol (dramamine) as a precaution to motion sickness. A great side effect is that is makes me so sleepy I usually don't care what is going on by then and my nervousness goes away. Just make sure you take it about 45 minutes prior to take off for it to work!

 

[LindaG4458]

I am not afraid of flying. Once the plane is in the air I actually enjoy it. I don't mind the security (although I do think that it is predominantly window dressing).

What I don't like is being stuck in Atlanta for 7.5 hours; being first on the standby list for 4 hours, having two people put ahead of me (undoubtedly more frequent flyers than I am), and having them get on the flight while I don't; having the next five flights be oversold with one having 76 on the standby list besides (I was #15); getting into Boston at 12:45AM and being unable to get my car because LoganExpress stops running at midnight; and so on and so on.......

Our next trip to Florida we will try driving for the first time. We have the time, won't have to rent a car, and have to bring numerous things to furnish our condo in Vero Beach. If it goes well, that is what we will do in the future.

It's not the fear but the hassle that gets to me.