Ok, don't laugh... I am afraid to fly....

[dannysmommyval]

seriously - I am.
I flew in high school but I don't remember much about it, just that I was terrified then too!

So, since I am seriously considering working on this phobia so I can get to WDW more than once a year and in a couple of hours instead of a couple of days - can anyone give me hints on how to get over it?

And, I don't even know where to start as far as booking/packing/terminals, etc., I am researching that now...

(Now I know this is an opportunity to make fun of me, if you want to go ahead, but I am serious in trying to over come this... I get dizzy stepping off a curb so this is huge.)

Thanks for any suggestions.

 

[BC Disney Lover]

I would never make fun of someone's fears, especially since I'm terrified of birds. Much harder to avoid than flying. Will you be flying with children? We took my MIL on vacation in Nov and she was so occupied with the kids that she didn't have much time to focus on her fear of flying. I really don't have any tips for you but I want to wish you luck. Hopefully you'll get lots of good tips on here! We drove our first trip to DL and for the second one we flew and can't believe how great it is to just get there and start your Disney visit.

Good luck,
Angie

 

[RMAMom]

I think the best way to deal with this is to just deal with it. I am also afraid of flying and I could probably talk myself out of it pretty quickly. Instead I push those thoughts to the back of my mind and get on the plane! I always take my Ipod so that I can't hear the plane noise. If I get nervous on the plane I look at the flight attendants and I figure if they aren't worried or reacting than neither will I. It's basic but it works for me. Good luck, find what works for you and go for it!

 

[turkeymama]

I can't say this enough.

Medication. Medication. Medication.

It is the only way for some of us to fly. Seriously, I have to take something or I can't even pack my suitcase the night before a flight. I have my husband with me to take care of the kids and grab the bags. All I'm responsible for is my carry-on. Once we land, I'm a little drowsy, but otherwise fine.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

I wouldn't make fun at all. You're not alone. I agree with the pp about meds. My dad get claustrophobia on planes so he takes Xanex and he's fine.

http://www.takingflight.us/forums/

hth!!

 

[pepe of ohio]

A very long time ago and those were the worse trips out of all 42 we have made. Beat the phobia, nope, only got worse and have thought many a times of getting on a plane and being there in 2 hours but just can't see myself boarding. I quit fooling myself and gave up, driving was our means for many trips but we found Amtrak and it's how I prefer to travel. It's the slowest means but I can travel stress free and no anxiety before hand, I can sit back, relax, read a novel, listen to Ipod music or watch a movie. Wife can fly but doesn't push the issue knowing the outcome, she enjoys sitting back and napping or watching the scenery change from Ohio to Florida, and the price is cheaper than drining and flying and no TSA's or security heebie geebies. Not for all and it's how I dealt with my flying fear, just not worth the effort, I'll take the train.Good luck to you in your endeavor.

 

[goofy4tink]

Relaxation strategies help....deep breathing stuff..especially while sitting around the terminal. I know exactly what you're going through. As you pack you'll wonder if it's the last time you'll see your bedroom, then as you drive away from the house, you wonder if you'll ever see it again. Sitting there, at the gate, you look at the jetway as if it were the walk to the gas chamber. As you walk down the jetway, you wonder if you're walking to the vehicle of your demise. Yep, been there, done that. But, now I fly to Orlando at least three times a year and have even graduated to flying alone!! You can beat this.
I tell my dd to watch the flight attendants. They do this multiple times a day. If it were all that dangerous, you wouldn't see them up there, in the air. It's safe. If they are going about the business of taking care of their passengers, handing out drinks and snacks, you're fine. If they suddenly take to their jump seats, and sit there, white-knuckled, then perhaps you should be concerned. My eldest dd and I were on a short flight from Ft. Lauderdale to Tampa, before heading on to Providence. We never got to a good cruising altitude, so it was very bumpy. My poor dd was terrified..even got to crying a bit. But, I mentioned that the flight attendents were still in the aisle, handing out soda...they seldom do that if the plane is going down!
Research what happens during take-off and landings...what the normal, to be expected sounds are. That will make you much more comfortable.

You are not alone, you are not silly and no one here is going to laugh. There are more people just like you than you can possibly imagine.

 

[Luckymommyx2]

.... I know exactly what you're going through. As you pack you'll wonder if it's the last time you'll see your bedroom, then as you drive away from the house, you wonder if you'll ever see it again. Sitting there, at the gate, you look at the jetway as if it were the walk to the gas chamber. As you walk down the jetway, you wonder if you're walking to the vehicle of your demise. Yep, been there, done that.

OMG...my thoughts exactly! I still feel like that every time I fly. It gets really bad the night before and goes from there. For some reason I just seem to be getting worse and worse with flying. The last time I was at WDW I started to cry on the way to the airport!!
This trip we're flying down but trying the train on the way home. There was only a $30 for the four of us and it's something I have always wanted to try. I still like getting down there quickly but I figure I can take my time coming home. Crossing my fingers for a smooth flight!


Good luck dannysmommyval! I'm sure you'll get a lot of good advice. No one will make fun of your fears, especially me! My only trip is to try to stay busy, watch the flight attendents if it gets bumpy and write in my travel journal.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

Personally, I think facing the problem head on with a clear conscious and head is the best method. Drugs/Medications are a horrible solution in my opinion.

 

[Vijoge]

dannysmommyval,

I sent you a PM.

 

[jms531]

This may seem like a duh! statement but it did wonders for me.

The pilot doesn't want to crash any more than you do!

It seems so simple but really helps me rationalize my fears. That and the fact that I love to see things and experience life and if I have to take my chances on a plane then I suppose that's better than living a life of fear in my house!

G/L!

 

[lisa-upnorth]

All Aboard!!!Choo-choo, that's what I do!

I do not fly EVER! I did when I was in high school and haven't in over 20 years.The fear I had would ruin my whole trip because I knew at the end I had to get on it. No more for me!

 

[Moomduck1]

I saw a therapist to get over my fear of flying. Never thought it would work but it did.

 

[DISNEYNUTS]

I have tried the facing it head on, the no meds, the positive thoughts, etc, etc, I finally talked to my doctor about it in Dec. and now I do Medication, I still cried during take off and for the first 10 minutes of flight. Yes I am the one whose children and husband hold her hand and tell her Mom were fine were going to be fine. But medication made it bareable and took the edge off. I was perfectly aware of what was going on, so not that Medicated, that I was out of it. Best Wishes, as my brother the Pilot tells me all the time It is safer than driving.

 

[pepe of ohio]

All Aboard!!!Choo-choo, that's what I do!

I do not fly EVER! I did when I was in high school and haven't in over 20 years.The fear I had would ruin my whole trip because I knew at the end I had to get on it. No more for me!

I'm with you all the way, nothing beats rolling across the terra firma, might take alot longer but it's peace and serenity and ese of mind. Might see you one one of our trips, ha, Ohio to Kissimmee, nothing beats the rails.

 

[MickeyEars]

My husband is terrified to fly. He used to before 9/11 but has not flown once since then. I hate to drive 12 hours to Disney so my two boys and I have been going every year without him. With his blessing!! This year we're driving because DH has expressed interest in returning. The things we do for love!!! He's going to have such fun because he hasn't been since 2001.

Carla

 

[jlewisinsyr]

My husband is terrified to fly. He used to before 9/11 but has not flown once since then.

Now there's an irrational fear. I understand the consequence of 9/11 (I'm a NY and had friends and colleagues in NYC at the time), but the scenario that occured could have happened anywhere. The plane was chosen as the weapon of choice, but it could have been on a train, boat, truck, etc.

 

[treeface]

I wouldn't think of laughing at you, I don't like to fly either. I am so nervous leading up the flight, that after going through security, I go to the bathroom constantly because it seems like I need to but I don't. I am aware of every single noise on the plane, always think the worst and hope for the best. I do pay attention to the flight attendants because as PP's have said, that is their job and they will continue as normal through what the casual traveler may think is a big deal. I have been on planes that have had to return to the airport for mechanical reasons and I've waited in terminals for a new plane to be brought to the gate.

I always prefer to drive, but realistically it sometimes makes more sense to fly. We just drove to Disney in December and are going back in 2 weeks. We had planned to drive again, but SW had some really inexpensive fares that made it cheaper to fly, so we will do that. I will take my ipod (after Dh puts music on it) and I always have a book to read also. I always take a window seat and try to be as close to the front of the plane as possible. If it's a nice day, I spend most of the flight looking out the window and enjoying our beautiful country from the sky.

I probably fly once or twice a year and never enjoy it, but it does make the rest of the trip more enjoyable as I don't have to spend half of it resting up from the drive.

Just find something that will relax you and your flight will be over before you know it and you'll be able to enjoy your vacation.

 

[miss missy]

I need to get DH on a plane! HELP!! He flew before, but seems like 911 did him in. How can I do this??

 

[loralie]

My DH is nervous to fly also. He is doing it for us and the last time we flew was 2005 so it has been a while. He is more nervous on the take off and landing. The middle part he is alright with. We are a family of 4 so our flight has 3 seats, an aisle and then 3 more seats. My DH sits with the 2 children, DH is on the aisle, I am in the seat right across the aisle from him and I hold his hand during the take off and landing. I don't care who is watching. He said he keeps telling himself that hundreds of planes take off and land every day and that is what gets him through it.

My SIL is nervous to fly also and takes a xanax to get through it.

Good Luck and think about all the fun you are going to have.

Loralie