Cast: CDisney(33), DH(35), DS(4), DS(6)
Nov. 23-25 Hard Rock Hotel
Nov. 25-Dec. 1 Holiday Inn Family Suites
Since becoming a mother, my irrational fear of flying has grown year after year. Every time I book a flight, I know my heart will race through take-off and landing and with every strange sound or jolt of turbulence.
But in July, Southwest had an unbelievable airfare sale - $89 roundtrip from Albany to Orlando. Without a second thought, I booked four seats and began planning for our day-after Thanksgiving departure.
Then, Sept. 11th happened.
Over the next several weeks, I was sure that I wouldnt be able to get on the plane and we would have to drive. My husband reminded me that driving was statistically riskier. But, facts didnt have much power over fear.
My mother didnt want us to fly. She called me about every news story involving heightened alerts and breeches in security. Within minutes after the crash of American Airlines flight 587, she called me at work to renew her plea.
You arent going to get on that plane, are you? she asked with that maternal voice that fills every ounce of you with feelings of guilt. I have too much to lose if something happens to that plane with the four of you on it.
My husband didnt have any second thoughts about flying, but he was leaving the decision up to me a three-hour non-stop flight or a two-day drive with a 4-year-old and a 6-year-old. I reserved the right to hold my decision until the last minute.
As the hour of decision approached, someone on the DIS boards posted the number of planes that would have to crash to equal the number of deaths by motor vehicle accidents in a year. Newspapers were reporting that 87% of Thanksgiving travelers were traveling by car. Facts were starting to overpower my fears (or maybe my fears of traveling by car were just increasing, Im not sure.)
On Friday, Nov. 23, the decision was made. Fly.
All the way to the airport, I was second-guessing the decision. What kind of mother would put her children on an airplane during times like these? What kind of daughter would worry her mother like this?
Albany is a small airport and there were no lines at the ticket counter and small lines at the security check point. Security searched our three backpacks and small carry-on. They made several passengers remove their shoes for inspection. Air National Guardsmen were posted on the other side.
I started to feel a little calmer.
With two young sons, we were able to preboard our flight. As we settled in, one of the flight attendants stopped by to talk to my 4-year-old. She had a 2-year-old and a 4-year-old at home.
Well, that did it. Here was a mother who felt safe enough to take to the skies every day, while her children were on the ground. I was pretty sure that if she was afraid that there was a greater chance that her children would be left without a mother, she would have abandoned the skies.
I said my usual prayers, but my heart stopped racing. About two and a half hours later, we landed early in Orlando safe and sound, ready for the fun to begin.
Part II: Is it a bug or Spiderman
Nov. 23-25 Hard Rock Hotel
Nov. 25-Dec. 1 Holiday Inn Family Suites
Since becoming a mother, my irrational fear of flying has grown year after year. Every time I book a flight, I know my heart will race through take-off and landing and with every strange sound or jolt of turbulence.
But in July, Southwest had an unbelievable airfare sale - $89 roundtrip from Albany to Orlando. Without a second thought, I booked four seats and began planning for our day-after Thanksgiving departure.
Then, Sept. 11th happened.
Over the next several weeks, I was sure that I wouldnt be able to get on the plane and we would have to drive. My husband reminded me that driving was statistically riskier. But, facts didnt have much power over fear.
My mother didnt want us to fly. She called me about every news story involving heightened alerts and breeches in security. Within minutes after the crash of American Airlines flight 587, she called me at work to renew her plea.
You arent going to get on that plane, are you? she asked with that maternal voice that fills every ounce of you with feelings of guilt. I have too much to lose if something happens to that plane with the four of you on it.
My husband didnt have any second thoughts about flying, but he was leaving the decision up to me a three-hour non-stop flight or a two-day drive with a 4-year-old and a 6-year-old. I reserved the right to hold my decision until the last minute.
As the hour of decision approached, someone on the DIS boards posted the number of planes that would have to crash to equal the number of deaths by motor vehicle accidents in a year. Newspapers were reporting that 87% of Thanksgiving travelers were traveling by car. Facts were starting to overpower my fears (or maybe my fears of traveling by car were just increasing, Im not sure.)
On Friday, Nov. 23, the decision was made. Fly.
All the way to the airport, I was second-guessing the decision. What kind of mother would put her children on an airplane during times like these? What kind of daughter would worry her mother like this?
Albany is a small airport and there were no lines at the ticket counter and small lines at the security check point. Security searched our three backpacks and small carry-on. They made several passengers remove their shoes for inspection. Air National Guardsmen were posted on the other side.
I started to feel a little calmer.
With two young sons, we were able to preboard our flight. As we settled in, one of the flight attendants stopped by to talk to my 4-year-old. She had a 2-year-old and a 4-year-old at home.
Well, that did it. Here was a mother who felt safe enough to take to the skies every day, while her children were on the ground. I was pretty sure that if she was afraid that there was a greater chance that her children would be left without a mother, she would have abandoned the skies.
I said my usual prayers, but my heart stopped racing. About two and a half hours later, we landed early in Orlando safe and sound, ready for the fun to begin.
Part II: Is it a bug or Spiderman
