Quick..convince me it's ok to fly!!

[pbharris4]

I have flown before several times..some flights as long as 10.5 hrs at one stretch. I haven't flown since pre-2001. We were resolved to drive (again), and we passed up a great airfare, BUT we just came across another one and I need to decide ASAP. Dh and DD(10) want to fly, DD (almost 3 yo) doesn't really care....maybe I haven't had time to rationalize it yet. Help!!!! Please.

 

[DebbieB]

I travel frequently for work. So far this year I have racked up about 25 to 30 flights with no problems. Millions fly everyday with no problems. You will be fine! It's more dangerous on the road.

 

[canwegosoon]

Please fly-I have flown about 8 times since 9/11. There is really no reason not to(unless you are totally gripped by a fear of flying)...but have you driven anywhere lately? It seems to me there are more and more horrible drivers out there. You arrive well rested, the airports have great security, and flights are sooooo much quicker than driving and stopping for a 3yo to go to the bathroom(etc.) You can do it!!! Bring a book, head phones/video, or even a little handheld game to keep you busy.

 

[EnviroChick]

Fly! Fly! I'm a rehabed phobic flyer. I had to either get over my fear or lose a great job. I took the job. Now I fly all over the world (the real world not WDW!). How simple it is to put that fear away and realize that airplanes, airports and all that goes with it are just another excellent part of the entire journey. And what a time saver; more time at the parks and to experience WDW; less time on the road with all the crazies. The statistical aspect of flying vs. driving has already been pointed out above. If I could fly across town, instead of sitting in rush hour traffic I certainly would. Give it a go, and if you truly have anxiety attacks over flying (as I used to...I once flew a 45 minute flight and cried non-stop the entire time with a flight attendant sitting next to me holding my hand) ask your family physician to prescribe a mild sedative, like Xanax. It can really help you become more rational during the flight. Hope this helps.

 

[ShellyMouse]

if i can do it, you can do it!! trust me.....i'm the biggest chicken ever but i'm going for it in december!!

you can do this! have a great trip!

 

[Dan Murphy]

Enjoy, you'll be fine.

 

[annie1995]

Definately fly. Your be enjoying your trip much sooner then if you were to fly, and you won't be as tired!

 

[pbharris4]

Thank you sooo much!!! I do feel better. I am a worrier. I already take a small dose of Lexapro (Dr. called it Paxil Light), but am thinking I need a stronger doseage..Anyway....I just went for it and felt better after I clicked "Purchase Now." I got 4 tickets on Airtran from Dulles to Orlando (AND non stop too!) for $788 total. A month ago we could have had them for $669, but DH didn't want to fly. Everything went up so fast.

I'll be fine once I am on the plane. I was like this before 9/11, but I do think about it as I have a lot of neighbors who work at the Pentagon and I was supposed to go to the mall directly across the highway from it but changed my day off to the next day. Glad I didn't go. You have to be quick to get good fares and I was spazzing out because I wasn't sure I wanted to fly. Now I can relax and take the next few weeks and prepare my mind for it! Yes...there are soo many car accidents...especially around here. My DH is a commuter to Northern Virginia and there is at least 1 everyday..probably more. There is almost always 1-2 in the Massaponax area around here..always someone on their way to WDW too it seems. I think for me ..I can controll the car, but not the plane..so it's the feeling of being of being out of my own control that bothers me. Thank goodness it's only a nonstop 2.5 hr flight!!!

Thank you for the reassurances!

Pam

 

[wifeofjack]

Well, I know how you feel about the fear of flying. I am so afraid, but I did something this evening that I still cannot believe I did!
I booked flights for hubby and me for our September trip!
Yes, the biggest chicken in all the world has done it! I am going to FLY!
I was online for the longest time, had all the information formatted into the reservation, cancelled it twice and finally called hubby into the computer room and asked him if I was doing the right thing. He did not have to talk too much to convince me to do it. The outrageous cost of gasoline, four days on the road, stopping at a motel for the night, yuck, compared to an early Sunday morning flight, being there in 3 hours, sitting at the pool enjoying Disney, 7 glorious days to explore WDW, a 3 hour flight home, plus ME. It was so simple a choice, I just put in all the info again, sat at the keyboard, with my finger on the enter button, prayed for a moment, and hit the key.
I am going to FLY! Yes, I am going to do it.
And if I can do it, anybody can.

 

[scoutsmom99]

Go for it you will do just fine

 

[pbharris4]

Yeah!!!! Good for you!! I did the same thing...went to reserve it 4x and kept chickening out when they asked for the credit card info. Finally, I knew that if I didn't make a choice soon..then we'd lose the fare. So I just hit the button. For a few years I flew a few times to Hawaii, LA, San Francisco, Orlando and Ohio, and it bothered me, but not like it does today. I guess since it's been 8 yrs or so since I flew last. My DH works very close to Dulles Airport and when I go up there for lunch there are planes landing/taking off literally every 5 mins and they are all fine. But you can bet that I will be happy when we land in Orlando (where's the Smiley for a sigh of relief?)

 

[Marseeya]

Good luck!

I developed a fear of flying over the past 15 years, so I understand where you're coming from. We're flying on our upcoming June trip and I'm nervous. Someone directed me to this website and it's been a big help: http://www.fearofflyinghelp.com/

Plus I convinced my doctor to give me a prescription for Xanax today. I assured him that if he didn't give it to me, I'd have to resort to drinking at 6 in the morning for an 8 a.m. flight, and that just wouldn't be proper now, would it?

 

[hentob]

Plus I convinced my doctor to give me a prescription for Xanax today. I assured him that if he didn't give it to me, I'd have to resort to drinking at 6 in the morning for an 8 a.m. flight, and that just wouldn't be proper now, would it?

Now come , Marseeya--Bloody Marys and Mimosas are our friends

To the OP, I am terrified to fly, but I am even nuttier in the car. It would take us about 15-16 hours to drive to WDW. I would have a nervous breakdown, as I HATE I-95 for the little time we are on it to get to the Philly Airport. I couldn't imagine driving to Orlando on that route (and that is what we would take all the way down).

DH travels a ton for work, so we often have free flights. That seals the deal. We fly to WDW. Always.

I am in a panic during take off and during landing. I'm fine while up in the air, as long as it isn't bumpy. My kids and DH fall asleep almost upon take off of every flight. I am too nervous to sleep.

I envy confident air travelers.

But, I will say that the site that Marseeya posted is excllent Check it out!!

 

[GJM]

Trust me I also hate to fly and I am flying today. I get myself so worked up you have no idea. My Dr. did give me a prescription for Valium, it calms me a little, but I still hate it.

We have driven to Fl. a couple of times and I just can't do it anymore, it is too long. Flying we are there in a couple of hours.

I also have flown about 10 hours at one point and I still hate it. My DH gets on the plane and falls asleep, wish I could do that!

 

[mommyceratops]

DH and I said the same thing then it got cheaper to fly than a 2 day drive with a night in a hotel. I decided to save my sanity get the trip down there quicker.

So I was so nervous I got sick the whole way down on the plane and my 2 year old cried half the way. It was very amusing like a bad movie. So I called my doc on the way home I took some immodium before the plane ride and she gave me something to relax me. DS2 did great going home, I htink he fed off my fear and getting sick. I tried to hide it but some things you cant hide.

So do it if you are going to be very nervous talk to your doc first and she can help you

That said I am shopping air tickets for our trip in Dec!

 

[Selket]

I totally understand how you feel. We bought airline tickets for a trip down for last July and even just knowing that the trip was coming up and I had to fly made me dread it - even though I was going to be at WDW! Ugh!

I had only flown pre-9/11 too. A co-worker died on the plane that crashed into the Pentagon - along with her husband and 2 young children I still get sick thinking about it.

However I had a fine flight. My son was 3 also last summer and a 3 yr old will keep you busy on the plane! The other option is to let your DH handle the kids and get yourself some music on headphones (like an ipod) and an extremely good book that you can't tear yourself away from. We flew out of Dulles as well - it is a quick flight thankfully. It helps to book non-stop (I know you booked already). You can also avoid some weather issues (like summer thunderstorms) sometimes if you book morning instead of afternoon/early evening flights. I hate to tell you that our flight down to Orlando was supposed to leave around 6pm and we didn't actually leave until after midnight (!!!) because of thunderstorms. We got in our hotel around 3:30 am - fun! LOL! At least I had sat on the stupid plane so long I was almost grateful the darn thing took off!

Every time you're afraid pre-trip just think how many planes are taking off and landing right now - going to Orlando and elsewhere. We still drive (did last month!) but I'm about to buy another plane ticket for just myself for a quick trip to a conference in Orlando this summer. I'm trying to take my own advice.

 

[TyRy]

Good luck!

Plus I convinced my doctor to give me a prescription for Xanax today. I assured him that if he didn't give it to me, I'd have to resort to drinking at 6 in the morning for an 8 a.m. flight, and that just wouldn't be proper now, would it?

HA - had to laugh at this. I am a terribly afraid flyer, but flew last in 04. Still trying to decide if we should fly or drive. BUT - When we were at O'Hare at 5am - I couldn't believe the bar was closed. My DH and parents had a great laugh at my expnsese Afterall it was only 5am!!!!

 

[phorsenuf]

I too am afraid of flying, but I really want to fly. I'm getting tired of the long trips driving to Disney and I know my DH would probably go more often if we could fly.
My problem isn't flying itself. I don't mind the landing and taking off. My problem is I am prone to panic attacks. I'm so afraid of what will happen if I'm stuck in a plane and I have one. One of the main things for me to help control them is to know I have an "out". If I am on a plane, I am essentially trapped.
When I tell people I don't fly they assume I am afraid of planes and crashing, but that's not it at all.
I know alot of people say to try xanax, but I would rather take something that will make me sleep. I honestly think that's the only way I could do it.

 

[hentob]

My problem isn't flying itself. I don't mind the landing and taking off. My problem is I am prone to panic attacks. I'm so afraid of what will happen if I'm stuck in a plane and I have one.

I know what you mean.

I am a very nervous person and have worked up a sweat just thinking of sitting on a plane for any amount of time before take off.

I remember a few years back, I saw a CNN news story about an ice storm (down south, I believe) and the airline kept the people ON the plane for HOURS. Babies were crying, people were hungry, the air was stale, etc. I always think of how upsetting that would be to me. I really think I would hyperventilate.

Plus, I am scare to take off and land. I am a mess.

We have tossed around the idea for a cruise for years now. But, I am terrified I will feel "trapped" and on the ship. It is a shame, b/c I think we would have a fabulous time. I just can't bring myself to do it.

OK--Again, we are supposed to be comforting the OP

Everything will be fine

 

[pbharris4]

I have also had panic attacks in the past. It wasn't from flying (although it does make me nervous) it was when mom was in ICU (unexpectedly) for 30 days in PA (I am in VA). I hated my job at the time, was building a new house and most of all I have always been afraid of death. Death is something that's out of one's control (well, sometimes) and when I think of flying I feel out of control, but once I am on the plane I'll be ok. Panic attacks are awful. About a year after my mom died (dad was sick too) one day I just said to myself that I'd rather 2 months and be worry free than to live 50 more years and be constantly worried. It did the trick and I was fine for a few more years. Recently, I started Lexapro (was on Paxil before) and it has helped. I really don't like taking medicine (that's why I went off for a few years), but I realize that sometimes you just need it. It's made me feel "normal" again. (When I say normal...I mean not always worrying or on edge ) I still worry, just not as bad as I used to. I think for those of us who worry just a tad too much...it's easier to know things ahead of time to prepare our minds.

It was actually my idea to fly!! My DH was surprised. He said no and so I let the flying thing go. Now since my youngest is at that very independent, I want to do everything myself, temper tantrum age, DH and I figured a 2.5 hrs by plane sounded a lot more appealing than 860 miles in minivan and 20 potty stops and fights with her older sister. So I am going to just have to suck it up, bring each girls DVD player (so they don't fight over which movie to watch), and bring a trashy novel (read: Jackie Collins) to hold my attention!

I would have gone on the Auto train as it's 40 miles north of us, but that's more expensive than the airfare!