Scared of flying - help!

[tjknitz]

I'm not sure where to address this....just wondering if there is anyone else out there like this and wondering what you do that helps....

I hate flying - scared of the whole crashing thing....I'm just a big chicken. Now I've flown before, but its much worse now because I'm taking my daughter with us.

Where I was super excited about going to Disney - as the date is drawing nearer, I'm finding myself freaking out....does anyone else have a fear of flying - and if so, what do you do to make the flight and leading up to the trip enjoyable?

 

[Tucker710]

I'm right there with you. I hate to fly, but know deep down how safe it really is. Since I now have a DS2, flying is a little easier for me. I am more focused on him and making sure that he is entertained. I would suggest taking a portable DVD player and try watching a movie with your kids. The flight from MI shouldn't be that long and by the time the movie is over you should be there. Also, I try and get seats toward the front of the plane. Since you are traveling with children, try and ask for the bulkhead...you will have much more room and not feel so claustrophobic. If all else fails, tell your hubbie he's in charge of the kids on the plane and have a pre-flight margarita See you in September!!!

 

[Chelley00]

I HATE to fly. Loathe, despise etc. This is why we drive




My excuse is that its cheaper to drive. This next trip is just DD and I, and it would be cheaper to fly, but I just can't bring myself to do it.

 

[tjknitz]

I HATE to fly. Loathe, despise etc. This is why we drive




My excuse is that its cheaper to drive. This next trip is just DD and I, and it would be cheaper to fly, but I just can't bring myself to do it.

Ohhhh I tried this argument with DH - BUT i lost because driving from MI to FL with 3 kids (one of them a 1year old) is intollerable - oh well

 

[spider0215]

I'm not sure where to address this....just wondering if there is anyone else out there like this and wondering what you do that helps....

I hate flying - scared of the whole crashing thing....I'm just a big chicken. Now I've flown before, but its much worse now because I'm taking my daughter with us.

Where I was super excited about going to Disney - as the date is drawing nearer, I'm finding myself freaking out....does anyone else have a fear of flying - and if so, what do you do to make the flight and leading up to the trip enjoyable?

I have one word for you XANAX. I always take it when I fly in fact I need to call the dr Monday for my disney trip. He gives me a low dosage .5mg. I use to take one about 1/2 hour before I flew but I've decided flying is easier if I get a good nights sleep so I take 2 the night before and make sure I go to bed early enough to get 8 hrs. I wake feeling great and very little anxiety. I always have it on me in case I need to take 1 before takeoff. Discuss this with your dr and see what he recommends for your anxiety. Good Luck

 

[Nadjalu]

You should speak with your doctor about it, he can prescribe something to "help" with the anxiety.
I have a friend who is deathly afraid, he takes dramamine and a muscle relaxer. He adjusts the dose to fit the length of the flight.
I didn't see where you are flying from, but I am sure your doctor could help.
Hope you enjoy your trip.

 

[tjknitz]

I'm right there with you. I hate to fly, but know deep down how safe it really is. Since I now have a DS2, flying is a little easier for me. I am more focused on him and making sure that he is entertained. I would suggest taking a portable DVD player and try watching a movie with your kids. The flight from MI shouldn't be that long and by the time the movie is over you should be there. Also, I try and get seats toward the front of the plane. Since you are traveling with children, try and ask for the bulkhead...you will have much more room and not feel so claustrophobic. If all else fails, tell your hubbie he's in charge of the kids on the plane and have a pre-flight margarita See you in September!!!

Yay - you're going in Sept same time as we are? What hotel?
A portable dvd player sounds great, but don't have one...so maybe Ill just bring a bunch of books and read to my 1 year old. i'm hoping that i wont have time to worry about the flight since i will be trying to get all of us on the plane and situated......crossing my fingers and hoping for the best!

 

[Tucker710]

Yay - you're going in Sept same time as we are? What hotel?
A portable dvd player sounds great, but don't have one...so maybe Ill just bring a bunch of books and read to my 1 year old. i'm hoping that i wont have time to worry about the flight since i will be trying to get all of us on the plane and situated......crossing my fingers and hoping for the best!

We'll be at Saratoga Springs. Last time my DS flew he was 9 months and loved to flip through the magazines on the plane. I agree with others about asking for a little "downer" from your doctor. I would take it a few days before and see how you react to it. You don't want to be a complete zombie on the plane, but just enough to take the edge off. I know when you're scared, you're scared, but we have a close friend that is a pilot and he has assured me many times how safe everything really is. You're much safer in a plane than in a car. The control factor is what I have a problem with! Good luck!!!

 

[Sandysbuddy]

I am also afraid of flying. I searched on the internet and found an online course compiled by an American Airlines pilot. It is very good. It discusses all of the safety backups, inspections, training, etc. and then describes a flight from beginning to end with what noises and sensations are a normal part of the flight. It is at www.fearofflyinghelp.com if you are interested in looking at it. It helped to reassure me.

 

[Tucker710]

I am also afraid of flying. I searched on the internet and found an online course compiled by an American Airlines pilot. It is very good. It discusses all of the safety backups, inspections, training, etc. and then describes a flight from beginning to end with what noises and sensations are a normal part of the flight. It is at www.fearofflyinghelp.com if you are interested in looking at it. It helped to reassure me.

We will be checking into POP on the same day as you are!

I have seen this, too! I agree...great info and it definitely is reassuring.

 

[jenfur]

I just got over this fear in June. I did visit the fear of flying website, and I would recommend asking your doctor for Buspar rather than Xanax because Buspar will not knock you out. It helps to feel calm but still in control. I was nervous until the plane was in the air, and then I just assured myself that nothing could happen BECAUSE my DD was with me (denial is not always a BAD thing).

 

[Chelley00]

Ohhhh I tried this argument with DH - BUT i lost because driving from MI to FL with 3 kids (one of them a 1year old) is intollerable - oh well

We drive with 4 from Indiana



You'll have to come back and post your flight experience!

 

[Anglefan]

For those of you who are afraid of flying, just remember one thing: You probably are not going to die. Repeat that over and over to yourself.

 

[jkokbaker]

Statistics say you are more likely to die in while driving than flying in a plane.

 

[valeriemouse]

I'll tell you what not to do - do NOT research plane crashes. This totally did me in, and I have to be on a plane in a week

 

[Dolce27]

You can add me to the list of those petrified to fly. I've been flying since I was 12 and internationally since I was 14. I've been on 14 hour flights to China. Yet, the older I get the more petrified of flying I become. I flew to Vegas a couple of weeks ago. My last job was in the aviation industry. A couple days before my trip, a former co-worker that still works for that company sent me alleged photos taken from one of the passengers on the Air France flight as the plane was breaking up. (I have serious doubt that these were legit). Regardless, the images were disturbing and didn't help my phobia of flying at all.

 

[Anglefan]

I'll tell you what not to do - do NOT research plane crashes. This totally did me in, and I have to be on a plane in a week

So you thought to yourself, "Hey, I'm a bit uneasy about flying. How about I research all of the most gruesome incidents in the history of air travel? I genuinely believe this will lessen the anxiety!"

 

[pao62]

What I want to know is where are all of you fearful flyers when I'm flying? I sit on the plane, trying to relax wondering why everyone else looks so CALM????

I always take xanax but it leaves me with a dopey hangover. Who wants that at Disney? Does anyone know a similar remedy without that side effect?

 

[nonnasally]

To all my unknown Disney lovers who have a fear of flying. I am right there with you. We have driven three times when kids were younger from Phl. to WDW. Two years in a row we were in accidents in NC. Once I fell asleep in broad daylight and crashed the new van into a guardrail. The following year we tried it again and were run off the road by a tractor trailer ( DH was driving that time) The third time we drove we also took the Disney cruise and I left the entire suitcase of shoes for five people on the curb at the pier.

Well, friends after that we fly! I pray, concentrate on my granddaughter's fun ( she's 5) and I suck it up thinking how pleasant DH looks sleeping in his seat! Just booked our October trip and still have not done air yet. As a teacher of religion I could tell you about being in the Lord's hands but when I am actually on the plane I am as freaky as the rest of you! Safe trip to all!

 

[mattmommy]

A few years back I went to a dr. for some meds for flying and longer car trips. I get nervous in cars too now. It's something like clopomax or something with a c. It doesn't make me drowsy, but just in control. I feel like a regular person. I take one an hour before flying.