Talk me into flying, please!

[Marseeya]

DH has been wanting to fly to Florida for a long time now. Our last trip, I convinced him that we needed to drive, so we did and he hated it. Two days down and two days back (from PA -- we took our time).

I just priced tickets from Pittsburgh to Orlando on Southwest Airlines and it's going to cost us over $800. It would be so much cheaper to drive! Think of all we can buy for that extra, say, $500 or so from driving (around $300 in gas and food on the way down).

DD 10 has never flown and she's scared. I've only flown a couple of times and I'm a little scared of flying too.

Help convince me to fly and make my DH a happy man, please.

 

[rie'smom]

I were you, I would fly if only to help your daughter lose her fear. Flying is not something that I like AT ALL but it's much faster and much safer than driving the 14 hours it takes from our home. Think of this too: if you are able to get an early enough flight,that means extra time to relax or to spend in the parks. Keep checking for cheaper airfare. Remember too that a happy husband makes for a more relaxed wife which makes for a more relaxed daughter and a more fun trip.

 

[problemchild718]

Your time is certainly worth $500.00 for 4 days of travel vs a few hours round trip flying! Think of all the fun things you can do in the extra time. I also agree with the other poster-help your child get over her fear and enjoy your trip!

 

[fran99999]

I would fly, you will get 2 more days in WDW. You will cut travel time to one day down one day back. I only have a 3 hour flight from boston. I dont know how long the flight would be from Pittsburg. Also does your estimate include a nights lodgings for your drive?

I dont know when U are flying but Airtrans seems to have flights for around $500 for 3. Maybe you are looking at more expensive times.

I just took a quick look. For the extra $300 I would fly and spend more for more nights hotel.

My DS6 was nervous about flying so I kept pointing out all the planes and I wonder how they all stay up there? He came up with the most ludicrus reasons. LOL He now loves to fly. He even held this womans hand on the last flight as she told him she was nervous to fly. I thought she was just trying to be nice until we started to land and she grabbed his hand for the landing. I mean he is only 6.

 

[tdelano]

I too am really uncomfortable flying but I did not want my three kids to inherit that fear so we have flown several times with me hiding my fear and them benefitting, none of them are afraid! That is what motherhood is all about! Do not let fear hold you back! I don't know if you are a religious person but I pray a lot on flights and remind myself that God can take care of me in the air or on the ground!!
GOOD LUCK!

 

[salmoneous]

Don't forget to add in the added cost of wear and tear on your car, the potential for an accident or mechanical problem to ruin your trip, etc. Also, you have to factor in the added vacation time you need to drive, and how much money you are losing by not working, etc.

 

[chasbos]

My biggest selling feature on flying is this!

You get to the airport at 6:00 a.m. - board a plane at 7:30 a.m. and by 10:00 a.m. you are in the warm Florida sun and away from the cold, ice, snow and whatever crappy weather we get up here in the winter!

That to me is worth the extra $500!

 

[Luckymommyx2]

FLY!! Keep your eyes on SWA's website. I've seen a good amount of DING fares for less than $40 from Pittsburgh to MCO. Good luck!

 

[Marseeya]

You've all made some very good points and I'm going to try to keep it all in mind! I downloaded Ding, so hopefully I'll find some good deals.

 

[PamNC]

BUT it is indeed much safer than driving. And, you must agree that 2 days down and 2 days back is 4 whole days that could be better spent at WDW. I wouldn't even consider driving if it took that long. And, I really don't like flying. It's only 9 hours for us, so we usually drive to save money. We've flown down a few times when the fares were good. I'm getting sick of the 9 hour drive though, I'm thinking about flying next time. I absolutely despise flying, mostly because it's just a pain in the rump, and I hate turbulence. But, it'll be worth it - think about all the fun you'll have. And, get your DD10 use to flying now so she won't end up being scared the rest of her life. I never flew until I was 19 years old and I think it made me a chicken. If there is little or no turbulence, I'm absolutely fine. But the turbulence makes me a nervous wreck.

PamNC

 

[DKH01701]

Just do it. There is only one way to get over your fear. It's not nearly as bad as your imagination is leading you to believe.

Good luck.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

I just priced tickets from Pittsburgh to Orlando on Southwest Airlines and it's going to cost us over $800. It would be so much cheaper to drive! Think of all we can buy for that extra, say, $500 or so from driving (around $300 in gas and food on the way down).

The price of gas is only a small part of the total, real cost of operating a car. When you count the wear and tear, insurance, maintenance, tires, etc., the actual cost of operating a car averages 50 to 60 cents per mile, depending upon your make and year of car. If you don't believe me, look at government and industry numbers.

If you put 2 thousand miles on your car at 50 cents per mile, that's $1 thousand — which is more than the $800 for tickets. For $200 less, you get far more actual vacation time by flying.

 

[Indea88]

I hate it too. I just take something to calm me, pray, then take autotrain home so I dont have to go through it twice. Thats compromise!!

 

[DemoBri1]

There's a great online course at http://www.fearofflyinghelp.com/. The best part about this course is it has been put together by a pilot and he steps you through all facets of the flight. The course contains visual and audio elements that help you overcome your fears of some of those noises you will undoubtedly encounter during flight.

The best part of it all is that it's free. There will be some advertisements at the end for you to purchase books that basically review the material, but there's no obligation.

Try it out. I think it's pretty informative and it helped me out quite a bit.

The time you save in flying is so great that you'll wonder why you didn't start doing it sooner. There's just so much wear and tear driving down not only on your vehicle, but on yourself as well.

Brian

 

[ddisneymom]

MY first trip to WDW was about 6 years ago and I never flown before now I found that Jet blue is the best for the kids and myself. The tv is the thing that takes my mind off of where I was. I also find that the jetblue people are the best they take care of you .This will be my dhs first time on jet blue, before we went on delta and had the worst time that he didn't want to fly anymore but the kids and I won this time. Dh wanted to drive from NY, we did the gas price thing ,, the kids in the car for 24 hrs thing that was really want made him give in. We drove to NC and it was a hard ride because dh doesn't like to let me drive so we are off on 2/14/06. I hope that you could see you dhs veiw and give your daughter a chance to experince flying. Hope you have a great trip what ever you decide.

 

[localdriver]

Fly! It is the best. Don't waste your vacation time driving.

Safest form of travel is flying. Most dangerous form of travel is driving.

 

[Marseeya]

There's a great online course at http://www.fearofflyinghelp.com/. The best part about this course is it has been put together by a pilot and he steps you through all facets of the flight. The course contains visual and audio elements that help you overcome your fears of some of those noises you will undoubtedly encounter during flight.

The best part of it all is that it's free. There will be some advertisements at the end for you to purchase books that basically review the material, but there's no obligation.

Try it out. I think it's pretty informative and it helped me out quite a bit.

The time you save in flying is so great that you'll wonder why you didn't start doing it sooner. There's just so much wear and tear driving down not only on your vehicle, but on yourself as well.

Brian

Thank you!!!

I'm going to watch that today and see if it might help my DD as well. I hate seeing her dreading this trip just because she doesn't want to fly. She loves WDW.

 

[Hef4545]

We always drive to Florida and we do enjoy the drive but like you said, it takes 2 days. I finally convinced my DH to fly. Just think of all those 18 wheelers you contend with when you drive. Some of those get my pulse racing. If you hit traffic, it makes everyone grumpy. We just have one DS and by the time we arrive in Florida, the back of my car looks like I had 20 kids. Debri everywhere. Behinds are numb from sitting. Bugs splattered all over the windshield. Last year when we were in Florida, the gas shortage hit. We paid premium prices to get back to New York and were glad to pay just to be sure we had gas.
Pick an early flight so you get it done first thing. Jet Blue is nice and so is Song Airlines. There are TV's in the back of the seat. You can play games on them too versing other airline passengers. It goes sooooo fast. Everyone is still fresh when you land. You set the climate for you daughter. If you are afraid, she will be too. Just keep smiling. Bring the traditional pack of gum so you chew and your ears won't bother you. The worst part is when you take off. You feel the plane climbing. Just say wheeeeeeee like when you are on the swings at the playground. It is all in the attitude. Consider it your first Park Ride of the day.