Airplane anxiety

[LimeGreenCheri]

I've not flown since 1998. And I have to admit, I'm a little anxious about it Do you have flight anxiety? If you do, what do you do to help with it?

[HappyCamper]

Cheri, I don't fly as much as I used to and while not overly anxious, I'm certainly far from comfortable with the thought and the actual flight. I always bring a book or magazines because I can get absorbed in reading. Reading totally blocks out the world for me.

I've also been know to try ativan, a mild anxiety-buster available by prescription for those trips when I was younger and into partying. It seemed the flights returning home were always the worst!! lol

Many people will try to engage other passengers in conversation and that does help.

Now, I just have to ask. Are you anxious about the air plane flight to Orlando or the space flight to Mars??? lolol

Debby

[MissBianca]

Hi, Cheri--I'm a nervous flyer, too, despite knowing that those airplanes are very, very safe. I use drugs. The one HappyCamper recommended works for most people, but not for me. Now I take a combination of two drugs prescribed by my doctor and basically snooze the whole way.

Two things that helped me most before I found the drug combo were listening to the right kind of music on headphones (bring your own tunes--whatever relaxes you) and hand-held computer games. Debby is right on when she says use whatever allows you to escape into your head!

[MargaretJ]

I am not a nervous flyer but I do get motion sickness so I worry about being sick on a plane. My suggestion is to take headphones with you to listen to music & print out a bunch of Trip Reports to read. Those reports will keep you thinking about the fun you are going to have at Disney World.

[Cinderella]

Well, since we were living in NY during 9/11, DH refuses to fly and I wasn't that thrilled about it to begin with. I would always try some deep breathing before we took off and took one Bonine. I always brought books and magazines with me and tried to talk to DH who was busy digging his nails into the armrests and closing his eyes as tight as he could. (and he was the one who was supposed to be calming me down).
I've had to fly to WA and back myself and it was a LOOOONG flight for me as I did not get any sleep the night before and I didn't take any drugs as I was afraid they'd have trouble waking me up once we were there.

That's the reason we're driving to DW (and I could have had about 4 more days IN DW instead of on the road!).

:hppmad: :hppmad:
Cinderella

[Sheryl]

Cheri,

I really hate to fly, but considering it would take us two days to drive it, we prefer to fly. This past summer we took a Nonstop flight from Buffalo and were in MCO by 9:30 am which gave us a whole day at Disney. That is what we will take from now on. I like to play Tetris on one of our gameboys, which usually keeps me busy and keeps me from having anxiety. I've been know to take a coloring book and crayons for me more than for the kids, to keep me busy. Plus coloring relaxes me. LOL Another thing we like to do is take a word search.

Since there is four of us, Terry takes our oldest and I always take our youngest. And one of the reasons for that is Nick needs more tending to, which keeps me busy and not able to worry.

I will admit, I am much better at flying when we are all together as a family. PLus, I am usually SO VERY EXCITED to get there, the time flies. You'll do fine.

Sheryl :minnie:

[Carrie]

I've flown 3 times since 9/11. One flight was on the 1 year anniversary of 9/11. I was really nervous before and when boarding the plane. However, once in the air, it just felt like a bus ride. I just kept thinking I was riding in a bus, and my fears left me. I know everyone is different, but once I was in the air, I was fine. To get myself to board the plane, I just kept telling myself I'm a big girl, and that thousands of people fly every day without incident. Another motivator for me is that I would hate to drive to Florida from Ohio and waste a day or two of my vacation time.

Hugs,
Carrie

[cshore]

Sorry I can't help you. I am the one everyone thinks is muttering to herself, when actually I am asking forgiveness for every bad thing I have ever done! I am indeed a nervous flyer.

[BetsyAnn]

Not a nervous flyer - I do pay close attention to my surroundings, know where the exits are, pay attention to the safety information, and at least make eye contact with the people around me. I do tend to get bored very quickly on a plane and bring headsets and music with me; a good book, and of course Disney planning stuff! On the way back I start organizing a trip report. Disney music always helps. :wink:

I have told this story before - My brother's wedding was on September 15 - just 4 days after 9/11. Both of my parents had to get on planes and fly to Colorado. There was not a hesitation on either of their parts to get on a plane. There was not a hesitantion on either my brother or myself for them to get on planes. My father had his small aircraft pilot's licence when I was young so flying has always been part of our family life!

And now if I could travel by any type of transportation, I would always take the train -- it just feels so much like being spoiled - I, of course, love it! :angelPlug:

Air travel used to feel that way to me but now it just a way to get some where quickly! Kind of miss the days when steak and loster were served for dinner on Sunday night flights!

[mickeefan]

We are nervous flyers. Three years ago we flew and in addition to our first time flying the trip was extremely rough. The flight attendant, who knew this, told us she was sorry and that it was the worst flight she had ever had. We understood what she was trying to say. Even the attendants were in their seats with belts fastened the entire trip. When we arrived DW grabbed the first soft chair she could find and just sat there. I then had to go see if there were any cars available to rent so we could drive back and forego flying, but then she said forget it , so we just went on and enjoyed our time at Disney. The flight back was very pleasant and helped greatly. The past two years we have returned to driving, but 15 hours is so long, even when spread over 2 days, and the weather in December is so unpredictable we are flying again this year. This will be only the second time we have ever flown on a trip and I hope it a smooth flight for us. I went ahead and purchased our tickets so we are locked in.

[Bookwood]

I love to fly- just can't afford it usually (I want all my money for WDW). On our last flights Hawaii everything was calm and great we even got to see "Finding Nemo". I hope you can clam down and enjoy the flight.

Bookwood

[MikeS]

Cheri,

You're not alone. Many people have this anxiety.

DW usually buys a book to read on the flight.

I usually buy one of those magazines that has crossword puzzles, cryptograms, and all those word games.

I too never sleep the night before so I may just take a nap on the flight.

One thing I hate to do is to use the plane's rest room so I usually do not eat before a flight.

MikeS

[NavyDotz]

Sorry I can't help you. I am the one everyone thinks is muttering to herself, when actually I am asking forgiveness for every bad thing I have ever done! I am indeed a nervous flyer.

LOL!
that is exactly what i do - i say my Affirmation of Faith 3 times during take-off & then just read a book the rest of the trip.

I always think the other passengers are saying "why is she talking to herself?"
but i'm actually taking to God!
:D

[MissBianca]

I love to fly- just can't afford it usually (I want all my money for WDW). On our last flights Hawaii everything was calm and great we even got to see "Finding Nemo". I hope you can clam down and enjoy the flight.


Wow! Finding Nemo! :D That would be like the best film I've ever seen on an airplane! I'm sure it would help the time pass quickly.

And I had to laugh at your "clam down" typo. There was a rich old character here with a bunch of restaurants and fish and chips stores whose motto was, "Keep clam."