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cassidywithwings
09-28-2004, 11:53 PM
Hi all. I made it back from Orlando A-ok. Here is my trip report for the way down. My fiancé and I arrived at the airport at about 5:00am for our 6:30 flight. I hadn't been on an airplane in over 3 years and wanted to get my bearings. We went through some pretty extensive security. They even asked us to take off our shoes! I felt at ease knowing that security here was extra tight. We then made our way to the gate to sit and wait to board. About 30 minutes prior to departure, I decided that I wanted to meet the pilots (first time doing so!). I walked up to the gate agent and asked if I could pre-board. I let her know that I was fearful flier and told her I thought it might help to meet the pilots and crew. She was more than happy to accommodate me. About 10 minutes later she called me over and walked me down the jet way. I met the flight attendants first and then was introduced to the pilots. They immediately put me at ease. When I told them that I hadn’t flown in three years they said, “wow what a coincidence, neither have we!”. Needless to say I laughed and felt immediately better. They went on to say that they both had been flying for over 13 years. They also went over the route with me, said that we should be in Orlando early. They told me a little about the plane and said they weren’t expecting any turbulence. I loved hearing that. They also asked me what row I was in and I said 7 which is good b/c the further toward the front I am in a plane, the more comfortable I feel. The Captain said that the plane wasn’t full and that he would check with the head flight attendant to see if they would move me to the first row. So very nice of them. Before I knew it, I was moved to the first row.

My fiancé then boarded and thanked me for getting us upgraded to “first class”. ;) If anyone has flown jetBlue, there are no class configurations. Everyone gets leather seats, and everyone gets direct TV. We started to pull back from the gate and I got a bit nervous. My Xanax hadn’t kicked in completely. We started our taxi out and were cleared for take off. As soon as we gained speed I began crying. I am not sur why. I think it was part fear, but also a release of all the tension I have been carrying around the past few weeks. The FA saw it and once we reached 10,000 feet, walked over and comforted me. I told her I was ok its just been so long since I had been on a plane. Wow what a baby I am!

After we reached cruise, I began to relax. I managed to drink some ginger ale and fiddled with the Direct TV. I loved the direct TV. Being able to switch around all of the channels, as well as watch the onscreen map that tracks how high we were and how far away from sunny FL. I really calmed down. We did hit a bit of light turbulence, but I was ok with it. Even my fiance remarked I seemed ok (the Xanax must have kicked in). So we cruised along for about 2 hours and made our decent into Orlando. On his way to clean up the cabin, one of the flight attendants handed me a pair of junior crew wings. LOL. :rotflmao Yeah, I made an impression. The decent was smooth and before I knew it, we had landed in sunny Orlando. I made it!! :banana

WillFlyToDisney2
09-29-2004, 01:57 AM
GREAT report!!! Glad the flight crew put you at ease.

Kelley

xiknal
09-29-2004, 04:31 AM
Cassidy, this is a really good report; thanks! It sounds like you are on your way to getting your wings back--the big ones, that is, in addition to the juniors.

A lot of fearful fliers hate takeoff the most. I think it must be a combo of the absolute commitment to leaving the ground plus all the noise and acceleration and g-forces, and the certainty that your life is now truly in another person's hands. That's why meeting the pilots has such a good effect; you find that you can trust them--at least more than before.

Keep flying! It's really important to let no moss grow on us when we start rollin'! ;)

Congratulations! :cheers

Barb

cassidywithwings
09-29-2004, 09:57 AM
Keep flying indeed! I actually have another flight this Friday to Baltimore! No moss on this rolling stone! :)

smokycmt
09-29-2004, 10:42 AM
Kelly, it sounds like you did just great!! Good for you! I am so glad your flight went well :happyguy

Just a side note. I cry too sometimes during take off or landing and I'm not sure why either.

Good luck on your flight this Friday!

Christine

xiknal
09-29-2004, 05:05 PM
...just remember that fear and excitement are neurochemically identical, and takeoff is exciting. It gets less so with practice, but the feeling never goes away. As you gain more trust of the aircraft and the pilots and your own right to be happy and safe on that plane, you will find the takeoff less scary and more fun. That's a promise! :hyped

Disney fan
09-29-2004, 05:26 PM
What Barb says is true! I quite like Take Off now, It used to be my worse part of the flight.

Great report

Lynda

cassidywithwings
09-29-2004, 05:44 PM
I am hoping it will get easier. I haven't posted the second trip report yet, but I cried again on take off. I didn't realize I was that bad until the flight attendant left her seat before the 10,000 feet ding to see if I was ok. I felt so bad! :( Here is hoping Friday will be better.