JamieAllison
02-15-2005, 01:38 PM
BOS-FLL (Song Airlines - 757)
I asked the gate agent to board early and she said no problem. I actually met the Captain and the First Officer at the gate. We had a short talk and they invited me to come to the cockpit after boarding, which I did. Asked about the 757 and the Capt. said it is like a sports car. They have each been flying for 19 years. They were great, and I am again so grateful I finally listened to everybody and started to meet the pilots on my flights!
Also, I decided to try these flights without Xanax (for the first time in over two years).
In flight notes:
Sports car is right - what a zippy, powerful takeoff! Seemed to take hardly any time going down runway before going up in the air. Waiting for engine to back off so don't feel panic now that it is. Also waiting for landing gear noises - used to freak out at all of this. I have never felt so relaxed on takeoff before.
Capt. just announced "light chop," which so far is not bad. I'm really grateful he announced it - I always do better when I know something is expected. Oh, here we go - up and down and side to side. Nothing too bad and I am not feeling panic, although my heart still jumps a little at certain bumps.
I also still seem to react to changes engine noises. I think that one was the start of descent, since I can feel it in my ears. Yup, confirmed by map on TV screen (love that Song has this). Wish the Captain had announced it though. Oh well, can't complain about this flight!
FLL - BOS
Asked to pre-board and when I got on the plane, the flight attendant was expecting me and sent me right to the cockpit. Met the Captain and First Officer - this time, each have 25 years experience. The 757 is their favorite plane.
In flight notes:
No Xanax again. Ready for the powerful takeoff this time (reminds me of the 777). It's noisier in the 20th row than in the 14th (where we were on the way). No one was next to me at the window this time so I was able to look out occasionally. I liked having the option but don't like to look out all the time.
Ding and announcement of light turb - some side to side movement and bumpiness. I think I do okay with light turb now (at least so far!). Just noticed on map that we are at about 41,000 feet. On the way to FLL we were at 30,000 feet so of course I am wondering why the big difference.
Feels like we're starting to descend and it also feels too early to me - trying not to start imagining things...trying to trust the Capt. and FO. The FAs are picking up trays so obviously nothing is wrong. Oh good - just got a pilot announcement explaining that we changed altitude because of traffic patterns over NY. I feel more convinced than ever that knowledge is half the battle - Thank you, Capt. Jim for that announcement. He also announced that the descent will be somewhat bumpy, which is also good to know in advance.
We're in the clouds now and it is getting really bumpy going up and down and side to side. I'm having trouble writing this but I'm doing okay. I feel a little out of control and I want to get out of the clouds but no panic.
Summary:
These are the first flights I have done without Xanax in over two years (of course I had it with me just in case). I feel good about these flights, but they were not "bad" ones, so I still wonder how I will do when I have to deal with one that is. Mostly, I am feeling encouraged and good about how I did, especially without Xanax.
Also, these were my first domestic flights in over three years, which means they were also the first in a narrowbody in over three years. I loved the 757, but I have to admit it did feel a little small to me at first. It was a little weird to have just one aisle, but I got used to it pretty quickly and would be happy to fly on one again. The 3 hour trip definitely felt short compared with the 6-7 1/2 hour overseas flights!
Jamie
I asked the gate agent to board early and she said no problem. I actually met the Captain and the First Officer at the gate. We had a short talk and they invited me to come to the cockpit after boarding, which I did. Asked about the 757 and the Capt. said it is like a sports car. They have each been flying for 19 years. They were great, and I am again so grateful I finally listened to everybody and started to meet the pilots on my flights!
Also, I decided to try these flights without Xanax (for the first time in over two years).
In flight notes:
Sports car is right - what a zippy, powerful takeoff! Seemed to take hardly any time going down runway before going up in the air. Waiting for engine to back off so don't feel panic now that it is. Also waiting for landing gear noises - used to freak out at all of this. I have never felt so relaxed on takeoff before.
Capt. just announced "light chop," which so far is not bad. I'm really grateful he announced it - I always do better when I know something is expected. Oh, here we go - up and down and side to side. Nothing too bad and I am not feeling panic, although my heart still jumps a little at certain bumps.
I also still seem to react to changes engine noises. I think that one was the start of descent, since I can feel it in my ears. Yup, confirmed by map on TV screen (love that Song has this). Wish the Captain had announced it though. Oh well, can't complain about this flight!
FLL - BOS
Asked to pre-board and when I got on the plane, the flight attendant was expecting me and sent me right to the cockpit. Met the Captain and First Officer - this time, each have 25 years experience. The 757 is their favorite plane.
In flight notes:
No Xanax again. Ready for the powerful takeoff this time (reminds me of the 777). It's noisier in the 20th row than in the 14th (where we were on the way). No one was next to me at the window this time so I was able to look out occasionally. I liked having the option but don't like to look out all the time.
Ding and announcement of light turb - some side to side movement and bumpiness. I think I do okay with light turb now (at least so far!). Just noticed on map that we are at about 41,000 feet. On the way to FLL we were at 30,000 feet so of course I am wondering why the big difference.
Feels like we're starting to descend and it also feels too early to me - trying not to start imagining things...trying to trust the Capt. and FO. The FAs are picking up trays so obviously nothing is wrong. Oh good - just got a pilot announcement explaining that we changed altitude because of traffic patterns over NY. I feel more convinced than ever that knowledge is half the battle - Thank you, Capt. Jim for that announcement. He also announced that the descent will be somewhat bumpy, which is also good to know in advance.
We're in the clouds now and it is getting really bumpy going up and down and side to side. I'm having trouble writing this but I'm doing okay. I feel a little out of control and I want to get out of the clouds but no panic.
Summary:
These are the first flights I have done without Xanax in over two years (of course I had it with me just in case). I feel good about these flights, but they were not "bad" ones, so I still wonder how I will do when I have to deal with one that is. Mostly, I am feeling encouraged and good about how I did, especially without Xanax.
Also, these were my first domestic flights in over three years, which means they were also the first in a narrowbody in over three years. I loved the 757, but I have to admit it did feel a little small to me at first. It was a little weird to have just one aisle, but I got used to it pretty quickly and would be happy to fly on one again. The 3 hour trip definitely felt short compared with the 6-7 1/2 hour overseas flights!
Jamie