Whats next????

[Passenger Mark]

Yet another one of my annoying questions...

1. What is your next trip via air?

2. When?

3. What airline

4. What are you doing to prepare?

I will start... mine is going to be to Nashville at Thanksgiving, and I may go in October as well for a reunion, but that one is not for sure yet.

It will be on Southwest, they have a direct flight from ONT to BNA, and... of course I am comfortable with them.

Preparing by keeping up with my buddies, doing this board, and reading Ray's book. I also browse my flight photos that I have taken on trips. It helps me to realize that I have been there, done that! Not apprehensive right now. A year ago, I would have not have even imagined myself on a plane!

[MadScientist]

1) A business trip

2) Next week...Monday I think.

3) Delta

4) Nothing yet. Still coordinating plans and arrangements. Still have to book the flights.

[Disney fan]

UK to Orlando

Virgin Atlantic

4th November


Not doing much to prepare for trip at present


Lynda

[spiffyone]

How do people feel about advance preparation? The first time I flew last year, I thought about it for months ahead of time. The second time I decided I woudl not think about it until 48 hours away from the flight. I suffered less the second time, although the flights were better the first time (but I think that was a turbulence thing).

Those of you who fly a lot - do you think it's better to not allow yourself to stress ahead of time? Or do you feel better thinking about it in advance?

spiffy:troll

(I love all these little guys)

[xiknal]

My next flight is tomorrow, on Continental (CO 1296), departing Austin (AUS) for IAH (Houston) at 1:45 PM CDT. From there, I fly (CO 426) to Baltimore (BWI) arriving 8:10PM EDT. From there, my friend and organizer of the event (he is a Captain for USAirways) picks me up and we head off to our favorite Mexican restaurant!

:banana

I am leading a workshop in Mayan hieroglyph grammar through noon Sunday. It's an annual event that attracts all of fifteen specialized academics; this will be my fifth year doing this, and it is a hoot and a half! :hyped

It's almost like having a time machine, because we can get into the minds of people who lived 1,500 years ago and reconstruct their language! We read texts aloud that have not been read aloud in that long. And we pig out on fresh crab, and...

...and I'm not thinking about the flights at all! If I do in passing, I just think of them as a pleasant interlude. Maybe there will be a bit of a rush on takeoff, maybe a li'l spike of adrenaline with turbulence, maybe not. I will enjoy the view and trust the crew. That's a looong way from where I was for 30 years! :run

My preparation is largely to prepare for the workshop. I will try to get a good night's sleep, eat a good breakfast and get to the airport with time to spare.

I'll probably be reading about Mayan grammar enroute (I do not recommend this to most people, however)! :p

I'll return Sunday.

Barb

[JPenny]

I fly very infrequently, which is why I probably have not been able to lick this problem. I flew last June across the country, and will do the same this coming June. My mom and sister kidnap me to San Diego for a week at Pacific beach without the kids. Amazing therapy, let me tell you!

To prepare last time, I lived on the FOF board, read Capt. Stark's book, read "Wings of Discovery," and made it through my flights fine until the last leg home which was terrifying for me. But I made it!

To prepare for next time, I'll do the same (except on this board). Re-read those books, etc. The week at the beach without the six kids, paid for by others, is TOO GOOD to miss because of my silly fears. So I grit my teeth and do it. I must say, I felt like a different person, in the Chicago airport on my layover, bumping shoulders with the business travelers, feeling like a different person. Totally alone. (I don't even get to be in the bathroom alone around here!!!) You can't even imagine.
:woohoo

I love my job, don't get me wrong. But everyone needs a break, right?:blowhorn :blowhorn :blowhorn

[WillFlyToDisney2]

1. What is your next trip via air? Charleston, SC back to Los Angeles, CA (thru ATL) for a big concert with the band! :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana

2. When? October 7th then back on October 11th (just a quick trip) :woohoo

3. What airline? DELTA (like I have a choice!) looking forward to my Atlanta Bread Company SALAD on the plane :cheers

4. What are you doing to prepare? Nothing really. I did just get Captain Ray's book and have started reading it. :) :read I always wait until the last minute to pack but at this point I can pack in my sleep.


Kelley

[Disney fan]

Hi Spiffy,

I find it better not to think of the flights until I am really forced too ie The packing of bags etc.

No point in getting all panicky months before.

Lynda:wave

[jesgooch]

Looks like I will be making my yearly trip to Annapolis via SWA MHT to BWI. This is an easy one for me, one of the only legs I have ever done without meds.

Will know more in a week or so if I am going.

[Stefjam]

Spiffy, when I flew to Maui last year I stressed about it for three months prior. It really had me freaked b/c it was my first flight across the ocean. I had never quite had a reaction like that before and it kind of scared me! But when it came right down to it I knew I had to do it no matter what and I did! It really gave me a great sense of accomplishment and I can't wait to do it again next year. My last flight was cross-country this past June and I did stress about it for a few weeks, but nothing like the Maui trip (probably b/c I've flown cross-country before). But now when my husband and I make our annual trip to spring training we drive :beep instead of fly. Not really because of the FOF, but mainly b/c it can be such a pain in the ass to fly these days!

Stef

[momtotot]

My next trip is to Philadelphia.

November.

Southwest.

All I am doing so far to prepare is visit this board each day. I am also planning on getting Capt. Stark's book.

[marypoppins76]

Okay, my next trip will be early next year to AFM in LA to sell my last screenplay....

Er, unfortunately not. :uhoh

Nothing planned. Unless my partner gets a bonus in which case Fiji/Cook Islands/Maldives here we come... :pompoms

Hmmm. Why do I have to have such a low paying vocation? Anyone want to adopt a house trained writer?

MP

[canoga]

I'm still toying with going out to So Cal in December. My youngest has never met Mike's grandma and aunts/uncles/cousins.

I hesitate for two reasons:

The first is very practical - vacation time and money. We are going on a cruise in January and taking my parents so with that and Christmas, time off and $$ are going to be tight.

The other reason is that is the flight (CLE to LAX) where I had my first anxiety attack and the one I hate the most. It is relatively long (5.5 hrs) and we are always packed on a 737. We will most likely fly Continental but I would love to try Southwest. I hesitate to fly SW because part of my anxiety reducing strategy is knowing my seat beforehand and making absolutely sure my girls are by my side. If Ray would be the captain, I would feel so safe you could strap me on the wing. But, I haven't flown SW since this fear started. I will say that the most fun flight I ever had was on SW.

I'm sure you all will be hearing more about this trip if I decide to do it.

Beth

[WillFlyToDisney2]

Beth,

If you do fly SW then they let parents with small children "pre-board" if you ask so that you have first choice of seats no matter what line "A, B or C" you were supposed to wait in.

Kelley

[momtotot]

Beth,

The last 2 times I flew was with SW, and I was with my child and was able to pre-board. We were running very late once (my husband even missed the flight because he had to go park our car), but my child and I were still able to get on the plane early with other pre-boarders.

Sue

[VictoriaW]

1. What is your next trip via air? Dublin, Ireland (first solo international flight... )

2. When? October 11th

3. What airline? American Airlines, British Airlines

4. What are you doing to prepare? I am visiting message boards regularly...reading "Wings of Discovery" and trying to find out more about Captain Stark's book. I am trying to get as much encouragement as possible from others who have the same fears as I. I have already prepared my "package" of things to take on the plane with me...books, games, magazines...etc...will have yummy snacks added soon! I find myself watching the birds more...looking up into the sky and thinking how wonderful it is that planes fly....I am working on having positive thoughts...I am trying to convince myself that I don't need drugs to get me through...just breathe....

HAPPY TRAVELS TO YOU ALL...

Vicky

[WillFlyToDisney2]

Vicky,

Welcome. What a FUN trip you have planned!

You can order Captain Stark's book at www.thisisyourcaptainspeaking.com . It ships out pretty quick too. Happy Reading! :read

Kelley

[JamieAllison]

1. My next trip is to Paris (from Boston).

2. We're leaving October 7 and returning October 11.

3. American Airlines

4. I'm re-reading Captain Stark's book and planning to spend time on this message board (now that I found it!) and chat. I'm also trying to spend a lot of time reading about and focusing on Paris and how excited I am about going there to help me remember why I fly in the first place!

Allison

[Passenger Mark]

Another little bump!