Writing it makes it real

[kallieb]

I never thought I would take this step, but I am planning a plane trip. It is a long way off still - early September, 2005.

It will be a one-way journey only (I had to laugh when I looked back at this statement I am NOT being prophetic!!!), a direct flight from Montreal to Winnipeg. The carrier is Tango, a subsidary of Air Canada, and the scheduled plane, so far, is an Airbus A319-100 (319).

It will be an emotional journey on many levels. My one-way trip is because I am helping my partner move to Montreal as she has been accepted into the Ph.D program at McGill. We will get there via car/trailer to haul up belongings etc. For me, emotionally, coming back, will be very sad as a 'distance relationship' will be had after being together for 11 years.:sigh:

At the same time, though, I believe that my feelings of saddness will diminish my irrational fears. I will have lots of 'reality' to deal with, never mind creating even more issues for me to think about.

From September forward I anticipate flying to Montreal at least once ever 1 to 2 months (for the next three years!!!); so addressing my fear of flying has a very strong motivation.

As a result I do not doubt that there will be lots and lots of posts from me over the next short while.

I should add that I went to the Air Canada site - registered as an aeroplane member (can you believe THAT!) and looked at prices/times etc. Amazingly I was not freaking out - which is what I thought I would do....hmmmmmmm.

Anyway, I asked my partner to be there for support but not DO anything. I have to plan this myself and take the steps I need to take when I need to take them. One challenge, though, is that I know absolutely NOTHING about booking a flight, picking seats, etc etc. I have been so freaked out about flying for the past 25 years (and completely grounded and in total blockage of anything to do with flying for the past 5 years) that I am missing out on practical experience in this regard.

Not all answers will be asked and found with this post today; but I have taken a big first concrete step to deal with my FOF and will post questions as time goes by. My first one though is...what is the history/safety of this plane. I Know it is not like that "sewer tube" plane that I asked about before. It is a jet not some turbo-prop that looks like a coffin with wings (sorry couldn't help myself on that one). I found out on the Air Canada site that I can pre-book seating for a small fee so my second question is: Where is a good spot to sit. I am not flying executive class - so skip any reference to the big-bucks section. I'm in the cheap seats with the rest of the proletariats! (obviously just kidding on this 'label' - I have far more priviledges than 90% of the world's population, but that's another discussion).

FInally, question #3 - what's the ride like on this plane. This isn't connected to the type of plane because I can't remember - but my long-ago memory of flying out of Montreal 5 years ago (yes that was my last flight - shudders) was that it was a very steep climb due to the noise by-laws. Is it still like that? Oh boy, my questions are starting to tumble out. I'll take it a bit for now and leave it with these 3 (4) and wait for info and then ask some more.

Thanks in advance to anyone who can add some of there knowledge/ information.

Kallie

[WillFlyToDisney]

Kallie,

I have never flown on the Airbus but know that the 319s are great airplanes with excellent safety records. I have a friend who is a male flight attendant for Air Canada and loves it.

Long distance relationships are VERY hard (right Chelle?) but with 11 years of history together I am sure that you 2 can weather anything. :hug:

As far as where to sit, I always like to sit over the wing in an exit row because you get more leg room (some exit row seats do NOT recline though) or at the bulkhead. I always get a window seat because I get nauseous if I cant see out and get my bearings.

:)
Kelley

[kallieb]

Thank you for the reply Kelly it is very much appreciated

I don't mind being squished in a seat too much. What is more of a consideration is whether there is one part of the plane that would have a 'rougher ride' than others........hmmm. I just looked back at that sentence and thought 'Am I splitting hairs or what!!' Just reading it tells me how silly it is. If the plane is going to bounce around due to turbulance than it doesn't matter where you sit - right!. I was going to delete it out but thought it best to leave it it. All that weird state of mind stuff that might help someone else feel that their weird thoughts are not so unusual after all:tiphat:

Now Noise is something else. That really really gets to me. Hearing all these mechanical sounds that leads me to think..oh oh... plane is about to fall apart and plunge to the ground - voila, one big splat....

So, are there any seats/sections of this particular plane that are not as noisy as others (still interested in all the other questions I had in my first post).

Thanks,

Kallie

[kallieb]

wow Chelle,

thank you so much for the information. It was more than what I had hoped for.

It will really help me in planning. As a fellow canadian who flys AC, any hints on ticket-bookings. I looked at their site on-line, but have never - ever - purchased a direct for myself. Way back when it was either my partner or the travel agent!

Any hints on how to get good deals in the competion-starved market in Canada (especially with the recent downfall of jetsgo...another story)?

thank you again

Kallie

[WillFlyToDisney]

I dont know why they dont want fearfuls sitting by the exit. I can guarantee you I can get that door open faster than anyone else! LOL

I have found that the wing is the most stable part of the airplane (you feel less motion) BUT you do hear the noises of the landing gear going up and down so if you do sit by the wing just prepare yourself for these NORMAL noises. :)

And Congrats to your Partner on the PhD. What an exciting opportunity!

Kelley

[JamieAllison]

Hi Kallie,

The A319 has a great safety record. I've never flown on one, although I have been on the A320 and liked it very much. I will actually be flying on an A319 in June, so I'll be happy to let you know what it's like once I do it. I like sitting over the wing because it is supposed to be more stable, although Kelley is right that it can be noisier.

It's definitely a good idea to tell the flight attendants you are a fearful flyer, and I also highly recommend meeting the pilots. I did that for the first time last year (and once again since then) and I still can't believe what a difference it made for me.

Long distance relationships can be difficult, but you do appreciate it even more when you get to see each other. You definitely have great motivation to work on your fear of flying. My partner and I were 100 miles apart when we met (almost 12 years ago) and that was hard enough without having to deal with the flying aspect!

Jamie

[spiffyone]

Over or near the wing is best. Least movement and I find it helpful to see the wing to orient myself. Also, you do hear the noise the flaps make when you are slowing down and getting ready to land, but then you can look right out the window and see them moving. As long as I can see what was making the noise, I'm okay - I find that very reassuring.

I have also sat much further back and it was fine - for your first flight in a long time, it almost doesn't matter as you have little to compare it to. I think if you fly a lot, that's when you get into the whole analysis of which rows are best, etc.

I agree with Kelley - I would waste no time getting that door open! :)

[kallieb]

Thanks to all for your information. As always it is so helpful and responsive:tiphat:

I am still wondering what the 'ride' is like (compared to 'what' is something I am trying to figure out:rolleyes: since I havent' flown for so long).

I know the 'turbo-prop' thing that is my local option was clearly described as a bouncy ride at the best of times; but what about the ride for the airbus 319-100?

I know that it is a smaller plane than the 320, but I don't know if that means anything or not.

Another question is availability of entertainment stuff for passengers. I have seen in-cabin photos of planes that have individual tv's for all passengers to watch in-flight movies. Does the 319 have this option? If not, I would bring my portable DVD player. Any suggestions for viewing if I have to bring my own dvd's? I am not partial to sitcoms at the best of times (sorry to all the sitcom fans) I have NOT seen one episode of Friends, Everybody loves raymond etc and figure that being in the midst of a flight is not the time to try.:) I love movies, but is it recommended to watch shorter bits than try to get caught up into a 2-hour movie. I know this is a HUGE personal preference thing; but if there is some 'scientific reasoning' that supports smaller/shorter flics as opposed to the two-hour ones I would appreciate knowing.

thank you again, as always.

Kallie

[StPeteMark]

...I have seen in-cabin photos of planes that have individual tv's for all passengers to watch in-flight movies. Does the 319 have this option?...if there is some 'scientific reasoning' that supports smaller/shorter flics as opposed to the two-hour ones I would appreciate knowing...
JetBlue has TV screens on the seat backs...don't know of any other airline that does.

I doubt there is any "scientific reasoning" for what you ask...it's just as simple as what you like and how long you want to watch (and, of course, how long the flight is...figure 30 minutes less than airtime). If you plan to mix some reading - books or mags - into your flight, go for the shorter movies. An extra battery is recommended...with my laptop, the battery lasts a little more than an hour for DVD play. Please see my thread on noise-cancelling headphones...you'll probably need a pair to hear dialog over the jet engine noise...Bose is tops, but there are cheaper ones that will probably do an adequate job.