JamieAllison
04-02-2006, 02:56 PM
Hi,
I just got back from a two week trip to South America, which included Chile, Argentina, and Brazil. It also involved 8 flights! In the past, I would have found the thought of that many flights in two weeks overwhelming and probably wouldn't have even booked the trip. As it turned out, the thought of those flights never once took away from my excitement and anticipation about the trip. I also never worried about having all those flights ahead of me during the trip. As you will see if you read this whole very long report, I had somewhat of a setback on the last flight. But I am feeling fine about it now.
Flight #1 - JFK to Lima - LAN Chile - 767 - Seat 31F - 8 hours
Saw the pilots waiting at the gate so went over to talk to them. There were two captains and an FO because of the length of the flight. They were very nice and spoke very good English (okay, I’ll admit I had been thinking about that). Felt like a very long time down the runway before takeoff and a few bumps during climb, but not bad at all. Some turb during cruise then the engines got stronger and we started going up. In the past, I would have assumed this meant something bad, but by now I knew they were just moving us to another altitude for a smoother flight, which is exactly what happened. Overnight flight and actually slept for a while.
Flight #2 - Lima to Santiago - same plane and seat - 3 1/2 hours
Much faster and bumpier climb this time, but a very smooth flight. Watched the map and wondered why we weren’t descending yet when we looked so close to Santiago. I really do think too much. Got bumpy on descent and I could see the Andes out the window. They are beautiful, but I really don’t love flying near mountains. Actually, the worst part of this flight was the screaming child sitting behind me who kicked my seat the entire time.
Flight #3 - Santiago to Puerto Montt - LAN Chile - A319 - Seat 13B - 1 3/4 hours
Saw the pilots at the gate and jumped at the opportunity again. Very nice again and said they expected light turb. Going down the runway felt very slow to me...didn’t feel like we were going fast enough when we took off. It was a bumpy, jumpy climb, which also felt way too slow for me. Really glad I met the pilots because I know that’s a big part of why I didn’t feel nervous. Felt better after the 10,000 foot ding. Great view of the Andes. I think seeing mountains off to the side and from above feels fine, but I don’t like it during takeoff or descent or when they are in front of me. Short flight and started to descend not long after cruise. Very bumpy through the clouds - like it better when I can see the ground, but fine.
Flight #4 - Bariloche to Buenos Aires - LAN Argentina - 737-200 - Seat 3B - 1 3/4 hours
Got to the airport and found out that our flight had been delayed 5 hours because the plane that was supposed to come in from Buenos Aires to take us back there had been taken out of service for “serious engine problems.” Sorry for the delay, but very happy they took the plane out of service and cancelled the flight rather than try to fix the engine and use that plane! Fortunately, got to go back into town instead of wait at the airport. No time to meet pilots because the plane came in and went out again so quickly. This flight was on a 737-200, a plane that is not really used any more in the States. I hadn’t heard or read very good things about it and I was trying not to let any of this make me nervous. I could see mountains and the takeoff and climb felt slow again. I felt more fear on this flight than on any of the other three, probably partly because I didn’t get to meet the pilots and partly because I was already uncomfortable about the type of plane. I also think I really don’t like seeing mountains because when the person next to me closed the window shade I felt better instantly. I really was able to relax after that. Lots of banking on descent and the nose seemed higher than usual...wondered about that, but didn’t worry. Actually, a good flight and the 737-200 was fine. I guess that’s another “scary” plane I don’t have to be scared of anymore.
Flight #5 - Buenos Aires to Iguassu - LAN Argentina - 737-200 - Seat 15L - 1 3/4 hours
When we got our boarding passes our seats were not together. I wasn’t happy, but more because I like sitting together than because of any fear of sitting alone. Someone in our group ended up switching so we could sit together anyway. I sat at the window on this flight, another 737-200 and didn’t get to meet the pilots again, but it didn’t bother me this time. Seats were right behind the wing at the engines and they were very noisy. Very fast and powerful takeoff and climb this time...guess it has nothing to do with the type of plane. Seat belt sign on a lot of the time because of turb. Very bumpy descent through the clouds. This is the bumpiest flight I’ve been on in a long time and I know I would have been panicking in the past on a flight like that, but I was really fine this time.
Flight #6 - Iguassu to Rio - Varig - 737-300 - Seat 12A - 1 1/2 hours
Sitting at the gate listening to thunder was not very relaxing, but the flight was delayed and by the time we boarded, the sun was starting to come out. On a 737-300 this time...practically modern! A slow climb with frequent and steep banking. It felt really odd, but not scary. Pretty bumpy with the seatbelt sign on, but thought... jello...jello...and it helped. It got dark during the flight and I could see lightning out the window, but it seemed pretty far away, so I didn’t worry (I didn't like it, but I didn't worry!).
Flight #7 - Rio to Sao Paulo - TAM - A320 - Seat 13E - 1 hour
Of course I had researched LAN and Varig, the airlines I knew I would be flying during this trip, and knew all the types of planes I would be flying on. We arrived in Santiago, however, to learn from our tour director that our return flights on Varig had been cancelled and that they would be working on getting us new flights. Over a week later we finally found out that our flights home would be on TAM Brazilian, an airline I had never heard of. I also didn’t know what kind of planes we would be flying on. It was interesting to be in that situation, since one of my ways of feeling better (and more in control) is to know as much as possible in advance. I was impressed and pleased with how well I handled this though because although I was somewhat disconcerted when it first happened, I never really worried or thought about it during the trip. Anyway, the first flight was on an A320. Got on board to see what looked like white smoke coming out of the top and sides of the plane. Asked a flight attendant and she said it was condensation from the air conditioning because it was so hot and humid out...never saw that before! The plane made a big rattling noise on takeoff. Luckily, it was just once, and the rest of the flight was very short and smooth.
Flight #8 - Sao Paulo to JFK - TAM - A330-200 - Seat 20A - 9 1/2 hours
Got to meet the two captains and the FO at the gate. They were very nice and told me TAM is great. So glad to be in a widebody again. I forgot how much more powerful the takeoff feels. I was doing really well and felt so relaxed that I actually slept for about two hours after dinner (another overnight flight). Unfortunately, about four hours into the flight (in the middle of the night so the whole plane was dark inside), there was a really loud noise that sounded like a banging or clunking under the plane. I had never heard anything like that during cruise, and for the first time in a long time, I got really scared and couldn’t get out of it. I even started going into a B movie. I went back to talk to an FA (found one that speaks English). She said that everything was fine, but she hadn’t heard the noise and didn’t know what it was. I actually started to panic and didn’t like the feeling at all. I can’t believe I used to feel that way all the time when I flew. Couldn’t get out of the B movie, even though I was very aware the whole time that it was a B movie. It didn’t help that the only turb of the trip happened within minutes after the noise. Light turb like that hasn’t bothered me in a long time, but I was associating it with the noise so it scared me. I stayed in this state of fear and panic for about an hour, then I finally accepted that if that noise had meant anything bad, that I would probably know already. I was fine after that and for the remaining four hours of the flight. I even slept again. The interesting thing is that the flight itself was almost totally smooth and probably the best all around of the 8 flights, except for that noise. I have to admit that I was disappointed in myself and felt like a failure for my reaction. I did learn something though. I was and am aware that I created my own suffering, but I also realize that it was the complete mystery of the noise that scared me so much. I understand most noises now and they don’t worry me for the most part, but this one was totally unexpected and weird. Even Susan (my partner who is not a fearful flyer at all) found the noise disconcerting and somewhat scary. It was interesting that we heard similar noises later when we were on the ground and taxiing to the gate after we landed. To hear it during cruise just seemed wrong. I did ask the captains after the flight and they said it could have been the air conditioning system or a fuel transfer system...but they hadn’t heard it and really didn’t know.
In general, I feel great about the 8 flights and how well I did. The incident during the last flight felt like a major setback at the time, but now I don’t think it really was because I have absolutely no hesitation about flying again.
Jamie
I just got back from a two week trip to South America, which included Chile, Argentina, and Brazil. It also involved 8 flights! In the past, I would have found the thought of that many flights in two weeks overwhelming and probably wouldn't have even booked the trip. As it turned out, the thought of those flights never once took away from my excitement and anticipation about the trip. I also never worried about having all those flights ahead of me during the trip. As you will see if you read this whole very long report, I had somewhat of a setback on the last flight. But I am feeling fine about it now.
Flight #1 - JFK to Lima - LAN Chile - 767 - Seat 31F - 8 hours
Saw the pilots waiting at the gate so went over to talk to them. There were two captains and an FO because of the length of the flight. They were very nice and spoke very good English (okay, I’ll admit I had been thinking about that). Felt like a very long time down the runway before takeoff and a few bumps during climb, but not bad at all. Some turb during cruise then the engines got stronger and we started going up. In the past, I would have assumed this meant something bad, but by now I knew they were just moving us to another altitude for a smoother flight, which is exactly what happened. Overnight flight and actually slept for a while.
Flight #2 - Lima to Santiago - same plane and seat - 3 1/2 hours
Much faster and bumpier climb this time, but a very smooth flight. Watched the map and wondered why we weren’t descending yet when we looked so close to Santiago. I really do think too much. Got bumpy on descent and I could see the Andes out the window. They are beautiful, but I really don’t love flying near mountains. Actually, the worst part of this flight was the screaming child sitting behind me who kicked my seat the entire time.
Flight #3 - Santiago to Puerto Montt - LAN Chile - A319 - Seat 13B - 1 3/4 hours
Saw the pilots at the gate and jumped at the opportunity again. Very nice again and said they expected light turb. Going down the runway felt very slow to me...didn’t feel like we were going fast enough when we took off. It was a bumpy, jumpy climb, which also felt way too slow for me. Really glad I met the pilots because I know that’s a big part of why I didn’t feel nervous. Felt better after the 10,000 foot ding. Great view of the Andes. I think seeing mountains off to the side and from above feels fine, but I don’t like it during takeoff or descent or when they are in front of me. Short flight and started to descend not long after cruise. Very bumpy through the clouds - like it better when I can see the ground, but fine.
Flight #4 - Bariloche to Buenos Aires - LAN Argentina - 737-200 - Seat 3B - 1 3/4 hours
Got to the airport and found out that our flight had been delayed 5 hours because the plane that was supposed to come in from Buenos Aires to take us back there had been taken out of service for “serious engine problems.” Sorry for the delay, but very happy they took the plane out of service and cancelled the flight rather than try to fix the engine and use that plane! Fortunately, got to go back into town instead of wait at the airport. No time to meet pilots because the plane came in and went out again so quickly. This flight was on a 737-200, a plane that is not really used any more in the States. I hadn’t heard or read very good things about it and I was trying not to let any of this make me nervous. I could see mountains and the takeoff and climb felt slow again. I felt more fear on this flight than on any of the other three, probably partly because I didn’t get to meet the pilots and partly because I was already uncomfortable about the type of plane. I also think I really don’t like seeing mountains because when the person next to me closed the window shade I felt better instantly. I really was able to relax after that. Lots of banking on descent and the nose seemed higher than usual...wondered about that, but didn’t worry. Actually, a good flight and the 737-200 was fine. I guess that’s another “scary” plane I don’t have to be scared of anymore.
Flight #5 - Buenos Aires to Iguassu - LAN Argentina - 737-200 - Seat 15L - 1 3/4 hours
When we got our boarding passes our seats were not together. I wasn’t happy, but more because I like sitting together than because of any fear of sitting alone. Someone in our group ended up switching so we could sit together anyway. I sat at the window on this flight, another 737-200 and didn’t get to meet the pilots again, but it didn’t bother me this time. Seats were right behind the wing at the engines and they were very noisy. Very fast and powerful takeoff and climb this time...guess it has nothing to do with the type of plane. Seat belt sign on a lot of the time because of turb. Very bumpy descent through the clouds. This is the bumpiest flight I’ve been on in a long time and I know I would have been panicking in the past on a flight like that, but I was really fine this time.
Flight #6 - Iguassu to Rio - Varig - 737-300 - Seat 12A - 1 1/2 hours
Sitting at the gate listening to thunder was not very relaxing, but the flight was delayed and by the time we boarded, the sun was starting to come out. On a 737-300 this time...practically modern! A slow climb with frequent and steep banking. It felt really odd, but not scary. Pretty bumpy with the seatbelt sign on, but thought... jello...jello...and it helped. It got dark during the flight and I could see lightning out the window, but it seemed pretty far away, so I didn’t worry (I didn't like it, but I didn't worry!).
Flight #7 - Rio to Sao Paulo - TAM - A320 - Seat 13E - 1 hour
Of course I had researched LAN and Varig, the airlines I knew I would be flying during this trip, and knew all the types of planes I would be flying on. We arrived in Santiago, however, to learn from our tour director that our return flights on Varig had been cancelled and that they would be working on getting us new flights. Over a week later we finally found out that our flights home would be on TAM Brazilian, an airline I had never heard of. I also didn’t know what kind of planes we would be flying on. It was interesting to be in that situation, since one of my ways of feeling better (and more in control) is to know as much as possible in advance. I was impressed and pleased with how well I handled this though because although I was somewhat disconcerted when it first happened, I never really worried or thought about it during the trip. Anyway, the first flight was on an A320. Got on board to see what looked like white smoke coming out of the top and sides of the plane. Asked a flight attendant and she said it was condensation from the air conditioning because it was so hot and humid out...never saw that before! The plane made a big rattling noise on takeoff. Luckily, it was just once, and the rest of the flight was very short and smooth.
Flight #8 - Sao Paulo to JFK - TAM - A330-200 - Seat 20A - 9 1/2 hours
Got to meet the two captains and the FO at the gate. They were very nice and told me TAM is great. So glad to be in a widebody again. I forgot how much more powerful the takeoff feels. I was doing really well and felt so relaxed that I actually slept for about two hours after dinner (another overnight flight). Unfortunately, about four hours into the flight (in the middle of the night so the whole plane was dark inside), there was a really loud noise that sounded like a banging or clunking under the plane. I had never heard anything like that during cruise, and for the first time in a long time, I got really scared and couldn’t get out of it. I even started going into a B movie. I went back to talk to an FA (found one that speaks English). She said that everything was fine, but she hadn’t heard the noise and didn’t know what it was. I actually started to panic and didn’t like the feeling at all. I can’t believe I used to feel that way all the time when I flew. Couldn’t get out of the B movie, even though I was very aware the whole time that it was a B movie. It didn’t help that the only turb of the trip happened within minutes after the noise. Light turb like that hasn’t bothered me in a long time, but I was associating it with the noise so it scared me. I stayed in this state of fear and panic for about an hour, then I finally accepted that if that noise had meant anything bad, that I would probably know already. I was fine after that and for the remaining four hours of the flight. I even slept again. The interesting thing is that the flight itself was almost totally smooth and probably the best all around of the 8 flights, except for that noise. I have to admit that I was disappointed in myself and felt like a failure for my reaction. I did learn something though. I was and am aware that I created my own suffering, but I also realize that it was the complete mystery of the noise that scared me so much. I understand most noises now and they don’t worry me for the most part, but this one was totally unexpected and weird. Even Susan (my partner who is not a fearful flyer at all) found the noise disconcerting and somewhat scary. It was interesting that we heard similar noises later when we were on the ground and taxiing to the gate after we landed. To hear it during cruise just seemed wrong. I did ask the captains after the flight and they said it could have been the air conditioning system or a fuel transfer system...but they hadn’t heard it and really didn’t know.
In general, I feel great about the 8 flights and how well I did. The incident during the last flight felt like a major setback at the time, but now I don’t think it really was because I have absolutely no hesitation about flying again.
Jamie