Saturday Nerves...

[scottr0829]

Ok folks,

I am leaving BDL (Bradley in Hartford, CT) for SFO (San Fran) through ORD (O'Hare in Chicago) in less than 36 hours.

I've been a member of the board for almost a month now and respect everything said on these forums and have read a lot of interesting information - and even just completed Ray's book. I have no fear of the actual flight - or so I think. I am actually excited for it. In a previous thread, I asked about flight simulators as a method for knowledge, and I have flown in and out of BDL, in and out of ORD and in and out of SFO to find out the terrain and views and what to expect - so I know what I am in for (the low approaches over water won't suprise me!).

Here's the weird part - I am nervous and stressed about the things that surround the flight - getting to the airport on time (the flight leaves at 6 AM :mg:), my luggage getting transferred in time (layover is 40 minutes at O'Hare), and most of all - getting stuck in coach on United (darn SWA not going into SFO again yet :fuming:). I will find out early tomorrow morning if I can upgrade to Economy Plus (well worth the money to me since I am 6'2" and have long legs. My legs are in the person's back on United coach without them laying back - very cramped for me) and hopefully that will be no problem...

I guess my rambling point is that I just needed to say them out loud and see how ridiculous they are and how pathetic I am for even having them. I guess it is better to be fearful of those small things rather than the major thing (which is the norm for me), right???? :confused:

[LeslieDEN]

Hi, Scott.

Debbie's right as usual. (I admit I cringed when I read that it was a 6 a.m. flight -- ow. That would be a stressor for me too. Other folks don't even blink at that.)

Just wanted to mention that if you fly United more than once in a while, it might be worth it to spring $299 for a one-year membership in Economy Plus Access (http://www.united.com/page/article/0,6722,51326,00.html). That way, you'll be able to reserve your Economy Plus seat at time of booking.

[LeslieDEN]

Getting up early is hard and I have missed flights because I overslept. If that happens, you'll get stuck with a change fee but the airline will usually accomodate you on the next available flight.
Sean, the change fee for a missed flight may apply on SWA but not on United. If Scott misses the flight, they'll put him on the next available one at no charge. It's happened to me more times than I like to think about.

[Barb-SAN]

...
I've been a member of the board for almost a month now and respect everything said on these forums and have read a lot of interesting information - and even just completed Ray's book. I have no fear of the actual flight - or so I think. I am actually excited for it. In a previous thread, I asked about flight simulators as a method for knowledge, and I have flown in and out of BDL, in and out of ORD and in and out of SFO to find out the terrain and views and what to expect - so I know what I am in for (the low approaches over water won't suprise me!).

Here's the weird part - I am nervous and stressed about the things that surround the flight - getting to the airport on time (the flight leaves at 6 AM :mg:), my luggage getting transferred in time (layover is 40 minutes at O'Hare), and most of all - getting stuck in coach on United ....

I guess my rambling point is that I just needed to say them out loud and see how ridiculous they are and how pathetic I am for even having them. I guess it is better to be fearful of those small things rather than the major thing (which is the norm for me), right???? :confused:

Just want to say I agree with the other tips posted. I think all your diligent work surrounding preparing for the actual flight will pay off in spades! :thumbsup:

I think you're worried about the other details surrounding the flight primarily because you haven't been flying a lot, and it's not yet routine and boring. I find I too stress about things surrounding the flight...like what clothes to bring. I'm sure if I was flying every week I'd have a suitcase permanently packed with my "travel outfits", toiletries, etc. so I would be more efficient about it. It would at least be helpful to put together a checklist of everything I needed to take, and do, before I left (stop the mail, etc).

I worry about not getting to the airport in time because the taxi couldn't find my house. So...I schedule a pick-up much earlier than I really need, to allow a time cushion for that eventuality (I DO NOT schedule 6AM flights, however!:tongue: .) Then when I get to the airport early, I check my bag and do my walking exercise to kill whatever excess time I have... AFTER I go through security, so I know how much time is left before boarding.

As far as the cramped seats...well, hope you are able to upgrade. If not...you can always stand in the aisle for awhile if you have smooth air, or walk back and forth to the bathroom a few times and get the kinks out of your legs...maybe lead a stretching class in the aisle...;) .

Are you planning to meet the pilots? Did you find the letter in the download section on the main page? Since you've already been flying the approaches in your simulator, you would probably be able to have an intelligent conversation with your pilots. I'll bet they would show you the cockpit, how they program the route, etc, if you ask. :thumbsup:

[scottr0829]

Hi everybody,

Thanks for the reassuring words!

Debbie - You nailed it on the head - I have come to embrace the lack of control on the airplane, but forgot about the other situations that come along with travel.

Sean and Monica - good point about the luggage. I am flying to SFO, so even if it does get 'lost' for a short time, it's not like I can't buy some clothes out there.

Leslie - I did look into that previously, but this is only my second time on United and I really would rather take SWA than United and do so when I can. Thanks for the !

Barb - Thanks for your input - I will try to get some excercise in while standing around at the gate.

Again, thanks to everyone for their input and stating the situation in a way I was failing to see. I checked in today and got Economy Plus window seats on both segments! :thumbsup: Should be fun. I am so excited - my first time to San Fran and I get to go to the Giants game (free tix from work) when I land to help chill out - I love live (free) baseball games! :hyped:

[Barb-SAN]

I checked in today and got Economy Plus window seats on both segments! :thumbsup:

Great! Hope you are taking a camera , and planning to take pix!