NicwantstoFly
02-23-2008, 07:31 AM
Hey All,
I know that I owe you a flight report. So... here goes.
The night before I flew out to San Fran I was really nervous. I just couldnt believe that the next morning I would be waking up and getting stuff together for a cross country flight. I told myself that the only hting to fear was my own emotions. After all the informational and scientific knowledge I have gained about planes, there is nothing I should worry about on that end. The worse than can happen as a flier is that I experience delays, or the plane has to turn around due to a mechanical glitch. Those things rarely happen, so what was I all worked up about?
My flight was at 3PM, I woke up at 10 AM. The weekend before i pakced everything to the T. i did NOT want to worry about packing and repacking anyting that morning. My lovely boyfriend went out and got me a fruit salad, The night before I strayed from having any chocolate, caffeine, dairy, or spicy foods. I stuck to water and relatively healthy foods.
At 1030am I took one Klonopin. I know that everyone here on ethe site encourages flight w.o the use of durgs, but I was so nervous I didn't want to be irritable in front of my boss. I need to experience this anxiety free so I coudl see for myself how common and easy it could be if I was just relaxed through the whole thing. I was.
I checked in early, got my baggage on the plane, and waited by the gate for my boss to come. I met a borther and sister pair in the waiting area and found out that they were sitting next to me. When I realized that the girl was about my age, and brought with her a stuffed animal to keep herself feeling cozy and safe, I had no shame in whipping out mine either. Just a reminder to myself that home is always with me. I am my own comfort zone.
During take off I remained calm. I did not cling the seat, in fact I found reaching back towards the arm rests to be pretty annoying. I didn't want to wiggle my body in any uncomfortable position. My boss, A, I will call him, just talked to me the whole time and finally when we were almost done climbing he said "Wow you're handling this like a champ."
So I wanted to share with you my in flight entertainment/ assurance kit.
-(1) Sudoku book and pencil
-Flying Without Fear, by Dr. Duane Browne
-(1) Large pack of 12 packages of Extra Bubblegum
-365 Exercises for the Mind (book) plus pen
-Special Travel Notes book, filled with pictures of friends, family and list of positive thoughts, and safety facts about flying. Also my BF wrote a motivational and loving note for when I finally got up in the air. It was very supportive
- The night before I took a video of a loving wish from the BF and watched it when I was mid- air.
- Rag Mags, to make me put my mind onto silly things.
- SPIN and Rolling Stone Magazine
- Calms Forte- natural herbal pill that will help you to relax a bit more. There are no side effects, and it doesnt make you feel the least bit drowsy and onviously not sedated.. If anything it helps you feel rested if you do nap, or if your feeling anxious, it just has a suble calming effect. I did not take this, but having an herbal remedy as a back up for sleeping on the plan or in the hotel was re-assuring.
-Squeegy smiling crab that a friend gave me. If I felt stress I squeezed it.
-Rubber band around my palm in case I had a bad thought
-Stuff on My Cat- hilarious book of cats with silly stuff on them (for a giggle).
- And Jet Blue fabulous Direct TV and XM radio!
ALL these things were MORE than enought to keep me occupied. Let me say the klonpin didnt make me into a zombie, or make me a sedated mess. it just took the edge off enough that the worry cycle in my brain was stopped. Also, I do believe that reading Lucinda Bassett's book From Panic to POwer, really helped me. It really put into perspective that my thoughts were what the problem is, and not the plane. If I just stay positive and know that I will get there safely and happily, then that confidence really goes a long way.
The flight was VERY smooth. Even when turbulence hit, it really doesn't bother me. In fact I sort of enjoy it because I feel like you get a sense of how real this is, and you're not just in the middle of a surreal event.
I took an in flight video. It's not that great but it's something. Please pardon any of it's shortness or shakiness, and the complete amateur attempt at the second vid. I thought you would all like to get a simulated in flight experience and see that I was sitting in that plane all fine and dandy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_ByacfkY8U
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1s9vLS5AIg
Here are some pics taken while over the Colorado Rockies. Beautiful eh?
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o292/nlogatto/Picture059.jpg
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o292/nlogatto/Picture058.jpg
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o292/nlogatto/Picture057.jpg
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o292/nlogatto/Picture055.jpg
Sitting across from my boss "A"
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o292/nlogatto/Picture051.jpg
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o292/nlogatto/Picture054.jpg
Oh, and I thought for your viewing pleasure you would like to see a video of the pacific ocean
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPWcDGDCq0A
All in all, the return flight was much easier, and I didnt take anything. It all boils down to one fact. It's not a common or natural thing, but one you start doing it, you can understand how not scary it is. You're just sitting int he safest and quickest mode of transportation there is. While yeah, it may appear to be risky to be in this thing with no way out,, thats not such a terrible thing. You are getting where you need to go as quickly as possible with nothing to stop you. Just relax and know that this is amazing marvel of modern times!
I think it's been said a million times on here, that the only way to conquer your fears is to just do it. I am thinking about Lorie in PA right now. and I know she is going through what I went through a week ago. Anxiety, dread, thoughts that are extremely negative, and filled with panic. And actually, two weeks prior to my flight I had canker sores in my mouth from the massive amount of stress I was feeling. Every day my for two weeks my chest felt tight, and I felt like I couldn't breathe or concentrate on much because I was holding all of this anxiety in!
I must say the anticipatory anxiety is WAY WAY worse than the flight. When other people wrote this in their flight reports I didn't believe it. But after studying planes, visiting this forum, and buckling down on my fears, really taking the flight is the final step. it's not scary when you have all the info you can get. It's just that it's a new thing, or uncommon activity for you, and you just need to acclimate yourself to the environment. If people can sleep on planes, and FA's and pilots can do it everyday, you can certainly have confidence that you can do it every now and then.
Proof i in the pudding...
Me the morning of the flight... obviously you can see the anticipation in my face (hehe forced smile):
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o292/nlogatto/Picture050.jpg
And then hours later at dinner in FIsherman's Wharf in San Fran! (happy again):
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o292/nlogatto/Picture071.jpg
and near the golden gate bridge, hahah i love my friend's laugh!
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o292/nlogatto/Picture164.jpg
I am so glad i did this. I got to see the other side of the country which was SO awesome. I LOVED California, and think that focusing on the fun part of you trip really helps you get over your fear of flying. Really, the flying is the smallest part of the trip! In addition, my boss told me that he really enjoyed my company and now plans on taking me to Seattle, London, and Nashville. It's a relief to know that now I can do it, and this time there is nothing to get in my way. Now I can finally have the career I have always wanted to have in the music industry. I feel like my confidence is soaring!
I hope you enjoyed the report guys :). I am so happy I did it. I know each an every one of you can and WILL do it too. I feel SOOOOO ACCOMPLISHED!:hyped: I wish that feeling for evry single one of you.
Much love and happiness,
Nicole <3:)
I know that I owe you a flight report. So... here goes.
The night before I flew out to San Fran I was really nervous. I just couldnt believe that the next morning I would be waking up and getting stuff together for a cross country flight. I told myself that the only hting to fear was my own emotions. After all the informational and scientific knowledge I have gained about planes, there is nothing I should worry about on that end. The worse than can happen as a flier is that I experience delays, or the plane has to turn around due to a mechanical glitch. Those things rarely happen, so what was I all worked up about?
My flight was at 3PM, I woke up at 10 AM. The weekend before i pakced everything to the T. i did NOT want to worry about packing and repacking anyting that morning. My lovely boyfriend went out and got me a fruit salad, The night before I strayed from having any chocolate, caffeine, dairy, or spicy foods. I stuck to water and relatively healthy foods.
At 1030am I took one Klonopin. I know that everyone here on ethe site encourages flight w.o the use of durgs, but I was so nervous I didn't want to be irritable in front of my boss. I need to experience this anxiety free so I coudl see for myself how common and easy it could be if I was just relaxed through the whole thing. I was.
I checked in early, got my baggage on the plane, and waited by the gate for my boss to come. I met a borther and sister pair in the waiting area and found out that they were sitting next to me. When I realized that the girl was about my age, and brought with her a stuffed animal to keep herself feeling cozy and safe, I had no shame in whipping out mine either. Just a reminder to myself that home is always with me. I am my own comfort zone.
During take off I remained calm. I did not cling the seat, in fact I found reaching back towards the arm rests to be pretty annoying. I didn't want to wiggle my body in any uncomfortable position. My boss, A, I will call him, just talked to me the whole time and finally when we were almost done climbing he said "Wow you're handling this like a champ."
So I wanted to share with you my in flight entertainment/ assurance kit.
-(1) Sudoku book and pencil
-Flying Without Fear, by Dr. Duane Browne
-(1) Large pack of 12 packages of Extra Bubblegum
-365 Exercises for the Mind (book) plus pen
-Special Travel Notes book, filled with pictures of friends, family and list of positive thoughts, and safety facts about flying. Also my BF wrote a motivational and loving note for when I finally got up in the air. It was very supportive
- The night before I took a video of a loving wish from the BF and watched it when I was mid- air.
- Rag Mags, to make me put my mind onto silly things.
- SPIN and Rolling Stone Magazine
- Calms Forte- natural herbal pill that will help you to relax a bit more. There are no side effects, and it doesnt make you feel the least bit drowsy and onviously not sedated.. If anything it helps you feel rested if you do nap, or if your feeling anxious, it just has a suble calming effect. I did not take this, but having an herbal remedy as a back up for sleeping on the plan or in the hotel was re-assuring.
-Squeegy smiling crab that a friend gave me. If I felt stress I squeezed it.
-Rubber band around my palm in case I had a bad thought
-Stuff on My Cat- hilarious book of cats with silly stuff on them (for a giggle).
- And Jet Blue fabulous Direct TV and XM radio!
ALL these things were MORE than enought to keep me occupied. Let me say the klonpin didnt make me into a zombie, or make me a sedated mess. it just took the edge off enough that the worry cycle in my brain was stopped. Also, I do believe that reading Lucinda Bassett's book From Panic to POwer, really helped me. It really put into perspective that my thoughts were what the problem is, and not the plane. If I just stay positive and know that I will get there safely and happily, then that confidence really goes a long way.
The flight was VERY smooth. Even when turbulence hit, it really doesn't bother me. In fact I sort of enjoy it because I feel like you get a sense of how real this is, and you're not just in the middle of a surreal event.
I took an in flight video. It's not that great but it's something. Please pardon any of it's shortness or shakiness, and the complete amateur attempt at the second vid. I thought you would all like to get a simulated in flight experience and see that I was sitting in that plane all fine and dandy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_ByacfkY8U
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1s9vLS5AIg
Here are some pics taken while over the Colorado Rockies. Beautiful eh?
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o292/nlogatto/Picture059.jpg
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o292/nlogatto/Picture058.jpg
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o292/nlogatto/Picture057.jpg
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o292/nlogatto/Picture055.jpg
Sitting across from my boss "A"
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o292/nlogatto/Picture051.jpg
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o292/nlogatto/Picture054.jpg
Oh, and I thought for your viewing pleasure you would like to see a video of the pacific ocean
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPWcDGDCq0A
All in all, the return flight was much easier, and I didnt take anything. It all boils down to one fact. It's not a common or natural thing, but one you start doing it, you can understand how not scary it is. You're just sitting int he safest and quickest mode of transportation there is. While yeah, it may appear to be risky to be in this thing with no way out,, thats not such a terrible thing. You are getting where you need to go as quickly as possible with nothing to stop you. Just relax and know that this is amazing marvel of modern times!
I think it's been said a million times on here, that the only way to conquer your fears is to just do it. I am thinking about Lorie in PA right now. and I know she is going through what I went through a week ago. Anxiety, dread, thoughts that are extremely negative, and filled with panic. And actually, two weeks prior to my flight I had canker sores in my mouth from the massive amount of stress I was feeling. Every day my for two weeks my chest felt tight, and I felt like I couldn't breathe or concentrate on much because I was holding all of this anxiety in!
I must say the anticipatory anxiety is WAY WAY worse than the flight. When other people wrote this in their flight reports I didn't believe it. But after studying planes, visiting this forum, and buckling down on my fears, really taking the flight is the final step. it's not scary when you have all the info you can get. It's just that it's a new thing, or uncommon activity for you, and you just need to acclimate yourself to the environment. If people can sleep on planes, and FA's and pilots can do it everyday, you can certainly have confidence that you can do it every now and then.
Proof i in the pudding...
Me the morning of the flight... obviously you can see the anticipation in my face (hehe forced smile):
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o292/nlogatto/Picture050.jpg
And then hours later at dinner in FIsherman's Wharf in San Fran! (happy again):
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o292/nlogatto/Picture071.jpg
and near the golden gate bridge, hahah i love my friend's laugh!
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o292/nlogatto/Picture164.jpg
I am so glad i did this. I got to see the other side of the country which was SO awesome. I LOVED California, and think that focusing on the fun part of you trip really helps you get over your fear of flying. Really, the flying is the smallest part of the trip! In addition, my boss told me that he really enjoyed my company and now plans on taking me to Seattle, London, and Nashville. It's a relief to know that now I can do it, and this time there is nothing to get in my way. Now I can finally have the career I have always wanted to have in the music industry. I feel like my confidence is soaring!
I hope you enjoyed the report guys :). I am so happy I did it. I know each an every one of you can and WILL do it too. I feel SOOOOO ACCOMPLISHED!:hyped: I wish that feeling for evry single one of you.
Much love and happiness,
Nicole <3:)