Just Great! I think I'm gonna hafta fly.

[canoga]

Here I was, all brave, cheering everyone else on.

When I flew last June, I was SO relieved it was over and no other trip was in the hopper.

My hubby's grandma is starting to deteriorate and has been begging for us to bring the girls out to see her. She has never met my two year old. I adore SoCal but despise getting out there.

My fear started on a domestic China flight but the first all out "I'm gonna die in a fiery crash" panic attack happened on a particularly bumpy ride from Cleveland to LAX. Since then, I have gritted my teeth and clenched the necessary orifices in order to endure that trip up to 4 times a year. I hated every single one of them.

You see, they have all of the 'components' that make up a crash. The flights are East/West, we go over the Rockies, I usually fly at night, the flights are full, I have my girls with me.....in my twisted, fear-enriched mind, THESE are the factors which makes planes crash. I know, just indulge me here.

The trip would be in April so I have a few months to prepare. I was watching The Amazing Race (my version of a personal @#%$) last night and just seeing those racers checking in at the airport made me want to vomit. Airport are like the holding room for a guillotine to me. I get one whiff of jet fuel and I want to curl up in a ball and die.

I was doing so good on my flight last June. No fear on my nifty little ERJ down to Miami. Heck, I was actually *enjoying* it. Then, on the return flight, I smelled burned coffee and just KNEW that we had an engine fire. My anxiety went from about a 1 or 2 to 10 in an instant. The teeny bumps we encountered the last 1/2 of the flight had me griping the arm rests until my fingers went numb. I was scared out of my mind. I had worked so hard to be comfortable with flying before that and the trip down was fantastic. But, I think I'm back to being pretty scared.

I really want to go visit Mike's family next spring. We might even swing past Disneyland for a day. But, getting there is going to be horrible for me.

I might be waking Huey from a dead sleep with a frantic call as I'm bouncing up and down over the Rockies.

Beth:(

[photomonkey0]

Well, it wouldn't be worth it spending time on the board here trying to deal with it if you never got to use it, would it? :think

You've got plenty of time to prepare. I'm actually trying something for my upcoming flight out next week - for the past few days (and through Friday) I've been tracking the flight I'll be on from my desk here at work. I check in on it every so often just to take a look at it's progress. It also helps to know how routine the whole thing is. The flight takes off at the same time every day, makes it's trip, and lands at the same time every day. The altitude doesn't change, the speed remains constant. It's just kind of one of those things that are given.

It helps me to "watch" other people do the same thing that I'm getting ready to do.

Just thought I'd share.

[noflyingfan]

I think this trip will be a good opportunity for you! Don't let your fear keep you from making this trip, especially if it's for a family member who really wants you to come.

You already know where the "hot spots" are going to be. If you're expecting turb, it's not going to bother you as much, I guarantee.

As for the other stuff, here's a good trick someone taught me. If you hear or see or smell anything you think is weird, take a look around the plane. If the flight attendants are up and about, passing out drinks or headphones or whatever else, all is well. Just like the pilots, the FAs are people with lives and families and want to be safe too.

Besides, with a two-year-old, how in the world do you think you're going to have TIME to be scared?

[canoga]

"Besides, with a two-year-old, how in the world do you think you're going to have TIME to be scared?"

EXCELLENT point. Did I happen to mention that I bought my girls a bag of tropical Jelly Bellys before our flight to our cruise to get them in the mood. I expected they would eat them as an afternoon snack. Silly me. They spotted them in my carryon and had the whole bag consumed at the gate before the flight. My 2yr old was as hyper as can be. Thank goodness she behaved but she was so curious about the flight (her first since being an infant) that she required constant attention. She was absolutely facinated by the breakfast tray of corn flakes, milk, banana and muffin. It was just her size and she loved it.

[spiffyone]

I flew twice last year. The first time I worried about it for weeks in advance. I had trouble sleeping, even. The second time I refused to think about it until 3 days before. I enjoyed my weeks and slept and everything and didn't really worry until the night before when I was packing.

Both flights were fine.


I am a slow learner but I think this taught me that it is useless to expend energy worrying ahead of time.

:hamster

[noflyingfan]

It's win-win then, right? Your girls get a snack, and you get to calm them down!

I can see it now...

"Mommy, I'm not hungry now."
"No, no, you have to eat the whole bag before we board the plane. No dinner tonight unless you eat these jelly beans right now!"

[Passenger Mark]

Hey Beth,

You might do better than what you think!

You now know the type of things that will "set you off", and you can prepare for that. For example, if you smell burned coffee this time, you know you have the knowledge of what it is, and that there is no danger.

Take each item that worries/scares/upsets you, and stop and think... what is it about that item that causes anxiety. Answerer your "what ifs" with facts, and then move to the next item. Take it one piece at a time, until you have completely dismantled the fear.

Mark

[Huey]

Beth, I think you oughta get all four of your asses on a plane and go see Grand-ma-ma this Thanksgiving.

:)

[canoga]

Bite me, flyboy.


;)

[beaugest]

C'mon Beth, that plane wouldn't dare have anything go wrong with you on it. I can just picture it. Captain announces a problem, you shove the jellybeans at your kids,march up to the cockpit and tell the Captain to "straighten up and fly right..." :fly
You'll be fine. We've got your back...
I answered you earlier today from work. I guess because I was in a therapeutic mode it was a very serious reply about dealing with anticipatory anxiety. My computer froze, I kicked it. Hard. But still lost the reply. Was going to rewrite it tonight till I read your reply to Huey. Then it dawned on me. This is Beth. No psychological analysis need. She'll kick butt.
The one thing I do want to repeat though was to let you know that I printed out your post about your trip to get the kids. I'm planning on taking it on my upcoming very looong flight. I know it will be inspirational.
I just can't wait to see Huey's reply...:rolling

[cammie31]

Beth,

Just wanted you to know that I sympathize with the burnt coffee panic attack, I get them too -- as soon as they start with the coffee, and it seems like it's always too early in the flight for it to actually BE coffee, I have to crane my neck around to make sure the stewardesses are actually up and making that stuff, which interestingly only smells like burning fuel to me when it's on an airplane!!!!

[Huey]

Oh, thanks! No performance anxiety induced there! LOL


"Watch Huey...He's about to do something funny! Go ahead, Huey.....We're all counting on you."




Beth, as girls are "sugar and spice and all things nice", you are not approved on the Atkins diet I follow. As I do not wish to go through induction again, I cannot bite you. Sorry.


Jeez. I got Joanne asking me why I was "scared", Monica forcing me to be funny, Beth inducing me to commit carbohydrate-laden cannibalism, I got selected for secondary screening/'you-might-feel-some-discomfort' treatment in Norfolk....The only GOOD thing that's happened today is that I learned how the armrests on the aisles of CRJs go up (there's a release button toward the back of the underside of the armrest. I've looked for a release before, but not far enough back.)

Sheesh.

[spiffyone]

Oh, boy. I knew I would get in trouble using the S-word.

:hamster

[Huey]

Uh huh.

And at the risk of making trite pop culture references from inane TV shows: No soup for you.

[canoga]

"Beth, as girls are "sugar and spice and all things nice", you are not approved on the Atkins diet I follow. As I do not wish to go through induction again, I cannot bite you. Sorry."

I can guarantee you that good ol' doc Atkins would VERY MUCH approve of the mouthful of fat you would come away with.

:blech

[Huey]

:blink




So, how 'bout them Steelers?

[canoga]

Okay, you got me.

I have no idea what you mean.

:\

[beaugest]

Hey Beth, Huey is doing the wise male thing and not responding to a female discussing her weight...
Huey, you passed the Huey test. I literally laughed aloud at your response.
I have to admit to being tempted to respond with an innuendo about your "performance anxiety" but since this is a G rated board I'll pass...:banana

[canoga]

Ooh, I'm excited. I finally get to use this emoticon.
:chicken <----HUEY


Just teasing. Huey is the perfect gentleman:tiphat