Track request

[JerseyJudy]

Hi all. I'll be leaving tomorrow (4/18) on a business trip, flying Delta all the way. I am only able to make this trip because 1) I waited until someone else could go with me 2) my agency let me make the flight arrangements 3) all of the great information and support found on this board. I've been reading here every day for the past month, and I feel much better now than before previous flights! A.A. is currently at a 2 or 3 on 1-10 scale, but that could also be excitement humming in my veins. I'm traveling with a male co-worker who is a really sweet guy. My hb jokingly told me "I don't care how scared you get, you can't hold his hand." Hee!

This will be my longest flight so far; I'll be going from LYH to ATL (flight 5538) and ATL to PDX (flight 1287). I'm really excited to have the opportunity to go to Oregon and fly on a 757! Not so thrilled about the full red-eye on the way home 4/24 (flight 1578) and our seats in the ass-end of the plane. We'll have a 4 hour layover and then head home 4/25 on flight 5538. Three weeks ago I was also on flight 5538 and it was pretty jarring... I'm hoping this upcoming trip will be as smooth as the 8 other flights I was on but if it's not, I'm prepared to use the cup of water trick, the 5-4-3-2-1 exercise, and I've loaded my iPod with comedy albums and Native American drumming music.
:hyped:
If one of you has the time and inclination, I would really, really appreciate being tracked, especially on the way home. The weather looks great for tomorrow's flights and so I'm more anxious about the return. Wish me luck, and I'll post a trip report after I get back!

[Barb-SAN]

Have a great flight tomorrow!! Glad you have found some help here reading posts on the board, and that you have your anti-anxiety tools planned. :thumbsup:

I was just at PDX 2 weeks ago...it's a great airport. Saw this sign in the terminal...:) (Note, the dramatic photo was most likely taken with a VERY LONG telephoto lens (if not photoshopped). Mt. Hood is many miles from the tower. Keep your eyes open though, and you may see it in the distance if it's a clear day!

Be sure to post your tracking information in the tracking forum as well, and hopefully someone will have a chance to track you. Thanks...

[amanda]

what is the cup of water trick..and the 5,4,3,2,1 exercise?

[Dachiri]

I'm not familiar with the countdown, but the cup of water is a simple way to see just how minimal the turbulence is. Place a cup of water on your tray table and note that, no matter how bad the turbulence feels, the water doesn't spill. Now imagine doing that in your car...the water would be everywhere!!! Very effective way to put the bumps in perspective.

[Barb-SAN]

what is the cup of water trick..and the 5,4,3,2,1 exercise?5,4,3,2,1, is from SOAR (http://www.fearofflying.com/index.html), and is an exercise in mindfulness, and grounding you in the present moment. It's a very fast and effective way to cope with a runaway imagination and panic.

What you do is start with 5, and name 5 things in your immediate environment that you can TOUCH, then 5 things that you can SEE, then 5 things that you can HEAR. Then go to 4 things you can touch, see, hear, then 3, and so forth. You will appreciate the benefits of this exercise more once you actually DO it. :)

[amanda]

thank you for the answers to that...everything helps except reading about what a crash feels like...I cant even look at the topic...

[Barb-SAN]

thank you for the answers to that...everything helps except reading about what a crash feels like...I cant even look at the topic...
Please just work with the information you find here that IS helpful. :D
Personally, I don't think it's productive to imagine what a crash feels like. I don't do it when I'm driving my car. It's more important to pay attention to my driving, and that of the drivers in cars nearby. I hope I never find out the answer to that question.

Amanda, have you spent any time over at www.anxieties.com (http://www.anxieties.com), the section on fear of flying?

[Getb0rn]

Sorry to interject into this topic but... Barb San that mindfulness is AMAZING... I have done mindfulness with my psych before but not really flying specific.

Thanks so much for something else to add to my tool kit, I have actually started writing a tool kit list for my next flights when I freak out I can get out my sheet and read the useful tips I know work!

Amanda, I normally avoid anything negative related to planes from about 2 months before, I even start to ignor the news in the few weeks coming up to my flight. The media tends to over senationalise things, it's not always accurate. I find this helps not to trigger me off.

Amanda Have you got anything you use when you fly? Any tips/techniques?

[lewdyan1]

Thanks for those tips. I am flying out in the morning and the nerves are kicking in big time!!! I think I need to go to bed so I can stop worrying. Thakns for all the great advice from everyone here!