Could use a little pep talk...

[TXflyer]

Hey TF folks,

I have been working on FoF as much as has been reasonably possible over the last several months. Last time I flew commercially caused me terrible AA and I almost canceled my trip -- luckily found this site and made it OK! I did a discovery flight on a Cessna in the fall and have poked around here when I could, but now I'm facing my next big step: another commercial flight.

I'm a student and spring break is coming up. I have several friends in the Portland area and I would love to go visit them. I found a good price on a ticket from Alaskan Airlines and currently have it on hold. Just looking the flights up caused more anxiety than I expected, although it's easing a lot already.

I think there are several reasons for it:


First flight since July 2009
TF helped me make that trip in July but the anxiety kept me pretty uncomfortable during most of it -- I'm anxious about being anxious again
Life is OK but it's been a fairly stressful six months or so... I know when I get stressed in general, my AA increases a lot
This flight will be AUS - SEA - PDX and back; the flight that triggered my FoF was IAH - SEA - PDX -- or the return trip, rather, but a similar route at a similar time of year doesn't sound fun. Also, the return trip is at night, which I dislike (as my bad trip was at night, and lower visibility = increased sense of loss of control).
Flying a new airline -- Alaskan. I wish this didn't bother me, but it does. ;)I have the feeling I'm going to be able to check on some Alaskan flights at FlightTracker, revisit anxieties.com, go to bed focusing on how great the trip will be, and buy those tickets tomorrow... but any encouragement would be appreciated... and any good stories about flight experiences on Alaskan!

Thanks!

[AndyR]

I have never flown Alaska, but have heard great things about them. They have been around for a while and have a sort of partnership with American so that should be comforting. The average age of their fleet is 7.8 years, relatively young, according to

http://www.planespotters.net/Airline/Alaska-Airlines

Good Luck.
Andy

[Kalinych]

Alaska is a hometown airline. As far as company size, they are a little behind the big leagues, but still they have been around for a long while and have a good reputation.

The reason for them having a young fleet is that they've recently replaced all their MD-80s with B737s after Flight 261 crash (happened back in 2000). That flight was of course the big reason for my own FoF as my coworker was onboard.

I feel that I have taken a big leap of faith by finally deciding to fly with them (for the first time) in 2008, but it all went fine, no red flags or anything :cool:. My report is here: http://www.takingflight.us/forums/showthread.php?t=8624

So I would feel fine about flying Alaska again (helps a lot in Seattle as they have most flights and most destinations), in fact I may be flying Horizon (their subsidiary) over into BC pretty soon.

Another note is that it probably wouldn't occur to me to fly from SEA to PDX. It's just a 3 hour drive, and with airport security and all it might take more time to get there by plane; but I guess if you are just making a connection, that is a viable option.

[TXflyer]

Thanks for the replies, y'all. Kalinych, thanks especially for sharing your flight report. I am so sorry to hear about your co-worker. I know it's been a long time, but that must have been terrible for you.

After writing here last night a lot of my anxiety dissipated, and I did indeed go to bed picturing a wonderful vacation coming up in about six weeks, with good flights to boot. I had some anxiety purchasing the tickets tonight, but I did it! I'm sure the AA will come and go a bit, so I'm really glad to have this forum...

More to come, I'm sure! :)

[MedicMama]

Hey TXFlyer, I'm in a bit of a similar situation. Hopefully some of my feedback can help you out!

1. My upcoming flight from DTW-ORD-MEM in March will be my first flight since August '09 when I flew DTW-DFW-SEA. I'm a little anxious about having so much elapse between flights, BUT it has me excited too because I'm making a new adventure. Try to focus on the positive aspects: flying means getting to take a trip, make new memories and have FUN once you reach your destination!

2. I think it's just something I will need to live with, but I am always anxious throughout my flights. It's just how it is for me. I do bring a lot of distractions: books, magazines, iPod, crosswords, PSP, etc. Usually they are able to occupy my mind for a bit. I also people watch; it's kind of fun. Watching what other people are doing during the flight kind of distracts me from my own anxiety. I also like to watch the flight attendant. If s/he is calm and whatnot, I feel better.

4. I will tell you, flying into SEA at night is breathtaking. On our final approach we could see the Puget Sound and the ferries and it was gorgeous. That definitely distracted me. Of course I was a bit bummed we couldn't see Mt. Rushmore, but the water and boats below were beautiful. And the Spaceneedle!!!! SO PRETTY! And to be honest, I prefer flying at night. Who knows why, that's just how I am.

5. The new airline thing would probably bug me too. I have only ever flown two airlines; I flew Northwest once, from DTW-DCA, but my regular, "comfort" airline is American. I'm always afraid to book wth a different airline because I've always had good experiences with AA. In my mind, I feel like the second I book with a different airline, something will happen. It's TOTALLY dumb reasoning. This trip though, I will be flying American Eagle, basically the same thing and I've flown with them before between DFW-HOU. I will tell you what I know about Alaska Airlines; they have a great safety record. Only the one accident in 2000 that I know of, if I remember correctly, and they fly all B737's which are very safe, reliable planes.

You are going to be fine! And you are going to have a blast spending spring break in the PacNW. I love it out there!!! If you have any questions or need to talk something out, send me a private message! I'm always here to talk:thumbsup:

[aerobat]

Hi, there,TX Flyer! :thumbsup: Please feel welcome to join me again at the airport for an in situ pep rally whenever you're inclined. Or for another wingover, or a loop if you're feeling brazen. :lol:

On the matter of Alaska, we should put the cards on the table. They screwed up bigtime, no pun intended. Negligence and ignorance caused a horrific accident, and they came under a well-deserved sledgehammer of scrutiny thereafter. And they have turned it around and made themselves worthy of our trust again.

I love Kalinych's comments because for him, the decision to trust them again was an acute and heavily-charged one. :tiphat::tiphat: But many air travelers (and that includes people who have never had FoF) have had to make an informed "leap of faith" regarding Alaska.

We need to demonstrate to ourselves that we are able to expand our comfort zone to include them (especially, but also other new airlines, planes, airports etc.), and the process will require our tools and support and research, because the fear will try to reassert itself. The process of beating FoF and reclaiming comfort involves step upon step of effort. But every piece of territory gained becomes ours to keep if we gain it intentionally and with eyes wide open.

Becoming comfortable up there also involves letting go our "safety maneuvers" such as magical thinking, amulets, and especially hypervigilance. If there's anyone onboard whose faces we would do well to watch, it's the passengers who look completely at ease--sleeping, reading, working on their laptops, playing with their kids. Their comfort is not an illusion, though they may well not have had to work for it. They simply didn't collide with the metaphorical boulder on the ski run like we did.