I know some will find this post boring and completely ridiculous.... (I apologize in advance!!) We are two months from our 10 day trip to my favorite place on earth... Disney World!!! (been there sooo many times, but normally drove down except for a few times flying) The closer the date comes, the more white knuckled I get about getting on a plane (get this... my husband works for Homeland Security!!!). I psych myself up, by checking the boards here, EVERY day! I KNOW flying is safe, etc etc.... but am a victim of losing so many during 9/11/01. On top of my parents missing a flight back in the 70s due to an emergency, and the plane crashed) I know, I am being ridiculous, I am not one to shy away to things due to fear. (During the DC sniper attacks, I refused to NOT drive down to disney). I am so embarrassed to even post this, I haven't even made plane ressies yet, and it's starting to damper my family's excitement. (Though I never say a word...... but still haven't made those plane ressies!!!) Any positive posts I so do appreciate..negative posts, I'm sorry I wasted your time. I'm sure my WDWMAGIC family can help me out of this slump. Thank you all... so very much for you help!!! :wave:
-
Welcome to the WDWMAGIC.COM Forums!
Please take a look around, and feel free to sign up and join the community.
Excitement Hampered by Fear of Flying
- Thread starter DisneyDebNJ
- Start date
nolatron
Well-Known Member
I was the same for years. Big fear of flying. My wife and I drove to WDW the first 3 or 4 times we went (10 hour drive) Then in 2002 I wanted to take a trip to Philadelphia and decided to fly. I was a nervous wreck but I was determined to do it. In the end it was a piece of cake.
I found chewing gum and a book/magazine really helped me the first couple flights. Just something to do and think about during take-off. I also bring a bag of Pizza Combos with me. Every flight I've ever done I've had a bag of combo's with me. Don't know what it is, but I like having 'em when I fly. So now it's just a flying tradition for me. Hey, whatever works.
After dozens and dozens of more flights across the country and to Canada I'm still a little nervous during take-off and landing (mainly caused by weird feelings of lift and drop you get sometimes as the plane does things), but I now love looking at the window and seeing the ground just disappear as we take off.
I'm at the point now where I don't think twice about flying, except for the costs!
I found chewing gum and a book/magazine really helped me the first couple flights. Just something to do and think about during take-off. I also bring a bag of Pizza Combos with me. Every flight I've ever done I've had a bag of combo's with me. Don't know what it is, but I like having 'em when I fly. So now it's just a flying tradition for me. Hey, whatever works.
After dozens and dozens of more flights across the country and to Canada I'm still a little nervous during take-off and landing (mainly caused by weird feelings of lift and drop you get sometimes as the plane does things), but I now love looking at the window and seeing the ground just disappear as we take off.
I'm at the point now where I don't think twice about flying, except for the costs!
me_stitch
Premium Member
think about how many planes take off just from your nearest airport every day without incident and then multiply that by 100. flying is the safest form of travel there is. my mom is terrified too, she keeps saying how she's looking forward to our trip but not the flying part of it. I told her to just think about whats waiting when we get off the plane in Orlando.
wilkeliza
Well-Known Member
I was terrified at first as well. I think the more you fly the more your anxiety goes away.
I still have anxiety issues with tax off and landing. Once we are in the air I'm ok unless there is bad turbulence. A lot of times I bring my ipod and just sleep on the flight. With Jetblue there is free Dish t.v. so a lot of times I watch t.v. and forget I'm flying until I realize I'm not at home hehe.
I'll chime in to the fact flying is still the safest form of transportation. Also just remind yourself if you didn't do things in life because of the "mights" then you would never do anything. I mean you could walk outside your house and get hit by a drunk driver but does that keep you inside? The chances of that are more than something going wrong with your flight.
I still have anxiety issues with tax off and landing. Once we are in the air I'm ok unless there is bad turbulence. A lot of times I bring my ipod and just sleep on the flight. With Jetblue there is free Dish t.v. so a lot of times I watch t.v. and forget I'm flying until I realize I'm not at home hehe.
I'll chime in to the fact flying is still the safest form of transportation. Also just remind yourself if you didn't do things in life because of the "mights" then you would never do anything. I mean you could walk outside your house and get hit by a drunk driver but does that keep you inside? The chances of that are more than something going wrong with your flight.
However, it is WAAAAYYY more dangerous to drive.
Monorail_Orange
Well-Known Member
I can understand your fears and apprehension, based on your life experiences. At the same time, I'm with the folks pointing out it would be far more dangerous, statistically, to drive than fly. Everytime I step on a plane, there's always a thought of, "What if..." And I always respond to myself with Gen. George S. Patton's sage advice, "Do not take counsel to your fears."
Time doesnt permit driving, but thanks
Thank you so much for your post.. ALL posts makes sense, its just me being stupid :brick:
Monorail_Orange
Well-Known Member
Fears are what they are; you can't reason with them, you can't always use logic on them. You're not being stupid, just letting an understandable fear slow you down. :wave:
Flying fear
You are in no way being stupid. The very first time I got on a flight we had wind shear - I was afraid in the first place and then that happened. I literally kissed the ground when I got to my destination which took 5 hours. I swore I would find a different way home but since I was on an island this was not an option. My next flight was about 2 years ago. I took a free on-line course called fear of flying which simply gives you info on the noises and what is happening in-flight. I did not think it would help but it did. I also went to my doctor and got some what I call "happy pills." I was on Jet Blue and they have TVs in the back of the headrest in front of you. This distraction was a great help to say the least. My whole point is, do what you have to do if you 'must" fly. Me, I avoid it and take the train. Hope that helped at least a little.
You are in no way being stupid. The very first time I got on a flight we had wind shear - I was afraid in the first place and then that happened. I literally kissed the ground when I got to my destination which took 5 hours. I swore I would find a different way home but since I was on an island this was not an option. My next flight was about 2 years ago. I took a free on-line course called fear of flying which simply gives you info on the noises and what is happening in-flight. I did not think it would help but it did. I also went to my doctor and got some what I call "happy pills." I was on Jet Blue and they have TVs in the back of the headrest in front of you. This distraction was a great help to say the least. My whole point is, do what you have to do if you 'must" fly. Me, I avoid it and take the train. Hope that helped at least a little.
Chrononymous
Well-Known Member
I never used to have a fear of flying, but then in the last decade or so, it kind of crept up on me.
I know too that it is useless to be anxious, and the statistics are that I am likely not going to crash...it's just that in many other kind of vehicle accidents...there is always a chance for survival, right? In a plane...eh...not so much when you are that far above the ground!
But I have different ways of psyching myself up for the plane trip.
Like nolatron above, I have a snack that I always bring with me...for me it's a Japanese rice cracker snack mix. And it makes me calm to eat it. I can usually buy some at the airport too.
I get my favorite calming essential oil (rosemary, ginger or lavender) and I douse a cotton handkerchief with it, and put it in a plastic ziplock. When I am feeling anxious (like during take off) I open the bag and take a whiff...which always calms me.
I keep a good luck traveling charm with me. It might be silly and superstitious, but it works for me. I have a lucky coin that I associate with protection while traveling, and makes me feel like I am in control of something.
And the last one will sound sort of terrible...but I count all the happy excited children on the plane with me. And I think to myself..in big plane crashes in the past, there are rarely so many kids on board. So this ride must be safe.
I know too that it is useless to be anxious, and the statistics are that I am likely not going to crash...it's just that in many other kind of vehicle accidents...there is always a chance for survival, right? In a plane...eh...not so much when you are that far above the ground!
But I have different ways of psyching myself up for the plane trip.
Like nolatron above, I have a snack that I always bring with me...for me it's a Japanese rice cracker snack mix. And it makes me calm to eat it. I can usually buy some at the airport too.
I get my favorite calming essential oil (rosemary, ginger or lavender) and I douse a cotton handkerchief with it, and put it in a plastic ziplock. When I am feeling anxious (like during take off) I open the bag and take a whiff...which always calms me.
I keep a good luck traveling charm with me. It might be silly and superstitious, but it works for me. I have a lucky coin that I associate with protection while traveling, and makes me feel like I am in control of something.
And the last one will sound sort of terrible...but I count all the happy excited children on the plane with me. And I think to myself..in big plane crashes in the past, there are rarely so many kids on board. So this ride must be safe.
R W B
Well-Known Member
I'm with you, I HATE flying. I've had to do it about 6-7 times and each time I got real nervous. Nothing to do with 9/11 but I've come to the conclusion i'm a control freak when it comes to things like that. Although flying is considered alot safer then driving, I'm in control when I drive so my think process is if something happens I know its my fault and I cant blame the pilot or anyone else.
With that said though, I was thinking about flying for my next trip but its just not cost effective for me.
With that said though, I was thinking about flying for my next trip but its just not cost effective for me.
dreamscometrue
Well-Known Member
I used to have a fear of flying, did a bit of counselling for anxiety, and in the 10 years since, I've come to love flying. No, I mean I was white knuckled, and now I really, really enjoy it and I can relax, check out the sites (well, often just clouds), etc. It's now fun!
Anyway, the point is that the more you do it, and know what to expect, the more you might enjoy it. Fear often come from the unfamiliar, but the more you know what to expect, the more you can relax. This also can apply to attractions such as ToT, RnRC, SM, etc. I was apprehensive the first time, but after a few rides, it's all about relaxing and enjoying!
This site might help too. I love his books and love the site. You can even search 'Fear of Flying' if you really want to, and find tons of articles.
http://www.askthepilot.com/
Anyway, the point is that the more you do it, and know what to expect, the more you might enjoy it. Fear often come from the unfamiliar, but the more you know what to expect, the more you can relax. This also can apply to attractions such as ToT, RnRC, SM, etc. I was apprehensive the first time, but after a few rides, it's all about relaxing and enjoying!
This site might help too. I love his books and love the site. You can even search 'Fear of Flying' if you really want to, and find tons of articles.
http://www.askthepilot.com/
CaptainWinter
Active Member
So sorry to hear about this fear. I know how difficult it is to shake fears, even if they are contradicted by statistics. Do what you need to do to get yourself on the flight...have an extra drink, eat some forbidden treat, whatever.
If words from a stranger help, take these: you will be absolutely fine!
If words from a stranger help, take these: you will be absolutely fine!
Nemo14
Well-Known Member
I think we all have irrational fears at one time or another, so don't feel stupid about it. If it helps, keep a little photo album with you of things you'll be doing or seeing in Disneyworld, and just keep "reading" that when you get scared.
Also, rum can be your friend.....
Also, rum can be your friend.....
Scuttle
Well-Known Member
David S.
Member
That's EXACTLY how I feel, and why I drive everywhere! I know people like to point to the statistics about car crashes, but I feel that in THEORY, cars are inherently safer for the reasons you mentioned. The reason there are so many more car accidents is because there are so many cars packed closely together, and they cause accidents with each other. If each car had as much "private space" as planes have, the stats would be in favor of cars, IMO. I've had a situation where the timing belt snapped, and a few other mechanical issues where my car just stopped, and in each case I was able to pull over and call for help. You can't fall thousands of feet to your death in the event of a mechanical failure when you're already on the ground!
As far as the other cars on the road, I like to drive "defensively". Admitedly, this can't give a 100 percent guarantee that you will avoid accidents where someone else is at fault, but it gives you the best chances.
I guess experience can affect viewpoints. When I was a child a plane crashed in a surburban neighborhood in my city, landing on a house and killing everyone on board and everyone who was in the house simply minding their own business. This memory stayed with me, as did the heavy turbulence I experienced EVERY time on the few flights I've been on. I also experienced a shaky landing, and all of this was enough to make me say "No more!". Of course, the TSA and the extra hassles that go into flying now would also be a deterrent, but I had already stopped flying long before all that happened.
One positive thing about driving everywhere though is that I've gotten to actually see most of the 50 states and parts of Canada and Mexico, rather than fly over them. A downside is that the only way I'll ever make it to Europe or Asia is to take a boat
PS. I hope my post didn't come across as negative to the OP! I'm just saying I'm one of many people with the fear of flying, like John Madden, who rode a bus to all of the NFL games he commentated on (the famous "Madden Cruiser") due to having bad experiences with flying. However, I do agree with all of the other posters who said that if you do fly, the chances are overwhelmingly in favor of everything going OK
My WDWMAGIC family is so intelligent and caring... love you all!! I CAN do this (I'm just being stupid) I appreciate all of your responses :wave: