Flying Advice

[PrincessMagic]

This post isn't necessarily Disney related but I would like some input. We are traveling in October and had planned on driving down from Ohio. It takes about 14 hrs. to drive down.

My husband has been trying to convince me for years to fly but I have a crazy fear of flying. However, the thought of being in Disney in 2 hrs vs. 14 hrs. is very appealing. I was looking at flights and we can get a non-stop flight really cheap.

I would like some general advice and maybe you can share with me how you got over your fear of flying, what to expect, whatI can do to reduce anxiety, etc. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

BTW I don't drink so alchohol is not an option. I also considered asking my doctor for some meds, but I don't want to feel so doped up that I can't enjoy myself when we get there. Thanks

 

[dreamscometrue]

Five years ago, I was terrified of flying. Now I am 100% relaxed and actually enjoy it...a lot! Why the turnaround?

I learned that my fear of flying was not about flying at all. It was a result of being claustrophbic, which itself in part stems from an overall dislike of not being in control. I didn't realize it, but I did not do well in situations or places in which I could not get out when I wanted. I had occasional panic attacks in crowded places, and the thought of being in a plane for several hours was not something I could imagine doing.

Long story short, if you believe that your fear of flying is from a lack of control, claustrophobia or fear of panic attacks, read the book "From Panic To Power" by Lucinda Bassett. That book changed my life.

If your fear is a result of thoughts of crashing, etc. there are lots and lots of stats proving how safe it is. In that respect, I recommend the great book "Ask The Pilot" by Patrick Smith. It's an awesome book for those of you who love flying and also for those with a fear of flying. It's just a great read.

(BTW, I don't just lounge around and read books all the time-not that there's anything wrong with that. Those are probably the only 2 non Disney books I've read in the past 10 years-unless Sports Illustrated and Modern Drummer count as books ).

 

[Rob562]

And if claustrophobia is your problem, I suggest sitting at least halfway back in the plane, perhaps farther. That way you have the view of all those seats in front of you, making it seem like a more open space. If you sit in the front few rows, the front wall of the cabin is right there, and it can feel more boxed-in.

-Rob

 

[kstella]

I appreciate all the advice..it's truly fantastic. I don't know what we'll do. I really want to fly just to face it. I'm usually not the type of person to be bullied by anyone or anything.

I told my hubby one of the other stress factors is that I do have to be the adult and put on a brave face because we have 2 kids, so hubby would be with my son and I would be with my daughter. I don't have anyone to help me. I'm going to check out the website for fear of flying, thanks so much for the link, and to the Michigan fan GO BUCKS!!!! LOL

Maybe the fact that you would have to be the adult would help force you to face your fear and distract you enough that you couldn't be so focused on you and your fear. It might also be a good learning experience for your children if the know that this is hard for you but you are not letting it stop you. Of course, you wouldn't want them to be so aware of your fear that they start feeding off of it and become frightened themselves.

 

[righttrack]

I told my hubby one of the other stress factors is that I do have to be the adult and put on a brave face because we have 2 kids, so hubby would be with my son and I would be with my daughter.

And that, to me, is what finally resolved my own fears.

 

[Montyboy]

Airline/travel websites are pretty good about stating the type of airplane you'll be on (really in). You can usually select your seat (over the wing is best), but you will also find that planes flying between major cities are BIG.

Once you are in the air, it is like sitting in your living room.

 

[DiPSU224]

Do you have an ipod or a cd player that you can listen to? I flew about once a month for about a year and I was always getting freaked out. I would play my ipod with my Disney music and I would focus on whatever song was playing and memories/experiences that came to mind with the song. I understand that might be hard to do though if you're going to be sitting with your daughter. How about maybe a portable dvd player to keep your mind off your fear and your daughter occupied?

 

[Mia319]

i completely understand where you are coming from. i have flown once and swore i will never do it again... i get terrible motion sickness and i have a huge fear of flying / death.... my heart races just thinking about having to get on a plane. we live in chicago and have been making the 18 hour drive to WDW almost every year for the past 5 years.... well my husband says no more... if we are going to WDW we have to fly he said... so i'll be facing my fear sometime this year too.

my plan: i'll be heavily medicated, hahaha... ok not heavily, but i hope my doctor can perscribe something cause i'm afraid i'll have a heart attack just walking into the airport! but i guess i'll have to do it if i ever want to go to WDW again!

 

[Montyboy]

i completely understand where you are coming from. i have flown once and swore i will never do it again... i get terrible motion sickness and i have a huge fear of flying / death.... my heart races just thinking about having to get on a plane... cause i'm afraid i'll have a heart attack just walking into the airport! but i guess i'll have to do it if i ever want to go to WDW again!

Nice! Way to calm down and comfort the original poster.
You'll both be fine.

 

[ThinkTink721]

This post isn't necessarily Disney related but I would like some input. We are traveling in October and had planned on driving down from Ohio. It takes about 14 hrs. to drive down.

My husband has been trying to convince me for years to fly but I have a crazy fear of flying. However, the thought of being in Disney in 2 hrs vs. 14 hrs. is very appealing. I was looking at flights and we can get a non-stop flight really cheap.

I would like some general advice and maybe you can share with me how you got over your fear of flying, what to expect, whatI can do to reduce anxiety, etc. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

BTW I don't drink so alchohol is not an option. I also considered asking my doctor for some meds, but I don't want to feel so doped up that I can't enjoy myself when we get there. Thanks

My 1st time to fly was in 2006 when we took a trip to WDW.
I was a little nervous, but found that there is nothing to it.
Getting to WDW in about 3 hrs. compared to us driving it in 12 hrs. is great.
You will actually feel rested enough to go to a park on your arrival day.
We are flying to WDW again this Sept.
We were going to drive, but w/ the cost of gas, we decided to fly.

My mother-in-law flew for the 1st time when we went to WDW last Sept.
She had severe anxiety, but once she flew, she realized that there is nothing to it.
They will probably drive this Sept., but are seriously considering flying if they can get a non-stop flight both ways.

Don't worry...you'll be fine.
Once you realize how quickly you can arrive at your destination, you will not want to travel any other way.

:wave:

 

[Disneykidder]

I love flying and would never go to Florida any other way. I just got back from a trip to PA and we drove. Ick...it was only 4 hours but I was antsy and my back hurt from sitting.

Think of the pros vs. the cons. Nowadays, the flights are so smooth and you may even sleep the whole way. 2 hours is nothing. If you are flying with Jet Blue, you have your own tv and other airlines offer TVs as well. This makes it go quicker. If your flight does not include a TV, bring a laptop to watch something or play a game. And again, think of how much more time you can have in WDW.

 

[Nicole220]

I also prefer a window seat. For some reason I feel better when I can see out.....calms my nerves alot more than being on a aisle. And I am TERRIFIED of heights, but I dont get that feeling on an airplane.

You just described me. I don't like flying, hate heights with a passion, but must have the window seat. I don't know why, but it makes me feel less nervous. So OP. maybe you can try a window seat?

 

[shmmrname]

The drive just seems to take alot out of me. I think flying can only make sense.
But, I too will be slightly afraid, for the usual reasons. I think the primary reason is that you are no longer in control. In a car, you are led to believe that you are directly responsible for your well-being. In a plane, you give that responsibility to another person.

 

[octoberbarry]

laptop movie

I only read the question, not the replies, so I apologize if someone else has already suggested this, but do you have a laptop computer that plays dvd's? Or a portable dvd player? We travel a LOT with our son, and on planes quite a bit. We always bring along our laptop and a movie or set of tv show episodes on a dvd that we get from Netflix, of appropriate length to use up most of the flight we'll be on. We got a little headphone adapter at Radio Shack that allows us to all be plugged into the sound card of the laptop. We sit 3 across in a row, put the laptop in front of the middle person, and escape into the movie. Flights disappear in no time in this way. It has been an EXCELLENT solution for us, and for my dw, who also has a fear of flying.

 

[Monty]

This post isn't necessarily Disney related but I would like some input. We are traveling in October and had planned on driving down from Ohio. It takes about 14 hrs. to drive down.

My husband has been trying to convince me for years to fly but I have a crazy fear of flying. However, the thought of being in Disney in 2 hrs vs. 14 hrs. is very appealing. I was looking at flights and we can get a non-stop flight really cheap.

I would like some general advice and maybe you can share with me how you got over your fear of flying, what to expect, whatI can do to reduce anxiety, etc. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

BTW I don't drink so alchohol is not an option. I also considered asking my doctor for some meds, but I don't want to feel so doped up that I can't enjoy myself when we get there. Thanks

Talk to your doctor about meds and explain that you don't want to be catatonic because of them... He/She may be able to recommend something that's right for you with minimal grogginess.

I'm the worst person to give you advice on fear of flying, I survived a plane crash and continue to fly without a care in the world. :shrug:

 

[PrincessMagic]

This may be a dumb question...but never flying I'm not sure I know the answer. How do you carry on a portable dvd player or laptop, does it count as your carry on bag or do you put it inside your carry on bag? Again thank you for all your responses. I've gotten alot of great feedback and am going to look into a few suggestions.

 

[Monty]

This may be a dumb question...but never flying I'm not sure I know the answer. How do you carry on a portable dvd player or laptop, does it count as your carry on bag or do you put it inside your carry on bag? Again thank you for all your responses. I've gotten alot of great feedback and am going to look into a few suggestions.

You can bring either. There are rules about when you can and can't use them. The laptop wireless has to be disabled while on the aircraft [the transmissions interfere with the aircraft's navigation] and usually you can't wear headsets during take-off and landing. The equipment needs to fit within your carry-on or be in its own case and count as carry-on, but you'll have to remove it from whatever it's in when you go through security.

 

[photoflight]

Just to clarify usually a laptop doesn't count as a carry on. You're allowed a carry-on bag plus one personal item on most airlines. They count a laptop bag, briefcase, small camera bag, etc as a "personal item" so you're not penalized for it.

I usually bring a camera bag with my camera equipment, iPod, earphones, and a few other things in it - and put it all under the seat and put my overnight bag in the overhead. For longer trips I have a big camera bag for all my gear plus laptop as a carry-on and check a larger suitcase.

 

[maryszhi]

i have no problem flying same with friends and fam. since thats what we use to travel distance far to drive. i have to chew chewing gum since my ears get really bad.i notice people who have a fear flying chew gum to keep the thought of being on a plane, as well as but the blind down the window.

Here is a stroy about a man my friends and i got stuck next to on a united airlines flight from ohare to orlando international: he drank a whole thing of pepto bismal, then passed out..i freaked and asked a flight attendent if we could move. since it was a not full flight she agreed. the guy got sick when he woke up thank god untied airline flight attendents let us move or i would have not been a happy camper the first day at disney

 

[figmentmom]

I teach school with a woman who has a severe phobia about flying. On those occasions when flying is unavoidable, she gets a prescription from her doctor for a medication she takes a half hour before boarding the plane. She swears by it, although I'm not sure exactly what it is.

She prefers a window seat because she feels far less claustrophobic being able to see out a window; she also brings a portable CD player and earphones.

Hope this helps! :wave:

 

[NWDMD]

If you want something to help manage your stress but not something as strong as valium or atavan, just try a benadryl. They usually put me out for 2 hours or so and then I'm good to go for the rest of the day.

Good luck