Kids scarred of Flying. HELP!

[SpoonOfSugar]

Originally we were going to drive to WDW but my husband found a deal on Plane tickets which would save us some money. So now we are planning on flying down. My husband, myself, and my DD19 have all flown but this was back in 1994. Since September 11th happened, my DD19 and my DD11 are completely scarred of airplanes. I try to reassure them that nothing will happen because of the security and such at the airports but they are still scared. They have ridden the T in Boston and been on trains before and have no problem. Any advice on ways I can try to help them? My other DD14 has been begging to go on a plane and I know she will have no problem.

 

[Disneybird]

I dread flying too, but in 2009 had a chance to go to DL (only if I would fly), and then a trip to Vegas & Yosemite. So I sucked it up and got on the planes. I always dread the flight but so far I've been lucky and had smooth ones. When I arrived back home from both trips I couldn't help but think of how far I had traveled in such a short time.

My daughters love to fly and my husband has been to many foreign countries and never had a problem. But I have to turn the air on full blast when I get in my seat because I feel myself starting to get hotflashes (and not because of age), and keep my seat belt buckled. I also do lots of praying.

All that being said, I am taking another trip out west in 2 weeks. This time flying with my brother and sister-in-law (who've only flown 40 minute trips before). But I know that in order to go on this trip I have to fly again, so I'll make the best of it.

Good luck.

 

[SpoonOfSugar]

Thanks for all the tips guys! My DD19 works outside all day and she sees the commercial airlines going in for landing all the time. She is starting to notice how many planes are actually in the sky and get from point A- point B safely. We will probably be going to the airport sometime in June to get them more comfortable. The main problem with DD19 is that we will be flying out of Logan, the same airport 9/11 planes came from. I think of it the opposite way, since they already went on planes from Logan, Logan is very safe and if an attack was to happen again, chances are it wouldn't be from there.

DD11 like someone said, it will probably only take her one flight to get her to feel comfortable. I'm going to have her sit with my DH because he loves to fly and I know he will keep her calm. I feel like once we are in the air, she will be fine.

 

[Bri1121]

I hate flying too. And it is only getting worse. Mine fear was way before 9/11. The whole plummeting into the ground thing always got me. But I do it. When I had my daughter 7 years ago and we took her to Disney for the first time I was so worried about freaking her out. So I went to the doctor and he prescribed me some xanax. It didn't take the fear away but definitely lowered my anxiety.

Before that I did take some Dramamine and that seemed to help a little too.

I think, especially for DD19, that you could explainING to her and show her statistics for months but it does not lower the anxiety, especially when you are actually sitting on the plane. I get that flying is safer than driving but that does not help me while flying.

I agree meeting the pilot is a good idea. I always feel better when the pilot talks a lot over the intercom. I love when they talk about what we are flying over.

Anyway good luck, its a hard fear to conquer. Flying more does not seem to help me. I actually do well in the air with no turbulence. Once that happens I loose it. But with kids I can not. Sometimes just moving around makes me feel better. Taking off and landing are no fun either.

Good luck and have fun!!

 

[stratman50th]

Xanax. Benadryl.

The terrorists (or whomever) have already used airplanes in an attack. Airplanes are done now.

And getting to WDW in 3 hours versus 22 hours is also a huge benefit.

I believe this is true. Unfortunately trains are one of the security problems of the future.

To the OP, I absolutely despise commercial flying. I hate it because of all the security now, which is I guess necessary. Don't get me wrong, I'm a helicopter pilot and I love being in the air. I just hate the security hassles and then being stuffed inside a flying cattle car. Tell them that the flying part is safe now.

 

[EvilQueen-T]

we used the pixie dust trick on my granddaughter and brought the headphones and portable dvd player to pass the time with dvd's she hadn't seen before so she was more into watching them. i get car sick flying and am anxious about flying overall anyway so one i wish the pixie dust worked on me lol but second just watching her dvd (not even able to hear it) helped me distract myself from being quite so anxious.

 

[ddbowdoin]

give them benedryl... they'll be alseep in no time

 

[whitney37354]

I'm 37 years old & never been on a plane. Don't intend to ever be on a plane unless it's a life threatening medical situation. I don't care how much safety information you show me, I'm not getting on a plane. DH has even tried to tell me how great it would be to fly down & take a long weekend at WDW, then fly home. Sorry, I'll just have to miss that trip! I know it's an irrational fear, but I think my heart would literally explode if I had to get on a plane.

Sorry I can't help you, but I do understand the fear of your children. I hate it for them, but I'm glad I'm not alone either.

 

[slappy magoo]

Youtube the video of President Obama telling America bin Laden has been killed. :shrug:

 

[bgraham34]

Thanks for all the tips guys! My DD19 works outside all day and she sees the commercial airlines going in for landing all the time. She is starting to notice how many planes are actually in the sky and get from point A- point B safely. We will probably be going to the airport sometime in June to get them more comfortable. The main problem with DD19 is that we will be flying out of Logan, the same airport 9/11 planes came from. I think of it the opposite way, since they already went on planes from Logan, Logan is very safe and if an attack was to happen again, chances are it wouldn't be from there.

DD11 like someone said, it will probably only take her one flight to get her to feel comfortable. I'm going to have her sit with my DH because he loves to fly and I know he will keep her calm. I feel like once we are in the air, she will be fine.

I flew out of Newark a week after Sept 11th and went to Disney World. I have flown out of there 20 times since then. I lost friends on that horrific day, but life must go on. You can't live in fear or the fear will take hold of you. You certainly have a better chance in getting into a severe accident on the way to the airport as opposed to on the plane.

 

[JustInTime]

Just make them watch the first episode of LOST.

 

[MaryJaneP]

Or the last episode of "Twin Peaks"

 

[Disney05]

I'm in the flight training and corporate jet business. I would suggest going to a local flight school and talk to a flight instructor. Maybe even a corporate pilot. They don't have to take a flight at all. I have dealt with a lot with people who are afraid to fly. I totally understand why. But it can be overcome. I can't tell you how many people I've met who were just terrified to fly. Put them in the left, pilot, seat of a single engine plane and when they come down they are ecstatic. I'm not just selling rainbows. I've had people hate it too, but they leave with a little better understanding of why and how a plane fly's.

 

[DisDadEddie]

Wish I could help,but at that age it isn't as easy with little kids. Try to get their friends to convince then, hearing it from somone their own age may be easier.