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Fairly Odd Mother

Frantically waving my magic wand to make wishes come true.

Thursday, June 05, 2008

Flying for Scaredy Cats


I hate to fly.


Really, really, really hate to fly.

Just typing that sentence makes my hands sweat.

And, yet, in a few months, my darling children, husband and I will get on an airplane and fly to Florida. Believe me, I've thought about driving, but am trying to be reasonable and get over this fear of mine.

I have an interesting way of looking for the right flights.


First, I search for direct flights. Absolutely no way do I want to land and take off a second time if I can avoid it. If this means I have to drive to a less-convenient airport to get that direct flight, so be it.

Once I find some flights, note that the lowest-priced flight is from an airline called Air Tran. I have never heard of Air Tran. Immediately start researching this company, its accident record and the planes it flies. Worry that their price is too cheap. Are they paying their pilots enough? The fact that they merged with ValuJet in 1997 does not make me feel better.

Do the same 'research' for Jet Blue. See that it flies an Airbus. An alarm in my head goes off: isn't Airbus the plane that is supposed to be very difficult to fly? Where did I hear that? Search for source of this supposed fact with no luck.

This goes on as I scan the airlines and their fares. Feel increasingly anxious.

Then, I remember that I never did take any of the Vicodin that I was given for my recent surgery. Memo to myself: "Hang on to those pills; you may need them". But, then I admit to myself that I'd never take a single thing to calm my anxiety on a plane; I need to be alert for the in-flight safety demonstration.

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12 Comments:

Blogger Sarah said...

The positive thing to keep in mind is that the pilot has a vested interest in keeping the plane in the air, too!

8:00 AM  
Blogger toyfoto said...

Don't worry about the safety info. It hasn't changed in 50 years.

Knock back a couple of cocktails first thing and squeeze the hand seated next to you. Hard.

9:11 AM  
Blogger Life As I Know It said...

I don't like to fly either, but it is actually safer than driving - statistically anyway.
We're flying soon too - the destination will be worth the flight.

9:20 AM  
Blogger Kate said...

I've flown a bunch of different airlines - I can fly comfortably and happily, several times a day, but cannot make an appointment for a dental visit without hyperventilating. There's no logic here.

Anyway, JetBlue is by far my favorite airline. They're more personable and human, pilots and attendants alike, and that makes the whole process smoother, somehow.

9:42 AM  
Blogger Beck said...

Flying is just SO Much safer than driving, although I have trouble believing that it's just not all of our shared trust that's keeping the plane in the air...
you'll be fine. You'll see.

10:12 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I am a VERY nervous flyer. I've always "white knuckled" it through every flight.

I spoke to my doctor about it and she said "Why suffer?" and gave me a low dose of Ativan. It REALLY helped my anxiety and now I wont fly without it.. best thing? I dont feel drugged at all.

Talk to your doctor.

10:43 AM  
Blogger Green-Eyed Momster said...

I used to fly all the time. I love the part at take off when your stomach drops. Remember your gum for your ears. Bring your favorite magazine to look at the pictures. Don't try to read anything. I don't recommend a window seat for you either and you should be fine. I'll be hoping that the plane is free of screaming babies. They can't chew gum yet! ::sigh:: Big hugs, you'll do just fine!!

11:18 AM  
Blogger Reff said...

oh boy. i can't want to go on vacation with mrs. anxiety.

11:19 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I like sarah's comment.

Were you more comfortable flying before kids?

I was WAAAAAAAAAAY more comfortable flying before kids. Actually way more comfortable with a lot of things before I had kids. Except for talking about my perineum. Yeah, I'm forever talking about my poor scarred perineum now that I have birthed kids. Before kids I didn't even know I had one.

Does Quantas fly to Florida? Quantas has a wonderful safety record.

I recommend the drugs. As a general coping mechanism, but also because if you are relaxed on the plane the kids will be relaxed, too. Kids can smell the fear. They're like dogs that way.

11:30 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

as my dad always tells me (who is a retired airline pilot), statistically speaking - you would need to fly every day of your life for 75 years to be in a plane accident, let alone a fatal one. Or as my mother-in-law would assure me, she will use the three rings of light to guide the plane to safety - - two radically different approaches, but still I take what I can get. So be sure I'll be sending you some light rings during your flight..

12:09 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Try the train. My last flight involved a full blown panic attack and paramedics so you can bet flying is not ever happening again. The train is not cheap ubless you want to sit up all night but it's fun and you get to point out all sorts of interesting things to the kids.

12:25 PM  
Blogger Shannon said...

I'm not a fan of flying either but like 'life as I know it' says...the destination is worth it. My mom takes something (I can find out if you want) that just relaxes her but doesn't make her feel out of it. She is in control the whole time. We are flying Southwest - we always find them the cheapest.

Not sure about the last post by anonymous...doesn't sound very reassuring.
Just think the whole way...I'm going to see Mickey, I'm going to see Mickey, I'm going to see Mickey!

3:36 PM  

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