Flying

[Sean V]

Oh, forgot to mention...turbulence is normal. No worries. I have been in some very nasty storms over the years and you always come out of them safely.

My wife finds a glass or two of wine takes away the jitters.

[jasejase]

a few of my friends use Xanax... it seems to do the trick... actually one of them has your symptoms, and she was able to get in a helicopter in Hawaii with a little help from 'her new friends!'

[gretch]

Everyone here is so NICE, thank you all!! To answer a question....I don't have family in Florida. My other love is Disney World. I don't have any family down there.

Prescription meds have had the opposite effect on me. Although Ambien sounds like an idea where it's a sleep med.

Sean V….what you said makes a lot of sense. I am actually taking some comfort in it. I never made the comparison to bumps in a plane to potholes while driving. Believe it or not, I think I might print these posts and re-read them while I’m in the air. Can turbulence bring down a plane?

Side question, do laptops work in the air? Specifically logging on to email/internet? I have a dvd player I can bring which is an excellent idea but maybe if I could log on and read some posts and all things Aruba it might help.

[Arubalisa]

Originally Posted by gretch

Side question, do laptops work in the air? Specifically logging on to email/internet? I have a dvd player I can bring which is an excellent idea but maybe if I could log on and read some posts and all things Aruba it might help.

No, that day is coming though. Right now some airlines are beginning in air wifi on domestic flights, international flights will follow probably in 2009 or 2010.

You could however download your stuff before you depart and read "off line" while in the air. I often work on an outline for a trip review on the way down to Aruba and on the way home fill in some of those blanks and work on whittling down my selection of photos I have taken during the trip.

[curlylaura]

I am also terrified of flying. The worst is getting into Aruba and leaving Aruba there is always turbulance because of the winds. I travel a lot for business also but the frequent flying still does not change my fear (I just get scared more often ) I tried with movies and music but I insist on hearing every single noise the airplane makes. The only thing which has slightly helped me over the years is i say a prayer and ask God to keep us safe in his hands.

[Arubalisa]

"The important thing to remember about turbulence is that although it can be uncomfortable it is not dangerous. "
http://www.airfraid.com/2002/editorials/turbulence.asp

http://www.webmd.com/content/Article/97/104031.htm Conquer Your Fear of Flying -- for Good

http://www.airlinetraveladvice.com/fear.shtml

http://travelwithkids.about.com/cs/planetripstips/a/fearofflying.htm

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/columnist/baskas/2008-07-08-fear-of-flying-classes_N.htm

http://www.flyingwithoutfear.com/oyfof/turbulence.aspx

[gretch]

Curlylaura…I feel exactly the same way. I need to hear and concentrate on every single noise the plane makes. If there is even a shift in the noise I panic and sometimes even call over the flight attendant. There have been many times when I've been given free wine/alcohol on flights because I am so panicked. Quite embarrassing to say the least. And I say my prayers too!! Many times during the flight.

Arubalisa - these websites are great!!! I am in the middle of them now. You always come through, thank you!!!!!

[Andrea J.]

AA offering wifi (not free $12.95) for flights on their 767s and over 3 hrs flight length.

The program was launched today.

So maybe the distraction of wifi will help keep those of us that are fearful and uncomfortable flying make it that much more comfortable.