Tinker Bell I am not... But Disneyland is not a short drive

I was 29 the first time we flew and I was deathly afraid just because I had never done it before. At that time, AirTran was still its own company and we chose them because their business class seating offer two comfortable leather seats per row and a free drink for each passenger. Benn gave me his two drinks and the comfort of the seats and the alcohol got me to Florida without being a total mess.

The reason that we never flew before that was because my dad was afraid to fly. He used to get a prescription for anti-anxiety meds just for flying, but as he's done it more and more, he doesn't need them to fly now. So that might be a route to try until you get a few more trips under your belt.

Try flying in a different seat than you did last time or at a different location on the plane. I am VERY claustrophobic. I still have the odd panic attack on the plane when I feel too closed-in/suffocated. I used to like having the window seat because looking out made me forget that I was on a plane, but lately, I seem to do better in the aisle seat because there is more headroom and I can stand up briefly if I need to. I also do better near the front of the plane so that I can't see how many other people are crammed on there with me (I assume that all of the people filing past me are just there to wish us a nice flight and then they are leaving out the back door).

You can do this. It's mind of matter and if you have to, trick your mind!

Obviously, take along something to do. I like to draw on the plane or maybe one of those adult coloring books would do nicely. I have a hard time reading on the plane because depending on how bumpy the flight is, trying to read makes me a little bit motion sick. Take music along to drown out the ambient noise.

DO you remember the story about the guy who tried to take his pet pig on a flight and claim it as an emotional support animal? Well my assistant was so amused by the story that she bought me a little emotional support beanie baby pig for when we fly. Maybe take a little comfort animal or good luck charm along.

I would definitely check out a fear of flying course, or maybe some hypnotherapy? You can do it, if you can get up in that tiny plane you can do anything!

JMed I don't have a fear of flying as much as a dislike of flying now. I have never had a fear, but I hate everything else about it now check in, waiting, strip search, more waiting, connecting flights, $10.00 hot dogs etc. My wife does have a fear of flying though, she will do it but it's not her favorite thing. I will do what your pilot friend does by warning her of upcoming noises " that's the landing gear" The truth is a larger plane is much safer than a small one.
Anti-anxiety meds a are a reasonable alternative and worth a try, I would recommend try taking the meds before you actually leave to make sure you don't have any adverse reactions. That would only make matters worse. You can control your fear. It's only natural to be concerned when someone else is doing the driving. The good thing is you have plenty of time to try several ways to cope with this. You can do this. Good luck!!

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My DH is very afraid to fly. We had been taking the auto train to Florida for years, but our 2015 trip on the train was foiled by a storm that caused significant flooding in the Carolina's. Amtrak called and cancelled our train the night before we were scheduled to depart. Given that this was a family trip, and my entire family was scheduled to fly down to Orlando, our only option was to try to get a flight. My husband took a Xanex, drank a bloody mary and I put a movie on the iPad for him. He said that helped his anxiety drop from a 10 down to a 4. He still hates flying, but he made the decision to fly down for our cruise on the Dream this September (as long as he has a Xanex and a drink).

I'm not afraid to fly, but I do have off-and-on issues with anxiety. Lorazepam helps. You don't have to take it all the time, just when you need it.

I am afraid of flying. We are leaving for Ireland in 6 weeks, and I am already getting nervous, BUT I am a lot better than I used to be. I used to fly all the time, but once I had my daughter something changed. I did not fly for the first 5 years or so after she was born. I am not a huge fan of driving long distances, so I basically tell myself that I just need to do this. One of the biggest things that has helped me is flying United Economy Plus. Having the bigger area has helped me to relax immensely. It is well worth the extra few dollars to me. I make a playlist of songs that relax me for takeoff and landing--which is the worst part for me. I do not drink or take meds unless I REALLY have to, so I have just kind of adpated other methods to get through. My last time flying, a pilot from United sat next to me and explained all the noises and that helped soooo much. Rent a pilot to sit next to you

My mother in law took the train to California from New Jersey. She did enjoy it, but it was at least 3x the amount of a plane ticket plus took 4 days or so each way.

We are going to Disneyland also in November 2018. It's my graduation gift. Maybe we will see you there!

And, if you can get on that tiny plane, you can do this! There is not enough money in the world to get me on that thing.

I agree - if you can take the small plane, a larger plane should be a piece of cake. Of course that's easy for me to say. I don't mind flying, but I still get a little nervous at take-off and I don't like storms one bit. We've been lucky with our flights and haven't had too many rough ones, which I'm happy about as that would freak me out.

Don't even think about connecting flights. Nonstop both ways. Even if you have to drive to Atlanta to get a nonstop flight.

This might help...there's an audio version of the interview too

http://fearofflyingschool.com/how-to-overcome-fear-of-flying

Yes you can JMED! We have confidence in you!

I grew up flying several times a year, but in 2nd grade my best friend and her entire died died in a plane crash. After that it became pretty difficult. I know that I was just a child, and I didn't really have a choice but to get on the plane again when my parents said to, but it was a lot harder. I still have a difficult time during take-offs, but once we're in the air for about 15 minutes I'm OK again.

I think that getting over it, for me was just understanding that flying was one of those things I needed to do. I still get nervous, but I can't let the fear control me. I think of my friend and classmate every time I get on a plane. Then I say a prayer of protection and just try to let it go.

I do upon occasion take a muscle relaxer before getting in the flight. It's meant to help with my fibromyalgia, but I find that it helps quite a bit with the anxiety too.

Ugh what a bummer! But yay for a possible Disneyland trip!