“You define a good flight by negatives: you didn’t get hijacked, you didn’t crash, you didn’t throw up, you weren’t late, you weren’t nauseated by the food. So you are grateful.”— Paul Theroux
I admit as I sat watching the Walt Disney World parks DVD or the first time, I got that twinge of anxiety. What if we miss something? What park should we put at the top of the list? What park could we skip if we run out of time? What’s the best way to tour each park?
But first thing is first. I was most anxious about flying – I have the fear of flying. I hadn’t flown in 14 years, well before 911 and seriously considered requesting some anti-anxiety medication from my doctor, but decided against it.
Yeah, yeah – I KNOW! It’s the-safest-way-to-travel. Hundreds-of-flights-a-day.
But still.
Think about it, you are in this metal cylinder with a least 100 people, 13,000 feet in the air going 500-600 miles an hour and every few minutes, you get jostled around by a “little turbulence.” Let’s see, my heart was racing when we took off, when we ascended, when there was turbulence, when we descended and when we landed – pretty much the whole flight.
There goes Grant snapping pictures as we are taking off. Notice my death grip on the arm rests. Don’t let the smile fool you, I am preparing to meet my maker.
I was watching the facial expressions of the flight attendants – looking for signs of trouble. They were all business, grinning ear to ear. I was glad to see them calmly walking up and down the aisle as the plane was descending, and not running for their flotation devices. The median expected salary of a flight attendant is $55K – not bad for serving snacks and sodas, but you couldn’t pay me enough to do it.
Despite my fears, I have to hand it to JetBlue. After several Hail Marys, I was able to notice that they offer great service. I hardly heard a peep out of my boys. JetBlue airplanes are equipped with little TV monitors on the back of each and every chair. My boys were plugged in and able to watch Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon and even Pirates of the Caribbean. Priceless. Our flights were on time and our luggage actually showed up. (We showed up in one piece too.)
Checked bags weighing 50 lbs. or less are free, one for each person. When we left our first checked bag weighed 48 lbs. When we returned, due to packing some extra items, it weighed in at 56 lbs. Thankfully we had a nice lady working in the JetBlue baggage check line who had us shove some coats into the other smaller checked bag to bring the weight back down to 50 lbs. She saved us $50.00.
$50.00 is the price of 5 Disney Balloons. Now that is scarier than flying!
Now I need to know. When is the last time you have flown and are you a chicken like me?
I’ve gotten more scared over time. Last time we flew to Chicago we had some turbulence and I was clutching the arm rests like a fiend.
I am not afraid of flying. I really like Jet Blue for many reasons. They are my number one preferred airlines to fly.
*I will only tell you this story because you are now done with your flights
A woman was white knuckling the seat in fear before a flight and the man next to her began a conversation. She told him she was petrified.
His response? “Don’t worry….just remember one thing. Each and every part on this airplane was manufactured by the lowest bidder.”
Nice, huh?
Hope you had a blast at the most magical place around!
I don’t love flying, but I do like getting to Orlando in less than 3 hours
I usually fly out of Providence since I am half way between there and Boston. The prices for parking and ususally the flight tickets themselves are a bit cheaper. We’re off to Disney again in August and we can’t wait!!
Aleks, glad to know I am not alone! Have fun with your family at Disney Robin. Wendy, I believe that! That guy was all heart. lol!
I haven’t flown in years. I’m not afraid but I do get concerned especially when there’s turbulence.
I am happy to hear that the trip turned out great. You were such a trooper! And the boys look so happy
I make at least 2-3 round-trip flights per year (for pleasure trips) and don’t have any fear of flying. Most of my flights during the past 5 years have been alone.
But I do understand that some people can’t get past the thought of being up in the air. Glad you had a good, safe trip each way! It should be easier next time.
Thank you for the giveaway!!
I flew to California in January. I always tell whomever I am with not to talk to me as we take off since I am too busy concentrating on breathing and won’t hear or comprehend a thing they are saying. Luckily this trip there was a pilot in uniform sitting across the aisle from me. I kept looking at him during any rumble and he always looked calm, so I was too.
Nicole, you sound just like me. If we ever flew together it would be a quiet flight .During take-off you would be breathing, I would be praying then we would both be looking around for calm people. lol!
Paul Theroux is so right about flying.
The fear of flying is also one of my greatest fears. I never flown anywhere. I miss some family reunions and vacations because of this fear. Maybe I can take something to put me to sleep, like some people do. But I would be too afraid to go to sleep….Maybe one day I will face my fear of flying like you did, but I don’t think that would be anytime soon.