Question for fliers

[sportsmom]

Ok guys, I have a question for those of you that fly.

I don't like flying, I have done it once in my life and I was not thrilled by it, I would personally rather drive, but this time I don't think it is going to be possible.

My mom is having a knee replacement surgery next month and is going to buy me a plane ticket so I can come in and be there. The only time I have flown I had my two oldest dd's with me (they were 5 years and 13 months) and I was by myself. I just didn't enjoy the experience, but I am fully willing to allow that it may have had to do with the stress of corralling those two in an airport and on a plane.

Are there any tricks to relieving stress about flying I should know? I was thinking about bringing our portable dvd player - with earphones of course- to watch a movie on the plane, but I wasn't sure if that would be allowed. Any ideas guys?

TIA!

[Hotelboy]

I honestly think of it like using an over priced flying bus.

"Hey, I'm Hotelboy. Thanks for the boarding pass."
"Put my belt and shoes on the conveyer?! Really?"
*ding* "Now boarding"
*Zzzzzzz*
*ding* "Thank you for choosing Air Blahblahblah"
"Where the hell are my bags? Oh!, there they are"
"TAXI!"

Rinse repeat....

Mind you, I've been flying in 2 and 4 seater planes with a friend and their dad since I was little. Heck, I did my first barrell roll when I was 8 years old. Its just routine for me now.

P.S. First class isn't worth it. The seat is slightly bigger, a bit more leg room, definitely better meal though, and the stewards treat you better than cattle, which is how I feel in economy. And I get the priveledge of paying $$$ more, just to sleep the whole way. No thanks.

If you're not a sleeper, definitely bring an iPod or DVD player. Bring a book too, just incase they say not to use electronics due to digital interference. Which if you've seen that mythbusters episode... it total BS.

[sportsmom]

Thanks. I'm afraid of heights so I think that' apart of it, too. I don't like being in the air and not having any control.

I am a Mythbusters freak, so I knew it was BS, but I didnt know if they would allow it. I will bring a book as back up, though.

I'll be going more for my brother than my mom, so I really think I need to go, even though my mom says I don't. (Been down that road before, not going back--long story there)

[Dreamstalker]

I just thought of possible electronic-device bans following the thwarted UK plot (the liquid-explosive angle is actually discussed/debunked here (http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/08/17/flying_toilet_terror_labs/)). Not sure how realistic that one is (they say that MP3 batteries could be used as detonators).

When a very good family friend worked for American (years ago), I got bumped to first-class gratis (coach was oversold but there were first-class seats available) from Boston to Denver. That was fun (yay legroom and good food).

Aer Lingus would not allow CD players in flight as they could interfere with navigation :confused: A device that transmits I could understand, but a walkman-type CD player?!

[Hotelboy]

Nearly everything creates digital or magnetic interference, and not just devices that "transmit". Ever run the blender while watching TV? or Put a non-shielded speaker too close to the TV? Take any phone and put it next to a CRT TV/monitor screen while the phone is even turned off. Everything has an electro/magnetic field (even you) that can cause interference. The question is, just how strong is it. The airlines absolutely WILLNOT allow cell phones on planes as it will cause the instruments to mis-read the signal from airtraffic control (or whoever) which they use for guidance.

BUT, on mythbusters, they took a cellphone, boosted the signal to a ridiculous amount that you'd never find a real cell phone putting out, put it directly between the guidance system and the source of the signal, and it still didn't cause a problem with the instruments.

Heck, the engines theoretically should cause more interference. Hot, spinning, metal.... physics 101 ???

[NightAngel]

My hubby takes the laptop and watches movies on it and no one ever said anything. Perhaps Gameboys and MP3 players if you have them?

I'm not afraid of heights or terrorists. However, the second there's turbulence I'm white nuckled and praying to any higher power that will listen.

When my eldest son flew in he wound up on a Song Airlines plane (a Korean airline). Don't ask me how that happened but he LOVED it! They have movies, video games, music, etc. on board for the passengers to watch and play and the interior of the planes are in bright colors. He said, "It looked like a box of crayons threw- up." :lol:

[Dreamstalker]

I was once flying back from Orange County, and my plane was the last to be allowed out before they shut the runways down due to a thunderstorm directly overhead. Yes, our ascent took us directly through the storm. Not fun.

[BlaqueKatt]

some doctors will prescribe a one or two(for the return trip) pill dose of valium or another weaker tranquilizer if you explain the situation-that is if the idea of phamacuticals is not objectionable. I usually take a tylenol 2 or tylenol 3 right before boarding so that I'm a bit more relaxed upon takeoff(the only time I have issues really)-though it does help that I've studies Physics and can remind myself that nature's "laws" cannot be broken(hence the nerves at takeoff from "breaking" the whole gravity thing :p )

BlaqueKatt-loves the speed of flight

[Kiwi]

you can dry getting some herbal "rescue remedy" it comes in spray form (you squirt it under your tounge) or suck a pill under your tounge. It helps you stay clam.

When I fly, I use temazepam its a mild sedative that helps you go to sleep but that depends on how long your flight is....

the main thing is to take something to distract you, a rubix cube or a book or mp3 player etc.

[Der Cute]

Try this.

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/index.shtm


And:
Take a pill to sleep during flight.
If not, read, draw, doodle, sleep.

Get books before you leave/arrive at airport, and make sure you ALWAYS keep medication with you in your carryon.

cute

[Byronthebanker]

You will be fine to fly with a DVD player, however, FAA regulations only allow it to be used above 10,000 feet. The in flight staff will announce when approved electronic devices are allowed.

I fly about 10 times a year for vacation and work. Most flghts are quite frankly more borning than scary. You should do fine to be able to sit back, relax, and enjoy your ride through the sky. Bring a book or magazine to pass time. And if you don't want to be friendly with your seatmates, wear headphones, even if the attached device isn't on (like .mp3 player). Recent survey showed an inordinately high percentage of people that do this to avoid having to talk to their neighbor.

As to Song airline - it was born by Delta to be a low cost alternative and be able to compete with low cost (and profitable) Southwest and JetBlue. Never personally flew them, but a fun factor was part of their marketing and appeal. Didn't work, and was absorbed back into Delta.

[sportsmom]

Hi guys! Thanks for all the advice, but it looks lke I don't need it now after all! My mom saw her surgeon yesterday and he said that her knee has not changed in the last two years so she should wait a while longer for the surgery.

She was told two years ago she needed it, but was too stubborn to go ahead and do it. The doc gave her a custom fit knee brace and it has helped so much that she is doing ok. She was finally ready to get the surgery because she has fallen down her stairs three times since March and the last time a couple of weeks ago,she sprained her ankle and ended up on crutches. The doc gave her a couple of things to try and see if they help so she can wait it out a little longer.

I will keep everything in mind for the next time I do fly. Thanks again guys!

[RecoveringKinkoid]

Well, I flew to Rome so drugged up on Zanex I don't remember much of the flight. That worked really well.

Then I had to fly when working for the nature show at public television, and I discovered the low dose Valium I'd gotten for the occasion did nothing but make me groggy.

So, I would highly recommend many, many tequila doubles. Turned out those worked better than the valium by a long shot. I actually do remember laughing during takeoff. Just don't speak much and have a friend help you board so nobody knows how hammered you are.

Of course, I am not one of these people who have to drink so much they pass out or throw up. I am the cheapest date on the planet. It does not take much.

My Generic Travel Plans:
Plan A: Don't fly.
Plan B: Don't fly sober.