fear of flying

jessica__78 · #1 04-10-2002, 10:41 AM

I am planning to go to DR soon, but I am scared to death of flying!
I live in western NY, i thought of driving to florida and then on a boat from there, not a cruise, something cheaper. If any one has any thoughts please help out. Thank you!!!!!

P.S. My fear is NOT a result of 9/11, I am 24 years old and I have never been on an airplane- hell I get panic attacks just thinking of flying!!!!!!!

john harper · #2 04-10-2002, 10:51 AM

I always tell myself the pilot ,the flight crew fly every day.I always watch the crew on take off if they don't panic neither do i. Your doctor can get you something to calm you down before you go.

jessica__78 · #3 04-10-2002, 11:07 AM

so i take it the answer to my question would be "no"? How long is the flight from rochester ny to dr? How long from florida?

jessica__78 · #4 04-10-2002, 11:09 AM

I forgot to mention I will be going to higuey.

DRtechie · #5 04-10-2002, 11:38 AM

The flight time depends on the route you're taking. I don't know how long the flight from Rochester to JFK is but I am going to say 1 1/2 hours at most and then from JFK to DR 3 1/2 to 4 hours. Of course that's going to vary depending on where you make the connecting flight. Check your itinerary and it should tell you travel time.

About your fear - you can try taking Amtrak or driving into NYC and then catching a flight from either JFK or Newark. The less time you spend on a plane the better so make sure you catch a direct flight ( try Continental from Newark... American tends to have connecting flights in Miami). I would also take John Harpers advice and look into getting something to calm you down. I recently flew with a friend with the same problem and the doctor gave him a sleeping aid so that he could sleep through the flight. The only drawback is that sleeping pills can stay in your system for up to 8 hours so you'll need someone to wake you up and you'll be dragging after that.

G'Luck with whatever you decide on.

lilsam · #6 04-10-2002, 12:26 PM

I know this sounds crazy but also bring some food along stop at a place that seels the kind you like and occupie your mind with eaing the food it will make the time flu faster(no pun intended)I also dont like to fly but the more ya do it the better it gets. they if you pefer do sell drinks on board so you can have a few and relax yourself that way.good luck and have fun when you get to the DR.....

jessica__78 · #7 04-10-2002, 03:48 PM

Thanks a bunch for your help! I hope that I am just making more out of this flying thing that it really is!

LazyGirl · #8 04-10-2002, 03:49 PM

jessica...

Even though I've been flying since I was a little girl I'm still scared to death, but I do it anyways. I went down to DR last month for semana santa and what I did was burn my favorite songs on a couple of cd's and brought my diskman along, I also had a word search puzzle book, it took my mind off thinking the worse...maybe you should bring something along that relaxes you...

jessica__78 · #9 04-10-2002, 03:55 PM

I would more than likley have to get drunk!!!!! Not so nice thought to met his family for the first time. I'll have to go to the doc and get some tranqulizers!!!!!!

Escott · #10 04-10-2002, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jessica__78
I would more than likley have to get drunk!!!!! Not so nice thought to met his family for the first time. I'll have to go to the doc and get some tranqulizers!!!!!!

In my opinion no one in this world would understand a fear of flying more than his Dominican family. Every time I land in the DR all the Dominicans applaud. It cracks me up. Never seen so many people cross themselves more than in a Church before that.

More likely than not "clapping after landing" would also fit into Chopoism! lol Where the hell is Golo when I need a definition

Jessica, flying is just crap. You are making much more of it than it is worth. Heck even with recent events since 9-11 it is still the safest way to travel. I fly at least once a month and my ten year old daughter doesn't even stop reading when we land. She hardly even pays attention.

Don't worry about the tranquilizers, forget the alchohol and just relax. Nothing to it. Hey, when it is your time you won't be in control anyway.

Another thought is dumping the Dominican and just driving down to Woodstock NY to visit me

Regards