Panicky flyer requests good vibes!

[Sapphocrat]

Have I ever mentioned how much I hate flying?

The good news: Thanks to my benefactor-who-shall-remain-nameless, TODAY is the day I leave for Australia, to see my better half (for the first time in 15 months!).

The bad news: Half the grey hair on my head comes from flying. I am as comfortable on a plane as William Shatner was in "The Twilight Zone" (or John Lithgow, for you youngsters who have seen only the movie) -- save for the fact that I keep all my angst bottled up inside, and, were I to notice a gremlin on the wing, would remain statue-like in my seat (and probably turn back into a Catholic all of a sudden, with the Act of Contrition as my new mantra).

The REALLY bad news: It's a 17-hour flight from San Francisco to Sydney. (And I don't drink alcohol on planes, so there's no chance of passing out for the whole trip.)

Call me crazy, but there's just something about being sealed into a pressurized steel tube for 17 hours and catapulted over the world's deepest ocean at 40,000 feet that -- well, it doesn't seem this sort of thing is what a human body was designed to do.

To be honest, my biggest fear is crashing on takeoff, and knowing we're going down. They say the most dangerous moments of any flight are 7 to 8 minutes after takeoff, and before landing. Makes sense to me... which is why I'm fine once we're finally flying in a straight line.

So I ask my fellow DUers, most humbly, if you would kindly send me your good vibes, prayers, or whatever it is you do to shine positive energy on a person.

Thanks, folks. I'll send an update from Down Under if anything interesting happens (like, if I have dinner with John Howard, and manage to talk some sense into him re the * cabal, Iraq, Woomera, and LGBT rights in Oz)... Otherwise, I'll see you all after the Inauguration of Evil Day.

Happy Politically-Neutral Holidays!

S.

[City of Mills]

1. Don't worry

I was terrified of flying, and then I had to fly Massachusetts to Maui for my honeymoon, my longest flight to that point had been 2 hours and this flight would be 12. I made it fine though, and I know you will too. And yes, when you're looking out the window and all you see is blue ocean in every direction...it's pretty f'n scary.

You'll be in my thoughts! :D

[huskerlaw]

2. Good vibes headed your way.

I'll request the same for Friday...headed from Nebraska to Hawaii. Something about flying over water is unsettling to me. Dunno why, the outcome doesn't much change. Oh well. Anyway, positive thoughts it is!

[Dora]

3. Don't forget to breathe!

Flying is an all-around drag because of takeoffs and landings. I can handle everything else - the lines, the security, the chaos - but I hate takeoffs and landings.

My recommendations... Breathe deep, into your belly, and try to keep your belly relaxed. You'll be okay. I also try to have reading material on hand that I'm engrossed in before the plane starts moving. Sometimes I take Dramamine 20 minutes before boarding in order to put me to sleep before the plane starts moving.

Have fun in Oz!

[Mikimouse]

4. Focus on thinking about who is waiting for you on the other end...

That always makes it easier for me. Also, remember what the most important part of flying is, that is, tha the folks up front want to get home just as badly as you do. And PLEASE, have a great time in Sydney and say hello to foreigncorrespondent!!!

[foreigncorrespondent]

8. That iswhat I keep telling her. :)

"Just remember, I am waiting for you with open arms on the other end." :)

Sydney is just a stop over for her, before she boards another plane bound for Melbourne, and my open arms. :)

[Mikimouse]

18. Many hugs and good wishes to you both!!!

Miki and the cats send you wishes for happy holidays!

[paula777]

5. Take a xanax if you got one .... it will totally help

[Bertha Venation]

10. A xanax? A SINGLE xanax?

ROFL

sorry... that just struck me as funny... :7

[paula777]

19. a single one works for me ....depends on your body weight and tolerance

[Bertha Venation]

20. Great!

Good thing. Body weight... must be why one won't work for me. ;)

[Coventina]

6. Goddess bless you!

:hug:

I'm a bad flyer as well.
I feel your pain.

Love and blessings to you and a safe trip.

What I do to calm myself is I read my battered copy of "Emma" by Jane Austen. I find it soothing. Is there a beloved book of your own that could occupy your mind for awhile?

[Lex]

7. Good Vibes officially sent your way

from another DU'er who doesn't like to fly. (I will fly, mind you, but I just get kind of panicky, and my palms sweat, and other stuff like that.)

So far so good for me, so I'm sure you'll be fine too. :thumbsup:

[Bertha Venation]

9. Sappho, you are going to be JUST FINE.

Do what I did the first time I flew: At the airport, I bought myself a Beany Baby, a Siamese cat named Snip. On the flight, I kept her in my lap, on my shoulder, or on my table at all times. I petted her and talked to her in my mind. Call me crazy, but it was comforting. Now I try to remember to take her with me every time I fly -- which isn't often because I hate to fly, too.

Give my best to FC while you're down there. Have a wonderful holiday. :loveya:

PS There's a lesbian club in Anaheim, CA, called Oz. Just of minor interest. ;)

[foreigncorrespondent]

12. Bertha...

...you and Mrs V are just absolute dolls. You both have a very wonderful Christmas (yes I am being politically incorrect for this occasion) and a joyous and happy New Year. :)

[Bertha Venation]

13. happy Christmas & a blessed new year

to the both of you two, my friend. :hug:

[foreigncorrespondent]

11. Thanks guys...

...who are sending good vibes Sapphs way. I know how she feels, because I also hate to fly as well, so the more good vibes sent her way, truly does help. :)

I spoke with her through AIM a short while ago, but we both have such busy days today that we couldn't chat any longer, so I wasn't able to calm her down any.

Sapph may come back a little later and respond in this thread, I don't know for certain though. I have a busy day today, myself (curretly waiting for a delivery truck to come and deliver my mum's and my new dinning table and chairs), but I will check in every once in a while. :)

[DeposeTheBoyKing]

14. Good vibes and wishes coming your way

Take some Benadryl to help you sleep. Get one of those "Moshi" pillows (or whatever they're called) to rest your head. Take as many really good books as you can carry and concentrate on enjoying them. Good luck, and have fun!

[NoPasaran]

15. Good vibes

Get an aisle seat!

[MadHound]

16. You'll be fine, your flight will go smoothly, but you might get crushed

By the crowds at the airport:evilgrin:

Seriously, everything will be alright. And if worse comes to worse, thorazine can be your friend.

Good luck, have fun, enjoy yourself!

[UrbScotty]

17. Good vibes!

Best of luck!

:D