Just so I know.....

Re: Just so I know.....

feeds@kickapps.com (UndueBurden) — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 14:34:15 PST

I used to really hate takeoff and would place a lot of importance on hearing the first "ding." It seemed quite important because I had once read a self-help book that advised: "if you ever hear 4 dings in a row, it means that there is something bad going on in the cockpit." Turns out that is complete BS. I fly regularly (2x per month) on 3 different carriers (6 if you include their respective regional contract carriers). On some airlines they use 4 dings! (others, its 2, others its 1) to announce we've reached 10,000 ft. and that our portable electronics are OK. On one flight, the ding NEVER came on at all! And, no, the plane didn't crash or have any problems causing an emergency landing.

I agree with OneAnt on the seatbelt sign. I like it when they keep it on (and when the FAs yell at people for getting up) because it keeps people in their seat and away from me! So far, I have not found any pattern or consistency with the seat belt...

Re: Just so I know.....

feeds@kickapps.com (Katiedid11) — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 14:23:59 PST

Oh, I did Fast Track last summer, which is how it's now possible for me to even get on a plane. I just still have my moments.....

Re: Just so I know.....

feeds@kickapps.com (OneAnt) — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 08:05:06 PST

That set of reactions sound typical to me for a fearful flier. I used to watch the other passengers, but mainly the FA's, to see whether I should be worried or not. But it's all about justification, and even with every other person calmly reading, sleeping, sipping coffee, etc, I could justify my fear by saying that they just weren't as tuned in as I was. I used to listen for that "ding" you mention, as well as keep my eyes glued to that seatbelt sign, waiting for it to go off. When it would go on, as long as the FA's were still up, it didn't bother me as much. It's when the Capt had them take their seats too that I became worried.

Today, I actually like the seatbelt sign being on because it means people aren't up and milling about the plane, getting in the FA's way, or chatting up their friends in 28D. Rarely do I hear the Capt or FO call out points of interest anymore. I'm usually engrossed in music or a movie on the laptop...

Just so I know.....

feeds@kickapps.com (Katiedid11) — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 20:52:17 PST

I've been a life long fearful flyer, but thankfully with the help of this board I am slowly but surely overcoming this....
Here's a questions I've always wanted to ask...
Take off's are the worst for me. I am constantly looking to the flight attendants to gauge their reactions to things.
I get much calmer when I hear the "ding" indicating that we can turn on our portable devices. If, just if (because I really do know that flying is very safe) there was something wrong, would the captain still let us turn on our ipods and dvd players? Or would he/she be too busy dealing with their other "issue"?
Some other things that help me along the way is when the captain starts to point out places of interest, etc...
Also, when the seat belt sign goes off - I immediately think everything must be great.
Is this normal? Do you guys feel the same? I am flying in 3 days with my two small kids, so I'm just trying to work thru...