Hi all- I am thinking of flying in a couple of weeks. Any advice to help me take that next step; booking the flight. I am kind of paralyzed so to speak. I have
been looking at airlines and rates but have yet to book anything. What should I do next? Thanks.
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Getting back on the horse
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 westgirl32 |
Getting back on the horse |
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Posts: 6 (11/05/08 20:56:29) |
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Capn Steve |
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Posts: 527 (11/09/08 18:02:43) |
Hi Westgirl --
I would strongly suggest calling Capt. Tom or Lisa at 800-FEAR-FLY. One of them can help you get started in the right direction. Cheers. Steve |
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westgirl32 |
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Posts: 7 (11/09/08 21:22:33) |
Is there anything in particular that you would suggest I do that will help me get ready for the flight? Should I keep working on the strengthing exercise? As
this is my first flight in over 8 years, some people have suggested that taking a long flight might not be a good idea? Should I start with a short flight?
Also, I haven't been able to find any nonstop flights from LAX to Hartford. Any suggestions? I don't want to fly out of Burbank even though it is
closer to me as I had a VERY bad experience there.
Thanks |
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Capt Tom Bunn MSW LCSW |
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Posts: 2435 (11/10/08 16:40:10) |
Longer flights are actually easier than shorter flight. But when it is you first flight after doing the SOAR program, it is hard to believe it will really
work. That means doing a short "test" flight is easier to anticipate. But once you do a short flight, a long flight -- any flight at all -- you will
know it works.
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westgirl32 |
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Posts: 8 (11/11/08 16:08:36) |
my plan is to fly to hartford,ct. I have a stopover in vegas, then on to hartford. I am flying out of LAX as I am extremely wary of the short runways at
Burbank(that is where I had the problem; my plane overshot the runway). I need a copy of the pilot letter as well. My flight leaves at 645am, the Tuesday
before Thanksgiving. Is it easier and less "rushed" to take a flight at this time? Any suggestions in regards to time of departure (in regards to
ease of experience). I am practicing the strengthing exercise and I know that I have to trust that it will work, but it is very hard
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Capt Tom Bunn MSW LCSW |
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Posts: 2436 (11/12/08 13:28:39) |
I've flown in and out of Burbank many times with the old 727. With the 727, it is necessary to fly a very disciplined approach and landing, and get on the
brakes pretty hard after landing.
But the 737 lands at a slower speed, and it really isn't a problem landing there with the 737, so I don't see any good reason to get into worrying about it with that plane. Just do the Strengthening Exercise once the day before the flight and once the day before that to sort of "warm it up". That's all. Email me if you don't have a copy of the letter and I'll send you a new one. |
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westgirl32 |
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Posts: 9 (11/13/08 16:31:53) |
Well, I did it! I booked my flight to Hartford yesterday. I leave on Tuesday, Nov 25th at 645am and return Saturday, Nov. 29th around 1pm. If anyone could
track my flight that would be great. I am quite afraid, but I think I can do it. I went to the chat yesterday and it was a big help. I have a stop in Chicago
which makes me a little nervous, too (blizzard conditions,maybe?) Any advice or help would be much appreciated. I have the SOAR program and have been going
through it, just need any extra tips you might have. I keep having "flashbacks" to my bad experiences seven years ago! Thanks, all!
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Capn Steve |
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Posts: 529 (11/13/08 19:27:53) |
Hi westgirl --
I'm glad you found the Chat last night to be helpful. That's the whole idea. It was good "talking" to you. Going through Chicago. Please don't let that worry you. Your flight will be week after next, and the weather then will be anyone's guess. Way too early to tell, as any meteorologist will tell you. Sure, there COULD be a blizzard then. But, more likely, it will be just fine. (I grew up in the Chicago area and am based there now. Winters in Chicago can be brutal, on certain days. But the rest of the time, it's fairly benign.) As far as advice goes -- I'll stick to what I told you earlier. Call Tom or Lisa. Talk to them about your "flashbacks" from the SWA incident at BUR. They can certainly help. Best to you. Please stay in touch, and keep us updated as to your situation. Cheers. Cap'n Steve |
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Capt Tom Bunn MSW LCSW |
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Posts: 2437 (11/14/08 05:53:47) |
Like Steve, I flew out of Chicago for a while. Winter conditions are something they are used to and handle quite well. There really isn't a safety issue
with winter conditions because we deice the planes on the ground with the same stuff that goes into you car's radiator, and in the air, the airplane deices
itself by tapping hot air from the engines and pumping it through the wing to keep the wing warm. And, runways are plowed. That, of course, makes flying on a
snowy day frustrating. To plow a runway means no takeoffs and no landings, which means delays and after delays build up, it means cancellations.
Safety, though, is not an issue, so just take along whatever you need to entertain yourself and use the extra time at the airport to read a book you have been wanting to read but didn't have time. If you continue having flashbacks about the past flight, call me so we can do some work on it, perhaps a partial erasure of the memory. 877 332-7359. |
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westgirl32 |
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Posts: 10 (11/16/08 18:52:27) |
Ive been doing the strengthing exercise everyother day in preparation for my Tues. 11/25 flight from LAX to Hartford with a stop in Chicago. Should I be doing
all three parts of it each time or is the first part the vital part?
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Capt Tom Bunn MSW LCSW |
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Posts: 2440 (11/17/08 10:34:51) |
If you have done the exercise six to eight times, that should be enough. If you want to do additional sessions, then cut back a bit and just do a part.
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westgirl32 |
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Posts: 11 (11/20/08 16:58:59) |
i am getting closer and closer to my flight. I am more and more anxious. I have been checking the weather in both my destination(Hartford) and my stop(Chicago)
DAILY! The forecast is for showers and possibly flurries. I am concerned because the flight that i was on that skidded off the runway was during showery
weather! I am thinking of taking some Xanax or Valium. Just a little to take the edge off. This is my first flight since starting SOAR and I have been
practicing the strengthing exercise, but i am not confident in it! Help!
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Capt Tom Bunn MSW LCSW |
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Posts: 2444 (11/21/08 20:02:42) |
It is always this way with the first flight. No one believes the strengthening exercise will work. But it does.
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westgirl32 |
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Posts: 14 (11/26/08 14:58:48) |
So,I get on board my flight on 11/25. I met the pilots who were great as well as the flight crew! They all kept their eyes on me and made the flight as
bearable as possible for me. I still had a lot of anxiety on takeoff and landing as well as some problems with turbulence. Although in hindsight I realize that
I overreacted to the severity of the problem (which was slight). Should I expect these anxieties to continue or do they get better. I have a return flight on
Sat.11/30 and I am a little concerned.
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westgirl32 |
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Posts: 15 (11/30/08 08:24:39) |
Well, I made it back to LA! The SWA crew and pilots both ways were excellent! They were quite accomodating and kind. It helped me alot! However, I still had
many problems while on board. Takeoff, landing and turbulence were sources of great anxiety for me still. I really don't feel like getting up in an
airplane again. I did the 54321 when I felt the anxious feelings start and it helped a little. I had the takealong with me as well. I just don't feel as
successful as I thought I would. Please advise!
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Capt Tom Bunn MSW LCSW |
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Posts: 2446 (11/30/08 10:02:29) |
We need to fine tune how you are doing the exercise. Call me when you have time. 877 332-7359
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Note from Capt. Tom I know everyone worries about weather, but pilots really do not worry about it. We simply - instead of worrying about it - completely prepare for it. Before going to the plane, we review the weather at the destination. If it is not 100% sure to be within legal limits when we arrive at the destination, we must specify an alternate airport in our planning documents, and load on plenty of fuel for going to the destination airport, and then if need be, diverting to the alternate airport. The legal limits are conservative. Even when weather is slightly outside the legal limits, any airline pilot could still land safely. You can rely on the captain never to land when the weather is not legal, and legality limits are reached prior to safety limits. If you are still anxious, call me and we can talk it over. I'm at 877 332-7359 from 10 AM until 7 PM Eastern time. For effective help, even if you are flying in a day or two, sign up now at www.fearofflying.com/fasttrack and call me when you finish Clip 9 so I can make sure you are all set. |
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Using Weather Information If you enter your ZIP Code or City at the top of the weather presentation, it will give you weather for your area. Or, you can enter your destination ZIP Code or City.
Click on the "LOCAL RADAR" button to see whether or not there are thunder- Turbulence, though it may cause anxiety, does not mean anything is wrong. Turbulence does not mean danger. The plane can handle far more turbulence than Mother Nature can dish out. Though flying in turbulence is safe, it doesn't feel safe. And here is where the SOAR programs come in. We can help you feel as safe when you fly as you actually are. You can see these programs at www.fearofflying.com/store. |
