I did my SOAR Fast Track strengthening exercises for two nights prior to departure and before I knew it, it was time to leave. We "blasted off" from
AUS at 6:55 am on July 18 on AA #444, an MD-80, sitting in the bulkhead and following rows (7-
. Fortunately the AA gate agents assisted me in redoing my seat
assignments - just as Capt. Steve predicted - and all was well. I chose not to meet the pilots on this trip as I figure I'm past all that now and a
recovered FF. We quickly climbed out and skirted a band of storms over central Texas with some bumps as we eased into our cruising altitude of 33,000. Other
than a few bumps here and there, the flight was a smooth as glass and we landed in ORD about 2 hours and 15 minutes later. We quickly deplaned and looked for
our next gate.
Flight #4357 from ORD to CLE was on an Embraer 145 or ERJ-145. Indeed the plane is much smaller than an MD-80 with interior seat arrangement of two seats on one side and one on the other. The American Eagle flight attendant told us the flight would be 56 minutes to CLE and an altitude of "I don't know what it is but trust me it is high." Yeah she actually said that. A bit humorous. Like OneAnt said, this is one nimble plane and it was quickly apparent how one feels ground movement more pronounced in these planes. Once we took off it was also quickly apparent how nimble they are in the air as we seem to hit 10,000 feet much faster than I have experienced in any other plane. Before I knew it we were at 25,000 feet, cruising altitude, and enjoying a nice day. Flew over Lake Michigan and Lake Erie - much to the dismay of my 15-year-old who didn't like flying over water - and into CLE. Great landing and I noticed that we didn't even use reverse engines on the landing.
On the way back, July 25th, we were scheduled on another ERJ-145 for American Eagle #4236 from CLE to ORD. As I posted on another note, I had spent the previous 24-36 hours worrying about the forecast for severe thunderstorms. Yes I know pilots will not take off in weather too dangerous but I let it get the worst of me. I want to make clear here that I did not practice any of my exercises for the way home. I should know better by now as I assume I am a completely recovered FF and that is a false assumption. I have work to do and this proved it. I'd say my anxiety level was between 2-3 prior to this trip with maybe a few peaks at 4. Coming up to CLE, it was nothing more than 2 and very manageable. Anyhow … I sat at the terminal with my family and watched it rain off and on with dark clouds all around. I reminded myself of what I have seen posted by Capts. Tom and Steve and even OneAnt's post to my note (thanks dude!). It calmed me a bit. Our turn came to board and we did. We took off on time and very quickly climbed out of the murky weather with … much to my amazement … minimal turbulence. The American Eagle flight crew got us up to cruise at 34,000 feet very fast and the flight to ORD was smooth and pleasant. Yes, we had some light turbulence here and there but it was really minimal. Again. We landed early in ORD, had to wait for a plane to leave our gate, and it gave us a chance to do some awesome plane watching. Geez, ORD has giant jetliners from all parts and it is one busy airport.
We had a two-hour layover and enjoyed a meal at Chili's. Boarding time for AA #2491 came and we climbed into our MD-80. Took off on time and had, again, a very smooth flight. Most of the flight we had the seatbelt sign turned off. The pilots got us down to AUS in about two hours and we landed 15 minutes early!! We got a fantastic night view of Dallas from 34,000 feet and really enjoyed the ride home. Every arrival on this trip was either on time or early so I give kudos to AA and American Eagle! As I walked off our plane at 10:10 p.m., I thank the captain from the Los Angeles-based crew, who looked like Owen Wilson I might add!, and told him "great flight, thanks." He smiled and said he appreciated that. We walked into the late evening Texas heat and drove home.
This trip taught me that I am not completely recovered and I'm not sure that ever happens. Make no mistake, 4 years ago I couldn't walk on a plane without being doped up on Xanax. Now, I walk on with anxiety levels (with 1 being nothing and 10 being completely freaked out) of about 2-3. What I do know is that I need to practice my strengthening exercises more and probably need to break down and get the SOAR Fast Track on mp3 or CD. I assumed that I would have no problem since I fly so much for work in and around Texas but those are short flights on SWA. But my pre-flight worries on the return from CLE-ORD-AUS showed me that I have work to do and, to quote Stuart Smalley from SNL, "that's ok."
. Fortunately the AA gate agents assisted me in redoing my seat
assignments - just as Capt. Steve predicted - and all was well. I chose not to meet the pilots on this trip as I figure I'm past all that now and a
recovered FF. We quickly climbed out and skirted a band of storms over central Texas with some bumps as we eased into our cruising altitude of 33,000. Other
than a few bumps here and there, the flight was a smooth as glass and we landed in ORD about 2 hours and 15 minutes later. We quickly deplaned and looked for
our next gate.
Flight #4357 from ORD to CLE was on an Embraer 145 or ERJ-145. Indeed the plane is much smaller than an MD-80 with interior seat arrangement of two seats on one side and one on the other. The American Eagle flight attendant told us the flight would be 56 minutes to CLE and an altitude of "I don't know what it is but trust me it is high." Yeah she actually said that. A bit humorous. Like OneAnt said, this is one nimble plane and it was quickly apparent how one feels ground movement more pronounced in these planes. Once we took off it was also quickly apparent how nimble they are in the air as we seem to hit 10,000 feet much faster than I have experienced in any other plane. Before I knew it we were at 25,000 feet, cruising altitude, and enjoying a nice day. Flew over Lake Michigan and Lake Erie - much to the dismay of my 15-year-old who didn't like flying over water - and into CLE. Great landing and I noticed that we didn't even use reverse engines on the landing.
On the way back, July 25th, we were scheduled on another ERJ-145 for American Eagle #4236 from CLE to ORD. As I posted on another note, I had spent the previous 24-36 hours worrying about the forecast for severe thunderstorms. Yes I know pilots will not take off in weather too dangerous but I let it get the worst of me. I want to make clear here that I did not practice any of my exercises for the way home. I should know better by now as I assume I am a completely recovered FF and that is a false assumption. I have work to do and this proved it. I'd say my anxiety level was between 2-3 prior to this trip with maybe a few peaks at 4. Coming up to CLE, it was nothing more than 2 and very manageable. Anyhow … I sat at the terminal with my family and watched it rain off and on with dark clouds all around. I reminded myself of what I have seen posted by Capts. Tom and Steve and even OneAnt's post to my note (thanks dude!). It calmed me a bit. Our turn came to board and we did. We took off on time and very quickly climbed out of the murky weather with … much to my amazement … minimal turbulence. The American Eagle flight crew got us up to cruise at 34,000 feet very fast and the flight to ORD was smooth and pleasant. Yes, we had some light turbulence here and there but it was really minimal. Again. We landed early in ORD, had to wait for a plane to leave our gate, and it gave us a chance to do some awesome plane watching. Geez, ORD has giant jetliners from all parts and it is one busy airport.
We had a two-hour layover and enjoyed a meal at Chili's. Boarding time for AA #2491 came and we climbed into our MD-80. Took off on time and had, again, a very smooth flight. Most of the flight we had the seatbelt sign turned off. The pilots got us down to AUS in about two hours and we landed 15 minutes early!! We got a fantastic night view of Dallas from 34,000 feet and really enjoyed the ride home. Every arrival on this trip was either on time or early so I give kudos to AA and American Eagle! As I walked off our plane at 10:10 p.m., I thank the captain from the Los Angeles-based crew, who looked like Owen Wilson I might add!, and told him "great flight, thanks." He smiled and said he appreciated that. We walked into the late evening Texas heat and drove home.
This trip taught me that I am not completely recovered and I'm not sure that ever happens. Make no mistake, 4 years ago I couldn't walk on a plane without being doped up on Xanax. Now, I walk on with anxiety levels (with 1 being nothing and 10 being completely freaked out) of about 2-3. What I do know is that I need to practice my strengthening exercises more and probably need to break down and get the SOAR Fast Track on mp3 or CD. I assumed that I would have no problem since I fly so much for work in and around Texas but those are short flights on SWA. But my pre-flight worries on the return from CLE-ORD-AUS showed me that I have work to do and, to quote Stuart Smalley from SNL, "that's ok."
