I have not been on a airplane in over two years. I have not left Athens in over two years. Every time I go to Ikea–which sits directly opposite Athens International–I get thunderous heart palpitations.
It’s not a lot of fun.
As you now, in a couple of weeks I’m flying to a lovely island for a fabulous engagement party. Even though, I’ll be dutifully taking a Xanax, I think about this trip as if it will be the ordeal of my life. All 40 minutes of it. My therapist suggested that I visit the airport a couple of times before my departure as a type of exposure therapy.
Yesterday, armed with positive thoughts and my mother I made attempt number one. And you know what?
It was fine.
We walked around, I looked at the queues with interest, we shopped and then we sat at McDonald’s watching a dozen planes taking off and landing. It was exciting and part of me missed my flying days. When I travelled four times a year and could care less. A separate part of me was a little jealous. I wished I was the one going on some sort of an adventure. I looked over at all the people and I wondered: “Where are you all going? Are any of you frightened to your very core?”
So I ‘m still nervous. I’m not looking forward to the flight but it needs to be done. This particular fear stops me from doing all sorts of stuff. It needs to be faced, head on, right now before it gets worse. Before I become a hermit. Before I haven’t left the city in a decade and small kids stop in front of my window, point and whisper amongst themselves, “They say she hasn’t left her house in 30 years [Kids always exaggerate] but that she’s ridiculously adorable.” [OK. So they don't do it all the time.]
Would you like to help me?
I thought so.
Here’s what you can do. Tell me your happy travelling stories. Do you love airports? Why exactly? It can be anything big or small. Where are you going this summer? Where was the last place you went to by plane? Do you adore flying? What part? Why?
I’m hoping your stories and your thought and perhaps even your quirks might help me once again be comfortable in the sky.
29 responses so far ↓
deviousdiva // June 29, 2009 at 7:40 pm
I absolutely HATE flying but love airports. I do it because I get somewhere. At the other end are people I love. So although the flight is a nightmare (can’t help you with that… sorry!) the destination is full of good things. And coming home is full of better things. You are not alone. Lots of us feel this way!
Jess // June 29, 2009 at 7:57 pm
OK, I don’t like flying but only because I’m so uncomfortable in the seats. If I were thinner I would have no problem with it at all. I love how quick it is and I love the views and I love how everyone in the plane is usually friendly and has the common bond, and I love when the flight attendants make jokes, as ours did on our flight back from the beach yesterday. And I love that with frequent flier programs and credit card rewards you can often get plane tickets for free.
brookem // June 29, 2009 at 8:11 pm
i really don’t mind flying!
airports are PRIME spots for people watching and airport bars are even better. you know no one, no one knows YOU. you can even make up a whole fake story and run with it.
(not that i’d know what that’s like. just an idea.)
Erin // June 29, 2009 at 8:18 pm
I don’t mind flying at all, but will admit to feeling a bit nervous when there’s rough turbulence. Whenever that happens, I imagine my guardian angels surrounding the plane (if I’m really spooked I picture everyone on the plane’s guardian angels out there supporting the plane) and I gotta tell you… every time I imagine that, the turbulence stops.
Otherwise, I view flying as some much deserved me-time. I get to read and relax and no one can bug me with texts or calls. Work can’t track me down! woo hoo!
Sorry if the angel thing is too far out for you, I know it’s not for everyone, but that is my best flying advice so I figured I’d offer it up.
Princess of the Universe // June 29, 2009 at 8:20 pm
I love the take off and landing.
Take-off cause it just feels cool and “Yay! We’re on our way!”
And landing: again, kinda feels cool and “Yay! We’re here!”
Good luck!
xo
jess // June 29, 2009 at 8:34 pm
i love flying. i need to get my “fix” every 4-6 months or so. i love everything about it— from picking up a ticket, checking id, security… i view all of it as a test. if i get through without getting stopped (those dang 4oz bottles), i ace the test. (i’ve always been a dork).
with flying itself- the world changes. you can see patterns in the way the land is set up when at foot level, it’s absolute chaos. i like trying to find the “woops”es in the patterns. a new development here. a turn in the highway to bend around a lake there.
i guess i like flying because im easily entertained. ha.
jen // June 29, 2009 at 8:49 pm
I love flying. Love love love it. If I haven’t flown for a while, I get all misty eyed when I see a plane and start thinking about where I can go and when could I book the ticket. For me, it is about the possibilities. The potential. Where do you want to go? Anywhere! Everywhere! New places and new people to experience. The rush of adrenaline when your bags are checked, cell is off, and whoosh, away you go. Looking out the window at things that you would never see from that perspective otherwise. The lakes that look like molten chocolate. The design of the cities. I mean, you get to be in the clouds. Then the landing, the roar of the engines as they brake. In your new place, with so many things to discover. Ahh, I want to go fly now.
Hope // June 29, 2009 at 9:31 pm
WOW! These are really great! Keep ‘em coming…pretty please! ;)
Cindy // June 29, 2009 at 9:46 pm
When my son was 5 he took his first flight from Chicago Midway to Tampa Int’l. He was so excited to fly having loved airplanes forever and wanting to be a pilot. During the silence of the landing and the braking of the wheels, all that could be heard was this little voice yelling “WHOA!” He then remarked to everyone within earshot that he still wanted to be a pilot but they would have to figure out a way to get him in the plane midflight. No more takeoffs or landings for him. The whole plane cracked up laughing. We still tease him every time we fly (he’s 13 now). Good luck!
Mae December // June 29, 2009 at 10:27 pm
Oh look! Something I can help with.
I’ve been in tons and tons and tons of airplanes and airports. More than 10. More than 20. Maybe around 30? Maybe even more. And let me tell you, airports and airplanes they make me…I don’t know.
The feeling you get in an airport, and in an airplane, that feeling is extremely unique to airports and airplanes. It can’t be simulated by any other place in the world. Not even a train station. I have two blog entries that I actually saved after writing them in the airport or airplane…I found them, that way you can look into my brain and see what an airport can do. If you just relax.
http://moiboheme.blogspot.com/2008/07/flying-away-in-airport.html
http://moiboheme.blogspot.com/2008/12/leaving-on-jet-plane-again.html
sorry I don’t know how to link in comments. :C
Cynical psycho // June 29, 2009 at 10:42 pm
The last four years I’ve been in and out of planes and airports at least four or five times per annum.
I love going to airports as it signifies the begginning of a new -small or great- adventure. On the other hand I hate it when I visit airports with no prospect of flying.
Flights can sometimes become boring though (when it’s over three hours) and I can never get how come the hottie co-passenger never sits next to me but it’s always a nerve-breaking mum and loud child or some far too enthusiastic Methuselah. Man you could even bet on me never ever sitting next to the hottie. I hate this! I sometimes wonder whether they keep any ‘hottie’s seat’ at the far back of the plane. But then even if they did it won’t usually last any more than a couple of hours. Vanitas vanitatum et omnia vanitas!!
Dark Cloud Nine // June 29, 2009 at 10:55 pm
I’m all fine with flying – puts me to sleep: I’m not in charge! Ok so it’s not very comfortable but for a few hours (and I generally fly from the west coast of the US to France so it’s an 16 hour ordeal) I just have to relax.
Ipod or book, I spend a great amount of time planning my backpack to make sure I have it all handy and then I can kick back and enjoy… I have my earplugs in case a baby seats too close :D Then I close my eyes and daydream… until I dream for good…
Sometimes I also chitchat with the neighbor and meet cool people: the flight in itself is part of the adventure…
Have fun!
adorablybitter // June 29, 2009 at 11:16 pm
I am in the plane-lovers party! I associate planes with change, with new expperiences, something you don’t know exactly what it is but you are waiting for it to happen. I usually travel alone, so planes are all “me” time.
And of course, planes about meeting some very interesting people who happen to sit next to you.
rondamarie // June 29, 2009 at 11:45 pm
I don’t have any happy stories to tell. I can tell you that I HATE flying, like hate it more than I hate anything else in the world. It is 100% guaranteed that I will cry when I arrive at the airport, I will nearly vomit once I hit the “purchase tickets” button and I will praise God Allah and anyone else that will listen when I safely land. I will hold the hands of complete strangers, and I will listen to the station that the pilots talk to the air traffic controller on through head phones for the entire flight.
So like I said. Hate. Flying.
But the one thing I won’t do?
Let it stop me from seeing people and places.
Don’t let your fear trap you. You are stronger than the fear.
brandy // June 30, 2009 at 1:48 am
I Love airports. Notice the capital L there lovely, I love them that much. I think it’s because they seem like one of the few last public places where people are really themselves. People are always crying goodbye, or excitedly saying hello… there’s always so much feeling in airports. (That last bit I cut and pasted from a post I wrote talking about airport love- SEE? That’s how much I love them.)
Maybe think of it as an opportunity to find great blogging material. I’m not joking, I do that if I’m in a stressful situation, like how can I make this funny, or what stands out right now that would be worth sharing? Also remember why you are on the plane in the first place- to partake in an adventure. You will be great- no, you will be better than great and I will be looking forward to hearing all about it when you return.
Gemma // June 30, 2009 at 2:33 am
oh gosh…i LOVE LOVE LOVE airports and flying. i’m such a geek. my fave moment is that anticipation of taking off right before the plane guns it’s engine and streaks down the runway at top speed. LOVE that feeling!
Dora // June 30, 2009 at 2:35 am
Being Greek, and living in Canada, my parents used to send my brother and me to our grandmothers and aunts for our summer vacations. I used to love getting on that plane, because spending the summer in Greece was always an amazing adventure. We had a lot more freedom than at home, our grandmothers were spoiling us rotten and we would have the best carefree time all summer long.
As I’ve gotten older, somehow I’ve started developing a fear of flying. First it was only the take offs and landings, then last year I flew to Toronto for work on a smaller regional jet. This was my first experience on these smaller planes, and for a nervous flyer, I was terrified. What snapped me out of it, was my co-worker, whom I have known for 10 years, and who has hardly flown, sitting there next to me, comfortable and relaxed, as I clutched at the hand rests. After this trip, I thought about what happened and I realized that all the fear and nervousness I felt was really all in my head. There was no logical reason to be afraid. I’ve flown many times before, how could I possibly be scared??? Nothing has ever happened, and to tell you the truth, I love to travel, so that really far outweighs any silly fears I may have!!
I still don’t like the smaller jets, but with international travel, its usually the larger ones anyway, so I’m not giving that up. And besides, a couple of drinks beforehand, makes for a very happy, smiling passenger.
At least in my case…. and I am looking forward to getting on a plane this August for a nice vacation in Greece, once again!
Bridget // June 30, 2009 at 7:09 am
If you can sit next to a man who resembles Hugh Grant, all your worries will be solved:
http://frogthrower.blogspot.com/2008/11/memory.html
I love to fly but can appreciate the anxiety you feel. It really will be okay. Deep breaths!
sparklytosingle // June 30, 2009 at 7:15 am
I don’t particularly like flying but I don’t hate it either, except for the boredom factor on long flights. But a few things I like about planes: This doesn’t happen every time I fly, but I like it when I make a new friend at the airport or on the plane. That’s always special. Everyone on a plane has a story (where are you going? What vacation did you just finish? etc) so it’s easy to strike up a conversation with a fellow traveller… something I usually find quite difficult that becomes easy all of a sudden on a plane. I am crazy and I actually like airplane food. I like the free movies on long flights. On some airlines I even like the flight attendants (go Westjet!) I like having an excuse to eat candy.
And I love airports. I love the duty free shopping, the coffee shops, the goodbyes and hellos and the love and connections you see between people there. The excitement of collecting your luggage and setting off on an adventure. I love the sense of independence and empowerment I feel when I check into a flight. I love all of it. I hope you feel okay on the flight and have a great trip!
Queen // June 30, 2009 at 1:27 pm
i cant say im a big fan of flying, but i have no problem doing it either. for me its more the fact that i get a bit dizzy, i cant sleep the way i would want to but generally im ok with the whole flying part.
the best part of it all, is knowing that im going to land in however long it takes to get there, and im either going to begin my vacation, see people i havent seen in a while, so it helps to think of why you are going and what you are going to be doing when you get there.
it will help get your mind off things. the view is absolutely breath taking, and seeing all the houses from so high up, as though its a model of the place your are arriving at or leaving.
the main part of it all is to not have negative thoughts. 40 minutes will go by alot quicker if your mind is on everything you are going to be facing when the time is over then when you are counting the minutes.
besides you are going for something pleasant so you have alot of nice things to think about.
bevchen // June 30, 2009 at 2:50 pm
The last place I flew was Rome (from Germany). It was a beautiful clear view and we flew over the Alps. Most amazing view EVER.
40 minutes isn’t long. By the time they’ve been round with the drinks and then with the duty free stuff it will be pretty much time to land. If you think of it in stages like that it seems much more manageable.
Colleen // June 30, 2009 at 5:11 pm
Here’s a funny video from Conan O’Brien about how we forget how amazing flying on an airplane actually is … http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LoGYx35ypus
pin // July 1, 2009 at 12:55 pm
i love airports/airplaines/flying.when i was little my dad used to travel a lot so i can now see how ive connected airports with the image of my mum holding three kids, the doors that separate the people waiting to pick up their beloved ones and the baggage claim area opening and closing automatically everytime someone goes through with their luggage, us stretching our necks to see daddy and yelling ‘there he is there he is!!’ and then finally the dad/hero/most importan man in our lives walking through the gates with his suitcase and all three of us running towards him.and then the classic trick as he is down practically on his knees and us like monkeys on both his sides, he used to pretend that we had something on our noses and then BOOM candy would appear out of nowhere.so thats airports for me.
the flying time is magical for chitchatting with friends of a lifetime sitting next to you or silently wishing the person next to you was just a bit more adorable and also the elbow space classic fight!!thats a must!and duty free shopping [i fell in love with lancome juicy tubes while on a plane!].and also great me-time.ive cried hundreds of time over boyfriends staying behind or the excitement of being with friends again [you know the feeling that you are so happy that you end up crying] – and then planning.my last two airplane trips were spent looking at maps and printed out a4 paper with THE BEST BARS/RESTAURANT/PICTURESQUE SQUARES to go.
as for the flight back from somewhere [and although returning from an island on a boat makes me so depressed], i just cant wait to return and show friends and family photos and share stories.
you know how one of my favorite ever movie scenes is the jerry maguire one where renee is standing in front of all these women and tells tom cruise ‘you had me from hello’ and you can almost smell the awkwardness/happiness?
well if i had to choose my favorite one would be the opening scene from love actually.people’s reactions at arrival gates.priceless.
Lpeg // July 1, 2009 at 4:02 pm
For me, it’s not so much the flying part, which I really don’t mind, but it’s the feeling that there is something really good waiting for you at your destination. When I haven’t traveled in a while, or when I am feeling particularly down, I go online and try to imagine my next (or perfect) vacation. That Always cheers me up!
Penelope // July 1, 2009 at 10:58 pm
Delurking after who knows how long as a reader!
Flying is fabulous! It means adventure and exciting opportunities!
I live in England but will be flying 4 weeks today to Rhodes (not the touristy parts!) and I can’t wait! My family were Greek in a former life, I’m sure of it.
Good luck!!
~AV~ // July 2, 2009 at 1:17 am
I travel a fair amount. I could do without the turbulence, but I actually love the whole experience of getting on a plane and going. I love the airport, watching people, wondering where they are headed and why they are going there. For some reason I also really love the smell of an airplane. Maybe just because it reminds me that I’m getting away and going somewhere. I have to sit by a window when I’m flying, though. I like to look out the window. Not sure why, but it really helps me not be nervous. Good luck! I’m sure you’ll do just fine =)
lisa // July 2, 2009 at 9:56 am
Hey Hope,
as a flight attendant I can only say I LOVE flying :) I love the power of the aircraft you feel right before (and of course during) take off, the view out of the window during flight cruise (try finding small animals in the clouds!) and I love always having trusty captains who bring the plane back to the ground in a smooth way, even when it’s stormy.
I consider it quite an achievement that humans were able to develope such thing as an aircraft really, and still it’s no “wonder” we can fly, so you don’t have to worry about it. Everyone up in the cockpit knows exactly what they’re doing!
When a passenger tells me he’s scared about flying I always try to make it as comfortable as possible for him – maybe you would prefer an aisle seat to the window seat or it may help you to talk about the captain a little bit.
Enjoy your journey and maybe this flight helps you to rediscover your love for travelling so you’ll join us in the skies a bit more often in the future!
paula // July 3, 2009 at 3:48 am
when i was younger i enjoyed flying and i wasent afraid. i loved taking off and landing ..i just loved the whole experience.
As i got older, I became claustrophobic. I cant eat on the plane . A few years ago, I got severe panic attacks but I calmed myself down. I hate to fly but I need to because I enjoy seeing different places. On my way to the airport, i usually cry, and I am okay when I get on the plane. Once I get on the plane I stare at the door collecting as much air as I can until the doors close.
I dont know how I ended up like this. I really wish I didnt fear flying, because it is my dream later on in life to travel to different places.
Confession: Part Two « Hope dies last // October 23, 2009 at 3:05 pm
[...] October 23, 2009 · Leave a Comment A little over three months ago, I confessed that I had not been on an airplane in two years. [...]