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Along the Natchez Trace

Monday, January 28, 2013

Fear of Flying...

Nope...  no risque (for its time) book about sex....  just a blog without pictures today.

Have I ever mentioned that I'm terrified of flying?  I drive these Texas highways at 70 MPH...  with cars zooming around me like I'm parked....  I've done, okay, granted, it was tandem, parasailing, I've gone up in a  hot air balloon.  (We won't talk about the time I tried zip-lining, cause I kinda flunked that).....  but...  getting into an airplane and heading into the wild, blue yonder is really scary to me.

I can't begin to count the domestic flights I've taken...  actually, not sure I can count the transatlantic (or trans pacific) flights, but only once in all those flights have I been onboard during an "incident".

Flying back to (Ohio) the mainland from Hawaii in 1999 the plane had some kind of mechanical problem and we had an emergency landing in San Francisco.  For what seems like an eternity, all air return systems, all electricity of any kind, was turned off....  (a VERY quiet flight...  everybody on board was either asleep or  too terrified to talk)...  and when the pilot announced (as we were finally coming into San Francisco)... "Don't be alarmed to see a lot of red flashing lights and emergency vehicles as land".... (heck, by that time, I'm practically catatonic.... I didn't even know the guy sitting beside me, but I sure had a firm hold on his arm for LONG time)...)....  Anyway, we landed...  everyone applauded...  and immediately started phoning their contact on the other end saying that ...  well, dear, I won't be on the scheduled flight....  I'm not in Columbus, I'm in San Francisco...  yes, I'll be home eventually....  when the airlines get these 200+ people on their way.

Okay...  that was my only "flight from hell"...  the times turbulence, the times I was snuggied up in the very back seat of the plane which might comfortably seat a 3 year old, the commuter flights where the flight attendants wore jeans...  what the heck...  I wasn't really terrified...  those really weren't THAT bad....

Even the flight Bill & I took from Denver to Farmington, NM...  and the pilot kept talking about landing in Durango, Co... and apparently thought he had, as he welcomed us all to beautiful Colorado.  that's the one that Bill kept looking out the window at familiar (to him) landmarks and seeing the Aztec reservoir etc...  And we really were greeted by his folks in Farmington.  NEW MEXICO....  Go figure....

Anyway, on Thursday we'll be flying from DFW in Texas... to Boston...  then on to Madrid, Spain... then to Seville.....  it's gonna be LONG day!

A year or so ago we crossed the Atlantic by ship... took 9 days...  Bill looked into that for this trip...  nope... nothing that would work out...  So...

I have several books of puzzles, 109 e-books on my Kindle, one of those inflatable pillows so I don't break my neck, a whole bag of snacks (we've never flown Iberia airlines... not sure what they'll offer), and I know we'll manage....  I'll try not to panic....

I'll blog again and tell you how it all went...  be sure to stay turned for the next edition....

That's all for now...


15 comments:

  1. Have a great trip. The last time I was on an airplane was in August of 1976.

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  2. I'm hoping the time will " fly by " for you on the flight over. Sounds like you have thought of everything. I will be waiting to see and hear all about your adventure.

    Have a wonderful time!

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  3. Have a great trip. Look forward to reading all about it. You'll do fine, you'll have that "lucky" man beside ya! Have fun for all of us. Tom & Lynn

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  4. Oh sure...did you see the video of the plane that was hit by lightning...caught one engine on fire and it looked like a fireball in the sky...but it landed safely and no one was hurt. That's what's so great about flying. The pilots all seem to know how to respond well to things that happen. They are well trained and they do an excellent job. Just think how many flights there are world wide, each and every day. That's a lot of mileage! Glad you're doing fine and enjoying your trip.

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  5. Esperamos que tenga un gran vuelo y viaje.

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  6. TransAtlantics ... definitely the way to go (even though I am not afraid of flying)... wish they weren't just in the spring and fall/early winter.

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  7. I am not really afraid of flying but it has gotten to be so crowded, uncomfortable, and so much hassle, that I hope never to fly again. We had an incident here in Eugene the other day where an incoming plane sucked a few swan into an engine. Did a lot of damage and yet he landed the plane just fine. I'm sure you'll do fine. Have you ever considered taking some anxiety medication before a flight? Might make it more pleasurable for you.

    I did a tandem parasail with my sister many years ago in Hawaii. It was GREAT fun.

    Have a wonderful trip and a pleasant flight.

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  8. I hate flying, too. My tummy will knot up for you in empathy.

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  9. The older I get..the more nervous I become of flying....a cruise sounds mighty fine to me.........do you think it's an age thing?

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  10. I think I would be more nervous about taking an ocean cruise that flying on a plane. The length of time you're at risk of disaster is much longer on a cruise!

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  11. I hate those long flights too. Too much just sitting. :(

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  12. Woww, Is very very beautiful, congratulations. Kisses from Spain.

    http://redecoratelg.blogspot.com.es/

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  13. So sorry I missed wishing you a buen viaje! By the time you read this, you will be happily and comfortably on the ground in Spain. Can't wait to see you in Sevilla. We're not moving to our new place until 20 February, so you'll have plenty of time to get sick of us.

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  14. I am also afraid of flying but more of heights. I don't like riding roller coaster rides especially the space shuttle because I'm afraid that I'll just fall off. I'd rather do ten rounds of essay writing services than ride one or go off a plan and do sky diving.

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