And Again, This is Why I’m Scared of Airplanes
So as of yesterday it was official that I will be going to Blissdom. I’m looking forward to the sessions, the parties, and meeting tons of other bloggers who love blogging as much as I do. As most of you know I went to Chicago last summer and was terrified the ENTIRE plane ride both ways, both times. I didn’t cry or scream or anything and surprisingly I didn’t have an anxiety attack either. But I was the rude passenger who wouldn’t let go of the armrests. I suppose if my plane is falling towards the ground there’s no amount of gripping the armrests that is going to make it all better but at the same time that’s how I cope with my enormous fear of flying. Oh wait, it’s not so much the flying that bothers me but it’s the fear of falling out of the sky and being trapped in a huge airplane.. I remember now!
However I’m not stupid enough to give up 2 years of work on my blog to pass up every opportunity that comes my way just because I’m scared of airplanes. So I spend weeks mentally preparing myself for the terrifying hours spent on the plane ride and constantly have to remind myself that “it’s okay, people fly ALL the time”, “How many planes ACTUALLY crash? NOT that many and not that often!” and other crazy things like that when people are trying to convince themselves that there’s nothing to be afraid of.
BUT THEN..
I open up my morning newspaper and read stuff like this!
Bird-plane collisions may pass 10,000, a first
…….. The government’s tally for all bird strikes last year could reach or even exceed 10,000 for the first time – which would represent about 27 strikes every day. There were at least 57 cases in the first seven months of 2009 that caused serious damage and three in which planes and a corporate helicopter were destroyed by birds. At least eight people died, and six more were hurt……. full story here
Are you kidding me?! Is it necessary to actually print this information?! I didn’t need to know this. Hopefully you aren’t all terrified of planes because I’m assuming you’re not and this little bit of information won’t really bother you which is why I’m venting to you. I get it, it’s newsworthy I suppose but I personally didn’t want to read it. I wish it’d been written in fine print and placed beneath an ad so I hadn’t seen it. I’ll admit it, I’m a giant weenie! I don’t actually need anyone to tell me that. I’m scared of planes, I’m scared of falling out of the sky, and I’m scared of humiliating myself should the plane hit a little turbulance. What if I actually have to use the barf bag on the airplane?.. in front of fellow passengers? Is it possible to die of embarrassment? Is it possible to die from fear? What if I cry during landing like I often want to do? Thankfully planes make me so scared I can’t even cry, I think that might be a blessing. At least that’s one less thing to worry about.
I know I’ll live, I know the birds aren’t likely to hit my plane, I know my plane ride will be just fine and run smoothly and I have faith in myself that I won’t cry or get sick during the landing process. At least that is what I’m going to tell myself until I step onto the ground in Nashville, TN for Blissdom.
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You are so cute!
I am terrified of flying, too…and unfortunately, I have to fly all the time because of the volunteer work I do.
First, I got a nice prescription of Valium from my doctor. Just 5mg. One little pill when I get on the plane – and it takes the “edge” off.
Second, I actually went to a website called http://www.fearofflying.com, where I got tremendous help from the information there. I actually flew to Europe last summer and I did great. Last week, I flew back from a mission trip to Jamaica – and we had some turbulence most of the flight, my biggest fear – and I didn’t even sweat it. I’ve learned a lot by going to this website…some of the stuff is free, but I went ahead and paid for the iPod tapes – which I take with me every time I’m on a plane.
And – millions of people fly every day. Accidents are extremely, extremely rare. And turbulence is very, very common. The odds are definitely in your favor.
I understand exactly. Although i’m not like frightened. I think the feeling in the air is soooo strange.
All these trips are God’s way of helping you get over that fear (while having fun at the events) . Wish I were going to be there. But we have Blogher (hopefully LOL)
I don’t know about you, but I’m somewhat convinced that my insane gripping of the armrests is the only thing keeping the plane in the air.
If my plane hits any turbulence….I will probably pee myself.