[Rissa812]

Next friday I have to get on a plane and fly to Texas. I am so afraid of flying. I dont know how I am supposed to do this. I have never been away from my kids, and I am afraid I will never see them again. I am only doing this to help my mom drive back to NJ with her cats. So on top of flying I will drive back to NJ with her and the two cats who cry the entire time they are in the car. The only time I flew, I was 9 and went to Disney World with my dad. Whats the risk of the plane crashing? Help!! Im so scared.

[landj111]

The risk of a plane crash is very, very low. I'm afraid to fly too but, I fly about once every six months or so to see my family in Chicago. What I do is bring something that I know will keep me busy like magazines or a book. As far as the cats go good luck with that my cat started meowing alot on our drive to Florida so we put a blanket over her cage and she stopped.

[QueenAngie]

Great tip about the blanket over the kitty cat - sort of like covering up a bird cage for the night so they stop singing!

Take some gum or peppermint candy to pop into your mouth. Takes the nervous butterflies out of your stomach.

Airplanes are very, very safe. In fact, much safer than cars are with accidents.

I am a firm believer in prayer, particularly with a stressful situation.
Lifting you up in prayer!

[Rissa812]

Originally Posted by QueenAngie

I am a firm believer in prayer, particularly with a stressful situation.
Lifting you up in prayer!

Thank you. DH just said the same thing about car accidents more likely to happen than plane crashes. My flight is at 730am so hopefully I will sleep. Thanks for the tip for taking away butterflies. I will pack the entire bag. My mom doesnt keep the cats in their kennel, she lets them out, but she did get medication from the vet to calm them. Hopefully it will work.

[mcmama]

Statistically you are more likely to have a car accident than a plane crash.

Take chewing gum, books, and pay attention to the safety video that everyone ignores.

Count the rows between you and the nearest exit. God forbid there is a crash, but if you have to get out quickly and there is smoke, you will find your way.

But this won't happen to you.

I have been flying all my life and I bet I am older than you. My dad was a pilot, we flew on all our vacations. In all kinds of weather.

I find at newark airport I am more nervous about driving there and parking than I am about flying itself. The Continental terminal is pretty well designed, and it is much easier than it used to be.

Lots of people are jittery about flying - but really many many people do it successfully every day.

Let us know how you make out with the animals. When I move to Florida, i will be driving from NJ with my catzilla. He will be on drugs.

[poliscmjr]

Some great advice has already been given. Another suggestion would be to see your doctor he/she maybe able to give you something to clam your nerves so you can fly.

[mcmama]

Mom doesn't keep the cats in a kennel for a trip like that? They must be very good cats.

Mine will be in a kennel, even with drugs. His reaction to sitting in the car when it is not moving without a kennel is to hurl himself at all the windows. He weighs 20 pounds and is something of a monster anyway.

So for us, better living through kennels and chemistry!

[Rissa812]

She didnt on the drive down there with my sister. My sister said cat hair was everywhere. I am going to suggest putting them in then in the kennel and hopefully the blanket trick will keep them quiet.
Does dramamine work on planes or just boats?

[poliscmjr]

Dramamine does work on planes too! Good luck! You'll be fine.

[quagmire8]

dramamine works on airplanes too, and the good thing about it is that it will make you a little sleepy, so you can rest on the plane! many years ago my parents took me and my sister to europe, my sister was about 15 years old. she had never flown before and had horrible anxiety over it, so my parents brought her to the doctor and he prescribed a sedative for her for the flight. she took it going there, but then she realized that it wasnt so bad, and she didnt take it coming back! you will be fine!