October 10, 2011

Two more days

I leave for Arizona on Wednesday. It's coming up so fast! I'm a total nervous wreck about flying. When we were driving to the race yesterday, I was asking my brother (the pilot) some questions. The thing that causes panic attacks more than anything is not the take-off or landing (I'm fine for those) but the whole middle section. I flip out every time I hear the noise of the engines change--whether they get louder or quieter. I hate that noise change!

So I asked Brian what it's caused from, and he told me it's a number of things: as the plane burns more fuel, it goes faster and higher, basically running more efficiently, so the pilots make the engines "slower" (these are MY words, not exactly pilot-speak); if there is some turbulence, the pilots might change altitude to make it smoother, so that will change the noise of the engines; when the plane starts to descend for landing, the noise changes.

So now that I know that, I'm going to keep those things in mind on the flight when I hear the noise change. I'm also going to make it a point to talk to the pilots before the flight, because that will ease my mind a little. Brian told me that the other day, a woman went up to talk to him because she was a nervous flier, and he showed her the foot rests that the pilots use while flying. He pointed out how worn out the paint is on them, because while people in the back are nervous about the bumps, the pilots are sitting with their feet up, drinking coffee and reading a newspaper. Hahaha, I don't think that makes me feel any better!

I'm hoping that I'll be able to sit Indian-style in my seat--because when my feet are up off the floor, I don't feel the little bumps. But holding them up is some serious ab-work! I'm going to take Xanax before the flight, but meds never help me when I'm THIS nervous.

This was my last flight (Aug 2010). I'm only smiling because I was drunk.

The temperature in Arizona is supposed to be over 100 degrees most of the time we're there. It RARELY reaches 100 degrees in Michigan in the middle of summer! So I'll be packing some sundresses and shorts.  I bought a luggage set at Goodwill today for $20. It came with 3 nesting suitcases--the outer one is HUGE, and at first I thought it was $20 for just that suitcase. I decided to buy it, and when I opened it up, there was another suitcase inside. I opened that, and there was another. So I thought it was an awesome deal.

Tomorrow I need to finalize all the details for my kids. My sister is coming in on Wednesday to take care of them until Sunday. Our plane doesn't arrive until 6 pm Sunday. My kids are going to have a blast with my sister, of course!


12 comments:

  1. I will be thinking about you Wednesday, praying that you have a safe and event free flight. It is way too freaking hot in Arizona! I live in New Mexico, right up in the NW corner by Colorado so it's usually pretty mild here. I know you'll do fine on the flight,the xanax will help but maybe a couple of shots too? : ) Have a great trip and I hope your boys have a good time with your sister!

    -Jen (jennygump21)

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  2. I've been an ok flier, but the worse was the red-eye from San Francisco to NY on the way back from our honeymoon. I think they have different flight patterns since there are less flights (yes?) and there was A LOT of turbulence. That wouldn't have been so bad if my new husband wasn't SLEEPING through all of it! He was supposed to comfort and protect me, dang it!

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  3. Katie, your photo with that comment below was just about as funny a thing I've seen in a long time. I love your sense of humor. If I don't catch you before, have a great flight (I KNOW you will - HELLO, Xanax!!) and a wonderful time. XO

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  4. HI katie my name is maria(desyacv2)on sparkpeople. and I always read all your blogs, I love them. I was following you on sparkpeople and you posted that you always write here. I didn't comment cause I thought I had to have an account on here in order to do so. well I just want to tell you that you are an inspiration, and good luck with the trip. can't wait to hear all about it.

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  5. Being from Arizona I know all about that heat...especially if you aren't used to it! My family is still in Arizona and said that it was cold yesterday so that could be a good thing? Maybe it won't be blistering hot?? As for flying...my kids have never flown until this year and it was a flight from LA to Japan and I was by myself as my husband had already arrived in Japan 2 weeks prior!!! So just remember that things could be worse!! hahaha!! Have fun and can't wait to see your photos!!! Safe flight!!

    J2Marine--sparkpeople!

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  6. Hey good luck for your flight and well done on facing your fears :-) Im a nervous wreck of a flyer (never used to be so dont know why I am now!!) and I have to travel for work every two months... I think the frequent travel is helping me to get over it... My best tip is to take a really good book and get stuck into it!

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  7. woohoo good luck hon! My flight leaves bright and early tomorrow morning!!! I'll be gone to South Carolina for a week! EEEEEE so excited! Last time I rode a plane was 2002. This is my son's first time to fly though.

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  8. That is awesome that your brother is the pilot. Will your ipod help? How about a book on tape? What makes me nervous is when I see another plane up in the air nearby us. I worry that the pilot will have a collision since he has his feet up and is drinking coffee. LOL. :)

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  9. You'll do fine on the flight. I use to worry about the noises too. But think of the noises your car makes. I work for a company that does aeronautical data stuff. Almost everyone I work with is a pilot. It's made me a lot more relaxed. Pilots fly as often as you drive. Take a deep breathe and enjoy!

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  10. I had no idea the pilots were actually doing NOTHING during certain parts of the flight! Lemme have that job asap. I loved what you wrote under the picture, it made me seriously LOL! Maybe you should get drunk this time too! :)

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  11. Don't you just love getting more than you thought you were getting?!?!? Have fun in Arizona!!!!! Try not to worry!!!!! Your flight will be fine!!!!

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  12. If you wear headphones, you won't be able to hear the engine changes. Listen to some relaxing music and take a nap!

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