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smirkymonkey

(63,221 posts) Tue Sep 17, 2019, 02:57 AM Sep 2019

I have to leave for the airport in two hours for a business trip and I am dreading it. [View all]

I am still up. Can't sleep. I only fly for business about once or twice a year but I hate it. Going from Boston to Cinci, so about a 2 hour 40 minute flight. In the past I have flown at night and taken some Valium or Xanax to deal w/ nerves but I can't this time because I have to go right to work when I get there.

Of course I will be kind of a mess because I haven't slept and we have a dinner at 6:30 so I won't be back at the hotel until 9pm at the earliest. I cannot wait until this trip is over. I would give anything to be able to skip the trip and sleep for the next two days. I am so exhausted from getting up early this weekend. At least I will be able to take Friday off and have a long weekend.

Anyway, I am terrified of flying so if anything happens, know that I love you all!

76 replies

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I have to leave for the airport in two hours for a business trip and I am dreading it. [View all] smirkymonkey Sep 2019 OP

Air travel is the safest form of traveling...have a safe trip...and sleep tight. pbmus Sep 2019 #1

Thanks! I know that, but it's just a phobia, which I know is not rational. Still, I hate smirkymonkey Sep 2019 #2

Aerophobia is the 4th most common... pbmus Sep 2019 #3

I don't like elevators either, but I have managed to cope now that I am on low floors smirkymonkey Sep 2019 #4

When someone asks me how I'm doing...I tell them.. pbmus Sep 2019 #8

You sound very much like me. Pacifist Patriot Sep 2019 #20

In what way? smirkymonkey Sep 2019 #66

I have developed way more neuroses as I get older. Pacifist Patriot Sep 2019 #73

Oh, I know what you mean. This fear of heights has just developed over the smirkymonkey Sep 2019 #75

Don't worry, the plane probably won't crash. n/t PoliticAverse Sep 2019 #5

probably ! pangaia Sep 2019 #51

Nothing will happen! Try to at least rest some during the flight. sprinkleeninow Sep 2019 #6

All the best, sm I feel for you yet know you'll make it thru appalachiablue Sep 2019 #7

Thanks appalachiablue! smirkymonkey Sep 2019 #12

I find a mantra such as "it's no big deal" helps me get through rough patches. diva77 Sep 2019 #9

Thank you! smirkymonkey Sep 2019 #13

Try CBT safeinOhio Sep 2019 #10

If I got over it, I'd have to fly. But seriously, I firmly believe in CBT. Thanks for link. OP you emmaverybo Sep 2019 #11

Thanks you! I do see a CB therapist, but we have not addressed this issue. smirkymonkey Sep 2019 #14

I'll bet bourbon works even better.... pangaia Sep 2019 #52

you are going to be fine, smirkeymonkey Skittles Sep 2019 #15

Hey Skittles! smirkymonkey Sep 2019 #41

some of the bigger airports have programs where you can fly with pilots Skittles Sep 2019 #45

I'm not a pilot...But If yuo pay for my flight, I'll go with yuo some time. pangaia Sep 2019 #53

Heh, heh! smirkymonkey Sep 2019 #57

you got yourself a deal pangaia Sep 2019 #59

Not to change the subject, but Lefta Dissenter Sep 2019 #63

OH wonderful. I'm excited for you ! pangaia Sep 2019 #70

Thanks so much for the PM, pangaia! Lefta Dissenter Sep 2019 #76

There was a time in my life when I was on the road more than 60% of the time. NNadir Sep 2019 #16

It's exhausting. I hardly ever do it and I am taking a long weekend. smirkymonkey Sep 2019 #42

You made it! Just get through the day, and sleep on the return flight. Croney Sep 2019 #17

Thank you! smirkymonkey Sep 2019 #64

Let us now how your trip turned out PJMcK Sep 2019 #18

Hi PJMcK! smirkymonkey Sep 2019 #43

Backatcha! (n/t) PJMcK Sep 2019 #47

OK, I'll be your therapist for a moment. pangaia Sep 2019 #54

The fact that it feel so unnatural to get a huuuuuuuge mega fuck-ton of smirkymonkey Sep 2019 #61

Yep, you sound like me. Pacifist Patriot Sep 2019 #74

I don't mean to diminish this difficulty. Is there any kind of media you can immerse yourself in hlthe2b Sep 2019 #19

Thank you hlthe2b! smirkymonkey Sep 2019 #44

Does Cincinatti still have one of the worst-laid-out airports in the country ? eppur_se_muova Sep 2019 #21

Yes! It's awful! It's still like that. smirkymonkey Sep 2019 #24

Good luck ! Remember, you're halfway done ! nt eppur_se_muova Sep 2019 #35

May I suggest listening to Guided Imagery recordings about overcoming fear? flibbitygiblets Sep 2019 #22

Thanks flibbitygiblets! smirkymonkey Sep 2019 #65

Think about how many airplanes are taking off every minute around the world. athena Sep 2019 #23

That is the one thing that helps me the most. I think of all the thousands of planes that smirkymonkey Sep 2019 #28

Have a safe trip, SM! Niagara Sep 2019 #25

Thanks Niagara! smirkymonkey Sep 2019 #67

Can you get edibles where you are? customerserviceguy Sep 2019 #26

I think so, but it seems like most of the shops are kind of off the beaten path. smirkymonkey Sep 2019 #31

You can do this, smirkymonkey. gademocrat7 Sep 2019 #27

Thank you gademocrat7! smirkymonkey Sep 2019 #32

Sending you calming energy💫✨ MLAA Sep 2019 #29

Thanks MLAA! smirkymonkey Sep 2019 #33

Wonderful! MLAA Sep 2019 #34

I've started going to a biofeeedback therapist for my omnipresent anxiety. Peregrine Took Sep 2019 #30

That sounds interesting. Is it expensive? smirkymonkey Sep 2019 #68

Flying flips me out too Ahpook Sep 2019 #36

You just described my career. ooky Sep 2019 #37

Thank you, ooky! smirkymonkey Sep 2019 #46

The best part of the business trip was always coming home! ooky Sep 2019 #50

Serenity Prayer. KY_EnviroGuy Sep 2019 #38

And just remember to breathe! Rhiannon12866 Sep 2019 #40

Hey, Rhiannon. Thanks for that reminder. KY_EnviroGuy Sep 2019 #71

Thanks KY Enviro Guy smirkymonkey Sep 2019 #48

You were surprisingly calm. YES!! Good deal. Ahhh.. 💗 sprinkleeninow Sep 2019 #58

You're welcome and congrats on surviving the trip. KY_EnviroGuy Sep 2019 #69

Honestly, it's a little embarrassing, but I was praying to all my deceased smirkymonkey Sep 2019 #72

I'd worry more about Cincinnati than the flight DFW Sep 2019 #39

Cinci is not the most exciting place in the world, but it was mostly all work and smirkymonkey Sep 2019 #49

I use the Amtrak system out of Chicago often for business not too far away . Not because I'm lunasun Sep 2019 #56

Ugh! Flying is a nightmare for so many reasons, even if you aren't afraid to fly. smirkymonkey Sep 2019 #60

I'm glad you are back safe and sound. BigMin28 Sep 2019 #55

Thank you BigMin! smirkymonkey Sep 2019 #62