The first time you flew in a plane..Was it stressful?

[exploder3211]

Yesterday was the first time i have flown in my entire life. What an experiance. I had to fly out of IAD, becuas e of how last minute things where. I did not understand that shuttle buses take you places (ok i have never been to an airport like iad)and pick you up, so i walked half way before i relized this and was picked up by a bus, from economy parking. Then my flight got messed up and i wound up sitting there for 5 hours bored and going outta my mind. Got on the plane (a small canda air thing used by united holds 50 people)and was sat in the back next to the lavatory. Next to grandpa moses and hios wife. They where sooo nice and kept me from freaking out. Once i got up i was ok, but if the pilot turned the plane (and he seemed too every time i looked out the window) it bothered me a tad. Also the ac was messed up and we where delayed an hour because of the a/c... Ughhhh..Hopefully the trip home one be so bad. ANd a friend will be mmeeting me there and driving me home! Yeah, i don't have to drive around that area again

 

[retroguy]

You drove to Dulles?

Why didn't you fly out of Raliegh? Would have been a less busy airport, for sure! I hope that you remember where you parked!! The first time I flew was as a child, so I guess the coolness factor always kept me from being afraid. When you start something young, it's easier, I think. Flying is safer than driving, they say. =)

 

[retroguy]

Actually....

I've experienced stress on landing once. The gent in the seat in front of me went to the loo as the attendant was collecting drinks, etc, in preparation for landing. Well, he came back to his seat, Coke in hand. Add to that a rough touchdown, and the fact that I was wearing an Irish linen shirt, well, I didn't enjoy the Coke shower at all.

 

[hydralique]

I don't recall any stress . . .

from the first time I flew, but then again I was only six months old so arrangements as to parking and such weren't my concern. My only regret is that I have no idea as to what kind of plane it was - my mother had a choice as to a jet or prop plane and felt that "jets were kind of new" and maybe the prop plane was safer! I'd like to think it was a Lockheed Constellation, one of the most beautiful airliners of all time, but more likely it was just a DC of some sort, whatever American Airlines was flying in the fall of '59.

There I've gone and dated myself, but at least I did get the chance to fly on one of the old prop airliners!

To be honest, after having flown on a regular basis most of my life I've grown to really dislike it. The actual flying is fine, but airport design is appalling (and you can start with LAX), employees are often less than knowledgeable, and overall the whole thing is a huge hassle. If we only had some sensible 100-mph speed limits on rural interstates I'd be much less inclined to fly many places anyway.

 

[zipdang]

The stress of air travel

I was 10 days old the first time I travelled by airplane, the minimum age at the time (might still be) for an infant to fly in an aircraft. I spent the next several years flying back and forth across the country, so I became very comfortable with flying at an early age. I've flown semi-regularly ever since, although it's just been the last few years with the heightened terror alerts that I've started to feel more vulnerable during air travel. Also, in the last few years I've experienced a greater frequency of overbooked flights and late arrivals and departures. It all adds up to a flying experience that isn't quite what it used to be, although there are still some very good experiences to be had. The best flight I ever took was on Air France to Europe a couple of years ago. Everything about it was wonderful, and for me it set the bar for how great a flight can be.

 

[frigilux]

I hate, hate, HATE to fly. I've flown at least 20 times and had only one truly harrowing experience, back in the early 1980s. Two of the plane's three hydraulic systems went out and the pilot was having a lot of difficulty controlling the plane. We were dropping and lurching and stuff was flying all over the place. People were screaming and crying and even the stewards were scared, which is always a bad sign. We were sure we were going to crash. We had to dump all the fuel and make a very rough emergency landing. The scariest part was going down the damn emergency chute. I refused to leave my brief case behind, so I had an unstable ride to the ground, LOL.

I couldn't fly again for about 6 or 7 years. In fact, I went to a psychiatrist because it got to the point where if a plane flew overhead, I'd go into an anxiety attack. I also took Northwest's de-sensitization classes, which helped immensely. Best $500 I ever spent.

I still hate to fly and I'll usually pop a Xanax before I get on the plane. Fortunately, most flights are smooth and trouble-free! I just don't like the idea of being 30,000 feet in the air, or whatever it is. My favorite part of the flight is the final descent, when we're within about 1,000 feet of the ground. Then I relax.

 

[rp2813]

I was 12 when I first flew, on a 1-day business trip with my dad. We were supposed to be on a Lockheed Electra but since he was such a regular, they had room on a 727 that was leaving a few minutes earlier, put us on that flight and didn't charge him any extra. I can still remember that it cost $11.43 to fly on an Electra from the Bay Area to LA on PSA. For a 727 the price went up to $13.50. Wow, does that ever make 1967 seem like a long time ago--well, I guess 40 years qualifies! I really wanted to fly on the Electra and never did get my chance as PSA eventually phased them out. Air California had an all-Electra fleet in the beginning but I never had an occassion to fly to Orange County so missed out again. We lived near the airport and I used to like the song of the Electras as they fired up and taxied.

In my early 20's I used to hop on a Hughes Airwest Fairchild F-27 to visit friends in Reno. Those planes were way old and loud and only flew at about 15,000 feet. 1950's vintage leftovers from the fleet on the old Pacific Airlines. I used to fly Hughes a lot to Mexico, the fleet of flying bananas as they were called, mostly DC-9's. We'd hop our way down and I actually had fun with all the take-offs and landings. Free champagne and on the final leg, they'd just leave the bottle with you to get rid of it.

In my mid 20's I worked with a guy who had a pilot's license. 4 of us would rent a single engine plane and take day trips or sometimes we'd spend the night in our sleeping bags under the wings. First time we ever flew with him we were in a Cessna 172 and he didn't have his IFR rating so we couldn't be in the clouds. We were trying to get into Santa Barbara through the marine layer, he found a hole and dove through it and gave the rest of us a thrill, but we remained legal by never hitting a cloud.

On another trip, we flew to LA and for the entire distance (except passing by Vandenberg AFB) we were flying about 100 feet above the water along the coast. Great flight in a fast little beater Mooney.

After he got his IFR rating, we flew to LA again in another Cessna. It was storming and even a funnel cloud had been spotted about 30 miles south of the airport. He flew right in that direction, ready to test out his capabilities flying with instruments only. We got caught in the storm, could hear on the radio full size airliners asking to be routed around it, and my friend became totally disoriented and didn't know where we were, it was all gray, couldn't see a thing, and we were getting pushed down hard by strong downdrafts. I was so sure we were doomed, and felt so sick I found myself hoping we'd hit the side of hill so it would all be over. Ice built up on the wings. He finally managed to get us out of that mess but the ice didn't start melting off until after Santa Barbara.

You'd think I had learned my lesson and would have sworn off flying with this guy anymore, but ended up on a 2-week trip to Mexico in a Beechcraft Bonanza. We hopped our way down and back, stopping in Mexicali, Mulege, Mazatlan, Mexico City, Oaxaca, Puerto Vallarta, and Calexico. The fuel system on that plane was messed up, it was like the gauges were hooked up backwards or something and at one point we were at 10K feet, I was flying the plane, and it began to sputter. My pilot friend quickly flipped a switch to change fuel tanks and everything smoothed out, but he couldn't make heads or tails of the fuel situation. He decided we'd stop in Los Mochis to top off the gas just in case. That was a small airport with people waiting outside for a DC-3 to arrive. A snake slithered across the tarmac as we negotiated for gas. There were no fuel trucks. We ended up with a guy pouring gas into the tanks from a 15 gallon square container. That was enough to get us to Mazatlan where we they had a full service airport and we gassed up for the leg to Mexico City. Boy did we feel small landing in Mexico City.

About a month after we got home, there was news of a small plane crashing in that same area I mentioned above where it was storming. Turns out it was that same Bonanza we took to Mexico, and while weather may have been a factor, my bet is that there were fuel issues. The phone lines were buzzing amongst the four of us who had flown to Mexico after hearing that news.

In recent years I've come to dislike flying and have more of a fear of it than I ever used to. In this day and age where everybody is obsessing over the bottom line, I feel that standards have been lowered and there is less attention being paid to doing the job right. You look at those yahoos loading up the plane or hot rodding the luggage trucks and you have to wonder if they really care if they latched a cargo door correctly or whatever.

If they'd get moving on the high speed rail project between the Bay Area and LA, I'd abandon flying to that destination for good. Meanwhile, I allow extra time to drive down on the 101 and enjoy the scenery.

 

[petek]

First flight was my 5th birthday and dad took me for a helicopter ride,,those two seater types with the big glass bubble...wonderful, I've still never forgotten it.
Next was a few years later when I was about 8 and they started local service to Toronto from here using old old old DC3's from wartime..what a treat, we went on a 1/2 hr flight over the county.
At 11 I went with mom to the UK on a BOAC 707 and we returned on a Vickers VC10, that was in 1967. Wonderful.
Since then I've flown countless times, mostly work related and for a few years at least once or twice a week. I grew to hate it more and more as the seats got smaller, planes and airports got more crowded and it basically became no better than taking a Greyhound service wise. Now I avoid flying at all costs, only when I have to. I'd rather drive or take a train and make the journey part of the vacation or trip. If I can get to Omaha this fall I'll probably drive

 

[jons1077]

Exploder

I'm sorry your first experience had to be out of Dulles. Tony works out of Dulles and I've been there more times than I can count. It has to be one of the most ridiculous airports I've ever seen. Those stupid people movers are so stupid.

Jon

 

[washabear]

The first time I flew, it was in first class, and I loved it—it was only later that I realized what flying is REALLY like! Actually, I didn’t mind flying at all in the past (waiting in airports is another story), but over the past 7 years or so, it has started disturbing my ears so much that I can’t handle more than one flight a day anymore, and now I prefer not to fly if I don’t have to. EarPlanes help a lot, though.

I hope your return experience is more pleasant than your outgoing one.

 

[frigilux]

Ralph, I'm with you! I'd much rather take my time and drive---enjoy the scenery. Unfortunately, sometimes I'm on too tight a schedule and have to take to the air.

 

[rp2813]

I had a friend who worked for Continental. She'd bump me and my partner up to 1st class whenever she could. That truly IS the only way to fly.

Which brings to mind the old Western Airlines ads with the bird sitting on the plane's tail advising that Western was "the only way to fly."

I'm sure there are some other slogans people remember out there from the days before deregulation when there were tons of airline companies operating in the states. Like National's "Is this any way to run an airline?" etc.

As for favorite aircraft of recent years, I'd have to say mine is the Lockheed L-1011. It wasn't a Constellation but it kinda sounded like one as you were cruising along. Reminded me of the totally inappropriate prop airliner sound effect that was dubbed into "Airplane!" which is probably my all time favorite movie.

 

[fa_f3_20]

I've been flying since I was a small child. The most "vintage" plane I ever flew on back in the day was an Eastern Martin 404. (I didn't find out until some years later that they had a poor safety record...) I've flown on a whole bunch of different planes. My favorite to date is the 777 business class/first class with the leather seats. I've probably flown at least once in just about every civilian airliner that's been designed since 1960 or so except, oddly, the 747. And, over the past ten years, I've had opportunities to fly in a couple of other vintage planes at airshows. I once had the opportunity to fly in the right seat in a pre-war Ford Trimotor. Talk about vintage! How anyone could have stood one of those things for any length of time is beyond me.

One unusual one I recall was the BAC 111. The Rolls-Royce engines in it wound up to such an RPM during takeoff that the engine noise went completely ultrasonic, and for a few minutes you didn't hear any engine noise at all. Just the wind. That must be what it's like in a glider (I've never been in one).

 

[rp2813]

I've been in a glider as a kid and got totally sick. It's not quiet at all, very loud wind noise. I didn't enjoy it and know I still wouldn't. If you've gotta rely on updrafts and downdrafts, count me out. I'd still get sick today. Either that or the pilot was bent on making me and/or my friend puke our guts out.

The airport where the gliders used to operate from is long gone. I think the Oakland A's are going to build a new ballpark on or near the site of it.

My dad was in the 101st Airborne glider infantry in WWII and made it through D-Day and Bastogne, and finally to the "eagle's nest" in Germany. That was a bit of a different story, as the gliders were towed and then cut loose to land, not to soar. I use the term "land" loosely, as every landing was a crash landing. They didn't even have wheels, they had skis. My partner and I learned a lot going back to Normandy for the 50th anniversary of D-Day with him. I'm really glad I did. It made me appreciate all the war stories he had been telling for years around the dinner table.

 

[nurdlinger]

It was 1968, I was nineteen...

and I was very excited to fly, not anxious at all. The plane was the BAC 111 mentioned above, belonging to Mohawk airlines. They had an interesting deal whereby for some fixed fee you could fly as many flights as you could book over a weekend. I forget what the fee was, but it was affordable for a college student.

Mohawk had some unusual seating arrangement on that plane, not just rows of seats facing forward. I seem to remember some were sideways, and there was not a straight aisle down the middle of the plane. The flight attendants sat at the front with their backs to the bulkhead.

The big drawback was that I did not anticipate that airsickness was just like seasickness, to which I was prone. For those of you who can appreciate this, I got seasick on the Bob-Lo boat.

 

[Cybrvanr]

I enjoy flying, primarily because of all the idiots out on the road around here. Driving around Virginia has become extremely stressful. It's bumper to bumper, door to door at all hours of the day and night. Virginia also has more than it's share of semi-truck traffic as well. It certainly makes for a harrowing experience attempting to get anywhere by automobile....that is if the traffic is even moving. Many times, Virginia highways are parking lots either because too many people are trying to use them at the same time, or some careless idiot decided to crash.

The part of flying I don't like is on the ground dealing with security, ticket desks, rescheduled flights, lost luggage, and all the other hassles airlines put one through. Just get me on the plane!!! Once I'm on the plane, I can sit back and relax knowing someone else is handling all the stress of driving that beast...someone that is well qualified, and even more qualified than me. It also is reassuring knowing that aircraft are generally taken care of much better than most people's automobiles...there are some real beaters on the roads around here lately! I like the movement of an airplane lots better than a car. Planes bank gracefully, and even when it's turbulent, their up & down movements are more gentle than the bumpy, jarring ride one gets in even the smoothest riding automobile!

My first experience with flight was when I was aboug 14 years old. They had airplane rides at the Wright Brothers memorial in Kill Devil Hills. Dad, my sister, and myself went up in a little Cessna 172 and he flew along the islands showing us all the shipwrecks and other sights. I totally loved it! The little airplane had a very graceful, light feel to it as he banked back and forth over the islands. To this day, small planes are my favorite to fly in, especially since taking one is much easier than dealing with all the mess on the ground with airliners.

 

[exploder3211]

Thanks... Its was very last minute and there where no flights out of RDU.. The ticket its self was $180 round trip so i hopped on it. United was wonderful to fly on and i will fly them again if i absolutly forced. I think i parked in the green or blue area.. Brain keeps re itterating the blue zone. Yes those stupid people movers.. The terminals are also very annoying and the fact its soo damn spead out...
Oh well hopefully i wont half to fly again for a while

 

[waterstreet]

First Flight

Spring, 1938, I am three and on a flight from Chicago to San Francisco. We stop for fuel – I think Omaha – the stewardess takes me to the cockpit where the pilot pins United Airline Wings to my jacket.
We go outside, passengers are strolling around on the runway, I am fascinated at the big plane – gleaming polished aluminum – two big motors and propellers.
Back underway, I am fed a meal, on little plates, like a child’s tea party. Then I was put to bed, at least it seemed like a bed.
I apparently slept through the dreaded air pockets over the Rocky Mountains – I have no recollections of the plane dropping suddenly, only the echoes of the adults talking about their fright.
At the end of the flight, the stewardess gave me the little salt and pepper shakers with the United logo that were on my meal tray. For years I had them at my place at the breakfast table.

David

 

[toggleswitch]

Everything begins with a thought.........

Many people experience stress in that one must relinquish ALL control and put their lives and comfort into the hands of others in order to fly.

Similarly all must think of others and work together to make the exerience enjoyable. Herein lies the problem. the typical "Me first, screw YOU" attitude just does not work in the belly of a mechanical bird. Y'all are stuck in a sealed, isolated cramped space.

Some have a drink to be able to relax enough to fly. Others resort to chemical war-fare (valium and modern equivalents.)

I say, it's all in the attitude and through process. In life we can only be disappointed when we have expectations. Change your expectations and you won't have fear, worries or disappointments.

Que sera, sera. Whatever will be, will be..........