anxiety about flying

[LoveTrains]

I am flying tomorrow, and I have such anxiety right now. Like this gnawing feeling in the pit of my stomach. What if we get delayed and miss our connection? What if I can't fit my bag in the overhead bin? Our connection is like 45 minutes, and I stayed up until 3 AM last night worrying about it.

I know it will be fine, but why do I get myself so riled up and nervous about this stuff? Any suggestions for calming myself down/destressing?

[Deleted]

It will be fine. You're a seasoned traveler! If you miss your connection they'll rebook you. If your bag doesn't fit they'll put it down below. Everything will be okay.

[Deleted]

Oh and I like to look at the airport maps the night before if I have a connection.

[mrs.spunky]

Jul 9, 2012 9:58:58 GMT -5 @notquiteblushing said:

Oh and I like to look at the airport maps the night before if I have a connection.

There is also an app, I think it is called Gate Guru or something, where you can look up gates/maps.

[LoveTrains]

Hahah, my first flight is at 6 AM. Can I have a drink on that flight?! Second flight leaves before 9 am!

[Roc A Bee]

This was totally me earlier this summer when I was traveling. The most important thing for me is to allow myself plenty of time. I worry about traffic getting to the airport and the time it takes to go through security. So give yourself plenty of time and definitely have a cocktail!

[LoveTrains]

Oh and the reason I am so stressed about the connection is that I am flying through Cleveland, and if I miss my originally scheduled flight, there are no other direct flights to my destination. So then I will have to be rebooked through Chicago which means my flight now becomes three legs and it sounds annoying. But I know, it is what it is and I should just go with it!

Also, I am taking a little embraer type plane for my first flight. the kind with one seat, an aisle, then two seats. Do they normally have to gate check roller suitcases for this?

[rikki]

Jul 9, 2012 10:01:55 GMT -5 LoveTrains said:

Hahah, my first flight is at 6 AM. Can I have a drink on that flight?! Second flight leaves before 9 am!

Sure you can! I've had many bloody marys on early morning flights.

[rikki]

Yes, you will definitely have to gate check your bag for the first flight. They give you a tag at the counter and you just leave it and pick it up on the jet bridge.

[Pom]

If you are on the smaller plane, just gate check. I used to fly those all the time.

[LoveTrains]

Jul 9, 2012 10:09:01 GMT -5 kooshball said:

Why not just check the bag so you don't have to worry about that?

Because the airlines always lose my luggage. Plus it's much more MM to carry on only. I packed like a champ for 10 days in a carry on.

[Deleted]

Think of all the stupid people who fly every day.

No, really. Just think of them. Very very stupid.

And you are smarter than all of those stupid people.

If they can do it, surely you can do it.

[aerowife2010]

You will be fine, especially if you're flying out of PVD. As others have said, they'll plane check your bag on the first flight so you will just have to wait around for that but Cleveland is a small enough airport that it won't make a difference.

And no, 6 AM is not too early for a drink... just make sure you have cash since the smaller planes (at least for Delta) don't accept credit cards!

[LoveTrains]

Flying out of BDL, but that cash tip is good!

[LoveTrains]

So I made it! Thx for all your tips. But we did almost miss our connection bc we sat on the Tarmac in Hartford for like 30 minutes for no reason while I had a quiet panic attack in my seat. We only had 25 minutes for the connection but all worked out.

I can't wait to take the train home.