Non-Flyers

Hi,

I love to fly, although airport security can be a breadless PITA.

Jim

I really love to fly. Figure 3 hr. flight vs. 2 day drive = no brainer. The only advantage to driving is having a car on property so as to be able to go to the store, pharmacy, or off property retaurant.

I like flying, but security is becoming such a hassle. And I really resent all the nickling and diming that most airlines are doing now. It's gotten to the point now that if I'm going anywhere less than 8 hours away, I drive. With a family of 4, it's still cheaper to drive, anyway.

I love flying - wish we could afford to do it more often! I have never really had issues with security. just always get there as early as I can.

For a long time I was traveling quite a bit. A dislike of flying would have been ground out of me I think. Fortunately I've never had any issues with flying. I can't remember how I felt about it when I was very young though.

I am not a fan of flying never cared for it however driving from DE to FL sucked we have done it twice and that was enough for me

I love flying, which considering it would take days rather than hours to get to WDW by surface transport is probably a good thing.

I'm the same way about flying. I didn't used to be a big fan of flying but it grew on me - especially when it only takes a couple hours to fly vs. a couple days to drive to WDW.

We used to fly alot, but we're becoming bigger fans of driving. We tend to lug Gus around with us alot, so it's easier, and I really enjoy the scenery of the country. I think we've criss-crossed America 4 times via car. As long as we have time and are not in a hurry, we'll drive. But I think our drive limit is about 20 hours over 2 days max. Anything greater than that and we'll fly.

I would prefer to fly but we are drivers because Dave has a crippling fear of flying.

We flew to Mexico once and on the way there he was that guy who buzzed the flight attendant every time we hit a pocket of air. The way back he hit the airport bar before we left and he was a little better.

Also, as far as driving to Disney is concerned, we are less than 7 hours away so really for us it's not a huge deal. Any longer than that I'd probably put my foot down.

Well, once I manage to put the niggling environment-related guilt and the feelings of "OH MY GOD WE'RE ALL GOING TO DIE" everytime there's a bit of turbulance out of my head then I quite enjoy flying! Airports in particular are exciting (as long as you aren't stuck in one for hours of course)

So did you used to be scared of flying?

I'd say 'nervous' rather than 'scared'. And only during turbulance. I've learnt not to be nervous now though. Mostly. I can shut that little voice up.

Actually, the only during turbulance thing isn't true. There is always a very small thing inside me on landing and take off that reminds me that almost all plane crashes happen during landing and take-off, but like I say, I can kind of just ignore that voice now rather than getting nervous.

Haha - you've probably figured this out already, but I always think in terms of statistics - how statistically, flying is really very safe. It's the same pep talk that I give myself when I ride a roller coaster.

I can almost guarantee that we always hit turbulence just as the steward(ess) has poured me a coffee. I then have to swallow it quick or risk wearing it.

Yep I use stats to calm me down on planes too! On rollercoasters my head is too busy screaming "weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!" to think of stats.

I wish stats worked for Dave. Only vodka seems to do the trick!

We only ever flew once and that was to Disney, never flew again. It would also cost us a small fortune these dayd because of everthing we take, plus getting the stuff home that we buy while we are down there. (Brad - we need a little smiley icon thats pulling a tractor trailer imitate scrappy coming home from Disney!)

I always forget this when I consider flying other airlines. I've got status on American so I can check bags for free, but not on other airlines. Also the 2nd most often airline I fly is Southwest and they don't charge, so I'll forget when I need to book Continental or another airline and it really hurts the wallet to pay that fee BOTH WAYS.

Actually, vodka + stats = perfection.

Brad - have we heard yet if AirTran will adopt Southwest's practices after the companies are fully integrated? I'm really hoping so. I mean, Southwest has made SUCH a big deal about "bags fly free" (rightfully so!) that I can't imagine they'd backpedal.

Well AirTran is supposed to be their "premium" line now, right? I kind of agree that it would look bad to beat up all the other airlines about bag charges and then have it on AirTran. I also don't think it feels very "premium" to have to pay for bags. It will be interesting to see.

I have always hated flying. The first time I flew was right after sept. 11th. I was with my high school softball team and not my family. They took the two men next to me and escorted them off the plane. Ever since, flying has given me some serious anxiety. My Fiance and I are planning a trip to Hawaii for our honeymoon this summer and I'm going to need to be unconscious to make a ten hour flight.

Ohh...Hawaii..I want to go there..jealous!!

We do not fly. Well, I do, but my husband won't fly at all. So we drive over 16 hours to get to WDW! Worth it!

Omistars in Heaven above - Catherine, that's epic! We drove 12-14 when I lived in WV. Where are you driving from? (forgive me if you've already told and I'm forgetting

That WAS a scary time to fly. We flew to Paris for our honeymoon 6 weeks after 9/11. The airlines were amazing - we had the chance for a full refund from AirFrance - but we just decided we weren't going to let those horrible events stop us, or, you know, they win. But it definitely transformed flying forever.

And here's a question: what's the FARTHEST some of our members drive to get to WDW? I used to clock in 12-14 hours, and Catherine drives 16. Who beats that? I believe we have a couple of contenders...

We did the drive that took us 3 days driving 12-14 hours a day