Submitted by Fred on

Transporting

Categories
Lifestyle

The thing that makes me most anxious is flying :(

Not the fear of flying (crashing), but the days before agony of worrying about COVID, the weather, cancellations, delays or diversion.  

The sleepless night before. 

The too early wake up, the getting to the airport early, waiting on line for boarding passes, checking your bags, clearing security, the endless walking to the gate, then sitting and waiting (as you had to be 2 hours early), the boarding crush, sitting in a claustrophobic tube, existing for hours without Wi-Fi, the incessant deafening noise, the people all around you (including uncontrolled screaming kids), wearing the stifling N95 mask (and smelling my breath), trying to consume airline food and more that I have put out of my mind…

Then, you finally land and you tell yourself we made it, we’re free, but no! They force us to wait interminably in that narrow claustrophobic tube on the macadam for a disembarking slot.  

Take it from me, Unanticipated late stage agony is the worst of all! 

It’s enough to make me wish Scotty could just beam me up :)

Comments

Ray Walcott

Perfect description of the anxiety we feel when flying. I try to get to the airport very early, have my Apple Music ready to go with some of my favorite playlists and just try to chill.
Paul Napolitano

Great description of your agony! An unfortunate, necessary evil. We have given up flying to any place closer than a ten hour drive, it’s just not worth it.
Fred Klein

The way you drive 10 hours gets you places :)
Daniel Schwartz

You hit it on the nose Fred. Like Paul mentioned, we do not fly unless more than 10 hours away. Even then, we often will drive to and from NY to Florida. I hate traffic and the Virginia DC area is the worst. So we just prepare for the worst and get through it.
Shelley Simpson

Wow! The part that bothers me the most is the uncertainty around what the rules will be at check int - shoes, laptops, etc And the mask is not pleasant. If I experienced it the way you describe, I doubt I would fly anywhere ever!. Glad you don't have to fly often.

Submitted by Judy_Mauer on Thu, 01/06/2022 - 21:50

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Judy Mauer

Well described - however as a habitual traveler I just try to zen through it.
Shawn Bernabeu

Fred - Please watch the comedian Sabastian Maniscalco's bit on the airport. You can find it on YouTube. It will be the best 5 minutes of the day.
Victoria Drogin

The uncertainty is the worst for me. Once we are off as scheduled I’m ok. But I do love the control aspect of having my own car and driving. Dana is in Virginia and that drive is (mostly) a pleasure.
Paul Napolitano

I agree, the uncertainty is the worst part of it. Cancellations, delays, etc.
Fred Klein

Another way you are cooler than me :)

Submitted by Judy_Mauer on Fri, 01/07/2022 - 00:29

In reply to by Fred

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Judy Mauer

ha ha ha - you have your own way of being cool :0)
Brett Deutsch

Thanks, Fred. I learned a new word: "macadam." Otherwise, I say pay for the Wi-Fi if you want it, use a little binaca, and try the Korean KF94 masks...they're super comfortable (I barely notice it's on).
Brett Deutsch

I know. I looked it up after seeing it in your blog. I thought it might be just some weird autocorrect of the word "tarmac."

Submitted by Justin_Wynne on Fri, 01/07/2022 - 05:16

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Justin Wynne

Couldn't agree with you more! Don't forget about the dreaded person in front who reclines the chair all the way back! Maybe one day the hyperloop will become a reality, probably not in any of our lifetimes though
Rona Gura

You have set forth my anxiety about flying perfectly. Although for me it's not so much as being claustrophic but its about having no control every time the plane shakes. . . .

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