To fly, or not to fly, that is the question …

• Posted in General musings

So, I’m planning on going to the RWA National Conference in Dallas this year. The problem is that I live about 1,000 miles from Dallas. So, I can either spend about 18 hours in a car both ways – or I can fly.

Gulp! 😯

I’ve never flown before. (Well, one time when I was three, but that doesn’t really count.) To say I’m nervous would be a severe understatement. Terrified. Petrified. Racing heart. Sweaty palms. Upset stomach. Three seconds away from a major freak out. That’s me when I think about flying.

In an attempt to overcome or at least lessen my fears, yesterday I went out to the Tri-Cities Regional Airport. Marketing director Melissa Thomas was nice enough to walk me through the whole flying process, from arriving at the airport, to going through security, to actually getting on the plane. I also got to look inside a 30-seater plane, which was cool. A big thanks go out to Melissa and the airport. You guys rock! 😎

I still don’t know if I can suck it up and get on a plane, though. Then again, I don’t want to spend the better part of a week driving either. My significant other wants to fly. He says we’ll have a drink before we get on, and everything will be fine.

Sure it will. Until I start hyperventilating and/or screaming and clawing at the door. He’s threatened to bring along some duct tape to take care of those potential problems, but I think security might have a problem with that. 🙂

What about you? Anybody out there have any flying tips for me? Hate flying? Love it? Is it worth the hassle? Inquiring minds want to know …

5 Responses to “To fly, or not to fly, that is the question …”

  1. Edie says:

    Jennifer, I enjoy flying, but a friend has to take Xanex before she gets on a plane. The worst part for me is waiting in airports, but I’ll be going to Dallas with Liz Kreger, so my whole experience should be fun. 🙂

    You might end up loving it. Give it a try!

  3. Jennifer Estep says:

    Thanks for the tips, guys. I appreciate them.

    I don’t know if I’ll fly or not. I got some anti-anxiety pills, but I don’t know if they’ll be enough to get me through it or not. I might chicken out and just drive. 😯

    Although next year, RWA is in San Francisco, so I would have to fly then …

  4. Michelle says:

    I love flying, or rather, the excitement of knowing I’m off to a new place. I have to fly to Nationals, I live in South Africa. So I fly from Cape Town to London, spend a couple days there with friends and family, and then fly on to Dallas. The worst part is queueing to get on the plane and to get through customs. I hate standing in queues.

  5. Jennifer Estep says:

    Michelle, you are such a world traveler! I’m impressed (and jealous). 😎

    I agree that the waiting is tough. If I could just get on the plane and have it immediately take off, I think I would do better. That way, I wouldn’t have time to think about what I was doing.

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