Please reassure me...

[fearful_flyer]

Do expect and plan to pay for food and beverages. For a 3+ hour flight, do either take along your own headphones or plan to buy a set on board ($3 I think). You might even be able to rent a portable video player on board.

yeah that sounds the same as Pacific Blue, but it's no worries for me as I'm too nervous to eat anyway!

I'm really just concerned with the safety and the attitude of the FA's. If I'm freaking out it's nice to be reasurred by the FA's rather than laughed at...

 

[markis10]

Travel to Auckland obviously has a lot of options if you dont mind a domestic leg:

Departure from: BNE on 18-03-2006 Arriving to: AKL
Depart Trm Arrive Trm Airline Flight Aircraft Via Elapsed Frequency
06:50 11:50 GA 0712 330 Non-Stop 02:00 hrs We,Sa
08:05 14:15 EK 0432 773 Non-Stop 03:10 hrs Daily
08:15 I 18:20 D NZ-NZ 0202-0540 320-320 CHC 07:05 hrs Sa
08:15 I 19:10 D NZ-NZ 0202-0542 320-733 CHC 07:55 hrs Sa
08:15 I 20:10 D NZ-NZ 0202-0548 320-733 CHC 08:55 hrs Th,Fr,Sa
08:15 I 21:40 D NZ-NZ 0202-0554 320-733 CHC 10:25 hrs Daily
09:00 I 15:10 I QF 0115 763 Non-Stop 03:10 hrs Daily
09:15 I 15:20 I DJ 0186 73H Non-Stop 03:05 hrs Sa
12:30 I 18:30 I NZ 0136 74E Non-Stop 03:00 hrs Sa
12:30 I 18:30 I TG 4805* 74E Non-Stop 03:00 hrs Sa
12:30 I 18:30 I UA 9574* 74E Non-Stop 03:00 hrs Sa
17:10 I 23:10 I NZ 0138 763 Non-Stop 03:00 hrs Sa
23:00 I 05:00 +1 BI 0071 763 Non-Stop 03:00 hrs Tu,Sa


Christchurch not as many
Departure from: BNE on 18-03-2006 Arriving to: CHC
Depart Trm Arrive Trm Airline Flight Aircraft Via Elapsed Frequency
08:15 I 14:40 M NZ 0202 320 Non-Stop 03:25 hrs Daily
15:10 I 21:40 M NZ 0204 733 Non-Stop 03:30 hrs Sa
16:15 I 22:35 M JQ 0415 320 Non-Stop 03:20 hrs Mo,Th,Sa
17:00 I 23:20 M DJ 0082 73H Non-Stop 03:20 hrs Daily
17:10 I 08:20 +1 M NZ-NZ 0138-0501 763-733 AKL 12:10 hrs Sa

 

[fearful_flyer]

Are you saying I should avoid Jetstar and take two flights instead? For me take off is the worse part, so I think I would prefer to only do that once... And I don't think I can justify the extra $$ for taking two flights to my boss...

 

[NM]

If you are very concerned about "freaking out", then it may be worthwhile consulting your GP to see if they recommend some minor sedation such as Vallium to help calm the mind.

Alcohol is probably not a good option as it affects different people in different ways and you probably don't want to be intoxicated and having an anxiety attack at the same time.

 

[markis10]

Are you saying I should avoid Jetstar and take two flights instead? For me take off is the worse part, so I think I would prefer to only do that once... And I don't think I can justify the extra $$ for taking two flights to my boss...

No, just giving you some options that may offer more comfort at a greater price. You might want to look at doing one of these courses: http://www.fearlessflyers.com.au/

I have heard good results with these and I think they are a great idea, of course being a instrument rated fixed wing/helicopter pilot and an ex ATC I could hardly say I am in the same shoes when it comes to not liking flying so please take my comments with a grain of salt!

 

[fearful_flyer]

Thanks again everyone,
I do actually have an anti anxiety medication that I have just started taking for panic attacks (i think im just scared of a lot of things!) so hopefully that wil help.

I have looked at the fearless flyers course and I would love to do it, but I just can't really afford the $850 that it costs... maybe i can claim it on tax as i need to fly for work! hehe

Thanks again for your help and reassurance everyone, I'm just about to go and book my JetStar flights now, wish me luck!

 

[BlacKnox]

Thanks again for your help and reassurance everyone, I'm just about to go and book my JetStar flights now, wish me luck!

Good luck fearful_flyer :!: I have no doubts you will arrive in CHC & back in BNE safely. Christchurch is a beautiful city - enjoy your stay .

 

[JohnK]

Thanks again everyone,
I do actually have an anti anxiety medication that I have just started taking for panic attacks (i think im just scared of a lot of things!) so hopefully that wil help.

Panic attacks are quite common. The mind races ahead of itself and starts thinking the worst.

It does not have to stop you from flying. A couple of 5mg valiums 1/2 hour before boarding and you will reach your destination without a hassle.

Good luck with your flights.

 

[Mahtoh]

The Tasman Ocean is VERY big. Your whole flight will be over water. Nowhere to land if there is a malfunction.

But don't worry.
:twisted:

 

[BlacKnox]

The Tasman Ocean is VERY big. Your whole flight will be over water. Nowhere to land if there is a malfunction.

But don't worry.
:twisted:

Poor form (insert thumbs down here).

 

[straitman]

Thanks again everyone,
Thanks again for your help and reassurance everyone, I'm just about to go and book my JetStar flights now, wish me luck!

fearful_flyer

I won't wish you luck because you don't need it :!: Everything will be fine.

If necessary, look beyond the trip and think of all the really great things at the destination.

8) :wink:

 

[fearful_flyer]

Hi Everyone,
just thought I would let you know that I arrived back from my trip this morning and I am obviously still alive!

Overall the flights were pretty good. I did take Frisium (an anti anxienty drug, but not a sedative) for both of the flights but as I was not sedated my heart and my mind were still racing a fair bit! For the flight over I was really nervous for take-off but I handled it a lot better then I have on previous flights and from then on it was quite good.

The return flight was in some ways better and others worse. I went really well for the first half, but then we hit some bumps (not bad, no seatbelt sign, but they all seem bad to me!) and my mind started to race again. Then the pilot told us we were slowing down to let other planes takeoff and land ahead of us (we were ahead of time) and I was convinced we were going to run into another plane... so for the last 1.5 hours its wasn't too pleasant

But all in all, a lot better than I expected and although I'm sure I will still be nervous net time I fly, I think it will be less.

I also wanted to comment on Jetstars trans tasman service. It was REALLY good! I was quite impressed! The planes were so new and quiet. Both flights landed early and the service was fine. On the way back I even got the two seats next to me blocked out on my request, so I had 3A with no one next to me, and the flight was pretty full as well
I definately liked Jetstar more than Pacific Blue for the BNE - CHC route, but this was probably mainly becasue the planes were a lot nicer, inside and out.

Thanks for your help everyone!

 

[Damien]

Hi Everyone,
just thought I would let you know that I arrived back from my trip this morning and I am obviously still alive!

Welcome back fearful_flyer! It's good to see that you're ok. 8)

But all in all, a lot better than I expected and although I'm sure I will still be nervous net time I fly, I think it will be less.

I'm sure you will. We all experience the occasional scary moment up there, but the rest of it can be fun. You might even surprise yourself one day and start to enjoy it.

 

[fearful_flyer]

I do love to travel, so I hope I love flying as well one day! I have a weird thing with airports... I hate the departures lounge (this is when I'm the most scared), but love arrivals! hehe

 

[jettgirl]

just remember fearful_flyer.. if the job was even the slightest bit dangerous.. i would not do it. i fly every single day (except my days off!) for the last six years - i wouldnt even consider doing this job if i thought my life was at risk.
The stories you hear about jetstar (low budget, boxing day sale-type rush to get a seat, tiny seat pitch etc), Virgin (crew dont know what they are doing and are too giggly, too low cost, not professional) and qantas (crew are old, bad service, old planes) are all just HYPE.
Australian aviation is up there as one of the safest in the entire world. Any of the three airlines above are perfectly fine, safe and comfortable.. its what you make it. Dont stress yourself out by listening to idiots who feel the need to always find fault with something.
All airlines have minor technical problems. engines on planes are like engines on cars, yes they have issues now and then (and sometimes you see them on the side of the road with the NRMA) but how many cars do you see exploding in a ball of flame and everyone dying because the engine blew up without warning? not many! As someone else said, maintenence is very strict when it comes to aircraft.. they get checked more throughly and alot more frequently than trains, boats or even your car, which probably only gets a service every 6 months or so.. these things get checked over EVERY DAY and after every flight and every few years they pull them apart COMPLETELY (strip everything out) and check it all before putting it back together. You are a million zillion times safer in the air than you are on a busy main road in your own car.

xx

 

[oz_mark]

You are a million zillion times safer in the air than you are on a busy main road in your own car.

There used to be a sign at Perth Airport when you arrived that said something along the lines of 'The safest part of your journey is over - drive carefully'

 

[MetroAir]

j
Australian aviation is up there as one of the safest in the entire world. Any of the three airlines above are perfectly fine, safe and comfortable.. Dont stress yourself out by listening to idiots who feel the need to always find fault with something.

Welcome jettgirl.

Please don't patonise those that may have flown more miles than you may ever imaginge that LCC's are fine or comfortable, I agree that Australian aviation is safe - but that is the sum total of your post that makes sense.

LCC's are just that, bus travel in the air.

Many of us would not be seen dead on board one of them, I doubt I will ever meet you in the sky.

As we now have reputation gradings, I expect this will attract negative ones.

 

[jettgirl]

Metro Air: i was simply reassuring the fearful flyer that flying any airline in australia is perfectly safe... it was primarily a discussion about safety.
Yes, low cost carriers are simply busses in the air.. but so are most other planes thesedays (gone are the glory days of Pan Am type flying) and as i doubt your ego would fit through the size of a normal passenger door in order to make your way left into first or business (and you would probably simply DIE if sat next to someone as low class as myself in first class anyway - how simply degrading that i am not as rich and impressive as you and probably flying for one tenth of your ticket price - and probably more frequently!) you must obviously have your own private business jet. So no, i probably will never run into you and i am sure i will get over it in time

thanks for the lovely welcome
xx

**edited to add: it is funny though how i have met alot of very high profile people who actually do own their own business jets, who dont seem to have a problem flying from point A to B in the easiest manner for one hour - regardless of who might 'see them'

 

[MetroAir]

Metro Air: i was simply reassuring the fearful flyer that flying any airline in australia is perfectly safe...

As did I

Yes, low cost carriers are simply busses in the air.. but so are most other planes thesedays (gone are the glory days of Pan Am type flying)

Not if you turn left

and as i doubt your ego would fit through the size of a normal passenger door in order to make your way left into first or business

Don't speak of what you don't know

(and you would probably simply DIE if sat next to someone as low class as myself in first class anyway

probably

So no, i probably will never run into you and i am sure i will get over it in time

good

thanks for the lovely welcome
xx

No problem

 

[Commuter]

Fearful_flyer,

Glad you didn't find the experience too bad!

Funnily enough, I'd quite happily pay more to fly on Jetstar A320 than on Virgin Blue/Pacific Blue 737 - I find A320 much more pleasant to fly in (although I might be very biased). In terms of safety, without going into details, I would prefer to fly with Jetstar.

I used to have a pretty horrible fear of flying, so I do understand your feelings though.