What Have I Done....Regret Booking

[get me outta here]

It's always a good idea to go into a plane with warm clothes as sometimes the aircon is a bit unreliable so have layers. It is normal to feel the cold a bit more when asleep.

I'm not sure how valuable the rear car sat experiment will be ... The upstairs cabin is much better than the downstairs one. 35 D has lots of leg room, there are not many people in the upstairs cabin using the loos so that won't matter that you are close to them. Also, you may be able to change seats if there are any spare that you like upstairs.

Thanks you're all making it sound tempting, like when I was at the travel expo.

Going to do a test and sit in my car rear seat (30 inches) for 2 hours watch a movie then get up, see how it goes.

I can apparently book an exit row on the upper deck in economy but its way down the back, 35D does it get quite cold in the exit rows ?

 

[DC3]

... I can apparently book an exit row on the upper deck in economy but its way down the back, 35D does it get quite cold in the exit rows ? ...

Just keep the window closed.

 

[browski]

You know, some people were never meant to fly overseas and it seems you might be just one such case.
On balance it seems best for all concerned that you avoid this trip. I think the fear and regret you feel now will only be multiplied if you actually go.

 

[get me outta here]

Yes, there is that of course. I also know a few people who took their first long trip after retirement and took to it like ducks. This thread reminds me of the recent one of an American coming here and their worries of the distance etc:

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....ravel-from-united-states-australia-62101.html

You know, some people were never meant to fly overseas and it seems you might be just one such case.
On balance it seems best for all concerned that you avoid this trip. I think the fear and regret you feel now will only be multiplied if you actually go.

 

[Kate101]

Have not read through the previous post, so forgive me if this advice has been offered...My flying limit is 4 hours, after this I want out, I am flying to LA in Feb 2015, in economy like you and I am terrified, I hate flying, I won't put all my fears on here, I hope to encourage you to go...lol...everyone has said to me not to think of the flight, think of what you are going to be able to see and whilst away. Keep yourself occupied on the flight over and back, don't keep watching he time, it will go faster that way. Think that you may never get this chance again.

Try not to let the flight stop you from going, if I can do it anyone can. You will miss the adventure of a life time if you don't go and will have so much regret

 

[JohnK]

I can apparently book an exit row on the upper deck in economy but its way down the back, 35D does it get quite cold in the exit rows ?

Sometimes it can be cool.

I never quite understood why people travel in a flimsy t-shirt and then ask for a blanket. I always wear a jacket in flight. I hate waking up with snifles or a blocked nose.

 

[Ataj]

...My flying limit is 4 hours, after this I want out, I am flying to LA in Feb 2015, in economy like you and I am terrified, I hate flying,

Hi Kate thanks and good luck to you as well.

I know somebody, an author who travels to Europe a few times each year, he's a plane nut, knows so much about aircraft & flight. Anyway, he gets jittery flying.

And I reckon many many people don't like it or get anxious, the issue is to what degree.

Can I ask, is you issue like the cramped space or fear of issues with the plane ? Mine is basically the cramped space, and unfortunately most of us that fly in any plane are in the econo section.

 

[clazman]

I went from 48'C in WA to minus 10'C in Toronto ... in shorts and tshirt...... never again....

 

[Kate101]

Hi Kate thanks and good luck to you as well.



Can I ask, is you issue like the cramped space or fear of issues with the plane ? Mine is basically the cramped space, and unfortunately most of us that fly in any plane are in the econo section.

Thanks for the good wishes

The cabin isn't that cramped, it is wider than a train carriage, I am claustrophobic too, so understand your concern, they are quite roomy, even in economy, so you shouldn't worry about that part.

My fear comes from the fact that I can't control what is happening, i can not get off the plane when I have had enough, never had ridden a roller coaster for the same reason, also heights are the devil, I hate heights, so i don't get the window seat and never look out it, my daughter takes great pleasure in trying to get me to look out, I have gotten better, i do a quick 1 sec glance out the window, but that is it... Then for this flight, we are flying over a vast ocean, nothing but deep blue sea...15 hours over the **** sea...I don't drink so i can't calm my nerves that way, so I am taking lots of books, crosswords and such to occupy my mind, plus inflight entertainment.

I have told my daughter - If the flight is really bad, we will become illegals in US, as I am not getting back on the plane to come home...lol

I have had my nervous "what have I done" moments too, more so lately as we are in the last few weeks before we leave, it is starting to get really real...I just keep thinking past the flight, thinking about landing, going to Disneyland and our other plans, I think about how upset my daughter would be if I backed out, this is the trip of a life time, I don't think I will ever get the chance again...All that calms me down

 

[clazman]

I hear you, i get claustrophobic and scared of heights... as I get older it got worse.. use to have a pilots license and enjoyed the window seat...now I sit in the aisle

 

[Ataj]

My fear comes from the fact that I can't control what is happening, i can not get off the plane when I have had enough, Then for this flight, we are flying over a vast ocean, nothing but deep blue sea...15 hours over the **** sea...I don't drink so i can't calm my nerves that way, so I am taking lots of books, crosswords and such to occupy my mind, plus inflight entertainment.

Kate, well done on your honesty, seriously you have my admiration. But I feel very similar, the ocean bit, yep can feel that as well. I think though, there are probably a fair few places along the way they could make an emergency landing, like Hawaii.

Your planning seems to be doing well, I really really hope you have a great trip and thanks for sharing because believe it or not it is comforting to know you're not a silly bugger and everyone else is ultra brave.

 

[dajop]

Kate, well done on your honesty, seriously you have my admiration. But I feel very similar, the ocean bit, yep can feel that as well. I think though, there are probably a fair few places along the way they could make an emergency landing, like Hawaii.

For reassurance plenty of places dotted across the Pacific for what is much more likely to be an unscheduled landing (as opposed to an emergency landing which are much rarer). Fiji, New Caledonia, Auckland, Hawaii are all places that QF have made unscheduled stops for various reasons (such as medical issues with a passenger).

 

[Kate101]

Kate, well done on your honesty, seriously you have my admiration. But I feel very similar, the ocean bit, yep can feel that as well. I think though, there are probably a fair few places along the way they could make an emergency landing, like Hawaii.

Your planning seems to be doing well, I really really hope you have a great trip and thanks for sharing because believe it or not it is comforting to know you're not a silly bugger and everyone else is ultra brave.

Thank you very much for your comments, nope your not a silly bugger.

My first flight, we were walking down the gang plank to the plane, just as we got to the doors of the plane, I bolted back to the lounge, I was not budging from my seat, no way at all. One of the flight attendants came out and talked to me and my daughter, aged 8 at the time, talked me round and convinced me to board. QANTAS was wonderful to me and really looked after me on board.

I glad I am not alone in my fear/thinking, both our trips will be amazing. The flight attendants are wonderful and if they know you are a bit afraid or claustrophobic, they will talk you through it all and check on you through the flight, they have with me in the past.

Don't not go, you will regret it for ever and if you cancel this one, it will make it easier to back out of future trips. Think of how wonderful you will feel, upon landing, that you did it. I still hate flying, but i like to think i am getting a bit better at it...my daughter would argue that point with me...lol

 

[wandering_fred]

Thanks for the good wishes
...
I have told my daughter - If the flight is really bad, we will become illegals in US, as I am not getting back on the plane to come home...lol
...

Last I checked they still run ships (freighters) from the west coast USA to Australia. :mrgreen::shock: Though the time it takes for the trip (and the price they charge) will make the airplane option local better and better.

Believe me the flights you are considering will be a LOT better than my last transPacific economy flight - CX when they still used the shell seat.

Happy wandering

Fred

 

[JohnK]

And I reckon many many people don't like it or get anxious, the issue is to what degree.

Can I ask, is you issue like the cramped space or fear of issues with the plane ? Mine is basically the cramped space, and unfortunately most of us that fly in any plane are in the econo section.

I am claustrophobic and have been suffering from panic attacks and anxiety attacks for 20+ years.

Usually a 1/2 Xanax is enough to relax me. Sometimes on longer flights I may take a full Xanax. It is not enough to put me to sleep. I aware of what is going on around me. I enjoy the flight.

 

[NFF]

St. John's Wort is for anxiety too.

 

[aaflyer]

I hear you, i get claustrophobic and scared of heights... as I get older it got worse.. use to have a pilots license and enjoyed the window seat...now I sit in the aisle

I know someone that's claustrophobic and agoraphobic. Makes travel rather interesting for them, considering airports are designed (in general) to be large, open airy spaces. Doesn't help that they love being overseas.

 

[medhead]

My wife has the fear of flying. I'm hearing many similar words in thread as I hear from her before each trip. In the end we get to the destination and she loves it, wonders what the issue was in the first place. Get on the aircraft sit down and enjoy the movies forget about everything else.

Have not read through the previous post, so forgive me if this advice has been offered...My flying limit is 4 hours, after this I want out, I am flying to LA in Feb 2015, in economy like you and I am terrified, I hate flying, I won't put all my fears on here, I hope to encourage you to go...lol...everyone has said to me not to think of the flight, think of what you are going to be able to see and whilst away. Keep yourself occupied on the flight over and back, don't keep watching he time, it will go faster that way. Think that you may never get this chance again.

Try not to let the flight stop you from going, if I can do it anyone can. You will miss the adventure of a life time if you don't go and will have so much regret

My wife had a few appointments to talk through her fears before the last trip. It really helped much better than me telling her not to worry. You have time and I'd highly recommend sitting down with someone to work through the issues.

 

[Ataj]

I went today to book my seats online and found out something interesting that others may or may not know.

Any trying and trying to select seats with no luck, so call Qantas and the lady is stumped as to why I cannot choose points as an option to select my seats in advance. She has to refer to somebody higher and so I'm on hold for 10 minutes and comes back to tell me that only the first seat selection can be made using points all other are paid for.

Didn't know that and she referred me to the section (3) in Advance Seat selection. Now given the Qantas people were stumped I hope this is of some benefit to others.

 

[shambles]

can the pilot fly 14 hrs straight ?

Not a problem... while everyone down the back are washing down sleeping pills with their scotch and coke, the lone pilot (aka computer operator) up the front is smashing the speed & cocaine to make sure he can successfully negotiate an early morning landing at traffic-dense LAX - its just a big airborne pharmac_ - I'm sure you'll be fine

OK... just before youskull that entire bottle & hit that cancel button for what will be an awesome trip, I too have two words... cough***G DON'T! (sorry mods )

Everyone has their opinion on the best city in the world - mine was usually European - Barcelona, Budapest, Paris etc etc etc. Then I went to NYC - its in a league of its own - there are the world's awesome cities and then there's New York. Sure its cold, sure the flight is long, sure the extra trip from/to LAX is a pain in the cough; none of them are reasons to miss out on one of the best travel experiences money can buy.

Have an amazing time and if you are still thinking of cancelling, pay for me (or another willing P1) to accompany you at the back of the plane and at least your holiday will be enhanced with lots of free booze, extra nice service and some potentially improved seating arrangements

ENJOY THE RIDE