Annabelle2007

Hi All,
I'm terrified of flying and we need to get to the East Coast(from Seattle,WA)We're thinking of mid September for about three weeks,no kids. What's the best and most economical way(if any...) to do that??
Thanks!!

jbass

Suck it up Annabelle. Keep in mind two things: the pilot doesn't want to die either and more importantly, the airlines doesn't want to lose the plane.
With the price of gas; FLY and use the time seeing the East Coast.

frank_and_beans

most economical is to walk and live off the land.

best way besides flying is probably train.

gb944

Cheapest way? Walk or hitchhike.
Best way? Fly.
Somewhere in between: Drive, Bus, Train, Boat through the Panama Canal.

jbass

Yes, take the train or bus--that will break your fear of flying--good idea.

FainaAgain

Take Amtrak.

Take Internet lessons for "fear of flying". Learn the breathing technics on take-off and landing.

I bet next trip you'll fly.

kealalani

You all should be ashamed of yourselves!!! Oh you are all so omnipresent to know the who the new poster is? Perhaps you are correct, but if not you've just been incredibly mean. Why????

Most people are here to discuss travel. Those of you that want to trash posters should go away.

Annabelle, perhaps you should see a therapist or doctor to discuss your panic disorder, and possible medications to take for a flight. You will feel much more empowered facing this then taking trains and busses across the country. Good luck.

Hubster

If you take Amtrak your talking anywhere from $700-800 per person, RT.

jbass

Ahhh Amtrak. Sounds romantic.

Unless they've replaced all the road beds, you will never sleep. I took Amtrak from Chicago to Boston. Never slept once; the entire train rattles constantly. Try washing up in a 4 inch sink, too and not being able to shower. We cancelled our return and flew back.

vjpblovesitaly

I don't think anyone was being mean.

A_Traveller

Take it easy, kealanlani. There was some good natured kidding going on. OP did ask what appeared to be a serious question but it doesn't take a travel expert to know there are only a four ways (flying, train, bus or car) to get cross country. OP's eliminated flying as an option but that is really the "best" option. The train is not cheap (probably as much as or more than flying) so that leaves the bus or driving one's self. Again those options are obvious to anyone.

Until they invent another means of transportation OP's options are very limited indeed and she rerally doesn't need strangers to help make a decision on what's best for her.

jbass

Ditto. Kealalani are you a therapist?

kealalani

I stand down, as a post or two have dissappeared. Others have been quite kind and tongue in cheek humourous, which I am sure Annabelle appreciates. Apolgies if I offended those that are still on this thread.

CHOCOLATE_WATER_ICE

Since you did not ask for help on fear of flying, ignore this if you like.

There is a good fear of flying website I located by googling. It is done by a pilot.

I also got some stress/relaxation CD's from that giant online book place.

I take Benadryl before I fly (and while flying on long flights). Try it first, it makes some people jittery/hyper,

I always take a cd player with the relaxation for flying cd's and relaxing cd's. I also take some glossy travel magazines with photos of pretty beaches and lovely wide open spaces on them. An aisle seat helps me.

What specifically do you fear? I'm claustrophobic. By the way, the cd's and online help were for general fear of flying and they still really helped me.

Best wishes for the trip. For the original topic I think drive is my choice.

FainaAgain

"You all should be ashamed of yourselves!!! Oh you are all so omnipresent to know the who the new poster is?" - no, just went through the same - couldn't fly for a while as I had a bad case of the fear of flying.

Yes, I've been taking buses and trains as I was afraid to fly. And I found those Internet classes which helped to ovecome my fear. I still have some problems on take-offs and landings, but not to the extent of interfearing with my vacations.

And I am not ashamed to talk about it, nor am I ashamed to help a fellow Fodorite traveler.

I apologize if I sound mean, didn't mean to be rude.

321go

Annabelle, if you're still out there reading after some of these responses, then driving or Amtrak are your options.

Amtrak's disadvantages are: The trains are usually delayed, and if you get a roomette, it quickly gets expensive. Pros? You don't have to drive.

http://tickets.amtrak.com/itd/amtrak

Driving can be cheaper depending on where you stay and you have plenty of flexibility (if something looks interesting, hey, you're on your own schedule). Cons? It's tiring and I-90 across the northern part of the country can be really boring.

Have a great trip!

Gardyloo

Disagree about driving/I-90 being boring.

Five or six days each way, plenty places to stop and things to see, no rental car cost at the other end...

With 3 weeks, half the time or better will be on the road, but that's the price...

sweettea

Xanax. Takes the edge off.

capxxx

I have heard that the Canadian cross-continental train is much more pleasant than Amtrak, but I have never tried it. You could try Vancouver to Toronto, and Toronto to NYC, for example. It might be worth looking in to.

nytraveler

For a couple I would suggest driving.

Amtrak will take forever (since the tracks in most of the country are owned by the freight companies Amtrak trains routinely run HOURS later than their incredibly long scheduled times). And don;t even think about Greyhound.

As long as you both like driving and can drive in shifts - and don;t have to deal with kids - you can do it in a fairly short time - 3 days. And be able to stop in motels and get a decent night's sleep in a real bed and shower and everything.

BUT - really look into fear of flying classes - you're eventually going to run into a time (for business or family reasons) when you have no choice but fly. Better to resolve the problem now.