happytrailstoyou,I'm not sure why you think I'm rejecting everybody's advice...I'm not! I'm actually very grateful people took the time to respond.
I agreed with one poster who mentioned certain pills could cause someone not to be alert.
Aloha,thank you for your kind words.

Annabelle, you are welcome.

So, what did you decide? Will you fly? Take the train? Take the bus? Drive?

happytrailstoyou,thanks for asking,we're still working on it.I'm leaning towards flying,maybe two shorter flights instead of a long one(Alaska Air has direct flights from Seattle to Boston,but those are around 6 hrs long)I'll post the decision here,should anyone be interested.

Annabelle2007 -- I can relate to the terrorism fears. Again, I really can't suggest enough just visiting the website I recommend to you.

Like I said, I was a person who would get nervous about flying just seeing people on TV fly. I'm not saying I'm better. And I may freak out on Thursday when I leave for Mexico but I feel like I also may have a chance. If nothing else -- go to the Wed night chat room and lurk. You will hear success stories that you would have though were impossible. Like folks who haven't flown in 30 years going to Japan.

I'll be there on Wednesday night in cyber space -- so maybe I'll see you.

Whatever you choose -- I hope you'll have a great time where ever you decide to travel to.

tmontauk,you are so kind,thank you.I'll do my best to be there on Wed night-what time?
Btw,I emailed Tom and already received a very nice and supportive reply from him,that's why I'm able now to at least consider a short flight.Hope to meet you there Wed.
Thanks again :-)

I think the chat room is from 8-10 EST ..... yeah, b/c I remember is use to cut into watching Lost --- I usually go by TrayRenee --- so that will be. I really hope to see you there. If I have a chance anyone does. And I understand having a real fear -- a lot of people will tell they are scared but then say things like "Oh, I just watch a movie and I forget I'm ont the plane" or "I just have a few cocktails and go to sleep" -- they don't realize that's impossible to do when you are enjoying a mixture of extreme hyperventalating and crying! :-)

tmontauk,I just checked,it's between 9-11 eastern.See u there.....

Good luck Annabelle. I really really hate to fly but I CAN work through it. I hope you can work things out because, as you are aware, not flying can really limit your travel options, IF you want to travel that is.

Don't feel bad, John Maddan won't fly, that's why he has his bus and driver and crew. He has to be at different places all over the country during football season and he will NOT fly.

Hello Annabelle, I can truly understand your fear of flying. I don't have your problem but these last couple of years I absolutely hate being on our freeway which is I-80 that goes all the way from San Francisco to NYC. I hate and despise the freeway as CalTrans has not kept it repaired properly, it is bumper to bumper traffic including so many huge trucks and so many people do not have the slightest idea how to drive properly and in a safe manner. I don't know what is the worse for me, being the driver or being the passenger.

And I am one that use to love to drive and almost sulked when my late husband wanted to do all of the driving.

Anyway I just wanted to say I understand your feelings and the stress you feel as I have my own regarding being on the freeway. I send you my best wishes Annabelle.

LoveItaly,crefloors,thanks for sharing your thoughts,it truly makes me feel better,knowing there are people who care....

See how nicely this thread turned around --

Yes,I agree :-)

Hi Annabelle,
Good luck with your decision! I don't usually have a fear of flying but I do get anxiety attacks, and ended up having one for the first time ever on a plane during my most recent flight a few weeks ago.

I have recently started taking medication for the attacks which helped greatly on the plane, so I thought I'd share it here. It's called propranolol, and it affects your blood pressure rather than your brain chemistry; it's prescribed in low doses (10mg) for anxiety. Since my anxiety attacks cause hyperventilation, tension, crying, etc., this medicine counteracts that without causing drowsiness or other side effects. Removing the physical manifestation of the attacks enables me to "get a grip" and regain control...

If you do decide to take something, definitely do a "test run" at home first!

The one other thing I will say is that my mother has had a terrible fear of flying for years. She missed so many occasions because she couldn't get on a plane to be there! In the last few years, needing to travel by plane to see her grandkids forced her to start to travel that way. And the good news is that the more she did it, the less the fear became - and this year, she went to Germany (and back!) all by herself!

Best wishes, and good luck whatever mode of transportation you choose.
- ggreen

Hi Annabelle:

The only thing that I have to add is that after years of flying with no problems, in my late twenties I developed a horrible fear of flying.

I talked to every pilot, captain, FA, mechanic, airline employee I could find. I also watched as many documentaries as I could find.

Since my job depended upon me flying, I had to overcome my fear and by educating myself, I did.

Now I hate to fly because it is a giant PIA.

One long flight would be much better than two short flights.

I agree that one long flight is better that two short ones. Two flights prolong an unpleasant experience.

For most people who don't like to fly take-off and landing is the worst. One longer flight will go by much quicker.

I don't like to fly either, but do lots of it. The part that bothers me is the 'confined' feeling, like you are trapped in one of the world's largest cigar...surrounded. That being said, I must fly if I want to go anywhere, so after I get on, buckle up, and we are taxing down the runway, I do three things, kiss everyone I have loved a goodby, should it become necessary, recite the Lords Prayer to myself, order a strong drink....helps a lot, believe me.

Yes, the answer is to get over your fear of flying somehow.

Look at it this way...post 9/11 there's lots more security than pre 9/11. Anyone attempting to hijack an airliner knows by now that we're not going to take it sitting down as folks did on 9/11. Passengers WILL react and do as evidenced by numerous flights being diverted based on "suspicious behavior".

In this regard, air travel is WAY safer than pre 9/11.

Certainly I feel safer flying than driving long distances where you're exposed to a wide variety of incompetent and possibly drugged or drunken drivers.

On an airliner I feel that I'm in the hands of a highly trained professional...on the highway I feel at the mercy of the masses.

I know logic is a bad argument but, you have to admit there's feeling of "truthiness" to what I say.

Thank you all for sharing your thoughts,ideas and feelings.It really makes me feel better to know I'm not alone...Maybe all of us who fear flying should charter a plane and practice how to overcome our fears together :-)