Southwest Airlines Community

FoF can be, and I speak from experience here, completely debilitating. My triggers were 9-11, and a less than perfect flight from San Juan to DFW. While I'm not afraid of terrorists (they can kiss my ***), I began visualizing what it must have been like for those people aboard those aircraft. Then, the mind has an amazing ability to carry these things on to a point of fabricating scenarios that are simply WAYY out there. Even while I knew these were way out there, I was unable to stop them. I avoided air travel until this year, at all costs. My entire family took a trip (10 of us) to Hawaii this March, and I was almost ready to let them all go without me so that I would not have to fly. I knew I had to force myself onto that plane, but I didn't know if I could. Then I finally admitted I needed help, and I found it in the form of www.fearofflying.com. This is a program that was created by a retired pilot when he, too, realized how much trouble people were having with this problem. It changed my life. I got on the airplane, and with all the information I had learned in the program, I made it. I didn't panic, and I actually was calm enough to watch some movies on my laptop. Then, just at the beginning of this month, I flew from Kansas City to Portland, my first flight with Southwest. Now I can say, that finally, I am almost completely free of the fear. That trip was the best flying I've ever had. Southwest is simply the best. In fact, I'm flying SWA to Chicago next month. Anyways, Thanks Ray, for understanding and realizing what a huge problem this is for people. I know I felt embarrassed about it- I felt stupid. "How can this be so hard? It's just an airplane!" Well, it can be, and it is for some. We don't want to admit a weakness, that in fact is really not a weakness. It's a genuine condition. While I haven't read your book, I think I just might- I like to help others afflicted with this problem. Also, Keep up the good work- Southwest is the only way to go- I actually had a blast on the last trip.... ... View more

"See?? I TOLD you Crazy Glue wouldn't cut it!!!!" And... "Man, This sucks!" ... View more