Triphap - Funny Travel Stories and Travel Horror Stories

I had to travel a lot for my job and I was never nervous about flying. It wasn't until I got married and had my first child that I begin to feel nervous onboard a plane. My fear eventually developed into sheer terror. I got to the point where I would dig my nails into poor unsuspecting travelers sitting next to me with tears streaming down my face or break out into a prayer chant every time we approached the runway, ready for take-off. The panic attacks got really bad and I'm really fortunate that the people sitting next to me were very compassionate and always, always offered words of encouragement or support instead of outright punching me in my nose for nearly drawing blood from them.

On a flight to Nashville, I went through my normal ritual of sobbing uncontrollably during take-off. As luck would have it, the man sitting next to me told me not worry and then revealed that he was an off-duty pilot for a very large airline. I was thrilled! After all, I was sitting next to a pilot of the airline I was flying, the largest airline in the country! What did I have to fear? I told him that I wouldn’t get scared unless he did! Confidently that I had nothing to worry about, I settled down into my seat, ready to enjoy my flight. My joy was short-lived however. I looked at the pilot with tears in my eyes again. When he asked me what was wrong, I told him I didn't want to sit next to him. He asked me why and I told him, "Well, if you get nervous, then we really are doomed!"