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July 21, 2004
Xanax, Rachel, Xanax
Rachel Lucas is worried about flying to Vegas next week:
I'm gonna need a Valium prescription now
I will be be flying on a plane next week, for the first time since 1992, and needless to say I am completely and utterly horrified and terrified in general because (1) I hate flying in the summer with all those cranky stinky people and (2) I'm a pessimistic fatalist and have always believed I'll die in some horrible untimely way at a young age, and (3) flying is scary because, um, you're miles above the earth in a giant manmade metal bird driven by men you have never met and carrying 100 other people you have never met, some of whom may possibly want to kill you because you're an American.
Rachel, all I can say is to call your doctor, explain your fears and ask him to give you two XANAX pills - one for the flight to Vegas and one for the flight back.
You will be amazed at how relaxed you will feel.
I have been phobic for many, many years - of planes, in case that was not obvious.
When I was young, I was in a very scary emergency landing - the flight attendant (way back then they were called stewardesses) lost her cool and screamed "We are all going to die!!".
I have to fly for work a lot these days, and Xanax has kept me cool and calm for many a scary flight.
By the way, my John and I are also flying to Vegas next week - if anyone out there would like to meet a couple of bloggers, let us know. It would be fun.
I don't expect anyone as big as Rachel Lucas to want to meet us - but heck, maybe someone else would!
Posted by Beth at July 21, 2004 9:01 PM
Comments
"the flight attendant (way back then they were called stewardesses) lost her cool and screamed "We are all going to die!!"."... OK, this earned a big out loud GASP! from me when I read this!
I'm with Rachel Lucas on this. Man it just scares me. I'll get a script for Xanax next time. I tell people, "Falling 30,000 feet out of the air is not the #1 way I would pick to die."
Posted by: Boudicca at July 21, 2004 9:14 PM
Ah, buck up, 'dicca - it could be 37,000.
Posted by: John of Argghhh! at July 22, 2004 5:45 AM
I took half a friend's xanax one Saturday morning and had a "lost weekend". Don't remember a thing, but I do have pictures...
They're not supposed to work like that, right??
Posted by: pam at July 22, 2004 7:34 AM
Oh, am I embarrassed. On one rocky flight several years ago, in fear and panic, nasty smelling sweat running down me I did yell out, "We're all going to die!” I caused quite a panic on the plane. I was horrified and couldn't stop myself. I found out one panicked passenger can upset a whole airplane of people.
I had the attendants hovering, the passengers panicked, generally caused an uproar.
I didn't fly for years. Never have I told this story to anyone before, only my family knew, they found out when I was escorted off the plane at the destination with the attendants at my side still consoling me.
I still cringe with embarrassment at the memory of this.
Posted by: BeeBee at July 22, 2004 8:41 AM
BeeBee... that just means everyone else was scared to death too. Seriously. There is a big difference in my head if one of my flying peers is freaking and if a flight attendant is freaking. You just verbalized something all of us think... and I would guess that it was an ugly flight in general if everyone got freaked. And I also think it would be part of the flight attendants description to make sure the passengers are OK. Just my opinion! :)
Posted by: Boudicca at July 22, 2004 10:24 AM
Don't feel bad, BeeBee - there were fire engines and ambulances awaiting the planes arrival - and they took away our shoes and jewelry (they don't bother with this now!) and made us put our heads in pillows.
And to make it worse, there was a priest on board (I'm Catholic) ready to give us all the Last Rites.
Posted by: Beth at July 22, 2004 1:48 PM
Pam - I normally take 1/4th of a Xanax, and it keeps me relaxed.
A whole one is very tough!!!
I will admit, I suspect I am used to it, and they don't affect me like they affect others.
Posted by: Beth at July 22, 2004 1:52 PM
Beth... you are a better person than I. If I had had that experience, I guarantee you I would NEVER fly again. Never.
Posted by: Boudicca at July 22, 2004 4:50 PM
I just got back from Las Vegas - from Detroit.
Easy flights. Too bad I missed y'all. We'll have to annouce and schedule this thing next year. :)
And yes, drugs & alchohol make flying *much* easier. So does music and headphones. And gum. And your own bottle of water that didnt' cost $2.50 at the frickin' airport! oops.
Have a good trip.
Posted by: _Jon at July 24, 2004 1:14 AM
$2.50 for water - heck it cost me $3.00!
Posted by: Beth Donovan at July 25, 2004 5:17 AM