I did it !!!

[Nicola]

Hi all ! Just to let you know - I did it & even better, I survived & am ok ! 
Airline staff at Glasgow were brilliant - totally understanding & gave us seats right at the front. However, from check in the tears began - uncontrollable. Everyone was looking at me but I didn't care - this was the biggest thing I was about to do. Walking down the walkway towards the plane was so difficult but I knew I was going to do it. (This site is brilliant)When the ramp was removed, the tears came faster & I knew this was it. The slow trundle to the runway seemed to take forever & the tears didn't stop. Waiting for take off was stomach churning & I nearly stopped the circulation in my partners arm & then we were off. The power of the engines felt immense & soon I could feel us go up ! As soon as we were level I reduced my grip & the tears subsided. To my surprise I began having wee peeks out of the window which during the 6 hour flight became longer ! I knew I was going to be ok somehow. The general noise in the aircraft unsettled me at first - it seemed so loud but that soon went. Every time a bing bing went off, my partners arm got it. I automatically thought something was wrong. This is where I really appreciated being at the front - I could heat the cabin crew answer the bing bongs & realised it was mainly about making teas & coffees ! This, daft thought it sounds, made me feel I was in the loop & therefore slightly more in control !? There was some turbulence but Keith's mantra kept going round my head & I didn't give it a second thought. By the time landing approached I was actually getting a bit bored ! Landing was no problem - knew I'd be fine. Had a fantastic week in Sharm at 26ish c & didn't actually think about the return flight until the day of departure ! The return flight was worse for me because we were slightly further back (couldn't hear the cabin crew make coffee etc), it was dark (couldn't see anything !) & it was a lot more turbulent (this didn't scare me @ all, just v uncomfortable) & towards the end my ears were agony ! 
Anyway, know it's probably been said before but honestly - if I can do this, anyone can ! I am absolutely delighted that I've opened up this new adventure in my life & can't wait to fly again. Being honest, I didn't love it but feel I'll be worrying more about how many bikini's to take rather than assuming I'm about to die because I know I won't !
Keith - thank you so so much for your words of advice esp your turbulence mantra - i know it does bother a lot of people but I hardly gave it a second thougt because of you !
Alexa - so appreciated your replies. Great to know I wasn't alone with my mad thoughts - thank you !
Anyone else - you can do it ! There's a whole big world out there to see !
Thank you all
Nicola

[Alexa Pirrie]

Nicola!!!

Whoooohoooo!!  It's a great feeling isn't it!! Well done - really proud of you and you should be proud of yourself!!

Fab!

Alexa

[Captain Keith]

Well done...very well done...superbly done!!

" Keith may be very direct and demanding but that's not the same as not helping." Just thought I'd change the mantra for the new members.

Keith

 

 

[Claudia Flores]

Dear Nicola,

I'am flying tomoworrow, and just by reading you I feel so much better. You oughta be so proud! 

By the way, I'am ALL tears from the moment I get sight of the plane (I know I get people a bit scared...) but, as you say, this is a big thing for me.

Thanks so much for sharing!

CB

[John]

Let us know how you did Claudia!

Claudia Flores said:

Dear Nicola,

I'am flying tomoworrow, and just by reading you I feel so much better. You oughta be so proud! 

By the way, I'am ALL tears from the moment I get sight of the plane (I know I get people a bit scared...) but, as you say, this is a big thing for me.

Thanks so much for sharing!

CB

[Nicola]

You'll be as proud of yourself as I am of me Claudia ! You will do it - you might not love it but you will do it & you will feel so good about it ! So what if you cry, so what if you jump at noises - the fact is this is a huge thing for you so don't care about anyone/thing else & do it for you ! I've actually got tears thinking about what you're going thru but it's so so so worth it Claudia ! & you know what - you're gonna be fine ! Proud of you already ! Nicola x

Claudia Flores said:

Dear Nicola,

I'am flying tomoworrow, and just by reading you I feel so much better. You oughta be so proud! 

By the way, I'am ALL tears from the moment I get sight of the plane (I know I get people a bit scared...) but, as you say, this is a big thing for me.

Thanks so much for sharing!

CB

[Steven Michael Collins]

:) onwards and upwards