I have always been afraid of heights. My fear of flying stems from
that. I can't look up from the base of a light pole, without getting
dizzy and anxious, much less being miles up in the air. It is the
height that leads to a fear of dying. Planes may be safer than all
other forms of transportation combined, but if your car's engine
overheats, you just pull off to the side of the road. A problem in the
air is multiplied many times by the height. I have never been afraid
of planes, really. I actually love planes, in the same way I love
trains.
When I took my current job 6 months ago, they let me know I would be
flying after hiring me. It was 6 months off in the future so I didn't
worry about. As it got closer, I started to dwell on it. I imagined
being at the airport, boarding the plane, taking off, etc. I panicked
so bad from just imaging, that my chest started to tighten up and I
got dizzy. Finally I just sat myself down and came to a conclusion. I
have always had an inferiority complex when compared to other people.
It just seems that everyone else is better than I at everything. I
finally realized that if I am to ever feel good about myself, I have
to overcome this. If I can do this, I will overcome one of my greatest
fears. I will feel better about myself, and perhaps a new world will
open for me. At the same time, I can't allow this fear to make me
inferior to others.
I have been able to psych myself up to such a degree that I feel
comfortable flying now. Actually, I am looking forward to it; this
could be the beginning of a better quality of life, if I don't
regress. The flight is tomorrow. It is at night, so I won't be able to
tell the height too much. The only thing that really causes me anxiety
right now is not knowing how an airport operates. I know you check big
luggage, but I don't know where. The ticket counter? I don't know what
you can and can't carry on a plane, in terms of luggage. What is
security like? I know they make you take off your shoes, but anything
else that is not so obvious? I know you can't carry sharp items on
board with you, but what if checking the bag they are in? What about
mouthwash and the like? Can you check it, just not bring in carry on?
Are you allowed to have a small bag in your lap or under your seat?
For instance, a laptop. Where do you pick up your luggage? I have been
able to ascertain that each airline has their own baggage claim area,
but is that the baggage from all their flights or just certain ones.
Who do I ask for assistance inside the airport with these type of
questions? It is all these little questions that I fear are going to
cause me to panic. In the past, when I am in an unfamiliar place, and
don't know what I am doing, I panic at the fear of looking stupid, and
being laughed at. From there, the anxiety might spread outward toward
the fear of flying.
Here is a map of the airport I will be at for reference:
http://www.mscaa.com/terminal.htm. Now, I know all airports don't have
the same layout, but can anyone help me? Can you point me toward
somewhere where I can find answers? I feel that if I can walk in there
and know where I am going and what I am doing, then I will be more
confident, which should keep the anxiety away. If I called the
airline, would they answer all these questions for me?
Fear of Flying 
Linear Mode
