I honestly think you were able to look out the window because you're getting stronger. Being an airline employee lots of times I'm thankful just to get on so I don't have seat choices that other folks have, but if I do I always ask for window. I don't care how many times I fly I NEVER get tired looking out at the beautiful scenery below.

Thanks again for reporting back. All of us here knew it would go well.

Congrats on your flight! Very happy for you!

Just a comment about something I learned about a few years back from a therapist. I'm a very down to earth, rational, logical person, but I was having trouble in one area of my life. I had a fear of the number 13. I'll spare you the details, but, it was getting out of control and I didn't like how much anxiety I was having over a simple number. Turns out I take all the things that I'm fearful of in life and project them onto this one fear of the number 13.

Once I learned this, I realized at least I was very organized with all my fears!! I'd much rather deal with one fear (phobia) by putting them all in one place. Once the lightbulb went off in my head of what was happening, my fear went away since I had a good understanding of how I dealt with my all of the fears that can creep into our lives.

I replay this logic in my head and I calm down. Works like a charm. If I didn't have this mechanism in place, I would have many more to deal with and I'm very thankful for that. I was able to even fly to London from San Francisco on Friday the 13th - something I never thought I could do.

My wife is a white knuckle flyer. After we got into the miles game she discoved that she isn't afraid to fly as much as she is claustrophobic and steerage is the problem. When flying in the pointy end she does just fine. Since she has spent more time in J and F she finds Y much more tolerable, from a fear perspective anyway.

Maybe you can score some type of cash upgrade and see if that helps.

This came on 40+
 

In case you are worried about running into a drunk pilot, think of this guy:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jNNFqQODKE

Laughter is the best way to deal with fear. Better than any xanaz, and cheaper, too.

Seriously, this cracks me up, and it will you too.

I like window seats (I even keep my shades open for the entire flight--even when fa's suggest I close them:))
(1)While I don't consider myself claustrophobic, when the shade is open, the plane seems much roomier (as the outside and inside "merge"), with the shades drawn the plane seems like a sardine can.:td:
(2)Picking out landmarks is lots of fun--I've been on a few flights where the plane passed over my house.

xanex would probably help... you can always try it out before you fly to see what effect it has on you.

I have several friends who fear flying and all of them resort to drugs :)

Best of luck!

"I'm a very down to earth, rational, logical person, but I was having trouble in one area of my life. I had a fear of the number 13. "


I am a very, loving, peaceful person. I have only killed somoeone once.