Thread: Alternatives to flying home?

...They didn't work and I continued to go through what I later found out to be a 'mild panic attack'.
I had no idea what to do, but there was no way on god's green earth I was gonna get on a plane for 12 hours.
I went back to immigration and asked them if I could leave the airport as I was feeling ill and needed some fresh air. They checked my passport and because of the overstay gave me a resounding, 'No Way, Hosay'. Shit shit shit shit shit.
I was guided to an immi big wig, who said I might be able to get out if I got a letter from the airport doctor.."Ok, lets go" I needed to get out of there badly. The doc hooked me up on all the gear and yes, confirmed that I'd had a mild panic attack and wrote me out a not before giving me 10 Xanax to calm me down. I ate one there and then and immediately felt better...

I glided back to the immi dude and showed him the docs letter, but he wouldn't budge. I had to fly out of the country then come back in.
I was given a 'chapperone' to make sure I didn't do a runner whilst the BA reps busied themselves trying to get me onto a flight I really didn't wanna get on, I wa still very shaken by the whole thing. Not to mention having to phone my mum and tell her the story.
So the BA reps got back to me, "Ok, you have a flight to Vientianne in 7 hours"....that got cancelled, "Ok, you have a flight to Pnohm Phen at midday tomorrow....that got cancelled...."right, you have a flight to KL, tommorow evening"

I boarded it with aid of a couple of the Xanax after spending nearly 36 hours in the airport.


Don't wanna go through that shite again really.

Anyone ever got the train back to Blighty before?

Originally Posted by somtamslap

Not to mention having to phone my mum and tell her the story.

That was the scariest part for sure.

nice thread.

I personally have no problem flying, but am bewildered by those that do.

Originally Posted by kingwilly

nice thread.

I personally have no problem flying, but am bewildered by those that do.

As am I. The seed is easily planted. One never considers the thousands of daily flights worldwide, month in and month out, without incident or mishap. On the occasion that broad attention is brought to the masses.....people are so easy. The percentage of a motored vehicle accident is much greater than jumbo jets falling out of the sky.

gonna be fun through Pakistan and Afghanistan. Oh yeah here to India will be fun as well.

^ No need to travel though them, can travel around them.

I'd love to travel back to London via the trans-siberian railway.

How to plan & book a journey on the Trans-Siberian Railway

Are you seasick as well ?

If not book a container, fit in furniture and wait to be over there....Do not forget to make some ventilation system and take water and food for 3 - 5 weeks... cost around same as a fligth ticket for the container, buy it and you can use it to return...

There must be a ship service back to your island...

^ Yes, I've looked at that. It's a definite possibility. Not too expensive either.

Originally Posted by somtamslap

^ Yes, I've looked at that. It's a definite possibility. Not too expensive either.

Just to save me looking, roughly how much is it? How long does it take?

Would love to do that train trip, must be quite an experience.

Originally Posted by kingwilly

I personally have no problem flying, but am bewildered by those that do.

I used to be completely fine with it, didn't even think about it until I had an experience coming from Samui to Bkk where the plane sort of flipped on it's side and started falling. Everything went everywhere and people were screaming and crying. My anus was loser than a whores snatch. Very scarey.

Originally Posted by forreachingme

Are you seasick as well ?

Dunno, can't remember. Went from Dover to Calais a few times on the ferry when I was younger, but that's only an hour and a quarter. Not sure how I'd fair spending 3-5 weeks in a box.
I've toyed with idea of driving the ol Wave there. Why not. Tis possible.

I suggest some therapy.

Originally Posted by kingwilly

I personally have no problem flying, but am bewildered by those that do.

Ditto!

Originally Posted by DaffyDuck

I suggest some therapy.

Originally Posted by kingwilly

I personally have no problem flying, but am bewildered by those that do.

Ditto!

Surely its not too hard to understand why some people have a fear of flying?

Trapped in a cramped / claustrophobic environment 39,000 feet up in the air, turbulence, fear of heights etc.

Xanax is the only way to fly! I am not keen on flying and used to drink a lot until I realised it made things worse most times. Before the powers that be cracked down on the pharmacies in Thailand, I would stock up on Xanax before a long haul flight to the UK.

3 of those bad boys washed down with a bottle of wine at the start of a flight and I would be out cold until approaching Europe!

Failing that invest in a parachute

speaking from experience

Originally Posted by DaffyDuck

I suggest some therapy.

I'm gonna do some cognitive therapy later on in the year. Hope it works.

Originally Posted by somtamslap

Originally Posted by DaffyDuck

I suggest some therapy.

I'm gonna do some cognitive therapy later on in the year. Hope it works.

a sea trip around the bottom of africa should give you some insight as to how scared you can get

approx two weeks and yer looking at around 1000 quid. But then you've gotta get back again. Shit, forgot about that.

Originally Posted by somtamslap

Not to mention having to phone my mum

You gotta man up, fella. When it's your time, go with a grin

Originally Posted by somtamslap

In light of the terrible Air France crash, I think this needs discussing.

Planes are safer than motorbikes and cars. I know with your fear, that this won't matter.

I, for one and terrified of getting on planes, especially long haul flights.

Can you take a sleeping pill that is strong right before you get on the plane, or get a prescription?

My friends takes a sleeping pill that literally knocks him out.

Atarax 25 mg. 30 minutes before boarding. Sleep for 8 hours plus. Available over the counter at Boots etc.

See, now I have the prob of being worried about panicking as well as the actual flight. Dunno, a few Xanax would probably do the job but I don't wanna spack out half way through the journey.

It's all a big pain in the arse.

Somtam, what did the Xanax do for you? Did you sleep the whole way?

Luckily, I've gotten over a slight fear of flying. The more you fly the easier it gets. At first I was scared especially on take off and landings, but now I'm pretty used to flying. It wasn't too long ago, that I had never been on a plane (five years ago). Now, It's a piece of cake. It's those long layovers that annoy me the most.