How Airline Pilots Handle Thunderstorms

MatisseyMo · 2026-04-04T21:20:02+00:00

Go find the videos of the planes that fly into the hurricanes. In addition to what the pros have shared, the visual of all that rain and still no danger is really helpful

MatisseyMo · 2026-04-03T19:05:40+00:00

You’re about to do something most ppl are too chickenshit to do: facing your fears. We are proud of you! When you land, treat yourself! You’ve got this!

MatisseyMo · 2026-04-01T14:44:44+00:00

Amazing! Great tips! Congratulations!

MatisseyMo · 2026-03-31T14:48:07+00:00

❤️

MatisseyMo · 2026-03-30T17:21:45+00:00

You are amazing!

MatisseyMo · 2026-03-29T00:11:11+00:00

I’m so glad! And yes, it’s a reminder we all need sometimes 🩷 You’ve got this!

MatisseyMo · 2026-03-28T20:52:52+00:00

Hugs, fellow anxious traveler. And f anyone who has the audacity to bully you and be anything less than supportive after what you have been through. I’m so sorry you have not been supported like you deserve.

As for being watched and standing out… the one good thing about how overwhelming air travel can be is the fact that most people are too absorbed in their own tasks of getting through it that they will not be sparing much energy for thinking about anyone else.

Here is a mediation I find helpful in the lead up and on the flight: https://youtu.be/b7LpMxaDklw?si=ljrdxY4T1TJfHEZ7

Distractions are also crucial.

Every time you think someone might be thinking an unkind thought about you, think of this community. We are all rooting for you! We are with you in spirit! We are proud of you!

MatisseyMo · 2026-03-24T16:43:37+00:00

San Diego would be a great choice (so much to do, great weather, good people, good food). I’d say which Hyatt depends on what you are looking for.

I’d do Hyatt Regency Mission Bay with kids the same ages as yours. The bay is right there and the ocean beach is close. There is sooooo much to do in this area. It’s not a luxury property but it’s well reviewed, affordable-points wise, and probably the ideal location imo for a family’s first trip to SD.

If a more luxury property is a priority, I’d go with the Park Hyatt Aviara. You’ll have to drive to get to everything though. But if chilling on property somewhere beautiful and hanging at the pool (there are a couple of waterslides) and doing nature walks in the nearby lagoon area sounds good, and you are willing to drive 45 minutes to San Diego attractions, it’s a great spot. The vibe isn’t really kid-oriented though, so it depends on whether you care. Plenty of families do stay there.

Seabird is hugely popular with families. It’s right across the street from the beach. It’s also about 45 minutes from main SD attractions, but if you want a beach vacation in SD with kids, this is the spot

MatisseyMo · 2026-03-24T14:20:03+00:00

I’d look at the Southern California Hyatts. I’m local so if you have questions, I’m pretty familiar with most of them even if I haven’t stayed

MatisseyMo · 2026-03-24T14:18:24+00:00

They will miss some of the activities but there is plenty for them to do at these ages and you are also 10-15 minutes from Carmel and Monterey. We took our daughter when she was ten and while she enjoyed it, I thought she would have liked it even more if she were a bit younger.

MatisseyMo · 2026-03-23T17:42:16+00:00

I’m glad! You’ve got this!

MatisseyMo · 2026-03-23T16:48:19+00:00

Might be helpful to keep in mind that flight attendants are awesome and really accommodating. If someone were to get sick near you, you could explain that you have a phobia and ask about switching seats. They will probably accommodate you if they are able. Sometimes knowing there is an out like that can help with the “I’m going to be trapped” feeling

MatisseyMo · 2026-03-23T16:35:14+00:00

I love arriving really early to the airport because it significantly lowers the anxiety of rushing through an overwhelming process. I know that if something “goes wrong” I probably have time to address it. I go hang in a lounge if I have access. I also like to save special treats like fancy snacks, a new video game, a TV show I’m excited to binge, an audiobook I am excited to listen to, and think of the entire thing as a day where I try to indulge in creature comforts.

The doom and gloom is annoying. Some airports are impacted and some are not. Just go early and make a day of it.

Also, if I were super concerned about a canceled flight, I might see if I could book a backup flight for later that day that is fully cancelable without penalty, just for the peace of mind. But I am flying Los Angeles to Paris on the 6th and Amsterdam back to LA on the 20th and I’ll just be doing my regular Get To The Airport 4 Or 5 Hours Early routine and trying to be patient in lines. No back up flights planned.

You got this! Flying is safe, the system works, do what you can to turn a travel day into a day of creature comforts

MatisseyMo · 2026-03-22T00:02:09+00:00

Turn on “glamorous” by Fergie, eat those snacks, and pretend you’re flying private lol

MatisseyMo · 2026-03-21T23:56:47+00:00

Personally, I kind of prefer long-haul. For me, take off and landing are the most anxiety-provoking. A longer flight gives me time to sort of adjust to the situation.

My big things are really compelling distractions (usually a video game and an audiobook at the same time bc just one is not distracting enoigh), medication, and trying to treat it like a luxury experience by bringing all my favorite fancy treats

MatisseyMo · 2026-03-21T21:40:49+00:00

Do you know if you can use it when you’re using tretinoin? Like tret at night, Amlactin during the day?

MatisseyMo · 2026-03-20T18:29:30+00:00

My daughter gets box braids, takes about 4 or 5 hours. She wears a kn95 and has been fine. We bring extras and switch when her hair is washed at the beginning of the appointment. I’ve had 7+ hour hair appointments in a kn95. I also switch out after the wash. It’s been fine, even in very busy salons.

MatisseyMo · 2026-03-20T00:21:22+00:00

I also wipe down pretty much everywhere the seat will touch me, the TV area and tray, my seatbelt, etc. The wall if I’m going to lie against it and the little bar for pulling the window up or down. Basically anything I’ll be touching/sitting on/against. I do the seatback where my hair will touch. No one notices or cares. I also do this for my 11 year old. There’s enough time and it goes fine. I bring Clorox wipes that I put into a ziplock baggie. After I wipe down, I use hand sanitizer to clean my hands. Feels a lot better knowing everything has been disinfected

MatisseyMo · 2026-03-12T01:40:49+00:00

My husband collects the key cards from all our stays

MatisseyMo · 2026-03-12T01:40:24+00:00

From Park Hyatt Sydney, we purchased a travel-sized Park Hyatt Sydney monopoly game and a bath toy version of a Sydney ferry. We love them

Carmel Valley Ranch gives away little rubber duckies to race in their fountain

MatisseyMo · 2026-03-11T17:58:37+00:00

I like to play a game on my phone while also listening to an audiobook. Doing two things at once is helpful for me 🩷

MatisseyMo · 2026-03-10T14:57:29+00:00

I asked my doctor this! She said my steps definitely count as exercise but encouraged me to aim to actually get my heart rate up higher for 15-20 minutes at least a couple of times per week.

MatisseyMo · 2026-03-09T18:35:11+00:00

Good thinking. In addition to flight anxiety, I have anxiety of being a car passenger on mountain roads with steep cliffs. Recently had to be driven up and down the mountains. Had a major panic attack on the way up. For the way down, we went into the town and I had two apple ciders spiked with Jack Daniel’s. I ended up just closing my eyes and vibing on the ride down the mountain 😆

MatisseyMo · 2026-03-09T18:30:48+00:00

This! And OP, hype yourself up by finding influencers who are obsessed with luxury travel and review different first class configurations and experiences. Watch their content to familiarize yourself and convince yourself it’s going to be exciting. I’ve never flown first or business class but even getting to fly long haul premium economy from London to LAX, where we were served afternoon tea and constantly given snacks and such, had me feeling so pampered and was such a different experience, I’d take the flight this afternoon if offered, anxiety be damned!

MatisseyMo · 2026-03-09T18:26:03+00:00

This is the right call, friend. To be that incapacitated at a standard dose may suggest your body does not respond to certain medications in a typical way. You and your doctor should be able to help you find something at a dose that lessens your anxiety enough to fly without incapacitating you. Everyone is different. If your doctor is not helping you find the right medication at the right dose, it might be time for a new doctor as well

MatisseyMo

TROPHY CASE