I am by no means an expert on this subject. My first (almost) airport experience was in December last year; I was having a panic attack outside. It all ended with me going home and missing out on the Christmas markets of Berlin. My fellow agoraphobics will know the stress of feeling like you can’t escape. For me, that’s what going past security signifies for me.
My last airport experience was 5 months later in May. I was returning from an amazing time in Tokyo. A 29 hour, action-packed travel experience.
I’m not going to lie and say it was an easy 5 months prior to getting on the plane, nor was the experience of getting to Japan anything resembling the pictures on the airport website. I would however like to share what I have learnt and how I managed to make my holiday and the journey back something to be proud of.
For those taking your first steps into the world as an agoraphobic such as myself, or as an anxious traveller in general, it will take some hard work, time and preparation, but I promise you it will be worth it.
Before you book…
Tackling anxiety begins before you book the holiday. I know it seems a bit excessive, but trust me on this one.
A basic tip is to choose the month you travel carefully. As someone with no children, I have the luxury of being able to travel whatever time of year suits me, however I know this is not the case for others. July and August (summer holidays in the UK) are some of the busiest times for UK airports with everyone and their nan escaping the English “summertime” for somewhere that reaches above 12c. Half-terms and bank holidays are also subject to crowds. If you are in this situation, never fear, there are plenty of tips here for you.
For those with a bit of flexibility, I would recommend May as the Easter holidays are over and with May Day out of the way, there are 3 weeks in which to get a holiday in. This is what I did, flying out on 13th May. However January, March and September are also months to consider and as they are classed as ‘off-peak’ times, prices are usually cheaper. Win-win!
A useful feature Google has implemented is the ‘popular times’ section, which you will find when you search for your location. There will be a chart showing how busy it will be during certain times and certain days. Honestly, this feature has been a god send for me. I can go out and explore new places or eat at new restaurants without turning into a puddle of stress beforehand.
Pre-airport (>1 month to go)…
Okay great! You’ve booked your holiday and you didn’t die, but your work is not complete.
Holiday shopping, the time I go and buy new clothes a dress size smaller and pray to the heavens that somehow my unchanged diet and exercise will culminate in a flatter stomach. Not this time though. Before flying I decided to buy clothes I would feel comfortable in all day, no jeans, no tight dresses. Having IBS, I tend to bloat quite considerably after eating a meal. I highly suggest UNIQLO for some high quality, decently priced clothes.
So, you are happy with the immense comfort you are going to be in throughout your holiday (while still looking cute, obviously). Now it’s time to get down to business.
Familiarisation with the airport is an important step for anyone anxious about travelling, especially for the first time. My mistake on my failed first attempt is that I had not even stepped foot inside an airport, never-mind familiarised myself with one. There are a few ways you can do this, however a combination can be most effective.
Physical:
Visiting the airport a couple of times before your flight is very useful. Try to pick a quiet day for your first time and just wander through at your own pace. It may be good to try to visit when it’s a little busier, then you can get a feel for what you may be faced with on the day. If you’re feeling particularly adventurous, sit and have some food. Make sure you take note of where your check-in desk will be, where the special assistance counter is and where security is. Don’t feel you have to go on your own, it may be useful to take a person you are travelling with.
Try before you fly: I will be making a post of a lot of try before you fly opportunities in UK airports at a later date, however in the mean time I will briefly give you a run down. Many airports offer this throughout the UK to help the thousands of people who are anxious travellers or are travelling for the first time. East Midlands airport, for example, offer a free service which allows a tour of the airport (including through security) and the staff are incredible! You will be able to go through each step of the airport process in the company of fully trained staff, asking any questions you have. Honestly, it’s a huge confidence boost and I would recommend it to anyone.
Fear of flying courses are a good way to get used to the layout of a plane and the feeling of taking off an landing if it’s your first time. I personally haven’t done one of these as the flying part was not a source of anxiety. Most airports offer this service and there are a number of airlines with information about courses they offer. Please note that these are not free and prices may vary. Do some research and find out which course sounds the best for you.
Digital:
Looking through the airport maps and layouts gave me a good idea of what I was going to be faced with after security at Birmingham airport. What shops there were, where the lounge was and most importantly, where could I purchase snacks! If you are nervous, take the maps with you on the day and use them for reference, however I found that once I was there, everything is so clearly signed, I didn’t need them.
YouTube videos are also a good way to get a feel for the airport, especially if you are unable to travel to there before hand. Look at the most recent videos of the airport to see how busy it is and how everything looks. I found this to be relaxing on many of my sleepless nights on the run up to the day.
Special assistance can cover a lot of things. While it can mean providing wheelchairs, it can also be used by people who have hidden disabilities. In Birmingham Airport for example they can escort you through certain areas of the airport and you can even bypass some areas (e.g duty free) altogether if you, or the person you are travelling with get over-stimulated. There are also access to special use toilets which remind people that not all disabilities are visible, which I found comforting. Make sure you book this in advance (at least 48 hours), but I would recommend booking earlier as the airline I flew with advised that they did not provide this service, so I had to speak with airports individually. This isn’t the same with all airlines and some even have a section on the website where you can fill in a form indicating what service you need. You can find more information on the CAA website, or your airline/airport website. If you have any questions, get in touch with them directly, in my experience they will go above and beyond to help.
Checking medication is important if you are travelling somewhere like Dubai. Their medication list can seem a little confusing, however if in doubt, go to the UAE Health and Pevention website and submit an application so your medication is approved prior to your arrival. You will need a signed letter from your doctor confirming you’re not dodgy. However, after all the stress and anxiety the whole situation caused, they didn’t even question anything. So really, unless you are hiding narcotics up your bum, I wouldn’t worry.
Pre-airport (1/2 weeks before)
Packing: to ensure a stress free experience, write a list of outfits and essentials, ticking things off as you pack them. I would also invest in packing cubes to maximise the space in your case and make it easy to find everything.
When packing your hand luggage, make sure you put all your toiletries in a clear plastic seal-able bag and ensure that everything you take complies with airport policy. Leave this in an easily accessible place as you will need to take it out at security. Put your medication in your hand luggage with your prescription and doctors note (if required), again if they question it, all documentation is together and limits the stress. Put your boarding pass, passport and ticket at the front of your bag for easy access, you’ll need these throughout the airport during departure and arrival.
Green lanyard: another useful tip for those with hidden disabilities is the green lanyard. These are available in all UK airports for free. Some places will post them to you, however if you go to the special assistance counter on the day of travel, they will be able to give you one no problem. The lanyard is there to discreetly signal to staff that you have a hidden disability, this can be a comfort to those worried about security. When it is busy, you may be asked if you would like to use express lanes, however this is at the discretion of the staff. Please note, the lanyard does not automatically give you extra support, staff will not usually provide assistance, unless asked.
Get Apps
It’s true when they say that there’s an app for everything. I will be writing about my most used apps for mental health in a couple of weeks, but for now, I’ll give you a short rundown of some apps you might find useful for the airport.
Airline app: this is a must for me, I was able to check in, download an e-boarding pass; look at the food available on my flights; choose my seat and even make a playlist of films and TV shows I was going to watch during my flight. It’s just an easy way to have all the information at your fingertips.
Companion: this is basically pocket CBT. You are able to use it for free, or pay a monthly subscription, which really isn’t expensive, to access all of the features. You can document thoughts, learn about anxiety, practice relaxation and much more. Definitely worth checking out.
Podbean: podcasts seem to be the new ‘in’ thing. With Podbean, you are able to download podcasts to listen to offline, so anywhere, anytime, pop your headphones in and relax. My current faves are the Abroad in Japan podcasts and Lets read, a collection of creepy stories.
Member perks: if you are looking for a good deal or love freebies (let’s be honest, who doesn’t?) it may be worth signing up to be a member of the airline or hotel you will be using. I decided to sign up to become a member of my airline and was able to access WiFi for the whole 11 hour flight, instead of the 2 hours as is standard. It took 30 seconds to do and it was free! It may also give you discounted lounge access (depending on who you fly with).
Check in online: especially if you think it is going to be busy, checking in online is quick and stress free. Once you get to the airport, there may be a different queue for you to just drop your bag off. It’s a great way to speed up the airport process and limit the time you will be queuing. You may be able to pick your seat earlier dependent on the class and airline you are travelling with.
Entertainment: this is a must, especially if you have a long wait. If you have children, look to see whether there is a play area where they can let off some steam before getting on the flight. A deck of cards, a colouring book, something to keep you mentally stimulated can make it feel less like you are waiting to die. A good podcast and a wander round the shops is my preference.
The night before…
The first time I attempted to fly, it was an early morning flight and I hadn’t got a great nights sleep. When I’m tired, I don’t cope well with any amount of stress. Safe to say, I wasn’t on the plane when it took off.
My second, successful attempt, I took some sleep medication and got an early night. The next morning, while it wasn’t all sunshine and daisies, I was more willing to push myself and manage my anxiety.
But what about before that?
The sun is setting and the reality of the situation hits you like…well, a plane.
My evening consisted of hitting the gym, then immediately going home and eating a takeaway. Put a face mask on, horror film on the big telly. Sorted. I also went through the entire process with my partner, from waking up to getting on the plane. It really helped to clear my mind of any worries and doubts floating around in my head.
If you have a distance to travel the next day, maybe consider staying at an airport hotel, so the next day you can wake up and walk across the road. Personally I find a bit of a drive calms me down, but everyone is different.
Finally, if you are travelling for the first time, or with new people, let them know what you need from them. My fellow travel companions got a firm, no nonsense “don’t talk to me”. It’s a miracle that they still put up with me. If you need to be left alone or whether you need little whispers of encouragement, let them know, they will understand.
But remember a good nights sleep is really important.
T-day…
So the day has arrived. All your months of preparation are now being put into practice. You’ve been to the airport before. You’ve watched the YouTube videos. Everything is organised. You know what to do and where you are going. You. Got. This.
Get there in plenty of time; I got there maybe 3 hours before, dropped my bag off and headed for the special assistance counter to get my lanyard. I’m not going to lie, it was still tough and a tear or ten was definitely shed, but instead of thinking “I can’t do this, I need to leave NOW!” I was thinking “I am going at my own pace, I will get there.” I sat at a quiet restaurant opposite security and waited for it to be quiet. I gave myself plenty of time so I never felt rushed and could stop and breathe without fear of missing my flight.
Express security: if it looks busy or you feel like you need to get it over with, think about maybe purchasing express security if offered. However if they see your green lanyard, they may invite you to go through free of charge. Speak with the staff member at the security desk and look at your options.
Lounge access: I was lucky enough to have lounge access for my flight and I couldn’t recommend it enough. It is away from all the hustle and bustle of the airport and depending on which lounge you choose, there are showers, food, drinks and toilets available to you. It gives you a chance to regroup in a quiet, relaxed environment before you get on the flight and continue your journey. Prices vary and as mentioned before, it is worth looking at any membership benefits that may give you discounts.
Wear comfy and easy clothes. What I mean by this is don’t wear your fancy chain trousers or your suit of armour. Anything metal such as belts, jewellery, jackets and sometimes shoes have to be removed before walking through the metal detector. On the other side you will be subject to a quick pat down, so the more simple and light your clothing, the quicker it will be over and done with. If you are not comfortable with doing this in the open, there are sectioned off areas where this can take place. These areas are also a good place to get yourself together before continuing on.
Make sure your phone is fully charged. At some airports they may ask you to show that your phone turns on before they allow you to take it on the flight. To prevent any doubt, make sure your phone is fully charged before you enter the airport. This way you can also make sure you have enough battery to play games, listen to podcasts and text before you get on the plane.
What not to do:
Alcohol: It may be tempting to have a little liquid courage before getting on the plane and one won’t hurt. Just remember if you have one too many, the staff will probably tell you that you aren’t able to fly.
Caffeine: For obvious reasons.
Suffer in silence: If you are having a really difficult time, speak to a staff member. They will be able to point you in the direction of a quiet area or maybe even have quiet rooms available to you.
So that’s it. That’s the post.
Feel free to contact me with any questions and I will help as much as I can.
Life With A 