Not one person anywhere knows how they will react until they are in a situation. As for booking the exit row, there's a good chance if you needed to act you would step up in the moment and do it, but no one really knows .

As for you making a phone call, who wouldnt, if they thought their life was in danger.

As for the announcement, I'm sure it's protocol, but it sucks. What if it was worse than birds? If people knew the truth there might be chaos that would prevent an attempt at a safe landing. They can't guarantee you you'll be fine either because they don't know.

I'm sorry this happened to you. Most people would be a bit freaked out. If it's staying with you, please get some professional support. You are not a weak person for needing help...it's the smart thing to do so that you can move forward.

Anonymous wrote:I’m sorry, OP. This sounds very scary and you are totally normal to feel very upset.

I watched that Sully movie a few years ago and the scene where they have everyone brace made me cry, and it was just a movie!! And I knew everyone was going to be ok!

So, I just wanted to tell you that your feelings are normal. You went through something very jarring and I think you should be proud of how composed you were in the moment. It is OK to ‘fall apart’ afterwards when the reality of what could have been hits.

Thanks so much. This is very kind of you.

I’m sorry, OP. This sounds very scary and you are totally normal to feel very upset.

I watched that Sully movie a few years ago and the scene where they have everyone brace made me cry, and it was just a movie!! And I knew everyone was going to be ok!

So, I just wanted to tell you that your feelings are normal. You went through something very jarring and I think you should be proud of how composed you were in the moment. It is OK to ‘fall apart’ afterwards when the reality of what could have been hits.

OP, first, I'm sorry.

Second, hitting bird(s) can be extremely dangerous, and many people know this, so "we hit some birds" does not mean you shouldn't "brace for impact" etc. as it is not "just some birds."

At some airports they have hawks or other trained animals to scare off the geese (I read that somewhere a while ago; you can google that)

Anonymous wrote:Where's your flight OP?

http://avherald.com/h?search_term=providence&opt=0&dosearch=1&search.x=40&search.y=18

It just happened on Wednesday.
http://wpri.com/2018/02/07/bird-strike-forces-plane-to-return-to-tf-green/

Where's your flight OP?

http://avherald.com/h?search_term=providence&opt=0&dosearch=1&search.x=40&search.y=18

My plane hit a bird and the pilot told us. We had to return to the airport.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

As for the exit row, I actually remained extremely calm during the flight and was absolutely prepared to help with evacuation.

According to you, you were on a phone call with your Son. Why was your phone on?

You can have your phone on she could have been calling over WiFi. She wanted to say good by to her kid. Worst case scenario she dies. Most likely she survives and no one knows. Happy medium she pays a fine. Simple formula of risk vs reward plus common sense.

You cant be on the phone, and prepared to help at the same time. That is why she never needs to book the exit row ever again

OP here. I was on the phone with my son until the flight attendant came back to provide instructions. Then I got off. And as I said, I was not a mess. I listened, I quickly looked to see how to operate the door, I read the safety card. And then I chatted with the other exit row people to make sure we all understood.

In the future, maybe I will take another row.

Thanks for all the kind words to those of you who gave them.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

As for the exit row, I actually remained extremely calm during the flight and was absolutely prepared to help with evacuation.

According to you, you were on a phone call with your Son. Why was your phone on?

You can have your phone on she could have been calling over WiFi. She wanted to say good by to her kid. Worst case scenario she dies. Most likely she survives and no one knows. Happy medium she pays a fine. Simple formula of risk vs reward plus common sense.

You cant be on the phone, and prepared to help at the same time. That is why she never needs to book the exit row ever again

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

As for the exit row, I actually remained extremely calm during the flight and was absolutely prepared to help with evacuation.

According to you, you were on a phone call with your Son. Why was your phone on?

You can have your phone on she could have been calling over WiFi. She wanted to say good by to her kid. Worst case scenario she dies. Most likely she survives and no one knows. Happy medium she pays a fine. Simple formula of risk vs reward plus common sense.

You can't blame the way the announcement was made. The pilots have a protocol to follow as does the rest of the crew.

You need xanax.

Anonymous wrote:So now you know not to book the exit row because you can’t handle emergencies.

+10 million

I don't even know you OP and I'm ticked off about this.

I was just thinking I need to renew my Valium prescription for upcoming flights and this post is making me book my doc visit, pronto! I am the most nervous flier, stories like this crush me. OP I would have been an absolute mess. I agree with pp that it's a great sign in terms of your confidence and ability to move forward that you got right back on a plane to fly home.

I think it’s a good sign that you flew home. From Providence, I would have driven or taken the train.

Op, your experience of feeling traumatized is completely normal in this circumstance where the perceived possibility of death in a situation 100% out of your control leads to feelings of terror and helplessness.

Look up acute stress reaction - it is a response to a trauma in the short term. Good to go and talk to someone now to resolve it so it doesnt' turn into PTSD down the road.