SNA- "scariest" airport? (takeoffs)

[crazymomof4]

First time flying Philadelphia to California as an adult.
Reading about LAX (airport itself + traffic surrounding) being a congested nightmare that causes stress and eats up time.
Looking into SNA. Seemed perfect until I started reading stuff online about the takeoffs being likened to a space shuttle launch. Steep ascent. Engines being cut. "Light in the seat" feeliing.
Now, I fly..... but I don't like it! I take xanax. I am not freaking out but I work hard to keep calm during takeoffs and turbulence.
I'm sure many who fly in and out of SNA are fine with it. People who fly often and have 0 fear while on a plane But that's not me.
>I'd like the perspective of someone, like myself, who is a nervous flyer and has flown into and out of SNA. How was it? Is it really that bad or just a tad more scary that usual takeoffs?<

 

[gottalovepluto]

I’m a nervous flyer. I did not find it scary at all. Scary is being the baby plane at LAX taxiing around the international behemoths! Or landing at SFO. Or landing/taking off in Hawaii with the trade winds and short runways. SNA was fine.

 

[PatMcDuck]

I thought landing in San Diego was a bit scary. SNA has never bothered me at all. I prefer it over LAX but if I save $50 for LAX, I use LAX.

 

[LYSE]

My wife is anxious about flying and never had a problem with SNA

 

[hootey]

I have flown into and out of SNA several times. I prefer SNA over LAX anytime of day or night! It is a L O T smaller airport than LAX, easier to get into and out of. Landings and takeoffs have always been nice and smooth. SNA is a dream compared to Chicago or Reagon in DC. Airports for nice easy smoooth takeoff and landings Denver, Salt Lake, and Tulsa

 

[tarheelalum]

Landing at SNA is a piece of cake.

 

[MillauFr]

The departing aircraft do not use the steep climb and then level off any longer. They stopped several years ago

 

[Jimsig]

Try take off/landing/ in Key West on a 737. It's basically both the shortest runway allowed for a 737 as well as the shortest runway used regularly for a 737.

 

[ParkHopper1]

The departing aircraft do not use the steep climb and then level off any longer. They stopped several years ago

It is still SOP for Southwest, but the Pilots also explain it. All it is they take off a bit steeper then level off a bit and reduce power until the shoreline. There is no “sensation” that you feel other than it is just a bit different procedure than a continuous power climb thay most are expecting.

 

[ktlm]

It's not bad. I generally get nervous with take offs and I don't have a problem with it. The worst for me has always been landing or taking off out of Denver- it always seems to be really bumpy. We really like SNA. It is an easy airport.

 

[Nonsuch]

http://www.ocair.com/aboutjwa/faq-noise

Q.Do commercial aircraft still execute a deep power cut-back on departures?
A.Some commercial aircraft operating at JWA do utilize special Noise Abatement Departure Procedures; a power cut-back, however, is not mandated by JWA. The commercial aircraft flown in the 1980s were generally noisier than today’s fleet. In the past, in order to meet JWA’s noise limits, those older aircraft had to depart at full power, climb as quickly as possible to gain altitude, and then reduce power until after reaching the coastline. The newer, quieter aircraft of today often do not need to execute as deep of a power cut-back (or at all) as was the case in the past.

In 1993, FAA issued Advisory Circular (AC) 91-53A in an effort to standardize Noise Abatement Departure Profiles (NADPs). This AC describes acceptable criteria for two safe departure profiles known as the “Close-in” and “Distant” NADPs. The procedures are based on the proximity of noise sensitive uses, like homes and schools, to the departure end of an airport runway. The AC provides general guidance for departure procedures at all commercial airports, not just JWA. Ultimately, airlines develop their own procedures according to their operational specifications for each aircraft type.

http://www.ocair.com/aboutjwa/faq-noise

 

[O'12ears]

They have also altered the flight path slightly. They now fly over a bay instead of homes as much as possible until they reach the ocean, which also decreases the need for noise-abatement. (I am a few hundred yards off the current flight path and directly under the flight path used when the Santa Ana winds blow and they land from the west.)

 

[DaveNinja]

I had a bad experience flying out of SNA a couple years ago. I have a pretty bad head cold and was all stuffed up. The take off gave me severe vertigo that lasted through out the flight. Now I always bring Afrin when I fly just in case I get a cold.

 

[Xenorye]

I'm a bit of a nervous flyer, and I don't have any more of a problem at SNA than I do other airports.

PHX, on the other hand... Those winds are crazy.

 

[bumbershoot]

The departing aircraft do not use the steep climb and then level off any longer. They stopped several years ago

I’ve experienced it inside of several years.


In San Diego too.


OP, if it happens, it’s exciting and there’s a reason. It gets you to your beverage service faster since you get to cruising altitude quicker.

I don’t think engines are “cut” though. But going up steep then leveling off could have a momentary feeling in the belly. It’s a moment. It’s normal.

Talk to the flight attendant as you board if possible. They can be amazing when they know you’re scared. A United attendant spent some serious time with me back in 2013 because he could see the nervousness on my face (they had to repair the door before takeoff and our seats were right there so I had time to let the nervousness build). And they might be able to tell you if by chance they’ll be using that method on that flight.

 

[lalasmama]

I'm a nervous flyer; like Xanax, sleep deprived, relaxation techniques, etc... And used to fly SW out of SNA. I didn't think it was any worse. A bit steeper, but I'm already deep breathing and working on my relaxation skills and the Xanax is kicking in.

 

[crazymomof4]

OP here. I just wanted to pop in let each and every poster here know how VERY helpful your comments have been. I really didn't want a thread full of, "Oh don't be silly. Flying is perfectly safe. What are you worried about?" posts. What I got here was real empathy and encouragement. Thank you to all.
Feel free to keep 'em coming!

 

[DizneyMommy]

I’ve lived near SNA my entire life and flown out of it dozens and dozens of times. It’s never made me any more nervous than any other take off. Maybe I’m just used to it? It doesn’t feel any different to me. I’ve certainly never felt “light in my seat” or felt an engine cut, that would terrify me!

I agree though PHX in the winds can be scary!

Also, avoid LAX at all costs. I know so many people fly in there to come to DL and it would have to be a HUGE price difference to be worth it to me. I would gladly pay more to land at SNA, and you’ll save a little of that back in taxi/shuttle/Uber to DL and back. It is so much farther away and feels like lightyears with the traffic.

 

[chickapin parterre]

I find that Portland PDX is the worst, being a frequent flyer out of PDX, other thant SFO, all other airports are just Dandy. But it is strange how we see different airports. I think San Diego out of Phoniex route is really smooth. SNA is one the best airports for racing the clock, so small that TSA is short and nice lobbies for waiting. If you want to cure flying anxiety, try SFO, then everything else is grand.

 

[Indiana Scott]

I've flown in and out of SNA at least 20 times and never felt the least bit anxious or unsafe.