Issue #89: How do Music Folks Feel About Flying Right Now?

Often very, very, very drunk on a plane

By Marissa

I always joke that I’m glad I have no musical talent because my body couldn’t withstand the demands of being on the road – a couple dates on book tour is about as strenuous as I like to get, and I’m not very good at leaving my kids at home (unless it’s to go to Mexico). But one of the things I really mean when I say that is I’m not sure I could spend as much time on flights as musicians do, which seems to be more than ever now that streaming has robbed artists of a living wage and touring is the only real way to make a living for 99% of performers, especially country and Americana artists who don’t quite take to TikTok and other forms of digital promotion/fame. Traveling by plane is also exhausting, and a huge pain in the ass.

And now, with an increase in publicized plane close-calls and true tragedies, not to mention President Elon Musk’s doge-y cuts at the FAA, even the very seasoned and solid flyers seem to be getting more nervous than ever. This was something I often thought about, even before recent events, especially in terms of well-being and mental health for musicians who don’t love to fly. So I wonder, how do they handle this stress, and these fears?

“Every artist I’ve talked to with a built-in fear of flying is at panic attack level when they even think about it,” author Josh Crutchmer told me in a chat yesterday, who flies more than anyone I know following around various Red Dirt artists and otherwise for his books and work. According to Josh, all kinds of artists (not just ones who could traditionally afford it) are looking into private aviation lately. “There’s a whole network of rich super fans in Texas right now loaning out their jets to artists (and getting AA passes and a couple of hundred bucks in tips for their pilots in exchange),” he says. This is fascinating to me, if probably not sustainable. But speaks to something interesting in fans no longer taking the mental and physical drain on artists for granted, and looking for a solution, especially in slightly scarier times.

One publicist who flies often told me they cancelled their trip to SXSW. Another told me they’re driving from Nashville instead of flying - a hefty 13 or 14 hours. For many, the stress and worry itself is far worse than any actual risk.

“I’m sticking to driving,” says artist Veronique Medrano. “I [usually] drive when I have the days available to do it, but lately it just became apparent to me that I HAVE to drive. My anxiety is through the roof and it just feels like the safer option.” Jackie Berkley of the duo Golden Everything just had her first child, Millie, and they’ve been on five plane trips together “since all hell broke loose in air traffic control,” she says. “I am stressed. But ultimately it is still safer than driving, drastically.”

I’m not here to present you with evidence as to whether or not air travel has decreased in safety - not my specialty and I haven’t done the reporting either way. There’s plenty of articles on the topic currently if you’d like to research. I do know that statistically, it’s the safest form of travel, still. What I think about more is the mental health of artists who have to fly non-stop for a living, and how all the recent news impacts their already fragile relationship with the skies.

Artist manager Shira recommends the fearofflying reddit board, which she describes as “comforting and helpful” (along with Xanax). Artist Michaela Anne says “the travel of being a musician and the schlepping of gear and merchandise is one of the hardest things about our livelihood (in my opinion). Especially as the cost of travel has been rising so much. As far as fears around flying, I try to remind myself that statistically I am more likely to be in a car accident and as a touring musician, those odds are more than likely even higher than the average person given how much we are on the roads. It often helps me to breathe through any anxiety just convincing myself that traveling anywhere is putting my life at risk but flying is still statistically safer than a car, van or bus!”

Michaela also told me that, in addition to the stress around flying fears, dealing with checking instruments and baggage fees is a whole other element of trouble around flying. “I always reference that the law states as long as there is room when you board and your guitar or instrument fits overhead, then you must be allowed to bring it on,” she says. “It can be challenging to stay calm in those situations but having the law pulled up on my phone is helpful as well as paying to board early (again, additional cost to musicians but it's better than buying a whole seat for your instrument or having your instrument destroyed). Southwest has typically been the best airline for this in my experience. Checking each airline's instrument/baggage policies ahead of time is always helpful. Especially if you are flying overseas and could be hit with a surprise $100 extra charge for bringing an instrument.”

Artist Joshua Hedley has some long-honed strategies. “Basically my method is Klonopin + Exit Row + Aisle Seat + Preboard lol. I have pretty severe flight anxiety so that’s what gets me through a flight. I actually have a legitimate reason for pre-boarding, however I will say that they’re not allowed to ask why you need to pre-board, so if you get in that line…you get to pre-board (though, if you’re gonna game the pre-board system, don’t be a fuckin’ asshole, let the legitimate disabled folks go first),” he explains, adding the all-important reminder to just be a decent human. “Also just be fuckin’ nice. Those folks are just doing their jobs. They don’t have any power over anything. However, you catch more flies with honey than you do with vinegar, so just always be kind to the gate agent and you’ll get what you need from them.”

CMA touring musician of the year Charlie Worsham, who is obviously on the road often, tries to keep a calm mind. “I try to remind myself of the odds and that good people are out there still trying,” he says. “Been listening to classical and looking at pics of my kids on my phone during takeoff and landing, instead of political podcasts.” He cheekily points to his song “Things I Can’t Control.”

If you’re a musician or music professional - or anyone who flies often - what are your best coping skills? Any tips to share on staying centered while in the air? Share them in the comments. [Mine is a balanced indica-CBD gummy and not checking bags unless I absolutely have to]. Join in below!