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MaybeADumbass t1_j7luv1k wrote

It's been over a decade since I've flown regularly, but the Sam Adams lounge in Concourse C used to be the only place open at 7am, and prior to that nothing was open. A quick search found the map, but unfortunately no hours are listed anywhere: https://flypittsburgh.com/pittsburgh-international-airport/terminal-information/map/#floor/3

It took me a number of years to get over my fear of flying (it was actually more claustrophobia over not being able to leave the airplane but whatever), so when I had to leave on a really early flight I would bring a small bottle of something I could easily take shots of and then do 2 or 3 in my car before heading in. I won't recommend this because you'd technically be committing DUI and could get arrested and charged if a cop sees you, but it's a possibility if you find no other options.

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myhouseisabanana t1_j7m2xrx wrote

What ultimately helped you?

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MaybeADumbass t1_j7m43aj wrote

Flying a crapload of times and taking longer flights. Sorry, I wish I had a more helpful answer than that, but I don't.

Eventually, after flying a whole bunch of times, I got a little more used to it and would get on a shorter flight completely sober without too much anxiety. I got over it the rest of the way when I started flying internationally and was spending 8+ hours in the air at a time. I think having enough flights where I didn't melt down over not being able to exit the plane got me used to the idea that it was possible, and so then when I would start to panic on each flight I could move past it with just some deep breathing and could distract myself by reading a book or something.

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