Washington (CNN)Some conservatives are citing Christine Blasey Ford's fear of flying to raise doubts about her credibility.
The argument goes like this: Ford, who has accused Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh of sexual assault,
has told friends that the alleged encounter has left her feeling uncomfortable -- even struggling -- when she is in enclosed spaces without an "escape route" or more than one exit door, such as an airplane.
The fear of flying has been cited as a reason why Ford didn't testify sooner about the allegations. But the California professor still manages to travel for work and vacations, as Rachel Mitchell, the counsel representing Republicans at Thursday's hearing, pointed out.
"May I ask, how did you get to Washington?" Mitchell, an Arizona prosecutor, inquired.
"In an airplane," Ford replied.
"I ask that because it has been reported by the press that you would not submit to an interview with the committee because of your fear of flying. Is that true?" Mitchell said.
Ford said she "was hoping" that the committee would come to her, but added, "I realized that was an unrealistic request."
The psychology professor told Mitchell she was finally able to muster the courage to fly to Washington, D.C. from her home in California.
"That was certainly what I was hoping was to avoid, having to get on an airplane, but I eventually was able to get up the gumption with the help of some friends and get on the plane," Ford said Thursday.
Mitchell later asked, "In fact, you fly fairly frequently for hobbies and you had to fly for your work, is that true?"
"Correct, unfortunately," Ford.
Ford said that she comes to Delaware once a year to visit family. She also confirmed that she has traveled by airplane to Hawaii, Costa Rica, South Pacific Islands and French Polynesia.
"It's easier for me to travel going that direction when it's a vacation," Ford said.
Some Kavanaugh supporters have pointed to this exchange to cast doubts on Ford's story.