Hi,<BR>I'm pretty young but the more I'm flying, the worse I feel. Just thinking about flying makes me cry. I can't sleep at night nor enjoy holidays because of the way back. I'm amazingly anxious during the whole flight and I have to reach my fianc&eacute; in the US in 2 weeks (I'm in France). What can I do? Do you know any websites that would explain how planes work? Maybe somebody has a story about overcoming that fear. <BR>Thanks !

first you have to analyze why you are afraid and is this recent because of September 11 for example? I have never really liked flying and I suspect a lot of people are quite happy when they are back on land. What helps me is that someone told me that one of the laws of thermodynamics is that air prefers to travel in a straight line therefore it flows under the wing and keeps it in the air rather than flying over the top. I believe there are classes to help overcome this fear. On takeoff I always visualise extremely long legs that telescope out of the plane and then we are basically running across the earth and sea - yes I know it is totally absurd but it is comforting!!<BR>A statistic from Sept 11 which may comfort you - when the planes hit the twin towers there were approx. 250,000 people in the air over the eastern seaboard and they all landed safely.<BR>Hope this helps.

Maia, someone named "Rog," who is a lot older than you, posted almost exactly the same sort of problem on the US board. I think it was called "Fear of Flying," but if you go to the US board and search on "fear" or something similar, you'll probably find it. <BR><BR>A lot of people have had the same fear, including me. There are many ways to deal with it, and I'm sure one or another way will help you. Yes, there are websites to help you, but here are a few things I've done:<BR><BR>Take tapes of my favorite soothing music and/or comedy routines. Save a special book you've been wanting to read -- something easy like a romance or a murder mystery, with a lot of suspense -- just for that flight. Get a prescription for an anti-anxiety drug such as Xanax (don't know what the comparable medication in France would be, but I'm sure a pharmacist would know) -- be SURE to test it out a few days ahead so you know how it will affect you and whether you need 1/2 or full dose. (Reuch drugs -- NEVER combine with alcohol) Be aware, too, that some of the worst moments you'll have will be a couple of days BEFORE the flight, as well as maybe the night before -- you'll probably do much better once you are aboard and up to cruising altitude. Remember your fiance is waiting for you!!!!!<BR><BR>Finally: the more you fly, the less this will be a problem. There was a whole decade when I wouldn't fly anywhere, and finally there was something just too important to me not to fly --just like for you. When you step down off the plane at the end of the flight, you will have SUCH a feeling of victory! I promise.

Maia, I topped "Rog's" thread on the US board this evening (US eastern time) at 11:42pm -- so go looking for it. It is called "fear of flying."<BR><BR>A bit more info re:medication: usually you have to have built up a little of the drug in your system to have it work, another reason to try it out ahead of time. Also be aware that some of those 'relaxing' drugs will have side-effects after they wear off that aren't bad and can be dealt with, e.g., headaches and constipation. Small price to pay to feel less panic.<BR><BR>I guarantee you, I was once in France and just terrified to get back on the plane to get home - tearful, nauseated, everything. That step onto the plane is a moment of great personal courage that few others will ever understand, but those of us who have had to go through it WILL understand and WILL applaud you. You CAN do it, and you will be fine!

Thank you so much for all the info. ... I can't really find the US board to check Rog's message. Is this a part of fodors.com? I will also get some anti-anxiety drugs. <BR>To answer Carol's question, I was afraid before 9/11, but of course it got a lot worse since then. It was my 2nd time in the US, I was there since late August only. My brother was close by the towers and saw everything from a roof of a building where he was having breakfast. He had landed in the US for the first time a couple of days before. That morning my dad was waiting for his plane at JFK... and of course, I couldn't reach them for 3 days... I know we must be a lot to be afraid by those huge machines carrying themsleves and us inside, so it's good to hear that everybody has a little trick to feel more comfortable. I will try to think that we are "running" on tracks... (which shouldn't be too far from reality, I guess). Thanks again !