I just read many of the worst flying experience postings and am now wondering what people do to help calm themselves before a flight?

Don't read things titled "Worst Flying Experiences"?

The same things they do to help calm themselves before riding in a car?

Sorry - I know flying can be scary - but frankly rarely more scary than things I expeience on the highway on a weekly basis - and unless you have a true fear of flying - and need either an in-depth remedial course or psychotherapy for a phobia - is this really an issue?

There are classes for fearful flyers do a google search to find one.

Introduce yourself to the crew and let them know you are fearful. Read up on turbulence, it helps when you know what it is in technical terms.

DONT LISTEN TO HORROR STORIES!

The best thing to sort it out is to go on a flight, maybe a short one just to somewhere local, then you will see what it is all about!

Check out www.fearofflying.com

I highly recommend the advice and tips on www.fearofflyinghelp.com. The site's run by a former pilot, all the info is free (you can make a donation if you want) and it's extremely informative and helpful. There's an online self-help course you can follow which really, truly works. Also an excellent message board offering a lot of support.

I'm a big fan of pharmaceuticals. Xanax works wonders.

I'm afraid to fly, too. My older sister told me years ago that if you take along a pack of Lifesavers and eat one just as the plane's taking off, that it will protect the flight against a crash. Think it doesn't work? WELL, I've done it every time I've flown (which is quite a bit) and have never yet been in a crash...

Honest, it works like a charm, er, lifesaver.

(Yes, my tongue is in my cheek. But, I must admit, I actually do it!)

Karen

I did that Google search, printed out 5 or so lessons, and read them at home at my own speed. There are also cheat sheets for the day before and the day of flight. My first flight after a long break was almost perfect, I was only apprehensive on the take-off going to my destination.

Those classes also helped me with the general pre-travel anxiety.

I do not like to fly, and I have to take xanax when I do, even for short trips. It really helps me relax. Most doctors will give you a script if you explain. My fear hasn't stopped me from traveling, however. I also check in with www.fearofflying.com from time to time. It is a good site. Not only is there support from others like you, there is info on planes and such from pilots. I actually feel much better about flying now that I know how UNLIKELY it is that I will be in an accident when told from people who make a living flying planes. One lady posted once saying that she met the pilot and explained her fears. He took out a photo of his three kids and said, "I wouldn't do this if I thought I was never going to see these guys again." That somehow made me feel better, too!

Valium and a few glasses of wine.