I am flying to London next month and I am very anxious about the flight. Does anyone have any recomendations on how to get over this? I don't let the fear stop me, I have been to Europe before but the past few years (with all of the high profile air accidents) I have become really apprehensive about flying and last time I even felt sick and claustrophobic. Any suggestions? Dramamine? I'm dreading the flight.
Thanks for your help, Holly.

I suggest taking one or two Unisom tablets about 30-45 minutes before you want to be asleep. Also if bad thoughts start creeping in your head remind yourself that the plane is surrounded by an ocean of air that is keeping you up just like water keeps up a boat. Bring a book, too so you'll have something to focus on besides the short articles in the inflight magazine. Good luck... and just think of how much fun you'll have once you get there!

For calming your nerves go to a health food store and buy St. John's Wort and Melatonin to help you sleep. Both are excellentm Melatonin is the #1 sleep aid used by business saavy people to sleep in flight. Worked great for me. St. John's Wort is more popular than Prozac in Europe. Doctors are discovering how good it works for people and there is prescription needed. My doctor who told me to take it said its takes longer to get into the system so start now!

My only suggestions are to get a seat away from the window, take a night flight, and binge on the alcohol (enough to put you to sleep). Also, remember, you still stand more of a chance of getting hit driving to the airport.

You do not indicate whether or not you'll be flying alone. If so, I'd strongly recommend you let those sitting with you know what's going on. People are, for the most part, caring, and the proactive company of the folks near you may well provide the support and diversion necessary. And, you won't arrive with a bad hangover! Take care ...

Jay

It is a fact that alcohol is a "no no" when flying- why? because of the altitude and oxygen adjustment your body has to make the alcohol has an adverse effect. My daughter says use the head phones, watch a movie. Oh, as for an all night flight- those are the worst! I couldn't even find a stewardess- it was impossible to get comfortable- I was thirsty, edgy and claustrophobic. Kept standing up- laying down (lots of empty seats) Did super on return flight- the plane was bustling, movies were going, shades down. Much better!

I used to be a fearful flyer, but reading a book called "White Knuckles -- Getting over the Fear of Flying" by Layne Ridley did wonders. I highly recommend it. I fly on business with another woman who is terrified of flying and refuses to read the book, but has her doctor prescribe a mild tranquilizer. It has helped enormously and she's fresh enough to start working on arrival. She used to depend on Bloody Mary's, but got very sick one time. Drinking is a poor solution. When flying to Europe, my husband and I always book an overnight flight and take a mild sleeping pill. Sleeping away a good part of the flight cuts down on fear and on boredom and you arrive feeling rested. Good luck.

I would urge you to heed the advice of the person who said lay off the alcohol. Most drunks sleep fitfully anyhow - they just don't know it because they are out of their minds, i.e. in a blackout.

You need to have a clear head when you arrive anyhow because you will be in unfamiliar surroundings.

If the trip is that traumatic, why go??
But, if go you must, why not talk with a medical professional who deals with debilitating fear.

I took a tylenol p.m. about 45 minutes before boarding. I slept most of the way. DO NOT DRINK ALCOHOL!!! Drink lots of water.

Heed Tricia's advice! Lay off the alcohol but bring some bottled water to stave off dehydration. Also, I highly recommend taking one or two Melatonin approx. 30-60 minutes after boarding. THis will help you get a good sleep.

Thanks for everyone's advice! As I said before, not flying is not an option. One of my greatest joys is traveling so I will always have to put up with my apprehensive. People can never believe that I have this fear, because I love Europe. (I just returned last year from teaching English in Prague) On my last overseas flight I talked to the stewerdess about this and she invited me for a 'chat' (it was a British Airways flight) with the crew. It was good to get my mind off of this, but I still felt really apprehensive. (I was traveling alone) Anyway, thanks for the tips. I am definitely going to take something recommended before the flight begins. If anyone needs any advice on Prague, Budapest or Poland write me and let me know. Thanks again, Holly

Holly - I am just like you. I have always been nervous about flying, but I've flown a million times... so I was becoming calmer. Then, recently I was on a particularly rough flight, and my nervousness has become almost unmanagable again. I wish I had a solution. I've flown 3 more times since the 'touch-and-go incident', and I find that focusing on the stewardesses helps. I tell myself this is just a job to them, they do this *every* day sometimes several times a day, obviously they do not believe they are in a life-threatening situation. Virgin Airlines is my favorite airline, because there is a movie screen in the back of each seat, so you can watch a choice of movies and TV shows and video games throughout the whole flight. Besides keeping my mind better occupied, it really makes a difference because it keeps everyone else on the plane quieter and entertained. When everyone surrounding me is less restless, it eases my restlessness.

Know any good day (or less) hikes in Ireland? We will be self driving in the southwest and west of Ireland and want to get off the beaten track just a bit - enough to leave the crowds behind. Sure would appreciate knowing how others have done this!

Hey Holly, let's you and me travel together! I've gotten to the point of being ridiculous when I fly and I embarrass myself greatly. But everyone is afraid of something and this is one thing that you and I will probably live through. Why is it that we concentrate on the minute chance that something bad will happen when chances are overwhelmingly great that nothing will happen? I have flown all over the world and I want to continue but I know that I will be terrified and I don't try to talk myself out of it because it won't work. Face your fear. Do not stop travelling. I also take comfort in knowing what kind of plane I will be flying on, and of course I prefer the big American carriers. Have that glass of wine during the takeoff (or before) if you think it will relax you. Don't expect yourself to be different than you are. It's also good to travel with someone else who is afraid, because talking to them will calm your own fears. It's just a few hours of your life and you know it is so worth it. I wish you the very best of luck. Also, stop reading every word of plane crash articles...That's probably the source of your fear. You will be fine.

I am interested in obtaining information about a travel package to three cities in Europe over 7/8 days. Rome, Paris, London. I'd like the trip coordinated by one source including airlines, hotel and an orientation bus tour of each city upon arrival. I understand American Express Travel offered such an arrangement. Many thanks.

Heed all the sensible advice posted above and then just keep reminding yourself of one very important reality: The captain and crew of this aircraft have every bit as much interest in staying alive and healthy as you do. They wouldn't be on this aircraft, flying this machine, unless they feel utterly certain of what they are doing. If you can accept this reality -- and it is a reality -- then half your battle is won. In addition, focus your attention not on the flight, which is long and boring, but on something else. And spend the duration of the flight focusing on whatever most absorbs you. For instance, you can watch the on-screen indicator of how many miles/kilometers remain till you reach your destination and treat this like a new years countdown -- x hours to where you have always dreamed you would go to, but never believed you would. Then think ahead to all the good things you want to do once you are on the ground in Europe and daydream about the things you will be able to tell the folks back home on the other end of the trip. Remember, you are in charge of your head, and if you self-direct it to the positives, all the negatives can be greatly reduced, if not eliminated. Good luck on the trip abroad. It is 7 or 8 hours very well spent en route to doing something you really want to do -- a tiny mote of time in a lifetime for you to psyche down your stress and face the reality that there is a world out there you really gotta see, and nothing like a little misplaced fear is going to thwart you from enjoying your life to the fullest. Remember kid, you only go around once! So enjoy that once to the fullest. Again, good luck. Lanny

I understand your fear of flying. I was getting used to the idea until there was a tragic crash near my hometown (USAir 428 outside of Pittsburgh) a couple years ago that we heard about on the news and in the papers for endless days and nights. Several from my immediate area were killed. Since the investigation continues, we still hear about it locally. However, life goes on, and while I get very nervous (traveler's "trots" before EVERY flight and look like a zombie from the self-induced stress), I get on the plane to travel several times a year. We flew to Europe this past August, and while I was nervous, I found it wasn't near as bad as some of the shorter flights and I actually thought that the time went by pretty fast. By the time you take off, they serve dinner, play a movie (luckily, ours was entertaining) and some shows, you're there before you know it. I also feel more at ease on the larger planes. I think we flew over on a 767 which was comfortable. So keep in mind the positives, that the chance of being in an auto accident is 1/5000, but the chance in being in a plane crash is 1/1 million. There are 10,000 flights that go out each day--how often do you hear about accidents. Now, compare that with how many auto accidents you hear about every day--many...My husband usually says these comforting words when we leave home--"Now, if we can just make it to the airport without having an accident."

JUST FLY BUSINESS OR FIRST CLASS!!! ITS LIKE HAVING YOUR MOTHER THERE TO BRING BOOKS FOR YOU AND COOK FOR YOU AND TURN ON THE TV FOR YOU AND TUCK YOU IN AT NIGHT!!! OR BETTER YET, JUST TRY TO FIGURE OUT HOW CLINTON AMAZINGLY GETS OUT OF ALL THE MESSES HE CREATES...THAT WILL KEEP YOU BUSY AND TAKE MUCH LONGER THAN THE FLIGHT!

I'm like you - terrified to fly but go anyway. I deliberately don't sleep the night before so that I am asleep on the plane before takeoff as I find that part very scary. I pray like I've never prayed before until I fall asleep. Usually I ask to be woken for dinner but then go right back to sleep after. On flights where I am not tired, I try to put myself in some sort of a trance so I am oblivious as to my surroundings. Sounds silly but it works for me.

It is estimated that 10 per cent of the adult population will admit to a fear of flying, so you are not alone. I am a pilot and I used to help run a course for fearful fliers, sponsored by an airline, and it really had good results. I know that several organisations in the US run such courses, and you ought to be able to find one through the customer relations departments of some of the airlines. The women pilots organisation called the Ninety Nines might be another source.

These courses have long term results, not just getting over the next flight, as they teach you to restructure your thoughts and beliefs about flying, and give you a lot of knowledge about aviation safety generally. There are also quite a few good books around. The classic one is by Albert Ellis, called something like "Overcoming your fear of flying". It would be out of print now, but you should be able to get it in a public library.