Is anyone here afraid to fly??
Feb 15th, 2005, 11:53 AM
#21
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I went through the "fear of flight" on-line classes (just Googled, printed, and read at my own speed) and used those breathing exercises.
Inhale, exhale slowly saying "relaaaaxxxxx"...
It helps as much as those "being in labor" breathing exercises, but at least it keeps your mind off the take-off.
Per that class every 3rd flier is the "white knucle" flier, so sit next to me
I'll be the "designated white"
Inhale, exhale slowly saying "relaaaaxxxxx"...
It helps as much as those "being in labor" breathing exercises, but at least it keeps your mind off the take-off.
Per that class every 3rd flier is the "white knucle" flier, so sit next to me
I'll be the "designated white"
Feb 15th, 2005, 04:02 PM
#23
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Whenever I get scared on a flight I look around and 99% of the passengers are sound asleep and the 1% are calming reading. Where are all the other white knucklers when I need you?
I just resign myself to being in a cramped stuffy space for over 10 hours and try to let it go. I used to be alot more afraid but it gets better after alot of long flights. I mean it gets easier to resign myself.
(After one panic attack, I did get off of a plane during a stopover years ago, rented a car at the airport and drove the rest of the way from Chicago to Los Angeles.)
Oh and a friend told me to thank God for the safe flight just as you step into the plane.
I just resign myself to being in a cramped stuffy space for over 10 hours and try to let it go. I used to be alot more afraid but it gets better after alot of long flights. I mean it gets easier to resign myself.
(After one panic attack, I did get off of a plane during a stopover years ago, rented a car at the airport and drove the rest of the way from Chicago to Los Angeles.)
Oh and a friend told me to thank God for the safe flight just as you step into the plane.
Feb 15th, 2005, 04:29 PM
#24
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I also read the book written by a retired airline pilot.
I was very relieved to know that turbulence could not possibly damage a plane or cause "catastrophic" outcomes, especially if the plane was at cruising altitude.
Before reading the book, I always worried about the slightest turbulence.
I think there were only 30-something deaths in the US all of last year in commerical aviation.
How many traffic fatalities were there just last weekend?
I was very relieved to know that turbulence could not possibly damage a plane or cause "catastrophic" outcomes, especially if the plane was at cruising altitude.
Before reading the book, I always worried about the slightest turbulence.
I think there were only 30-something deaths in the US all of last year in commerical aviation.
How many traffic fatalities were there just last weekend?
Feb 15th, 2005, 05:04 PM
#25
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Platzman - also, I recall hearing in 2002 the statistic that 2001 was the safest year in airline travel. And that figure included the planes involved on 9/11. That was a interesting statistic to me; I'm not sure if each year after 2001 was even safer.
Feb 15th, 2005, 05:16 PM
#26
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I'm a pilot, so the only thing that I think about is the competence of the crew and air traffic controllers.
Accidents happen when crews push it too far (mostly weather-related stuff), and not a few casualties have resulted from mid-air collisions where controllers didn't detect an aircraft intruding on the airspace.
And I never fly in anything designed by McDonnell or anything that interposes software between the pilot and the control surfaces.
Accidents happen when crews push it too far (mostly weather-related stuff), and not a few casualties have resulted from mid-air collisions where controllers didn't detect an aircraft intruding on the airspace.
And I never fly in anything designed by McDonnell or anything that interposes software between the pilot and the control surfaces.
Feb 15th, 2005, 07:46 PM
#27
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nbbrown, I have known so many people that feel like your husband does. I think there are a lot more then one realizes. And from reading this thread I am convinced of it, especially after reading the post from the airline attendant.
The funniest one I know of personally was a family member. He was at Pearl Harbor when it was bombed. He was a hero in WWII, the Korean and the Vietnam Wars. Was a Lt.General in the AirForce. Had every medal that one could receive.
And he absolutely hated flying in a commercial plane. If he could not be the pilot he did not want to fly. And he only flew a few times on a commercial plane after he retired.
So for all you that have a problem, don't feel alone.
And then there is me. I love getting on the plane, I love the take off. I love feeling that I am "away" from the world. And then I love landing to whatever area I am going to. But we are all different.
The funniest one I know of personally was a family member. He was at Pearl Harbor when it was bombed. He was a hero in WWII, the Korean and the Vietnam Wars. Was a Lt.General in the AirForce. Had every medal that one could receive.
And he absolutely hated flying in a commercial plane. If he could not be the pilot he did not want to fly. And he only flew a few times on a commercial plane after he retired.
So for all you that have a problem, don't feel alone.
And then there is me. I love getting on the plane, I love the take off. I love feeling that I am "away" from the world. And then I love landing to whatever area I am going to. But we are all different.
Feb 24th, 2005, 10:05 AM
#28
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I was never a great flyer but several years ago my phobia became bigger. I do take Xanax...it's worth it; it relaxes you but doesn't put you out, and I also take dramamine to help me sleep. But something that did help a bit for me was Northwest Airlines Fearless Flying program. It's a tape and a booklet and I try to listen to the tape every time I am on a plane and begin listening to it about a week before flying. It does help in understanding certain things about why the plane is moving in a certain way... such as turbulance. Ultimately, it is all about control. No doubt your husband, like the rest of us, wants that while flying. I found that when I fly more and listen to the tape more I don't use as much medication to fly. I wish you luck in this...and your husband too.
Feb 24th, 2005, 10:16 AM
#29
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I'm one of those sick people that love flying, and have fun with the turbulence (I think of it as a roller coaster ride). OK, yes I'm evil 
My DH, OTOH, can't stand flying. He never says he's scared, and blames it all on the discomfort and hassle of security, but I know he is nervous about flying itself. He refuses to even enter the little 'puddle-jumper' planes. It keeps me from enjoying the flight because he keeps up a constant complaint stream about everything.
Is it a bad thing to want to fly to Europe without him? How about on our honeymoon???
My DH, OTOH, can't stand flying. He never says he's scared, and blames it all on the discomfort and hassle of security, but I know he is nervous about flying itself. He refuses to even enter the little 'puddle-jumper' planes. It keeps me from enjoying the flight because he keeps up a constant complaint stream about everything.
Is it a bad thing to want to fly to Europe without him? How about on our honeymoon???
Feb 24th, 2005, 10:38 AM
#30
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I hate being in a plane for a long flight (so cramped!), but I'm also among those rare, sick individuals who love to fly. Took my first flight at 6 and have been in love with planes ever since.
I have flown with people who are fearful of flying, so I know the fear is very real. My mother begins getting anxious days before a flight!
I used to date a guy who was a private pilot, and he loaned me flight instruction books. While I never had a fear of flying, it was more comforting knowing exactly how why/how an airplane stays up, what exactly is turbulence, and exactly how does a plane get on and off the ground. Now when I sit in a plane next to some one who tells me they are fearful of flying, I explain to them exactly what is going on. The problem for most people is hearing/feeling stuff that they cannot see.
Obviously, going to flight school is not for everyone, but if you can get your hands on the mechanics of flight, you might find your fears alliviated.
And, it always pays to remember: planes are at their most vulnerable during take off and landing. After all, pilots refer to a landing as a controlled crash, which it really is in more ways than one. So, if you've ever flown, you have actually already experienced a "crash". And, driving anywhere is far more dangerous to your health than anything that can happen in the air!
But, even with all of this, I will not fly in bad weather. As pilots say: if the birds won't fly, why should I?
I have flown with people who are fearful of flying, so I know the fear is very real. My mother begins getting anxious days before a flight!
I used to date a guy who was a private pilot, and he loaned me flight instruction books. While I never had a fear of flying, it was more comforting knowing exactly how why/how an airplane stays up, what exactly is turbulence, and exactly how does a plane get on and off the ground. Now when I sit in a plane next to some one who tells me they are fearful of flying, I explain to them exactly what is going on. The problem for most people is hearing/feeling stuff that they cannot see.
Obviously, going to flight school is not for everyone, but if you can get your hands on the mechanics of flight, you might find your fears alliviated.
And, it always pays to remember: planes are at their most vulnerable during take off and landing. After all, pilots refer to a landing as a controlled crash, which it really is in more ways than one. So, if you've ever flown, you have actually already experienced a "crash". And, driving anywhere is far more dangerous to your health than anything that can happen in the air!
But, even with all of this, I will not fly in bad weather. As pilots say: if the birds won't fly, why should I?
Feb 24th, 2005, 10:53 AM
#31
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Hear! Hear!
And even if you don't want to learn to fly, taking a sample lesson may give you at least a little insight into what's involved. The flight school/plane rental places (called Fixed Base Operators, or FBOs) will even let you fly the thing the first time up, if you want to.
<b>http://www.beapilot.com</b>
And even if you don't want to learn to fly, taking a sample lesson may give you at least a little insight into what's involved. The flight school/plane rental places (called Fixed Base Operators, or FBOs) will even let you fly the thing the first time up, if you want to.
<b>http://www.beapilot.com</b>
Feb 24th, 2005, 11:42 AM
#33
Anyone in their right mind should be afraid to fly (just stop and think about what you're doing!).
To me that IS the key... DON'T think about it (plus I take an anti-anxiety prescription medication right before the flight).
To me that IS the key... DON'T think about it (plus I take an anti-anxiety prescription medication right before the flight).
Feb 24th, 2005, 02:28 PM
#37
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Hello ABJS, yes twice on flights I did pray, and it brought complete peace.
And on one flight in Italy, with terrible turbulance I had a unknown young Italian girl (about 18 years of age)across the aisle from me get hysterical. I took her hand and silently prayed and within one minute she completely relaxed.
And on one flight in Italy, with terrible turbulance I had a unknown young Italian girl (about 18 years of age)across the aisle from me get hysterical. I took her hand and silently prayed and within one minute she completely relaxed.
Feb 24th, 2005, 02:41 PM
#38
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I've been a pilot since 1973, and I must confess I really don't equate a routine landing with a "controlled crash" - and I think it's an extremely thoughtless thing to say if your goal is to allay the fears of someone who doesn't like to fly.
Everyone knows what a "crash" is - it's what's on the 6 (film at 11) showing smoke billowing from a broken fuselage, scattered luggage, and anxious relatives in the boarding lounge. A "controlled" one is where the loss of life is minimized.
Landing: the act of guiding an aircraft onto the ground.
Good landing: in which the occupants all walk away.
Great landing: in which the aircraft can be reused.
Everyone knows what a "crash" is - it's what's on the 6 (film at 11) showing smoke billowing from a broken fuselage, scattered luggage, and anxious relatives in the boarding lounge. A "controlled" one is where the loss of life is minimized.
Landing: the act of guiding an aircraft onto the ground.
Good landing: in which the occupants all walk away.
Great landing: in which the aircraft can be reused.
Feb 24th, 2005, 04:03 PM
#40
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Oh ABJS, thank you so much for your comment. That really touches my heart.
To tell you the truth the turbulance was so bad I was starting to pray and I heard a sob and this young Italian girl across the aisle was sobbing.
I forgot about me, I felt so bad for her.
And I reached out and took her hand. And something special (an angel?) touched both of us.
I do live by the theory that "Gods will be done".
Again, thank you for your very loving comment. May an angel be with you whenever you need one.
To tell you the truth the turbulance was so bad I was starting to pray and I heard a sob and this young Italian girl across the aisle was sobbing.
I forgot about me, I felt so bad for her.
And I reached out and took her hand. And something special (an angel?) touched both of us.
I do live by the theory that "Gods will be done".
Again, thank you for your very loving comment. May an angel be with you whenever you need one.
