Turbulance
Aug 14th, 2003 | 09:35 AM
#63
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
I am incredibly fearful on flights esp during turbulence. MissEve--- you and I may find ourselves fighting for the exit door seat one day since it looks like we are both Minneapolis residents! And I feel the same way, even though I am terrified, my love of travel keeps getting me back on plane after plane. Next month- Dallas (to visit family) and New York!
My strategies have lately been alcohol for most flights and Xanax for longer flights. I have also tried sleeping pills and Valium. I usually try the visualizing exercises too- thinking about turbulance as potholes, thinking about my destination, etc. I start conversations with seat mates or have my husband talk to me if he is on the flight with me (ironically, he has his pilot's license and loves to fly!) I also keep a close eye on FAs to see how they are reacting and will even ask them for updates on the turbulence- when it will end, etc. They are usually very accomodating- one FA even asked if I wanted the pilot to come and talk to me!
Ok- this may be a silly question but has anyone ever considered hypno-therapy to help them get over their fears? I've been seeing news stories about ppl who use it for weight loss, labor pains, etc. and wondering about using it for flying.
JaneS
My strategies have lately been alcohol for most flights and Xanax for longer flights. I have also tried sleeping pills and Valium. I usually try the visualizing exercises too- thinking about turbulance as potholes, thinking about my destination, etc. I start conversations with seat mates or have my husband talk to me if he is on the flight with me (ironically, he has his pilot's license and loves to fly!) I also keep a close eye on FAs to see how they are reacting and will even ask them for updates on the turbulence- when it will end, etc. They are usually very accomodating- one FA even asked if I wanted the pilot to come and talk to me!
Ok- this may be a silly question but has anyone ever considered hypno-therapy to help them get over their fears? I've been seeing news stories about ppl who use it for weight loss, labor pains, etc. and wondering about using it for flying.
JaneS
Aug 14th, 2003 | 09:38 AM
#64
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,297
Likes: 0
well, as I read through this I started composing my reply in my head but it looks like smueller has it all covered!
turbulence won't hurtcha unless you are not buckled in. you can tell the GA pilots and experienced passengers by who stays buckled in unless they have to use the loo.
Jack31 - it wasn't the turbulence so much to be afraid of as the THUNDERSTORM you rode through which caused it. very scary. Pilots are trained to avoid them though so I wouldn't get too worried about it - it is rare. and 100 foot drops are nothing. actually a mere 100 foot drop likely wouldn't freak you out much. and these planes are specifically designed to withstand a lot of tuff stuff, so don't worry about it breaking up in midair. unless there is icing, then worry. ;-)
Melnq8 - I have to say, if you don't like turbulence there is good reason to hate that route - with all those mountains there is bound to constantly be turbulence.
if you guys are really bored, check out www.ntsb.gov and do a search on their accident database. (I volunteered at that agency many moons ago). most accidents are GA flights and just think, in all of 2002 there was not one single commercial flight fatality on a US carrier. not sure about 2003 but I don't recall anything.
turbulence won't hurtcha unless you are not buckled in. you can tell the GA pilots and experienced passengers by who stays buckled in unless they have to use the loo.
Jack31 - it wasn't the turbulence so much to be afraid of as the THUNDERSTORM you rode through which caused it. very scary. Pilots are trained to avoid them though so I wouldn't get too worried about it - it is rare. and 100 foot drops are nothing. actually a mere 100 foot drop likely wouldn't freak you out much. and these planes are specifically designed to withstand a lot of tuff stuff, so don't worry about it breaking up in midair. unless there is icing, then worry. ;-)
Melnq8 - I have to say, if you don't like turbulence there is good reason to hate that route - with all those mountains there is bound to constantly be turbulence.
if you guys are really bored, check out www.ntsb.gov and do a search on their accident database. (I volunteered at that agency many moons ago). most accidents are GA flights and just think, in all of 2002 there was not one single commercial flight fatality on a US carrier. not sure about 2003 but I don't recall anything.
Aug 14th, 2003 | 11:46 AM
#65
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 808
Likes: 0
When I was a rookie sportswriter, I was flying back from Spring Training in Arizona and seated next to me was a well-known, macho ballplayer.
Somewhere over Nevada, we hit the worst turbluence I have ever experienced and Mr. Macho freaked out, grabbing my hands and asking me to pray. He was sweating up a storm and near tears by the time we came out of it. I actually felt really sorry for him.
That player never refused me an interview for the rest of his major league career!
Somewhere over Nevada, we hit the worst turbluence I have ever experienced and Mr. Macho freaked out, grabbing my hands and asking me to pray. He was sweating up a storm and near tears by the time we came out of it. I actually felt really sorry for him.
That player never refused me an interview for the rest of his major league career!
