Fear of flying

[surfgurl]

I'm a fearful flyer too. I wasn't too bad until the whole security measures about liquids came in. We had flown up to Edinburgh the afternoon before. I woke up and put the telly on to discover they had uncovered this plot. We had to fly back the following week.
Flying to Cuba on honeymoon last year was pretty bad. I was in tears during take off and landing on both legs of the journey. Since then I have flown to Spain and Germany earlier this year.
I find having something else to occupy my mind helps a lot. The trip to Germany was with my Mum who is partially sighted so the fact I had to guide her everywhere and help her out kept my mind off the plane thing.
Contrary to advice on this thread, I find a shot of whisky is enough to give me the dutch courage to get on board. If it is a long flight or I am particularly anxious I may have another whisky on board, but never more than that.
Of course if you get the Dr to prescribe something, don't drink alcohol.
And yes I get a weird look for buying a drink while waiting for an early morning flight.

 

[tdr1nka]

With reference to alcohol, obviously in moderation, some consumption
is fine just not to be used to 'knock yourself out'.
The effects of alcohol are rather different at high altitudes.

And yes, avoid alcohol if you are using prescribed meds to calm you down!

Oh, I found this for you!

 

[CopperBrompton]

It's worth mentioning that things have changed a fair bit. When I started flying 20 years ago, landings could be pretty bumpy, and the plane usually bounced at least once. These days it can be difficult to tell when it's touched down.

That depends more on the weather than anything. I've had plenty of bumpy landings in gusty weather.

Ben

 

[fossyant]

Statistically, riding your bike is far more dangerous, and crossing the road......

 

[arranandy]

Flying doesn't bother me one little bit. All you have to remember is that thrust and lift will overcome drag and gravity. The only thing that does bother me sometimes is fellow passengers as you never know how 200-300 individuals in a long metal tube flying at 35000 feet are going to react I was a witness to an 'air rage' incident a few years ago and it sort of made me a bit wary of flying for a while

 

[LLB]

had a bumpy landing last month in geneva. the pilot aborted the landing first time and we had to go around again. on the flight back I saw the whites of the attendants eyes when we landed as it was that bumpy. will be flying back to the uk tomorrow and the plane out had to be one of the most cramped i've had the misfortune to fly on (as well as being delayed with engine trouble after we boarded for an hour)

 

[yenrod]

>barq

Dont know if this helps but here's my flying history btw it aint much.

When I was in my teens i was totally in awe fo planes, still am to a degree, and did via the air cadets get to fly once!

Go forward to 25yrs in age.

Fly from Gatwick to Venice in my own.

Lets just say it was interestng - held it together ie me not freaking out but 30.000ft is very high up.

Though its good for geography studying when you look out the window and you'll never get bored of clouds they look SOO much different in the air.

Lastly, though if you ever get chance to fly over the Alps (Italy/France) they are like like peaks on cakes with finely sprinkled sugar on the tops a sight to behold, do so.

Made me want to go which I will one day!

Lastly, i enjoyed it, really: its like living at a thousand miles an hour - flying.

Enjoy it.

 

[col]

I have an unreasonable fear of flying,mainly the confined and crowded insides,and not being able to do something if anything goes wrong.I have flown with my family,and remember the stench as someone farted and it was recycled back into the air vents,which just happened to be pointed at my face and open fully,urgh.It seems unreasonable to me as my dad was in the raf and we travelled abroad regularly,but for some reason it took hold when i was going to cyprus with my brother a couple of years ago,i got on the back of the plane,and got off at the front,there were a few strange looks i can tell you.I dont think ill get on a plane again.

 

[surfgurl]

I have started to look at flying as similar to taking a bus or train only with more security measures. That has helped me. Also by thinking of all the places I could go and visit given that air travel is much more accessible these days.
My parents and sister live about an hour away from Stansted. They wait for Ryanair to release a cheap deal and then book up various places to go and visit. They only ever go for the day. Last month my sister and her friend went to Milan for lunch. Immigration did ask on the way out when they were returning and couldn't really understand someone would go all that way for the day. In terms of cost it was the same for two of them as the petrol to drive down and see me for.
My desire to go and see places is starting to outweigh the fear of flying in my mind.

 

[Fnaar]

The bus thing that surfgurl mentions is apt... my bro-in-law is a pilot, and he compares it to bus driving, in that you're taking a metal tube of passengers from A to B. The advantage of flying, he says, is that you get to put your feet up for a bit as a pilot. As for me, I love flying, get a real thrill out of it, like fairground rides!

 

[barq]

Thank you everyone. I do know that it will be fine and my fear is entirely irrational (given how safe flying is). Anyway I'll get some pills from my GP the points about thrust/take-off/landings all being normal, and looking at the crew who will regard it all as normal, are good ideas.

Cheers everyone, I'll let you know how I get on.

 

[Dayvo]

Cheers everyone, I'll let you know how I get on.

Assuming you survive!

 

[longers]

Assuming you survive!

 

[And]

Assuming you survive!

Yes, I was going to say don't be afraid of flying; it's the crashing that will hurt.

FWIW I fly a lot with work (I was in the USA last week 6 flights in 5 days) and after a while (half an hour?) you will find it a little boring to be honest.

 

[Dayvo]

. . . after a while (half an hour?) you will find it a little boring to be honest.

Yeah, all the passengers looked bored here!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7525043.stm