Fear of flying

[barq]

Anyone else have a fear of flying?

Having carefully avoided planes for 15 years, I've now got to fly to Detroit (via New York) next week. So that's four flights in eight days. Rationally I do know how safe it is, but I'm seriously thinking of trying to get my GP to prescribe something. Any tips or advice?

 

[tdr1nka]

It might well be worth a visit to the GP if the thought of flying is really bothering you, as aversion therapy goes four flights in a week is pretty hardcore!

FWIW, I think everyone has some degree of fear of flying, if only a healthy respect for the laws of gravity.
Don't let your worries 'worry' you too much as this can cause a feedback effect which in turn raises any anxiety, tell the staff when you check in they are trained to help and reassure the most nervous of passengers.

Statistics do little to quash genuine fears but if it is of any help, just remember that powered flight was 'invented' by two brothers who ran a bicycle shop!

 

[Amanda P]

Have you flown before? Is it actually a sort of fear of the unknown? If so, be very reassured - there's really no sensation of actually flying. If you couldn't see out of the window, you'd never know you weren't on the ground the whole time.

 

[Keith Oates]

Um.......don't think that's quite right, Uncle Phil!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[tdr1nka]

At the risk of unsettling Barq, I would say that there are some key areas for fear when it comes to flying.
The noise and claustrophobic nature of the cabin itself, take off, banking, turbulance and landing, even the sound of the landing gear being raised or lowered can strike fear in a nervous passenger.

Also there are plenty of people who have flown regularly(my brother in law is one)and still face the same fears every time they fly.

Again I'd suggest a trip to the GP for something to chill you out.
Important thing to note, don't try to relax by drinking alcahol, it doesn't really work and you'll arrive in worse condition.

 

[Amanda P]

Um.......don't think that's quite right, Uncle Phil!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Really? Why not?

Whenever I've flown with someone who's not flown before, they have invariably commented that they wouldn't have known they weren't on the ground. Everything gets smoother and quieter once the plane actually takes off, and if you don't look out of the window and see the ground moving away, it's only that sudden smoothness that would tell you you weren't on the ground.

Now light aircraft are a different kettle of fish altogether. But unless you're unlucky enough to have severe turbulence, in a big plane I experience no sensation of flying at all.

Apart from being cramped up in a seat that's too small, having crap food shoved at me and breathing smelly second-hand air, of course. But I can get all of that on National Express.

 

[Keith Oates]

I must have got the wrong plane!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Keith Oates]

<Important thing to note, don't try to relax by drinking alcahol, it doesn't really work and you'll arrive in worse condition.>
If you drink enough you may actually fly without using a plane!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[TVC]

Visit your airlines website, most have advice and you should be able to notify them that you are not as confident as some travellers. Cabin crew deal with this several times every day and will give you any support you need.

Mrs C flew for the first time a couple of months ago and was pretty scared on the first trip but soon settled to the idea. I hope for you Barq it proves the same. Personally I love flying and glide most weeks, however, I can't stand on a glass floor - wierd.

 

[CopperBrompton]

Barg, if your fear is significant enough to make it worth the trouble, Virgin runs a one-day course for those with flying phobias. They explain how things work and what to expect, take you into a mockup cabin and, I think, a short flight.

Ben

 

[Dayvo]

Get the boat over, then take the train.

 

[barq]

I have flown before. Once in a four-seater plane when I was about six and the pilot (a friend's father) was showing off with some rather sharp maneuvers. The other time was to Lordes airport when I was about 13 and we had a really bumpy time.

I think planes combine multiple issues for me: because I'm a) scared of heights and not good with enclosed spaces. I also find the entire process of travel, booking flights, checking in, security and so on rather stressful. But basically I have to get through this and I dare say I'll cope. Wish that Quantas plane hadn't sprung a leak the other day, it's rather upped my stress levels!

Anyway I'll get some pills from my GP. And if I get my hand held I may tell (attractive) members of the cabin crew.

 

[barq]

Get the boat over, then take the train.

A friend pointed out that if I went the other way around the world I could do most of it by train!

 

[TVC]

Wish that Quantas plane hadn't sprung a leak the other day, it's rather upped my stress levels!

The other way to look at it is that the pressurised cabin ruptured at 39000ft and the aircraft remained perfectly flyable with no one injured. This has to be reassuring as it shows how strong those things really are.

 

[Slowgrind]

I heard on the radio this morning that enough people are killed on British roads to fill a jumbo jet every six weeks! Where do they fly them to then?