handy flying hints

[prue]

ok its 12 days to go until we fly to Orlando and I remember last time we flew I got some very handy hints and advice from you all about how to calm the nerves on the flight. I dont enjoy flying, there is something disconcerting about being in a metal tube 5 miles above where I should be!:eek:

I dont want to take valium or any prescription pills but any herbal remedys etc would be good ( I have the old bach flower spray) or practical advice that will make me feel better???

And what is in your hand luggage which is essential and you wouldnt want to travel without and that I should take to?

Thanks,

Prue

[jtlover]

You could try rescue remedy which you can get from herbal shops and I think some chemists. You put a few drops on your tongue, but you will need to check if it is ok for taking in hand luggage - but I think it is ok?

[natalielongstaff]

i take a high dose of piriton and it makes me feel sleepy enough to miss the whole flight !!

[disneyholic family]

ok its 12 days to go until we fly to Orlando and I remember last time we flew I got some very handy hints and advice from you all about how to calm the nerves on the flight. I dont enjoy flying, there is something disconcerting about being in a metal tube 5 miles above where I should be!:eek:




that's so funny....i always say that....about being held hostage in a metal tube 5 miles up in the air....:rolleyes:

i don't do anything special.....but maybe comfort food would be good?...

i don't eat at all when i fly, so i've never tried that....maybe it would work....
chocolate sounds good to me...

[T16GEM]

i take a high dose of piriton and it makes me feel sleepy enough to miss the whole flight !!
does that actually work Nat?

[carolfoy]

Kalms are very good.
also have a drink on the plane, but not too much! you don't want to feel ill, and remember, all those little noises and crunches are meant to happen, the pilots do know what they are doing.

[prue]

Thank you all for the advice so far, please keep it coming. I think the expression shake me and I will rattle may very well suit me when I fly!!!:dance3:

Interesting thought, antihistamines, bit of gin, whiskey breath from rescue remedy, some valerian, wow what a cocktail!!! :upsidedow Think I may have to choose one or two!!!

Just cant wait until we are at the hotel on the first night!

Thanks,

Prue

[Pinklepurr361]

I always take Stugeron travel sickness pills. I hate flying and a couple of these an hour or two b4 flying always seems to make me drowsy and less anxious. I usally try to sleep as much as poss and only eat small amounts and def no alcohol. You can get Stugeron over the counter at most chemists.

[T16GEM]

I was always quite a nervous passenger and (this was ages ago - *** they wouldn't let you now) DFIL used to work for Britannia (as was) and he got me and DH in the cockpit with the pilot upon landing in Sanford, it was wonderful, and really helped me to see that all the noises you hear are all there for a reason and why certain things happen when you fly - like when you land with the reverse thrust of the engine etc. I still wouldn't say that I love to fly but I am not as bad as I used to be!

I also have used Kalms and they work well.

[Mrs Stonfiesta]

i used to be a terrified flyer :scared1: wouldn't sleep for a few days before the flight, i hate having no control over the plane, i am the same in cars (i always have to drive), buses (hate them) trains (my worst fear). One of my colleagues felt a similar way and gave me her Alan Carr, fear of flying book, i know how the hell would a small little book help!!! well let me tell you, i really enjoyed (loved would be the wrong word!) our last flight and will be using the book again when we go in January, also a dose of piriton works everytime for the night flight on the way home:banana:

[wickesy]

I know it's easier said than done but try and remember that the pilots have families too and will be doing everything necessary to ensure that they get home to them safely, which in turn means you will get home safely.

[UKDEB]

Prue, I've posted many times on this topic over the years. Here is a link (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=17886140&postcount=10) to what I think is my most recent post.

[bwoodhouse]

I was 21 before my first ever flight which was to Ibiza about 15 years ago. The plane was caught in a storm which was so bad the flight behind us was diverted to a different airport. The turbulance was so bad that at one point the plane dropped so suddenly that one of the hostesses fell over and my empty cup that was on my fold-down tray ended up on the lap of the guy behind me!! My girlfriend at the time was terrified but spent the whole flight looking after me:guilty: The whole plane erupted in a spontaneous chorus of 'Rule Britttania' when we finally landed!!

Anyway, it took me a good few years of flying to realise that that was an exceptionally bad flight. I quite enjoy turbulance now on a flight as experience has taught me that the plane is very unlikely to drop any fuuther than it did that first time. I still take travel pills and swear by a whisky & coke both before boarding and as soon after take off as possible (but maybe that's just positive thinking!)

Anyway, hope you have a pleasant flight and a great holiday.

[T16GEM]

Prue, I've posted many times on this topic over the years. Here is a link (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=17886140&postcount=10) to what I think is my most recent post.

Deb - What a great post! Well worth a read. Thanks for posting the link to it.
Gems :thumbsup2

[prue]

Thank you Debbie for that link. And all of you for helpful advice. me and STOP will be working together rather alot after reading Debbies' link!!!! I always think the worst....but am very excited about the holiday, I think I will be kissing tarmac like the Pope does on his arrival to a new country! It will be such a relief then I can start worrying about getting through immigration and for some unknown reason I have the same name as someone on America's most wanted!! Oh god!!!:lmao:

Thanks, send a prayer and a happy thought on the 15th for me!
Prue

[JohnnySharp2]

You could take my son with you, you wouldn't have time to even think about it - be too busy keeping him occupied!

Seriously, I am a very nervous flyer and always will be, just these days have to look after our son (he is autistic), so that kind of means I can't really think too much about myself.

I sometimes have a drink before I go on the plane, but I have improved slightly over the years, in the past Julie has had to drag me away from the bar (slight exaggeration), I never have more than 1 drink.

We find a Portable DVD player for Joshua is priceless and helps keep him occupied.

[Vicki1971]

Best of luck with the flight. I'm really not the best of flyers - had such great advice before I went away in April from people on this board. It really helpped get me on the plane.

However once we were in the air I cried most of the journey. I seemed to get worse on each flight. But I'm gonna beat this fear. I'm going back next year in March, planned to go in July as well.

Best o luck. Big hugs for the flight.

[lorapinky]

I hate taking off with a passion!

Once I am up in the air for about 10 minutes I am fine.

I am tempted to take some kalms or something this year as for some reason i'm quite nervous - more so then usual?

My DH hates flying too but he refuses to take any medication :hippie:

Its worth it though for our holiday!

[Vicki1971]

My reaction to our return flight was so bad this year my DH decided he'd never ask me to get on another plane. However my desire to go back to the magic is so strong I don't care if I cry all the way there and back. I just want to go back. (People at work think I'm really strange. I've only been twice and am booked up for next year again. This somehow is odd:confused3 )

Anyway, tried medication from the doctors - didnt help, tried relaxation, drinking, reading nothing helped. March 08 I'm trying it without medication to see if I'm better. If not I'll take some tablets once I'm up there to help me sleep. Other than that lots of cuddles :hug: .

My eldest DDs love flying - like my DH, me and youngest DD hate flying :eek: . She obviously has picked it up from me.

I actually love landing as it means the flight is nearly over. Turbulance makes me cry, turning makes me sick. I'm just a lost cause.

I keep trying to get my DH to apply for jobs in Florida so I can forego the flights. So far he is resisting....

[prue]

Oh vicki you poor think, very brave to keep going back... that mouse pull must be very strong...I do think with several of the recommendations on this board the journey may seem a little scary... or just comatosed!!

Johnny, Thank you for the offer of looking after your most precious possession, I think Ok Magazine is about all I am up too!!! Just one question about portable dvd, which I did think about taking, is what happens after a couple of hours and one film and the battery needs charging??? Am i missing something... :confused3

Thank you all, keep them coming!!

best wishes,
Prue

[Vicki1971]

Thanks Prue

I'm hoping things will be different next time - I'm not worrying about the flight and normally I do :yay: .

I was recommended a fear of flying course - BA and Virgin do them. I've heard they help. Haven't been on one myself.

If the turbulance gets bad I keep chanting in my head "Turbulance is scarey but not dangerous". It did help.

Wonder if flying First Class would make the trip better...might see if DH will fall for that :lmao:

I keep thinking, there must be a lot of scared people on each flight. Not sure how many you can fit on one plane - 300ish? There have got to be MANY who are nervous. Its always nice to know you're not the only one.

BIG HUGS to all you bad flyers! :hug:

[Neil1972]

I remember hearing a story several years ago, a friend's father was a pilot for one airline ( cant remember who), and he invited his Daughter and friend into the Cockpit for landing, she said to see the pilot ( her father ) and co pilot eating donughts and drinking coffee during the landing made her much more confident about flying.

As someone else said, the pilots would not be flying the planes if they thought they were unsafe and didnt have 100% confidence in them.

[tttessa]

Hiya,
can also recommend Piriton - hubby hates flying (I told him he doesn't hate flying , he hates the thought of crashing.....;)) and it really relaxes him and helps him sleep.

I think you need to hear from someone with a different point of view,

I can't be the only one who LOVES flying - or can I?? We have 2 kids who are both soooooo excited so the flight just flashes past - probably drags and feels like Hell to the other passengers though...:rotfl:

I take a book, a magazine, a nintendo ds, chocolate, watch the seatback movies, read all the rubbish in the seatback pocket, I just love it, it's part of the holiday!!:yay:
Seeing the tops of the clouds - even a full circle rainbow once -was just absolutely magical - as is the first view of Florida - we actually flew down the East coast of US for a bit, and watching the other planes flying each way - you can see quite a few - it's just fantastic. I can't wait till we go again in April.

Now - the getting to the plane from the airport entrance is my problem - 2 excited kids and queues do not mix....

Tessa

[Lizzy Lemon]

You have recommended Piriton - is that the same Piriton for allergic reactions? I have some of that or is it different? If that works I'm going to try it as there's another nervous flyer here.

[tttessa]

You have recommended Piriton - is that the same Piriton for allergic reactions? I have some of that or is it different? If that works I'm going to try it as there's another nervous flyer here.

Yep, it is just the antihistamine piriton.. I always take some with us anyhow in case of bites. Generally makes us drowsy..as well as stopping itching..

p.s. the kids have a syrup version which works just as well, though of course I would never recommend doping your kids....;)

tessa

[KatyTheFairyPrincess]

This is totally OT but...

Vicki I just realised you're from York too!
:goodvibes
I now have "It's a small world" going round and round in my head :)


Good luck with the flying, I'm a little nervous myself, but just try to think of all the great times you're going to have once you're over there, or leave some of your planning to do on the plane to take your mind off things, have a great trip :)

[JohnnySharp2]

Oh vicki you poor think, very brave to keep going back... that mouse pull must be very strong...I do think with several of the recommendations on this board the journey may seem a little scary... or just comatosed!!

Johnny, Thank you for the offer of looking after your most precious possession, I think Ok Magazine is about all I am up too!!! Just one question about portable dvd, which I did think about taking, is what happens after a couple of hours and one film and the battery needs charging??? Am i missing something... :confused3

Thank you all, keep them coming!!

best wishes,
Prue

Hi Prue,

Just responded to your pm - sorry I missed your question on this thread - I have had a few pm's about Portable DVD players this week :)

All Portable DVDs have different specs, so they also have batteries that last different lengths of time.

Our's last 3 hours or so. So yes the battery does run out, however we bought 2 extra one's so we have 3 - hence we have around 9 hours of playback time.

Unfortunatley for a long distance flight, if you plan on using the player for a long time you will need an extra battery or two.
You are right about the in-flight entertainment, they do seem to have problems with them now and again.
I think they are upgrading to new systems but I suppose this takes a long time to complete.

I am not aware of any 'super-charger' as such that would ensure you do have 1 battery with many hours of power, we have a Shinco player and it's brilliant, before we bought it Panasonic were advertising players with 9 or 10 hours of playback time but the launch of these never seemed to happen- the only suggestion I have is do what we did and buy an extra battery or two.

[Vicki1971]

This is totally OT but...

Vicki I just realised you're from York too!
:goodvibes
I now have "It's a small world" going round and round in my head :)


Good luck with the flying, I'm a little nervous myself, but just try to think of all the great times you're going to have once you're over there, or leave some of your planning to do on the plane to take your mind off things, have a great trip :)



Yip been in York for nearly 4 years now. Small world eh :banana:

I am positive thinking for my next flight - concentrating on seeing MK again :banana: There's such magic walking down Main Street staring at the castle :wizard:

I believe its not a fear of flying but a fear of crashing. Well unless it starts to crash I'm gonna enjoy the flight!!!!! Bring on the magic.