Any suggestions for fear of flying?

[LucyStorm]

I'm serious. I was a white knuckle flyer before Sept. 11, and now I am terrified. I can't be terrified when I have dd with me soon. There will be no other adult with us, and we have to make a transfer, and I don't tolerate medicine well, so something to calm me down is out of the question. So, any suggestions??

 

[flyingcircus]

Bonnie,
There are fear of flying classes, if you wanted to go that route. If you don't want to do that, when you check in tell the agent you are nervous. Sometimes they make a notation in your record of that, and alerts the crew. Try NOT to get a seat next to the wing or directly behind it. The reason for this is that it sometimes makes people uneasy to see the wing flaps move. You also might want to take an aisle seat, if looking out the window makes you nervous.

Talk to the flight attendants, and ask if you can talk to the pilots during the boarding process. You might not be able to talk with the pilots now, but if you can, definately talk with them. They can reassure you, as well as the flight attendants.

I do notice that when I am with my DD's, I tend to be a little braver about things, as I don't want to alarm them. Actually if your DD is fine with flying, it might calm you down. I really don't recommend drinking alcohol, as sometimes it makes people more nervous.

Good Luck- if you have any more questions, feel free to ask!!

 

[adamak]

Bring headphone and try to listen to musics. I know it's not going to help much, but better than hearing the machine noise buzzing.
It's going to be fine. Planes are very safe right now.

 

[LucyStorm]

thank you both for your suggestions. 16 days and counting down!

 

[villainwdw]

I am a white knucle flyer....I do not tolerate meds either...but I do fine with xanax....you get no side effect from it...maybe a little sleepy that is about it.....I reccomend it.....I was told by the airlines..if you have a problem flying...they would need a drs note.....or I would not be allowed to fly.......so xanax it is for me..nothing else works....

 

[inkkognito]

I don't know if this will help or make it worse for you, but I am an extremely logical person, so it works for me....
Do some research into flying, crashes, etc., and explore the statistics. You will find that, after a certain distance, flying is definitely safer than driving. Think of how many people you know personally who have been in a car accident, and how many have been in a plane accident. I keep reminding myself that the statistics are in the same ballpark as winning the lottery. I also keep myself busy with a book and listen to the music through headphones if it is offered on the airline I'm flying. On some United flights, you can listen to the pilots talking to the control tower, and for some reason, listening to that reassures me (I guess it's because they all sound so calm and everything sounds so routine).
Flying scares me to death, but I have made it through flights to 16 Disney cruises, 4 other cruises, and innumerable trips to WDW and other locations, including dude ranches on puddle jumpers. I'll keep you in my prayers and send pixie dust your way.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.disneycruiser.com

 

[villainwdw]

 

[ducklite]

I've always felt that when it's your time, it's your time. Not to say I tempt fate by jumping in front of subway trains...

I figure I could just as easily go in a freak accident caused by a bird falling out of the sky. It's fate, or destiny, or the Almighty's plan, which ever you choose to believe, but when it's my time, it's my time, and there's nothing I can do about it.

That said, look at all of the incidents tht have happened since 9-11. In each case the perpetrator has been subdued by passengers. And that will continue to happen.

Flying is safe.

Anne

 

[Mish19]

I'm also scared to fly and I was told that lavender oil is very calming so I plan to get some
before I fly this month. All the other suggestions are pretty good, I think I might try to talk to flight attendants before for some reassurance.

 

[The shadow knows]

my best friend used hypnosis. it worked for her.

 

[ducklite]

Originally posted by Mish19
I'm also scared to fly and I was told that lavender oil is very calming so I plan to get some
before I fly this month. All the other suggestions are pretty good, I think I might try to talk to flight attendants before for some reassurance.

NO NO NO!!!! Please DON'T PULL OUT THE LAVENDER OIL IN FLIGHT!! Many allergies are triggered by lavender! My sinuses immediatley block when I smell it. I know I'm not the only one. In some cases it can cause breathing difficulties! It's really rude, and even dangerous to use any kind of scent onboard a plane that could cause an allergic reaction. That includes perfume and cologne. Wait until you land to apply it. The people seated around you will appreciate it. Thanks!!

Anne

 

[LucyStorm]

Thank you all for your suggestions! I actually have been doing some research into plane crashes, and believe it or not, my boss survived a plane crash. There is an interesting site called http://www.airsafe.com that discusses airliner safety. I must be the logical type too, because I now have seating charts for the planes I am flying, statistics on the safest area of the plane to be in in the event of a crash, etc. I really like the idea of talking to the pilots, but somehow, I don't think I'll get to do that right now. I will say something to the flight attendants though. Great ideas!

 

[flyingcircus]

Lucy Storm,
You still should try to talk to the pilots. I have noticed that they are accessible during the boarding procedures, and they really would like to reassure you!! Actually quite a few passengers have been talking to them lately. Check out the boarding area before you board. If there are pilots in that area, just approach them. Don't worry- people do it all the time!!!