Anyone else have a fear of flying?

[mommy22gurlz]

I'm so glad I'm not alone with this. I was actually at work today looking up the statistics of a plane crash!!! I am trying to convince myself the safety of flying. I have a HUGE fear of dying.......also having my family with me and them dying too. I'm a nut but I have actually played out in my head the plane going down and my kids crying and stuff. I still have 3 1/2 mos. till our flight but I am already feeling the sickness in my stomach about it and I am afraid that the closer I get I will start having the nightmares etc....

When I was a kid I flew all of the time because I lived up north and family lived lived in Texas. When I was 16 I had a dream of a plane crash and have had a fear of flying since.

I might ask my doctor for xanax or that other pill, this will be my kiddos first time flying and I don't want them to see me nervous.

 

[annie1995]

OMG I am so right with you there! I have never flown before, nor have my kids. DH is the only one in a plane before. 31 days and counting, and I am really starting to get scared I am glad that I am not the only one who feels this way, It's nice to be able to relate to people who feel this way too! Anyway, there is no turning back now, Disney here we come . Safe and Happy trip for all

 

[chrrycolalola]

I'm also very anxious about flying. I won't fly anywhere unless it is overseas or really impossible to reach in any other way. This is the reason why we are driving to Disney from New York in two weeks, but we also enjoy the ride. I actually had to turn down a job today in part because I hate flying. I was asked to fly down to Atlanta next week and then postpone my disney vacation on top of that...I just couldn't do it! I can't fly especially on such short notice, if I had said yes I wouldn't have been able to sleep a wink for the next 6 nights! Good luck though, and I feel your pain

 

[kellyf2626]

1) A little white "Happy Pill" (Ativan) 20 min before departure helps me with taking off "the edge".

Ok...so is this pill going to knock me out? Is 20 min. enough time for it to "kick in"? My flight is in the evening (8:20)...so I have contemplated just drinking , ya know...something reasonable...like a bottle of wine - just to make it so I really don't care where I am going, or what kind of transportation I am getting on! DH can take care of me!

Obviously I will not drink AND take the Ativan..that would not be a good mix! The drinking will probably not leave me in "tip-top Disney shape" the next morning ....so maybe I will try the Ativan...hmmmm ....still deciding....

 

[localdriver]

Flying gives us all sensations and feelings we aren't normally subjected to. The acceleration of takeoff, the rolling and pitch of the aircraft, the air pressure differences that affect our ears, the possible turbulence when it appears out the window that we are just floating above the clouds, the descent phase and landing, all subject us to things we aren't accustomed to feeling as a general rule, but are the norm for air travel.

The facts are this...it is the safest form of transportation on earth...period.

I'll take it any time VS. driving my car across country, regardless of cost.

 

[dtsaos]

Can't resist but to add to this thread. Hope my DH doesn't mind....
I don't enjoy flying, I find it hard to relax and enjoy the ride, but I've done it many times in my life and would do it again. However, DH has an incredible fear of flying-very severe. Not saying it's more severe than some of you, but it's bad. He has nightmares about plane crashes quite often. He gets nervous if he's driving on the highway and a plane is flying over-not to the point that it effects his driving or anything, but he just obsesses about the plane crashing on the ground or something. so we've taken Amtrak to WDW twice in the last few years which worked out okay and we were going to this year too, but we just got a new van with a dvd player so we've decided to drive. the thing is, I'm very nervous about driving! Seriously, I look at the statistics of accidents and get sick to my stomach thinking about "what if", but I just try not to think about it too much.

Anyway, kind of funny story:
We were visiting my family a few years ago in Kansas and I managed to get DH on the plane even though he was a wreck and took some pills. Once there, my uncle who teaches and practices hypnosis begged DH to let him hypnotise him to get rid of his fear of flying. DH finally gave in and let him do his thing. Well people-it worked and it worked well. When we were leaving, it was the middle of winter and the plane's wings had to be "de iced" and there was some kind of storm going on. I was freaking out a little about getting on the plane and DH was like "oh everything's fine-no big deal". On the plane, the turbulance was bad a few times and I was practically hyper ventilating and DH was fine. Well, he was actually "cured" if you will for a few months and didn't have nightmares and all that and then all of a sudden the fear came back as bad as ever and ever since 9/11 he refuses to ever fly again. It doesn't bother me since I'm not big into the idea of traveling overseas (although I would like to see Hawaii sometime before I die ) but I do think I prefer Amtrak to driving-I'll find out for sure in a month!

Well at least you know that hypnosis can be a temporary fix for some of you!

 

[mkymouse4ever]

Flying never used to bother me, and I didn't really understand the fear. I liked the flight, and looking out the window. Don't really know what changed it either. But with all the problems (even pre 9/11), and of course Getting older I now have a tremendous fear of flying. We are leaving in 3 almost 2 days now and I haven't even started to pack etc... . too worried about it. Our last flight march 05 from wdw coming home I almost freaked out when they locked the door. I'm going with the ativan too this time.

I'm relieved to hear you all have nitemares about flying too. I thought I was the only one doing that. Imagining these scenerios what might happen on the plane or what might go through? In dreams. Scary.

I would definately drive if we where only 1 day away from wdw. but we are over 26hrs of driving from here. And the roads from chicago go through several big / major cities. making it a longer / worse drive than it could be. We have drove a few times but with limited vacation time, It really can alter your trip.

Mky

 

[huskies90]

I disagree, you are fearing flying, not dying. If you feared dying you wouldn’t get into your car to drive to the grocery store.

People fear flying because of the drama. Nobody really believes a huge hunk of steel with hundreds of people on it can lift itself 35000 feet in the air, fly 500 mph and land safely. When a plane crashes, it gets tremendous media coverage because the media knows that EVERY person wants to say, see, I knew it couldn’t stay up there. And in typical form the media digs in because they know you’ll watch. They begin to make you feel what it was like for the people on the plane as it went down, and how the families of the victims feel. A plane crash is a tragedy. Oh, and by the way, in other news, a family of four was run off the road by a drunk driver and killed. But we don’t care how they felt as the car crashed or how their families feel because really, they are just a statistic.

Believe me, I am not knocking a fear of flying, as proven in this thread it is a very real fear. I think I will stop harassing my wife about it. I have flown quite a bit on business and I would say that the more I flew the more routine and easy it became. Now that I only do it a few times a year, it is getting harder. I don’t like flying but I honest and truly believe in my heart of hearts (and statistics will be back me up) that if I got into a car and drove to Florida, I would have a better chance of dying.

 

[Helene]

Ok...so is this pill going to knock me out? Is 20 min. enough time for it to "kick in"? My flight is in the evening (8:20)...so I have contemplated just drinking , ya know...something reasonable...like a bottle of wine - just to make it so I really don't care where I am going, or what kind of transportation I am getting on! DH can take care of me!

Obviously I will not drink AND take the Ativan..that would not be a good mix! The drinking will probably not leave me in "tip-top Disney shape" the next morning ....so maybe I will try the Ativan...hmmmm ....still deciding....

The Ativan won't knock you out,unless, perhaps, you're highly sensitive to meds or take a high dose. I take .5 mg and that works for me. Basically, it calms down the symptoms of a panic attack, ie: Racing thoughts, heart racing, stomach churning. (Those tend to be my symtoms anyway). I've never experienced any "hangover" effect from the Ativan. One tab has always worked for me and I take it @ 20 min. before boarding the plane.
There are several anti-anxiety agents a physician can prescribe and they can time-release into the system slightly differently, so I'd suggest talking to your MD @ the particular med he's prescribing should you decide to go that route.

Without the aid of the medicine, I doubt I would fly. Good luck with your decision and I hope you enjoy your trip

Helene

 

[mkymouse4ever]

Well #3 just happened this am in Venzeula (?sp) (sorry) This summer is getting out of hand. 2 days and counting, think I might try drinking and ativan (just kidding) You would see me on an episode of airline, being taken off the plane = ted for united, o'hare in chicago.

Big group hug, We should keep this as a running thread, to get us through our flights. I bring something to read and concentrate on. And try to get lost in it as soon as I get on plane. Keep thinking little over 2 hours, now 1 hour now 1/2 hr. ok get through the landing, YES! Ok in reverse.

mky

 

[kellyf2626]

Helene...thanks for the Ativan info.

I can't believe another plane crashed this morning. I don't think I will watch the news anymore this week...less stress that way.

I also plan on wearing my iPod for most of the trip. I always freak out when I hear those "noises"...ya know...those little weird noises that are just loud enough to keep you guessing! Or when the engines get quieter...I am usually convinced they are failing.

Do you think I am allowed to wear the iPod during takeoff? Or when they say "turn off all electronic devices", is that included?

 

[mkymouse4ever]

I think all electronic's is all electronics. I even turn off kids toys (you never know) better safe than sorry.

mky

 

[Poohbear123]

1980! Why? Not too thrilled of waiting at the airport, hoping the plane is on time, etc. So, now that my DH has flown from Miami to Detroit to Des Moine and back, 5 planes and all, I was thinking of flying to Orlando for my Nov. trip. Its only and hour and 10 min away, and will help me get a jump start on my trip. I usually take a bus 4.5 hours or train, but kind of tired of sitting that long. Now, the fun part is, getting the airline ticket at a reasonable price. Oh, and thanks for the tip about the Ativan, that sounds like it might be for me.

 

[ZIPBAGS]

I used to never be afraid to fly. I remember in college flying into Syracuse during a snowstore on a small plane...the turbulence was terrible. And it still didn't bother me.
But, now I am older (36) and have a family. And I am a little freaked about flying. Takeoffs, landings and terrorism doesn't scare me. It's turbulence. Don't get me wrong it doesn't stop me from flying and I don't loose sleep over it. I just get uneasy when I am in the air and turbulence hits.

Its funny my younger DD (7) is like how I used to be. When turbulence hits..she enjoys it, like a ride. I used to feel that way also.

 

[2buzzboys]

Well my parents who live near disney called me tonight to tell me they have had no power for the last hour. Come to find out that a small plane crashed on a golf course and is effecting 1400 people and their power.

 

[2buzzboys]

I hope this last crash in orlando at least makes 3 because I am set to fly to NY next week.

 

[Misa]

I have to agree with many of you here, I'm not crazy about flying either

I used to really enjoy it, it was exciting and fun...and then I had children and was faced with my own mortality.

When my kids were very young (4 months and 19 months) I took a 5 day vacation to Nashville to visit a friend, alone. This was a much needed Mommy break...and it was pre-911, I found myself so racked with anxiety that I almost canceled my trip the night before! I even wrote letters to my kids in the event that "something" happened and placed them in the strongbox (they're still there today...sealed..6 yrs later...lol)

Now we're heading to Disney in October. Dh has never flown before and neither have the kids....I'm more nervous then I care to admit.

I may look into the perscription mentioned above...anything to help ease my nerves!

Also, does anyone else have to use that nose spray stuff before they fly? I had a nasty experience once before when traveling and my ears never "popped" when we landed...all week it bothered me. Now I take the nasal spray and it works but I HATE the stuff.

Anyone know if they're made a better nasal spray?? It's been 6 years...lol

 

[jenimay]

Well I'm not crazy about flying either and my dh is an airline pilot. There's no way we can drive anywhere when we can fly for free(standby), so I have to suck it up, but with this latest crash yesterday (5 airline crashes in Aug, although none in the US), I'm getting more and more anxious for our trip in Oct. I've never taken any medication, and don't really drink, but I may need something if it doesn't get better by the time it's supposed to leave. Oh, and I am also more worried about my dh when he's working too. I mean after almost 6 years of him flying (almost 3 with the airlines) I was finally to the point where I didn't worry about him at all, and now... back to square one.

Jeni

 

[DonnaW]

I need to join the "fear of flying" club. I used to love to fly, and then I was on a flight with horrible turbulence, and ever since, I hate flying! I haven't flown since Sept 11, either...I even missed a family event in California (and lost $$ since I had purchased tickets) because I wouldn't get on the plane. We are planning on going to Disney next week for our 25th wedding anniversary and I think we are going to just drive -- again -- from Chicago....a very, very long drive...I wish, wish, wish I could handle the 2.5 hour flight!!!! I really, really do.....

 

[Tarpon]

I hate flying as well. It is the turbulence that freaks me out. I am not worried about take-off and landing. Even the slightest of turbulence is too much to take. We are flying on Saturday and surprisingly I am calm. It is 2 1/2 flight on Song and I hear they have satellite tv for each passenger. That should help keep me busy. I thought of calling my doc for a prescription but the possible side effects I read about concern me. So I will gut this out.