Claustrophobic and Flying

[PMelhorn]

I am claustrophobic so I'm a little scared about flying. My doctor plans on giving me some medication to help.

Does anyone else have this problem? If so, how do you deal with it? Do you take medication? If so what kind and how much?

 

[bavaria]

I have been very claustrophobic all my life; I have also flown 68,000+ miles year to date.....

I fly United whenver I can, and because I am an elite member, I am seated in Economy + with more legroom, and/or get an upgrade. I try and find less popular times/flights and won't fly on an RJ or anything smaller. This sometimes means driving up to 5 hours out of my way.

If you don't have status with a legacy carrier, be aware that you may not be able to get a seat assignment in the front section. You'll be at the mercy of a gate agent or passenger if that happens. I sometimes have to fly Delta and have no status; once a very kind FA asked if anyone would switch, and a kind passenger did give me her seat and took mine back of the bus. BUT don't expect that most FA's will lobby on your behalf, and don't expect someone to change just because you ask (If you asked me to change out of my usual 6c, for instance, I would have to tell you 'sorrry')

Check seatguru.com for seat maps. If you want to try your luck with SW you may actually be better off, since you can control your destiny somewhat and try for an A boarding pass. (Someone else can explain SW better as I never fly them)

I take a sleeping pill most trips 10 minutes before boarding; due to my elite status I am one of the first on board. I grab a pillow and blanket and get into my seat and immediately try and sleep - by take off I am dozing. I don't try and put anything by my feet except for a small purse, as it makes me feel like I have more space.

I always try for aisles - if not available I'll go for window bulkhead. Exit rows may work for you too. (But no kids under 16 in exit rows) I am usually in 6c on an Airbus 319 or 320, or 9a or 9c on a 757. But again, that's the Economy + zone so non-frequent fliers may not get these seats.

Note that United SELLS Economy + access too - you could buy it for a year, or just hope that it's available for your flight. That way you can almost guarnatee the extra space.

Also avoid any stress before the flight- I have my routine down pat now and since I fly so often it's like commuting (and for me, easier than riding in a subway, etc)

It can be done! Hopefully I can answer questions if you have specific ones....

 

[kat3668]

I am also extremely claustrophobic and really dislike flying... My last trip I booked the red eye so I would be sleepy to begin with then took 2 img Lorezepam and that did the trick for me.... did'nt even get nervous when we landed in a thunder and lightning storm... Good luck!

 

[CleveRocks]

I love flying. I used to fly a lot for business, but haven't done so in about 10 years. So since then, if I'm flying it's for a fun reason. I enjoy take-offs and landings, I love the feel of the banking turns, etc.

I don't know if you can call me claustrophobic, since small spaces like elevators and Mission:Space don't bother me in the slightest. I guess in a plane what bothers me mentally is that I'll be STUCK in that same little space (the seat, not the plane) for several hours.

Here's the 2 things I do:

-- As soon as I sit down, I point the little air nozzle so that it blows right down on my nose and mouth, so that I'm always breathing "fresh" air (at least it's cooler than the ambient air, because breathing in warm stale air in a closed-in place just freaks me out).

-- I tend to get up and walk to the bathroom about every 30-45 minutes. In my odd little mind, if I know I will allow myself to get up and take a little stroll every 30-45 minutes, I don't feel STUCK in that little space so much, which alleviates the anxiety.

I've never taken a psychotropic medication in my life, so I can't share any experiences with medications in-flight.

Concentrate on your destination and the fun you will have there. And if you're scared about safety, keep in mind that, statistically, you are more likely to get hurt or die driving to and from the airport than you are flying through the air between airports. This isn't just a cliche, it's absolutely true (this is coming from someone with a master's degree in statistics, trust me on this one).

HAVE FUN!

 

[sleepingbeautymama]

I'm claustrophobic and have only been on a plane for two trips. The first time I had a window seat and being able to look out the window really helped me. The 2nd time I was in the middle of the plane with no window near me and I ended up having a panic attack. We are driving this time but I know if we were to fly I'd be making sure I had a window seat.