Do you enjoying flying?

[Timandalicia]

I used to, when I was younger, but gradually became more and more nervous about it. Now, in my 50's, I'm basically terrified of getting on a plane. I have resorted to using drugs (Xanax) in order to cope, and even with that, I'm resigned to the fact that we're probably going to die in a fiery crash before reaching our destination. I hate flying like a zombie, but I have little choice, other than driving. I also hate driving long distances. If it means sitting in a car for over 6 hours, I'll force myself to get on the plane. I love our vacations though, so I keep putting myself through this hell. Has anyone found something that helps with this kind of anxiety? I'm so envious of people that enjoy flying.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy- CBT

 

[Shellsbutt]

I used to, when I was younger, but gradually became more and more nervous about it. Now, in my 50's, I'm basically terrified of getting on a plane. I have resorted to using drugs (Xanax) in order to cope, and even with that, I'm resigned to the fact that we're probably going to die in a fiery crash before reaching our destination. I hate flying like a zombie, but I have little choice, other than driving. I also hate driving long distances. If it means sitting in a car for over 6 hours, I'll force myself to get on the plane. I love our vacations though, so I keep putting myself through this hell. Has anyone found something that helps with this kind of anxiety? I'm so envious of people that enjoy flying.

I wish I could help you, but I'm in the same boat(plane in this case). I didn't have a problem when I was a kid, it's only been the last five years or so that I've been really anxious. Maybe it's because I'm more aware of what could happen? Ignorance is bliss, etc. I usually have most anxiety when we take off, I start sobbing. It is really embarrassing and my husband will comfort me as best he can, I usually settle down after half an hour or so. I do have a stress ball that I use, something I can fidget with. I don't take any medication but would love to get a prescription for a sleeping pill that would knock me out for the duration of the flight.

 

[Rogue1677x]

Love flying. My first flight was when I was 7 and it was unaccompanied minor. I thought it was the greatest thing ever. Now whenever I get a chance to go on a helicopter flight with my husband, I jump for it. He doesn't care for it so much, it's his profession. Our daughter likes it, except for the whole waiting part...as in waiting to board, waiting to taxi, etc.

 

[mrodgers]

I *LOVE* it. Number one on my bucket list is to get my private pilot's license. I've had that goal since I was a teenager, it's just hard to come up with the money to do so.

Yes, in the non-vacation commercial flying sense. In fact, I just got a text from a buddy about an Ultralight for sale. My dream was to buy the property behind my house, cut a grass strip in it and either get some kind of bush plane I could still use for travel or at least get an ultralight (ultralight would and is doable cheap.) There's a heck of a lot more expense to owning or renting and airplane than is possible for me though. I have to settle with Microsoft Flight simulator, of which I have a yoke, pedals, throttle quadrant, etc. On the 55" 4k it does extremely well for giving a feel of actually flying. I've been flying flight sims on and off for 25 years. I wouldn't try obviously, but I am very confident I could run through the checklist, fire up, take off, navigate here or there via VOR's without GPS, and land a 172 no problems except for the seat of the pants feel.

Commercial flying, I've only flown once. It was neat, but I'd rather travel by car based on the expense and stopping along the way. I don't like people and get claustrophobic so the thought of being packed into a tiny vessel with inches of room to travel somewhere definitely does not appeal to me whatsoever.

And sam_gordon, Aviation101 and Trent Palmer on youtube are 2 of my main channels I watch. Great videos.

I love the feeling that you get when you are taking off. Pushed back into your seat until the release that you are in the air.

That was definitely the best part when I flew for the first time (only time.)

 

[MrsBooch]

My dad was a private pilot for a publishing company and flew some really amazing private charter airplanes. I was privileged enough to be able to fly with him for many trips in the "jump seat" and sometimes for one ways, I would have the entire passenger area at my disposal. Including the snackssss.
Flying private - is a whole other experience.

You're going to different - smaller - airports, there is little to no security, literally red carpet to the airplane, and the inside of the planes were lush.

Commercially - I do enjoy flights - OUTSIDE OF COVID. I have pretty relaxing rituals involving grabbing a margarita or bloody mary (depending on the time of day) from the bar next to the gate that i always fly out of, and i love people watching while getting an early morning buzz. I said what i said.

I also always get a drink on the plane (bloody mary). So maybe I just enjoy drinking....whatever.

If i can take advantage of last minute upgrades when available - i always do so - and that makes the experience even more enjoyable.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I used to, when I was younger, but gradually became more and more nervous about it. Now, in my 50's, I'm basically terrified of getting on a plane. I have resorted to using drugs (Xanax) in order to cope, and even with that, I'm resigned to the fact that we're probably going to die in a fiery crash before reaching our destination. I hate flying like a zombie, but I have little choice, other than driving. I also hate driving long distances. If it means sitting in a car for over 6 hours, I'll force myself to get on the plane. I love our vacations though, so I keep putting myself through this hell. Has anyone found something that helps with this kind of anxiety? I'm so envious of people that enjoy flying.

Yes. In the past, air travel was much more enjoyable. But, since the airlines have reached the "cram them in, move them out" philosophy it's not fun.

I didn't use to think about the actual flying experience when younger, but I've gotten more nervous about every little bump and creak the plane does now.

I did get a prescription from my doctor for lorazepam and it helps. One tiny pill and it puts me to sleep for at least 4-5 hours and gets me through the major portion of most flights. Except for those 11 hour flights to Europe.

 

[belle032]

I love flying and airports. My now MIL thought I was crazy for saying airports were one of my favorite places.

I think it has to do with the fact that my Dad was a commercial pilot for 30+ years and having the privilege to travel a lot when I was younger. When we flew as a family, I'd always look at him if I was nervous about anything, and realized if he was calm, there was nothing to worry about. He always said "turbulence was just potholes in the sky."

I honestly would rather hop on a plane and fly just about anywhere rather than driving now.

 

[spiders]

I loved it when I was a kid and still love it now. I still fondly remember being a kid and just roaming the concourses before a flight. I still fondly remember a trip to Hawaii where we flew on the upper deck of a 747 on TWA. This was an older 747 that still had the circular staircase to get upstairs. I still remember coming back from a trip on a L-1011 where it was one of the few times I didn't get a window seat. I kept looking over at the window and we were coming back from The Dominican. This nice guy from The Dominican saw me keep taking looks at the window, smiled and said "You obviously want to sit here so let's switch."

I never did become a pilot but I am an air traffic controller. Like all other jobs, I still have my moments and I'm definitely ready to go home when my shift ends but I enjoy it. I always enjoy whenever I get the chance to fly up in the cockpit too.

 

[Aladora]

I've always loved traveling, my first flight was when I was a baby and have lost count of how many flights I've been on. I live in Canada and my family is from South Africa so I was lucky enough to fly there for vacations every 3 or so years when I was growing up. I remember one flight where there was so much leg room in coach that I was able to lie down at my parents' feet and sleep for a few hours! (I was 7 iirc)

Now that I am *cough* older, I find that I can't stand flying coach so we spend the extra to fly either business or first class. My back and lousy hips mean that when we do fly coach I get to our destination in a lot of pain.

I still love flying and in the "before times" (pre-Covid) I would fly 2-3 times a year. Right now, I'm not sure when we will be on a flight again but I really hope to get back to it when it is safe to do so.

 

[DisneyHardin]

I don't really have strong feelings about flying other than the fact that I hate to ride in the car, so flying is the preferred means of travel for long distances.

 

[MIGrandma]

Yes, very much. We don’t fly often, so when we do it adds enjoyment to our vacation. The only part I don’t enjoy is going through security. I’m only 5’ tall so having a lot of leg room isn‘t important to me. Love take off, and flying above the clouds. My father-in-law is a private pilot and when he was younger had his own plane. I loved going up with him. We still have the runway on the farm.

 

[Kitty 34]

I absolutely loved flying to all our destinations but a side note; I wouldn't fly American airlines ever again but it had nothing to do with the actual act of flying.

 

[MrsBooch]

I absolutely loved flying to all our destinations but a side note; I wouldn't fly American airlines ever again but it had nothing to do with the actual act of flying.

Now I have to ask - why?

 

[AppleDumpling]

I don’t mind flying. Years ago, I flew frequently for business and came to be very comfortable with it. Once I’m on the plane, in my seat, I’m fine. It’s the whole airport experience that’s gotten crazier, especially when you have to fly in and out of NYC. That part is less than enjoyable. And I have no desire to go anywhere during a pandemic. Haven’t flown since summer of 2019 and don’t expect to any time in the foreseeable future.

 

[Micca]

I liked flying until September 10, 2001. The stress of security, the uncomfortable accomodations, and now the covid requirements make for a very unpleasant experience. However, for WDW trips it's the only way to go for our family.

 

[TippyThomas]

I've never been on an airplane in my life. It's on my bucket list though. I feel pretty confident that I will enjoy it.

 

[bakerworld]

We've never been great in the nerves department. For years I'd get on, open my book, and pretend I was on a bus. By the end of the 70's we had experience so many plane delays due to broken parts, missed landings, etc. that we were fine taking the 80's off. In the 90's we started flying again and, so far, our only delays have been weather related. I no longer pretend I'm on a bus but I have to say that we cannot wait to get off upon landing so I always try and get seats up front.

In a choice over driving or flying, I will 90% pick flying. Really can't hack the boring time suck of driving somewhere.

 

[Pixie Dusted Snow]

I hate flying.
I'm not afraid of it.
I just hat the process.
Going through security stresses me out.
I also have RLS and not having much space to move my legs around makes me want to throw a tantrum. Of course I don't as that would be childish but its how I feel on the inside.
If I take anti anxiety medication before getting on the plane it seems to relax the RLS for a couple of hours but I've had a number of 6-8 hour flights and eventually it comes back.

 

[RedAngie]

I used to enjoy flying but these days consider it more of an ordeal to be endured.

 

[AussieFan8]

I have never loved it, but I became terrified of flying after an extremely turbulent flight into and out of Denver. After that, I would have anxiety attacks before flying, but I have gotten over the terrible fear and am now back to tolerating flying. What helped me:

1. My daughter had a significant health scare a few years ago and it put things in perspective for me. That was something to be scared of. Flying as you know is the safest way to travel.
2. Flying more. I had a year in which I had a couple vacations and multiple conferences. By the end of that year, my anxiety was almost gone. It just became routine.
3. Turbulence is still my fear, even though I know it's not a big deal. I started putting a bottle of water on the tray table while we flew. You would be surprised how little the water in the bottle moves during regular turbulence. It makes me feel better to see that; you're not moving as much as you think.
4. Someone once told me to watch the flight attendants. If they're going about their business like normal, there's nothing to worry about!

Now that I haven't flown due to COVID, I anticipate a little anxiety creeping back in when we do fly again. I'm determined to manage it once again. I hate driving more than about 5 hours!