Do you enjoying flying?

[J'aime Paris]

I used to love flying with Midwest Express airlines. The real silverware, tiny glass salt/pepper shakers, decent food...even on a short flight. And the warm Otis Spunkmeyer cookies!!!
It made the experience enjoyable!

Now, it's a means to an end....

 

[JoeA]

I used to fly over 100K miles a year and mostly sat in First or Business, which is really good when you're going to Asia, Europe, etc. Now that I am "regular folk" who only flies once or twice a year for vacation and sits in the back of the plane I hate it!

 

[DLgal]

I'm neutral about actually being ON the plane. I hate the entire process up to boarding, though. I hate all the standing in lines to check in, drop off bags, go through security (yes, we have PreCheck, but still...). I hate always arriving way too early to the gate and having to sit around. I hate having to buy overpriced airport food.

But once I'm ON the actual plane, I'm fine. I have no anxiety about turbulence, crashes, etc. I would rather fly any day than take a drive longer than 3 hours. I absolutely DETEST road trips, so if the drive would be longer than 3 hours one way AND there is a flight that can be taken, I'm taking that flight. We live 5 minutes from the airport, so it's easy.

 

[Timandalicia]

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy- CBT

A lot less addictive and and less side effects then Xanax

 

[donaldbuzz&minnie]

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'm sure you know statistics as well as anyone - flying is one of the safest ways to travel , much safer that driving, blah, blah. blah. But your emotions and your intellectual understanding don't match up?? You're definitely not alone. Is lack of control is a big issue for you? Understandable since you're giving your fate into the hands of someone you've never met.

I'm not at all afraid to fly commercially anymore, not even a little bit. I used to be, but gradually all my fears drifted away. I know that one thing that helped me a lot was, when I got on the plane and sat down, I would tell myself that I made the choice to get on the plane, and therefore for the duration of the flight, I would choose to accept the consequences, whatever they were. If I died, I died, but statistically I probably wouldn't. I know it sounds weird, but thinking that made me feel more in control of the experience, because I was making the choice. No one dragged me onto the plane, and if I chose not to fly next time, ok. But this time I made the choice to be there, so I might as well sit back and accept my choice. It wasn't an immediate, dramatic turnaround, but the more I chose the consequences, and I didn't die, the more it sank into me emotionally that maybe the statistics might be right.

As I became a little less terrified, it began to make sense to me that the flight crew - pilots and flight attendants - probably didn't want to die anymore than I did. Would they really be able to handle coming to work day after day if they thought for one minute that there was an excellent chance that they would never see their families again after today? It's kind of like going through routine surgery. It really helps to realize that, while this is a sometime thing for you, for the surgeon or pilot or flight attendant, it's just another day at the office.

Good luck!

 

[RoseBen009]

I can definitely relate! I used to LOVE flying when I was younger, but somewhere along the way, probably in my mid-20's I had a huge panic attack while flying (I think from feeling trapped/clausterphobic, along with some major turbulence) and since then it's been a struggle to keep calm on flights. I did get a prescription for xanax, and I've never actually taken one on the plane, but knowing I have them if I need them does help a bit.

 

[piglet1979]

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 hate it. I have only flown a handful of times. I stress about for a long time before the flight. The day of I am a mess. A little bit of turbulence and I am gripping the arm rests with white knuckles. I feel sick the whole time and refuse to eat that day until I reach my destination. I use a lot of anxiety techniques to help me. A lot of time I just need to breath. Sometimes I have to talk myself down from the ledge. I do seem to do better once I have a movie on my phone and can be distracted until their is turbulence.

 

[Pooh2]

I hate flying and all that goes with it but I love to travel the country so suck it up to get to where I want to be.

 

[Kittyblue]

I loved flying as a kid, was indifferent about it as I got older even though I had a couple really turbulent flights that were a little scary as a young adult. After having kids is when I developed a fear of flying, I’m not even sure why. I’ve hardly flown since having kids, and I’ve had to use xanax when I did fly.

As the kids are getting older and my life circumstances have changed I’m finding I feel less anxious about flying. I’m looking forward to going somewhere, anywhere, LOL. I might still need to pop a xanax for a long flight though.

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 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!

As I became a little less terrified, it began to make sense to me that the flight crew - pilots and flight attendants - probably didn't want to die anymore than I did. Would they really be able to handle coming to work day after day if they thought for one minute that there was an excellent chance that they would never see their families again after today? I

Those tips help

 

[Moliphino]

I don't care for the cramped quarters, but on rare occasion I've had extra seats to myself.

Extra seats make a HUGE difference in comfort. I was lucky to have all three seats to myself on a flight from Tokyo to Chicago (so about 15 hours) and it was wonderful. I could lay down and stretch my legs out as much as I needed to.

 

[Bellhop97]

I used to get such anxiety flying when I was younger.. but as I got older.. I calmed down.. but it could be cause of the booze during the flight..lol

 

[melk]

I highly recommend the book Soar by Tom Bunn. He’s a therapist and a pilot. He explains all the mechanics of flying, the noises you hear on the plane, why it’s so safe to fly, etc. Then he explains why some of us get nervous, what physiologically is going on with us, and exercises to do before we fly and when we’re in the plane.

This book changed me as regards flying. I never liked it, grew to pretty much hate it, but agonized through it to travel. Now a couple of weeks before a trip I get out the book, start the exercises and I’m good to go on travel day. I can honestly say I actually enjoyed my last few flights.

 

[Jennasis]

Though I hate flying, I have several pre-flight rituals that I do that help me manage the anxiety. I do the same thing before every flight. I Do also watch the flight attendants...if they're calm, even during turbulence, then we are okay. It's definitely a "lack of control" thing for me. I also HATE flying alone...there is nobody to help distract me and I LOATHE sitting next to strangers on a plane. I must have an end seat, so I don't feel quite so trapped.

A few years ago I was flying home to NC from Los Angeles. I had my nice end seat and everything. I was managing nicely emotionally, but my back had spasmed terribly on the trip and was shooting the worst sciatic pain I'd had since my surgery 4 years prior down my leg. Before we pushed back from the gate a young lady across the aisle tapped my shoulder and asked if we could switch seats. She was white knuckled and wide eyed and terrified of flying, worse than I was, and she and her boyfriend had seats not next to each other (her boyfriend was in the middle seat next to me). Feeling worse for her than for myself, I of course said sure...especially since the aisle seat on her side was unoccupied. I thought I could stretch out a bit. At the time I said yes, there was only her (in her middle seat) and the lady next to her at the window. I swapped seats, and just before they closed the plane door, along come the stragglers...and of COURSE the dude sits in the empty aisle seat next to me. He was a very large guy, and probably should have purchased 2 seats. No sooner is his seat belt buckled, than both he and lady next to me by the window whip out the smelliest sandwiches and salads I have ever been subjected to and begin chowing down. I wanted to cry as i was jammed into that seat, immobilized between these two while electric jolts of agony shot down my leg. I looked over at the girl I swapped with as we are taking off and she is openly weeping while clutching her boyfriends arm for dear life. I just gritted my teeth and seethed silently for the rest of the flight. She did thank me when we landed. It took me 15 minutes to hobble out of plane.

I don't switch seats anymore. Not for anyone.

 

[tasha99]

Hate it. First class or business is tolerable with enough alcohol. Coach is just miserable and I'd rather drive at this point. My hate of flying is due to the ever shrinking seats, removal of perks, and dealing with TSA. It used to be decent, but now I avoid it. I have taken ship voyages to avoid it.

 

[mickeyfan9194]

I highly recommend the book Soar by Tom Bunn. He’s a therapist and a pilot. He explains all the mechanics of flying, the noises you hear on the plane, why it’s so safe to fly, etc. Then he explains why some of us get nervous, what physiologically is going on with us, and exercises to do before we fly and when we’re in the plane.

Thanks for the book recommendation. I'll give it a try. I realize my fear isn't rational, kind of like my fear of spiders. I'm not a control freak, so being in control isn't really the issue.

Like a previous poster, my fear also started after a turbulent flight into Denver. I think the old Stapleton airport was notorious for that.

We're flying tomorrow, and I'm already feeling sick about it.

 

[AussieFan8]

Good luck. I've read some of Tom Bunn and it helped me as well. I hope it helps you.

 

[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.

Let's just say DH and I had some major issues in 2016 flying to Oklahoma to see our granddaughter when she was 4 wks old. I PM'd a DISer the difficulties of the trip which I so wish I could just find and copy and paste here. In a nutshell.....there were some scheduling issues and having flown many many times before and never ever complaining about a single trip......it was not fun.

But, again, I absolutely love the flying part.

 

[Kitty 34]

That's weird....I was quoting Mrs. Booch and answering her.....not myself.

 

[Colleen27]

It never even occurred to me that there are people out there who enjoy flying. To me, that's like asking if you enjoy the DMV or the dentist's office - they're requirements for living the sort of lifestyle most people aspire to, but not pleasurable experiences for their own sake. Given unlimited time, I'd much rather drive anywhere that it is possible to do so... but we so rarely have unlimited time that for some trips, flying is just essential.

I used to be absolutely terrified of flying. I'm not sure what got me past it other than repeated exposure, often with young kids being so demanding that I didn't have time to think about my irrational fears, but I realized with some surprise 7 or 8 years ago that I no longer get that sick feeling in the pit of my stomach when the plane backs out from the gate and I don't leave nail marks in the armrests every time we hit a bit of turbulence any more. I don't think I'll ever enjoy flying, but since it is necessary to doing the kind of traveling I enjoy, it is nice that it isn't as stressful as it used to be (especially since my kids are now old enough that they wouldn't make for much of a distraction any more).

 

[JimMIA]

I'm a little bit like JoeA above -- I enjoyed it when I was doing a lot of it, but not anymore. Now it's just a way to get somewhere.

When I was traveling a lot, I used to get upgraded regularly and that made everything better. Now I'm back in the main cabin, and it's not great. Of course, the fact that they jammed the rows so close together doesn't help either.

I've never had anything but great service from airline personnel. My experience has been that if you approach them in a civil manner with a halfway reasonable request, they will help you if they can. They can't always do what you want, but many would be amazed at what they can do when treated with respect.

But I've seen some folks really act stupid dealing with airline personnel, and it's getting worse, I think. I don't think I've ever seen one of the stupid ones get what they wanted, though...lol.

On the anxiety question, DW used to be a very fearful flyer. She took a fearful flyer course (not sure if she paid for it, or it was free), and that really helped a lot.