Do you ever get afraid of flying?

[DisneyMama409]

I feel like I be the only person freaking out on the plane. I was genuinely scared and some people looked annoyed by my being scared. I wasnt screaming, or yelling I just looked afraid and when the plane took off I squeezed my arm rest and whimpered. People looked mad at me Im sorry it's my first time flying and im afraid. I was also flying out of NYC so that was an added fear. We are always a target! Needless to say I got through it safely. I have a ticker...been saying I was going in September for like a week now. I STILL havent booked. I have been wondering why and it suddenly occured to me I am petrified of flying and what if something goes wrong and my kids etc....Is a fear of flying really irrational ? I just keep thinking...Ok maybe THIS is the plane that crashes ...THIS is the doomed plane . I cant relax. I spend the whole 2 and a half hours thinking of the plane crashing. How do you guys do it?Be able to fly so often?

 

[Lynn5700]

I am sorry. I used to be afraid... especially after 9/11. Now, I love to fly. Flying from Philly to Orlando is such a nice flight. It only takes like 2 hours. But I do know the feeling. My mom takes something to ease her nerves before she gets on the plane. It really does help her. If you are really worried, I would just go to the DR and get something to help with your nerves.

 

[KellyNY]

Benedril. Just to relax a bit.

 

[plutotek]

Just remember that more deaths occur annually due to auto-related accidents than in airline crashes. I've been flying for 50 years and I can honestly say I feel safer doing that than driving, and that includes flying overseas (deathly afraid of water--does no one remember Jaws? )

 

[tinkerbell_xo]

I feel the EXACT same way! I sweat like crazy, go to the bathroom every 10 mins, spill everything all over, etc. I am always 100% sure that we are all going down and no one knows it but me.

Flying Jet Blue usually makes it easier because everyone has their own tv and it can help to distract you, especially if there's something on that shows people in air planes, like Fergie's music video for Glamorous. I know she's not REALLY flying, but when I saw it on there it was comforting to think about how often she, and other celebrities, fly.

I always take gravol but I haven't been able to sleep on a plane since I was very young. I'm gonna talk to my doctor about getting something stronger for next time, and you probably should too! There's no reason to put yourself through all that anxiety.

 

[CleoPahd]

I hate flying, but I know it's the only way to go. I used to get extremely nervous, but now I handle things much better. It helps me to bring things that will keep my mind busy such as word search & sudoku puzzles. I also have a Zune that I can watch videos on, which takes my mind off of things. Valerian root is a natural remedy to relax your body. I believe it's from the same family as valium. This has also worked well for me in times when I have been extremely tense. I have to say, the more I do it, the better I start to feel and the less I think about worst case scenarios. You aren't alone in your fears and it does get easier.

 

[r&kmommy]

You are 10 times more likely to die on the way to the airport than you are on the flight you are driving to!!

That being said, when dh and I went on a trip to Vegas w/out the kids I was a tad nervous, only becuase we were 'leaving' them behind with the in-laws and what if, god forbid. . .

But you just have to keep telling yourself it's safer than driving - even with terrorists potential, etc. . .

 

[adisneygal]

Go to your Dr. and ask for something. I flew for the first time a few weeks back. I didn't sleep the night before I was soooooo nervous. I took a LORAZEPAM 1 MG and I was kind of ok. I still had some bad thoughts but I could have cared less if it crashed. I didn't take it on the way home and knew the plane was going down. That pill helped so much!

And for the people who keep mentioning that it is safer to fly, it doesn't help make it better for us scaredy cats. My car doesn't leave the ground (much ) and it doesn't have wings that look like they will fly off when we hit turbulence.

 

[robinb]

Is a fear of flying really irrational ?

Yes. Next question?

 

[gabbygoose]

And for the people who keep mentioning that it is safer to fly, it doesn't help make it better for us scaredy cats. My car doesn't leave the ground (much ) and it doesn't have wings that look like they will fly off when we hit turbulence.

That is sooooo true! My friends always give me the shpeel about being safer in the plane, etc... but I can not get the visions out of my head of going down in the plane!

Definitely going to look into the Lorazepam for our very first trip to Disney in November!!

 

[wmharley]

I concur on Jetblue.. awesome airline...

But if flying makes you feel like that, why not drive? If you are in the NY area, just add another 2 days to your trip for travel...

 

[KellyNY]

Yes. Next question?

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

I think some folks (me included, to an extent) get more freaked out about possible plane crashes because plane crashes tend to be spectacular and get lots of coverage in national media.

Rationally, most of us know the statistics and that the odds of a safe flight are steeped in our favor, yet we can't help but wonder whether our plane will be the one to crash.

I'm one of those folks who remains cool and calm on the outside (role model for my kids and all that good stuff), but secretly am anxious until safely back on the ground. It helps me to read a magazine or newspaper and not pay much attention to what's going on around me.

 

[gk90]

A close family member had a really bad fear of flying but has been able to overcome it with a little medication and lots of positive thinking and education--reading many online resources, watching videos, doing relaxation exercises and meditation all helped to the point that the fear isn't an issue any more. Here are a couple of links that might help:
http://www.fearofflyinghelp.com/
http://www.howtodothings.com/travel/how-to-calm-your-fear-of-flying
http://www.flyingwithoutfear.com/

Good luck! Fear of flying may be paralyzing but you can definitely overcome it!

 

[DisGirl23]

That being said, when dh and I went on a trip to Vegas w/out the kids I was a tad nervous, only becuase we were 'leaving' them behind with the in-laws and what if, god forbid. . .

I'm an only child. When I was little and my parents would 'leave' me behind to go to anywhere on a plane, they always took different flights. Never on the same plane.

 

[alicia080979]

That is sooooo true! My friends always give me the shpeel about being safer in the plane, etc... but I can not get the visions out of my head of going down in the plane!

Definitely going to look into the Lorazepam for our very first trip to Disney in November!!

I cannot get the vision of plummeting to the earth out of my head either. Every little noise or bounce of turbulance causes a mini stroke or heart attack . I am TERRIFIED of flying! I flew to Africa a few years ago and it took 17 hours each way (one stop in London) and I sat there the entire time white knuckled and gripping the arm rest. Throughout the entire time on the plane I did not once get up for anything. I didn't eat or drink anything (for fear of having to get up to go the bathroom, lol) the entire time. It is such an irrational fear and I have flown halfway across the world but since that trip I am even more terrified than before.
We live in Ohio and we are driving to Disney again this year. My Dh & mom want to fly...I say we "need" the car while we are there but they know I am not getting on a plane unless I have to and can't get there by car or boat.

 

[Mysteria]

Yes fear of flying is an irrational fear (like heights, elevators etc.), doesn't make it any less scary for you. There are many ways for you to deal with it though. If you need to deal with it pronto for an upcoming flight then an anti-anxiety type med is the way to go. Talk to your doctor about it.

 

[disfan07]

I have the same fear. I take a nice little xanax 30 minutes- 1 hour before the flight and I am asleep by the time we are leaving the gate.

If I am not asleep before we take off, it doesn't matter what i've taken. I will not be able to sleep or relax

 

[squirrel]

No, I'm not afraid.

I did say that I would never go on an airplane again, but that was when I went on a small plane to Chaqutami and my ears were killing me at the time.

 

[tkitna]

I'm deathly afraid of flying. Xanax here for sure.