I used to be terrified of flying. My first two trips to Orlando were spent gripping the armrests for the entire flight and jumping at the slightest sound, movement, or change in engine noise. The homeward flights were even worse - at least on the way out I had the holiday to look forward to and there was lots going on. From the moment the flights were booked I'd be worrying, and my anxiety would build to fever pitch in the weeks leading up to the flight. The day before the flight I'd get the mother of all stomach upsets - the last thing you want on a flight. The time spent in the airport before the flight was torture and I swear I held my breath until the wheels touched down.
Some years ago I attended a one day 'Fear of Flying' course run by Aviatours, a company set up by a serving British Airways Captain of 30 years. The morning was spent learning about every nuance of the aircraft: why it does what it does, how it flies, what all the noises mean; the afternoon was a session on relaxation by a Harley Street psychologist; and then everyone took a one hour flight out of London, down to the the south coast and back up. The Captain and Co-Pilot gave a running commentary during the entire flight and the cabin was overrun with British Airways crew on hand to provide encouragement.
I had also been prescribed Diazepam by my Doctor and, whilst the course helped significantly, I wasn't able to give up that crutch for several more years. At first my Doctor gave me 2mg which were absolutely no help whatsoever. I managed to persuade him to prescribe 5mg and, through trial and error, discovered that, rather than take one 24 hours before, one 12 hours before and a third one hour before as directed, they worked better for me if I took two one hour before and another half way through. I used to wait until I'd boarded the plane before taking them, and found that they kicked in big-time for take-off. My Doctor also said that it wouldn't hurt me to drink alcohol with them given the circumstances in which I was taking them - it would simply amplify the effect.
Whilst I'll never be cured, I'm probably no worse these days than many people who wouldn't consider they have a fear of flying, and I haven't taken Diazepam for several trips, now. I don't really worry at all beforehand - I just have one or two short-lived wobbly moments during the flight. The course and the medication both helped immeasurably, but familiarity is the key. I know that's not what you'll want to hear, but, on the bright side it's a ready-made excuse for more trips to WDW.
Some things from the course which helped me:
- After take-off and climbing to around 5,000 feet, the noise abatement laws mean that the pilot must slow down the plane. This will result in a change in engine noise and also a sensation of 'falling' due to messages received by your inner ear. You'll probably experience several other similar episodes until the plane reaches its cruising speed/height.
- During the descent (which begins a good hour before landing, although you probably won't notice much activity until 20-30 minutes beforehand), the plane must slow down. Again, you will notice changes in engine noise and the fallilng sensation, but you may also experience some shuddering as the speed brakes (flaps on the wings) are applied periodically, and particularly during the final descent. All this is perfectly normal and essential to get the plane safely on the ground. The analogy we were given was that you wouldn't drive your car down your road and onto your drive at 70mph and expect to be able to stop neatly in front of your garage door.
- Turbulence can't harm the plane. Next time you go out in your car, close your eyes and notice the sensation of riding over bumps. This is exactly the same thing, we just find it hard to comprehend because we can't see the airwaves.
- Get ready to hit the STOP button on the video you play in your mind. Every time you play the movie - terrorist on board - bomb detonates - plane plummits to earth - everyone dies a horrible death (or whatever your variation is) - tell yourself "STOP!". You might have to do this a lot, but the fact is, it's your imagination which is causing you distress; nothing else.
- I assume you've got your relaxation techniques all lined up? Apparently we are physiologically incapble of feeling panic (fight or flight) when we are relaxed. I have intermittent succes with deep-breathing, but something to do with the action has an effect on the diaphram which is supposed to help.
I know from experience that when you're as terrified as you obviously are, it's easier said than done to keep busy. I still find it extremely hard to focus on a film for any length of time and the same goes for books. My advice is to take along things which will keep your mind occupied for short periods of time. Magazines such as Hello and OK, which don't take much brain-power are good, as are crosswords and puzzles, even filling in the Customs and Immigration forms. Take your time with the meals - they're always a welcome distraction for me.
as he had never flown before, as you can imagine I was more worried about him than I was about the flight and this took my mind off it! I have to say one thing here .... the flight staff were fantastic at Virgin!!! My boy was very upset and they went out of their way to help.
so as we are thundering down the runway I know the pilots are calling out to each other
