Fear of flying, anyone?

[Summer-Caitlin]

Hi all

I know my holiday isn't until Aug 2007, but I haven't been on an aeroplane in a while due to severe turbulance on my last flight. I've never been scared to fly in the past, but I must admit I'm panicing slightly, I'm sure I'll be okay when I'm in the air, I just need one good flight to get me over this fear. Does anyone else suffer from the same and if so do they have any recommendations, books I should read, web sites i should visit to help put my mind at rest regarding turbulance. I don't want to spend the whole year worrying about the flight, I want to enjoy it

Thanks

 

[Pixiedust34]

Here is a website you can use:

http://www.takingflight.us/

I'm not afraid to fly, but my ds is taking is first flight (since he was an infant) at age 10 in less than 2 weeks and he is a little scared. I've been reading the website for his sake. It seems like a supportive environment.

 

[JJ&JSMOM]

I'm scared to fly as well. Theres a couple of posts on this forum that deal w/fear of flying. On one post I was the OP and I got lots of advice. It has helped but the only way I think to get over the fear is to just fly. Having said that I'm still debating as to whether to cancel our trip or not. DH thinks our kids are too young anyway!

Of course plane tickets are nonrefundable no matter when we cancel so we'd be out $2300 - oh but we'd get a credit voucher - whooppee!

Be sure to check out the other posts on this subject - they had some links to websites that are supposed to help! Don't feel alone - there are lots of us out there that are scared to fly.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1207691

 

[js]

Sorry, I can't help you but I too am afraid of, well not flying but crashing LOL
That USE to be all that worried me but now I have to add in the terriorist risk and can't stand the thought of flying.
We are going on Disney Oct. 21-28 and flying from NY.
I have already had my normal flight dreams that I get before a flight.
I did ask my husband recently if we could PLEASE drive, but we are still flying.
My kids dd-12, ds-8 are not afraid, only I am.
I do not let the fear keep me though from traveling since I know we would all be very limited to where we could go and when. My last flight was in April from NY to Puerto Rico and I know I have to fly again next April.
I have found though that the TVs have helped me a lot.
I put the volume on VERY loud to drown out any noise that the plane may make and just hope all passengers are not terriorists. I tell (although they already know) my family NOT to speak to me during take off and landing and only speak to me when spoken to Too bad that only works on flights
Anyway, good luck and I do know how hard it is but please try to keep flying so you do not limit yourself in your travels.

 

[shannonmme]

I refused to fly most of my life.....after having my daughter, I have been able to fly with valium. I also take a dvd player or ipod on board to focus my attention on.

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

Here is a website you can use:

http://www.takingflight.us/

I'm not afraid to fly, but my ds is taking is first flight (since he was an infant) at age 10 in less than 2 weeks and he is a little scared. I've been reading the website for his sake. It seems like a supportive environment.

I was just coming to post that link. I am a moderator on that site and have been since it started. There are lots of DISers on Taking Flight. We are a very friendly group including commercial pilots, medical personnel (doctors, nurses, psychologists), business travelers, air traffic controllers, security personnel and recovering fearful flyers. The direct link to the message board is: www.takingflight.us/forums

I grounded myself for over a dozen years and now fly about 100K miles a year on business! The site doesn't sell anything though we do recommend a book written by one of our pilots and a free online self-help course on another site.

Come join us!

 

[lookingforward]

I am always afraid to fly but having lived in Japan it was part of my life. I can recommend one thing....XANEX! My doctor gives me a script for two or three and I take it about 30 minutes before I board. Then...its all good.

 

[bschiffler]

js- I too am flying to Orlando on the 21st. I have a horrible fear of flying. I take Zanax and my husband and kids are not allowed to talk to me until we are airborne and cruising altitude. I am aware of every little noise and scan the plane the entire flight!

It is such a horrible feeling to have. We travel 3-4 times a year and I die a thousands deaths to get there!!!

I will be hoping that the 21st is a safe day in the air! lol.

 

[DemoBri1]

I think this site http://www.fearofflyinghelp.com/ is one of the best I have found. It was created by a veteran airline captain and he patiently steps you through everything you may experience during a flight. He even includes sounds and videos as to what you might hear or see.

It's free and it helped me out tremendously. Check it out.

 

[js]

bschiffler, see you at Disney
Usually even some over the counter meds give me heart palpatations but on a few of my past flights my mom has tried to give me xanax (sp?).
Since I was worried how it would affect me, I only took half but it never did anything for me (I am 5'6" and about 125 pounds). Maybe I will just have to take a full pill and hope for the best.
I just had my husband put the flying link in my favorites and will go on there tomorrow. Yes, it is very terrible this fear and I do EXACTLY what you do, heck, you even said your family can't talk to you either.
Crashing use to be my only fear but now we have so many other things to worry about and yes, the stress for months leading up to the flight sometimes just feels like it isn't worth it but we also go on lots of trips and it is just something I have to deal with
I will be thinking of you on Oct. 21 and you do the same for me OK?
Have you found the TVs helping at all? I put them on super loud (enough so my family is embarrased by me since they can hear everything) so I can't hear any noise and, like you, try to watch everything everyone is doing. It is way stressful and just pray my children never gets as stressed about it as I do but I have always hated it, even as a child.
Oh well, I am going on the flying site tomorrow and hope it heps even a little but telling me that more accidents happen on the road than in the air, just doesn't cut it for me.

 

[dis-happy]

After lots and lots of flights over the years I had two bad flights in a row last Thanksgiving that totally freaked me out. Still had to keep flying though, so started taking some leftover Dramamine. Get the regular formula (not the non-drowsy)--it knocks me right out. Way better than being worried/nervous the whole flight.