Fear of Flying? This fact might ease your fear a little....

[SeaSpray]

I figured I'd post there here on the Transportation Board because many of us come here for info regarding flights/airlines/etc.

Yesterday I was talking to my doctor and at the end of the conversation the subject of flying came up. I told him that I still take an Ativan before every flight to relax my nerves. We then chatted about fear of flying and he told me this: "If you could ONLY die via a plane crash, and if you flew EVERY day of your life, you'd have to live to be 3.4 MILLION years old before you'd die".

That helped me to put the odds of being in a plane crash into perspective!

Just thought I'd share with my DIS friends!

Safe travels, everyone!

 

[tam626]

I use to be terrified at the thought of flying & my first flight was in 2008 when we took our 3 yr old to Disney. I still get scared during take off & landing but it sure beats the 14 hour drive.

 

[msmayor]

Flew out to Las Vegas this week and after we landed at McCarran and taxied to the gate, the flight attendant said...

"Welcome to Las Vegas. You are now about to begin the most dangerous part of your trip: the drive out of the airport."

 

[momrek06]

I figured I'd post there here on the Transportation Board because many of us come here for info regarding flights/airlines/etc.

Yesterday I was talking to my doctor and at the end of the conversation the subject of flying came up. I told him that I still take an Ativan before every flight to relax my nerves. We then chatted about fear of flying and he told me this: "If you could ONLY die via a plane crash, and if you flew EVERY day of your life, you'd have to live to be 3.4 MILLION years old before you'd die".

That helped me to put the odds of being in a plane crash into perspective!

Just thought I'd share with my DIS friends!

Safe travels, everyone!

Oh, I have heard that before, actually many times. My issues are not about crashing or dying nor are they about take off's or landing's. My issues with flying is the closed in feeling, the claustrophobic feeling, the feeling that if I just wanted to get off the plane, well I could not. When they shut that huge door, that is it. We are all in and nothing more we can do until we arrive at our destination.

I took an online FOF course and it was the BEST thing I ever did. That has gotten me all the way to Europe and back. Oh, I still fly. Quite often, but I still hate it. Doubt I will ever like it but I do it. One thing I would love to be able to do is fly ALONE. I have yet to accomplish that ... but one day I just might. I also do not take any medication at all. Never have and never will. I try to book early and get the front of the plane on the aisle seats ... I seemed to do better when I can see what everyone else is doing.

 

[famsen]

I will never love flying. I'm nervous, scared and need meds to relax but as I get older I figure something is going to kill me someday anyway and it much more than likely won't be due to flying.

I love that statistic you Dr. stated. It does make me feel better.
It also makes me feel better to fly since last week while driving back to Chicago, we saw no less than 3 serious accidents on the roads we were traveling. I kept thinking that a few minutes difference in the time and those accidents could have involved us!

 

[kaytieeldr]

Those of you who are still afraid of flying, even after fear of flying courses and medication - have you considered hypnosis? We have a family friend who had to get off a plane in Orlando ('fortunately', back in the 1990's) before it took off due to severe and sudden claustrophobia. He drove or took the train everywhere - including cross-country several times - until early 2009, when he started seeing a hypnotist.

The trip that used to take him over three days, now takes five hours.

 

[PoohsFan1]

I am still afraid of flying even after doing so many times. I do have to take something to calm my nerves because the only thing that I am worried about is the 2-3 minutes after take off, I just hate the feeling of going up into the air, once I am past that few minutes, I am fine. During those minutes I have to close my eyes and just think about something else. Now the landing, I absolutely love because I know that I will be on the ground very soon and at our destination. However, I would take flying over driving the 20+ hours that it takes us to get to Disney any day

I also, came to realize that if I am feeling weird about how bumpy the flight is or hearing weird noises, I look at other passengers and the FAs, and if the FAs are still serving beverages and are still smiling, and the other passengers are not looking paniced, then I don't panic as well.

 

[pickles]

I didnt have a fear of flying until 9/11 now I am afraid mostlike on take offs and landings
Last time I flew southwest that crew was fantastic.
They were making jokes and songs while we were taking off and landing and it took my attention off the whole thing. While I was still nervous it was a ton better and almost enjoyable.
I loved their jokes about if you need to smoke , smoking area is outside, go stand out on the wing and hang on
they made some other stuff while they gave their demos about seatbelts etc.. was really cool

 

[Minnesota!]

I am still afraid of flying even after doing so many times. I do have to take something to calm my nerves because the only thing that I am worried about is the 2-3 minutes after take off, I just hate the feeling of going up into the air, once I am past that few minutes, I am fine. During those minutes I have to close my eyes and just think about something else. Now the landing, I absolutely love because I know that I will be on the ground very soon and at our destination. However, I would take flying over driving the 20+ hours that it takes us to get to Disney any day

I also, came to realize that if I am feeling weird about how bumpy the flight is or hearing weird noises, I look at other passengers and the FAs, and if the FAs are still serving beverages and are still smiling, and the other passengers are not looking paniced, then I don't panic as well.

I am the exact same way. Hate take off and hte initial feeling of not being in control. After we level off...I am good to go. I keep my eyes on the FA's and follow their lead...

 

[Chelley00]

I still get scared during take off & landing but it sure beats the 14 hour drive.

I have the opposite problem. I'm okay during take off and landing (roller coaster - - - WHEEE!) but I'm a wreck for the rest of the flight. I hate not being in control.