fear of flying.......

[JenDaveBrendan]

Let me start by saying I have probably flown a hundred times in my life, and have never had a fear of flying until last weekend.
We are in the process of moving from MA to the Charlotte, NC area. We took USAir down there last weekend, and it was the most horrific plane ride of my life. Not only was there horrible turbulance the whole flight, but the plane also kept "dropping" - I thought we were going to die. So tomorrow we have to go down again, and I am absolutly terrified of taking the plane. On top of that, me and my husband's seat's are separated - we are both in the middle seat beside people we don't know (I called about this, and they said there was nothing they could do since the plane is full). This makes me even more nervous. My doctor did give me a prescription for Ativan, which I will take if absolutly needed, but I don't really want to feel loopy either.
Anyone have any advice for me??
thank you!
Jen

 

[NOLAminnie]

I also developed a fear after experiencing a turbulent flight years ago. But after taking a trip overseas (10 hr flight) I spent so much time on a plane that I'm mostly over it. Your flight might be completely booked now, but someone may not show up. When you get to your gate, go and introduce yourself to the person behind the counter, be very polite and explain your situation. Maybe they will be able to help you. Sitting next to strangers on planes it not the most fun, so if you have to, try taking 1/2 of your pill to relax just a little bit. I still get nervous during turbulence and I know this sounds corny, but I just close my eyes and picture Space Mountain and say it over and over in my head. I get scared on SM too but I know it will be over in 2 minutes so it really helps. Once you get through another turbulence free flight you might feel better about flying in the future. Good luck... but you don't need it because everything will be fine.

 

[goofytime2000]

When ya'll are on the plane before you push back from the gate, talk to the people around you. See if someone is willing trade seats with one of the two of you.

As for the fear of turbulance...dunno what to tell you. Try sleeping during your flight maybe? Remember, you plane is designed and built to withstand ALOT of turbulance. Some planes have as much as 6 feet of "play" at the wingtips. Under most normal turbulance (and by normal, I mean not throwing loose objects around the cabin) the wing flutters less than a foot, foot and a half at most. It's normal, the wing is designed to do. Ever see a tree swaying in the wind? Same principal.

Good luck with you flight. Hope everything goes alright for you.

 

[DemoBri1]

Let me start by saying I have probably flown a hundred times in my life, and have never had a fear of flying until last weekend.
We are in the process of moving from MA to the Charlotte, NC area. We took USAir down there last weekend, and it was the most horrific plane ride of my life. Not only was there horrible turbulance the whole flight, but the plane also kept "dropping" - I thought we were going to die. So tomorrow we have to go down again, and I am absolutly terrified of taking the plane. On top of that, me and my husband's seat's are separated - we are both in the middle seat beside people we don't know (I called about this, and they said there was nothing they could do since the plane is full). This makes me even more nervous. My doctor did give me a prescription for Ativan, which I will take if absolutly needed, but I don't really want to feel loopy either.
Anyone have any advice for me??
thank you!
Jen

Jen,

Take the online course at http://www.fearofflyinghelp.com. It is an excellent course designed by a 20 year veteran airline captain, and he goes through all the things you may experience during flight, including those weird sounds you tend to hear. It's an excellent course and I would recommend it to anyone.

Brian

 

[reesa roo]

I had the same exact thing happen to me about 10 years ago. I had flown probably 100 times with no problems and then on a USAIR flight in clear weather the plane "dropped" and hit severe turbulence and continued to drop over and over again for a good 45 minutes. They had just served the meal (back when they had meals) and the food went flying everywhere and the whole flight was screaming. Have I flown since?? Yes, and I get really nervous when we hit turbulence and I hear those dreaded words over the intercom "Flight attendants take your seats". But... it has gotten much better and I have found that a few things help.
1. Watch the flight attendants - they are really calm, even in the midst of turbulence. It's just a normal occurrence like the bumps on the road when driving a car.
2. I bring a walkman with a relaxing CD and sit back with the music on and close my eyes.
3. A glass of wine or taking Dramamine helps too.

I don't think flying will ever be my favorite thing, but there is no way I am going to let my fear control me to the point of not enjoying the convenience of getting to my destination in a few hours instead of a few days of driving.

Here's best wishes to you for a smooth flight!!!

 

[dvc guy]

Try a portable DVD player. Get a really good DVD and relax.

 

[maritimetraveler]

Have you ever taken Ativan before? I took it when we flew to the Dominican. One pill was ok, but on the flight back I was really nervous and took 2. I was so relaxed that I couldn't control my emotions and began sobbing like a baby ~ I don't like to fly either, but this year on our way to Disney I'll just order a drink~~

 

[JenDaveBrendan]

Well, we are back and I am alive!! I ended up not taking the ativan, just had a few drinks before getting on the plane - seemed to help some...
thanks to everyone for the helpful advice! another couple weeks and we will be on the plane again......

Jen

 

[budbeerlady]

I never had a fear either. But this was my first flight in 5 years and I was sure I was gonna die the whole time. I doped myself up on dramamine and slept the whole way down. Its strange, I loved to fly for years, now I am white knuckles from start to finish. Dh thinks I have lost my mind!