Fear of flying?

[mkymouse4ever]

HELP, I have never had this but on our return trip home in March I really felt panic-y! Right after take off. My sister does not like to fly, so I could not say anything to her and I just kept it in. Cold sweat and all, but it was weird. I really enjoy flying, and just basically felt freaked out, the entire flight. Nothing happened to set it off. The flight was fine. And we have flown about twice a year to mco for the last 10 years with no problems. Think maybe it is all the "security" attention to get to, and on the plane? That keeps this on my mind? We are flying again in August and I am afraid it will happen again. Probably will since I am already worrying about.

Mky

 

[DisneyMomJen]

I was never crazy about flying and had been terrified to fly since 9/11. My husband was in NY on 9/11 and saw the 2nd plane hit the tower. We knew 4 people who were killed. That day traumatized our whole family. Alot of people thought I was crazy, but there was no way I would fly again. We have driven to Florida every year since.

Well, this past December we flew for a weekend trip to Disney. We flew Delta Song and those TV's on the plane were great!!! They completely kept my mind off of any fear I had. We have a trip planned for August. I want to fly Delta Song again if possible.

I know other people who take a prescription medication to keep them calm on a plane.

 

[mkymouse4ever]

Yes 9/11 was indeed very traumatic. We are not from the east coast, so where no directly impacted, (My family was at home, outside chicago) my sis and I but where actually at wdw, (sitting in gf, on bed watching tv) when the events started. A horrible, depressing trip. Haven't been to wdw in sept since. But had to get on a plane (a very empty plane) very soon following. But I didn't panic then, or since just now?

I did consider drinking on the plane. However; not being a drinker, It doesn't take much. And for a 2 hour flight Driving after the airport is not a good idea. Same goes for a perscription drug. Unfortunately.

Still not sure of the solution. Mky

 

[spiceycat]

they need a sticky for this question - it gets asked alot. No offense

here is another post - maybe it can help you
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=790419&highlight=fear+flying

 

[emsamom]

Hi MM4ever,
The pancky feeling has happened to me twice before--I fly usually twice a year to Vegas and DW. It happens when I sit by the window. I feel claustrophbic--can't breathe, feel like I'm in a small box. If I sit in an aisle seat, I am fine.

 

[travelin' girl]

I'm not scared of flying, however I have motion sickness that can be miserable.
One year we went to Universal PBH before WDW and I ended up laying on their couch in the lobby waiting for our room to be ready! I think it does help not to sit by the window.
Our big "thing" for this year is that we have free airline tix and will need to fly on July 4th- hubby doesn't know that he likes that idea so well since 9/11 and it being a patriotic holiday.. Any thoughts?...

 

[Selket]

I too have a fear of flying. I flew often when I was in my 20's but started having problems even before 9/11. We flew across country in May 2001 and I haven't flown since. We live near Washington, DC and someone where I worked was on the plane that went into the Pentagon - herself and her husband and 2 young girls.

That being said I just booked my 1st plane trip yesterday to go back to WDW in July for a conference I really want to attend - it is something for the whole family. I'm already nervous about it but it IS the only way for us to take a short trip down there. Spending 2 days each way on I-95 getting there and back isn't all that safe either (we just got back from driving to WDW).

I think I'll try to get some xanax and try it out before we go to make sure it doesn't put me to sleep or make me loopy! It also used to help me to listen to something (music on headphones, etc.) but I can't do that now since I've got 2 little kids who will no doubt want to chat.

 

[ReggieB]

I am originally from UK, I haven't been home since May 1999...I would if I could swim the Atlantic! I used to fly back and forth regularly, two or three times a year. I suddenly developed a completely irrational fear of flying after a flight to Florida in October 1999, nothing bad happened to the plane, but I was just so panicked during the flight. I flew for the first time in 5 years last October, the going there wasn't too bad, I had Disney waiting for me, the coming back was horrendous. I've signed myself up for it again next week, so we shall see how I feel then. This is the longest amount of time I have dwelt on the fact that I am flying next week, so I shall go now and bury it away in my sub-conscious somewhere!! I'm operating on an out of sight out of mind policy at the moment..or shall I say complete denial!

 

[mkymouse4ever]

ReggieB, That is exactly the same. I flew and enjoyed it before and it just came out of nowhere. Even flying immediately after 9/11 returning home I didn't have a problem, but I did flying home this last time. Hopefully it was just this one time. It did not occur during take off either, started after the plane leveled off and we where up, and going about 20 minutes into the flight? I didn't feel better for about an hour, and then just enough to read and try to consentrate. The landing didn't make it any worse. Just relieved. Just kept imagining but things happening in the air, etc... .. Maybe watching too much tv?

Mky

 

[bytheblood]

I do not care for flying either. I did not fly for the first time until I was 21 or 22. Each time I get on a plane, I pray that God will calm my nerves and that the dramamine will do its trick on my stomach. I would not call it fear, but just an uneasiness. I do not like heights either.

My daughter asked me a few months back how the plane stays up in the air and I told her that Jesus' hands were underneath guiding it to our destination. I have to tell myself that as well.

I am sorry to hear of your upsetting flight, but the important thing is that you are safe and nothing happened to you.

 

[manning]

I knew a commercial pilot who developed a fear of flying. I asked how can that be. He said if you had to sit next to the person I have to you would be fearful too. Especially when it is his turn to do the landing. He keeps asking if I can see the runway yet and I keep saying its hard not to your on it, but you have to give him credit for not requesting wheels up while taxiing.

On a serious note, for a while I would get nervous before a flight. Don't know why. Once I got on the plane and up in the air I was OK. After awhile it stopped.

The planes are so well maintained it is very rare to have something mechanical happen and pilot training is so good they are qualified to fly a plane before they actually fly one. It is done in a flight simulator. When that practice was started pilot error went way way down. I talked to someone who flew Lufthansa once when they thought they would have to ditch in the ocean. He was impressed with their organization. The captain instructed everyone who could swim to get on the right side of the plane and those who couldn't get on the left. He then announced if they had to ditch those on the right should get out as fast as they can and start swimming. Those on the left we would like to thank you for flying Lufthansa.

 

[bytheblood]

I too have a fear of flying. I flew often when I was in my 20's but started having problems even before 9/11. We flew across country in May 2001 and I haven't flown since. We live near Washington, DC and someone where I worked was on the plane that went into the Pentagon - herself and her husband and 2 young girls.

I am sorry to hear that. More and more, I learn that people I communicate with lost somebody on 9/11. I was just looking on some memorial sites Tuesday and saw some people I knew.

In remembrance, Justin Zhao, a co-worker of mine, died while working in the tower. Only 27 and his family had only been in America a short time. A bunch of my customers died that day as well. It was so hard to get the calls from their co-workers that survived and hear them talk about so-and-so who was getting married next month or so-and-so who was a new father or mother.

After that, I swore I would never fly again, but I did in Dec 2002 and will be doing it again. My faith is strong and my fear is little.

Anyways - just thought I would share and let you know I understand.

 

[mongobites]

I understand. My two biggest fears are flying and snakes. The only thing I can think of that would be worse would be flying in an airplane full of snakes. I've found taking Dramamine then having one drink one the plane helps. The Dramamine makes me sleepy and I don't drink very often so all I need is one drink to help relax me. Most of the time the combination of the two is enough to make me sleep for the whole flight.

 

[puffkin]

I am not a nervous flyer at all. I always tell others to keep an eye on the flight attendants. If they appear nervous or skittish, then you know there is a problem. As long as they appear fine, you should have smooth sailing. It also helps to look up the statistics and realize how many planes are in the air every day and how few accidents there are. It is hard to rationalize, but it does help some people.

 

[bytheblood]

I am not a nervous flyer at all. I always tell others to keep an eye on the flight attendants. If they appear nervous or skittish, then you know there is a problem. As long as they appear fine, you should have smooth sailing. It also helps to look up the statistics and realize how many planes are in the air every day and how few accidents there are. It is hard to rationalize, but it does help some people.

Good Suggestions.

 

[cyberbox2]

I my quest to conquer my fear of flying I came across this site:
http://www.fearofflyinghelp.com/#enroll

It is free and will take about an hour to get through. It is taught by an air line pilot how's motto is to replace fear with facts!

I went through it and it really does help. It's not an instant cure all but I do feel a lot better about flying now. I'm going to Italy and then Lebanon in July.