I Hate Flying!!! Help Me!!!

[hAm53]

I absolutely hate flying! If it was up to me, we'd drive from MA to WDW, but I always lose that battle.
I just can't stand the fact that there's nothing under me. Yeah yeah yeah, I know its safer to fly than drive a car, but at least if your car crashes, you have some chance of walking away alive. With planes, well I don't even wanna think about it.
What in the blue heck can I do to make myself fall asleep on the flight? Drugs are out, and no matter what I do, I can't fall asleep.
We leave at 11AM, so its not like I can just stay up all night and force myself to sleep. I get home from work at 6:30 the night before, so I was thinking about going right to sleep when I get home. Waking up at like like 3AM, and playing PS2 until we leave (so I won't fall asleep again watching TV). Will this work?
My girlfriend is driving to the airport, so being groggy while on my way there isn't a prob, and all we're doing in FLA is going to the grocery store (thanks FL Tours! ) and going from POR to FW for dinner at Trail's End.
And drinking doesn't make me tired at all. So that's out too. Southwest doesn't have TV's, so I can't lose myself in that (and believe me, if I'm watching TV, there ain't nothing that's gonna get me to stop).
Last time I tried a cd player and a book, but that didn't help me from freakin' out. I figure if I'm sleeping, then the time will go by quicker (and i won't be awake when the plane crashes).
Did I mention I don't like flying?

~ Chris

 

[Beast fan]

Let's see...... since you've eliminated many possibilities, I'd go for the "stay up all night" way to sleep on the plane.

In May 2002, I prepared to fly with DS(now 5.5). I booked us on a 7am flight out of Toledo Airport (TOL) for Savannah (went to Hilton Head). TOL is about a 2hr drive from my place. Oh yeah, I worked until 1am. Okay, 7am flight........ for security, suggested time was 5am........ had to leave by 3am to get to the airport..........==== I didn't sleep until I got on the plane (did I mention I had been up since about 6:30am the day before?). Believe me, it was one of the best "power" naps I've ever had.

Good luck!

Dave

 

[AKbabe]

Sorry I can't help much, as I am also scared to death of flying. But I keep getting dragged onto those planes as it is 2 hours to WDW compared to 16 or so by driving. I do have a prescription for valium from my doctor just to fly. He says I can take 2, but boy have I learned, stick with one!! Or I will forget the entire first day there. However, since you said drugs are out, I won't recommend that.

Now, I am okay once I am in the air for about 10 minutes or so. It's just takeoff that freaks me out. Crying, screaming into my pillow (yeah, especially with my kids watching and not wanting to scar them for life, you can see the reason for the drugs).

That being said, one thing that did help me was a book. It is called Flying Without Fear by Duane Brown. It was recommended to me by a pilot and it really helped alot. Yes, without that book, drugs or no drugs, I would not get on that plane.

 

[inkkognito]

I too am scared to death of flying...ironic, since I fly to Orlando at least twice a month. I understand how you feel about drugs, as I will only use them when I am very desperate (like for my dental phobia that developed after a very bad experience).
I am a very logical person, so the website www.fearofflyinghelp.com really helped me a lot. It explained a lot of those scary noises and reassured me of the airworthiness of planes, even in turbulence (although my brain STILL can't comprehend how a silver metal tube stuffed with people can rocket through the air at hundreds of miles an hour).
Do you know anyone with a portable DVD player you can borrow? I got one for Christmas, and it's a real help.
I also use online check-in to get an exit row, Besides the extra legroom, I know I'll be one of the first off if there's anything left of me and the airplane in case of emergency.
Good luck!
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[SeaSpray]

Our cruise/trip is still 7 months away and I'm ready worried about flying!! I definitely understand your concern. You made me laugh when you said how, if you're sleeping, you won't be awake if you crash. I think the same exact way. LOL We travel with our 2 DSs so I can't show my fear at all in front of them. I love the sensation of flying, but I'm always worried about the possibility of crashing I will only fly non-stop so that there are less take-offs and landings. I think you have a good idea about making yourself tired so you'll sleep. As for me, I take an anti-anxiety pill (which I take ONLY when flying! LOL), and have a glass of wine once on the plane.

I don't have any advice for you, but wanted you to know that there are a LOT of us who feel the same way!!

I hope you have a great flight!

 

[da disney fans]

I know you're a rational adult and sometimes these fears can be irrational.. but I hope you'll let me share this with you.

I used to work as a flight attendant for a major airline. I was with the company for 2 years. During the majority of that time, mty now-husband and I were in a long distance relationship, so when I wasn't flying for work, I was flying to see him. I estimate that over that 2-year period, I flew roughly 2100 times. Combined with the flying I've done outside of my time as an airline employee, I've been on probably 2200 flights.

Guess how many times anything went wrong, related to the aircraft itself?

Zero. Not once.

The one and only time I've ever been a part of an emergency landing was when we had a medical emergency onboard.

How many car accidents do you think happen every day? Hundreds, if not thousands. How many airplane accidents do you hear about?

Airplane travel is so much more safe than you think. There are very few things that can go wrong up in the air, many less than problems that occur on the ground. Even if something should go wrong, know that the inflight crew are very highly trained and can evacuate a 300-person aircraft in 90 seconds or less.

Now, how to keep you calm on your flight... I recommend the staying up all night option. Stay up for a couple of days if you can, seriously. Are you really opposed to taking any drugs to help you sleep/stay calm? A valium really would be a good idea. At the very least, I'd try a Sudafed or a healthy dose of NyQuil.

I really don't know what else to suggest to you. You may want to look into meditation and breathing exercises, and even therapy or hypnosis to help you get over this fear.

Good luck.

 

[hAm53]

Its nice to know I'm not the only one that's a little freaked about getting thrust through the sky while strapped in a tin paper towel tube.
Its not so much that I'm freaked out the whole trip, but like SeaSpray, Its the takeoff and landings that give me the hibbidy jibbidies. I totally understand what WDWhoneymooner is saying, but its alyways in the back of my mind that, "well there hasn't been a crash in awhile, so I guess that means we're due for one." I know its a horrible way of thinking, and I feel foolish for being that way. On the plus side I'll have a long night of playing Madden and MVP Baseball next Wednesday night.
I wouldn't want Mickey to be like if I called him and said we weren't coming to visit him.

~ Chris

 

[mhcueball2]

I don't like flying either...but have been on planes alot of times (for work) and you just have to put up with it.

I can't read or listen to music...the bumps take all my attention away. What I try to focus on is to lay back in my seat...don't look out the window...feel all the bumps like you are on the road...and breathe deeply. I can include some stats about something malfunctioning or the wings falling off...but you know about that (very, very rare).

You're in the air...there is nothing you can do...worrying isn't going to change anything. Nothing will happen. Its weird to think there are tons of planes above you right now...and there will be tomorrow...and the next...etc...and nothing happens.

 

[inkkognito]

I know what you mean about take-off and landing. It seems that once an airplane is up, it rarely just falls out of the sky! I am very nervous on take-off, but even though I know that landing is statistically just as bad, I always look forward to it. It must be a psychological thing...I feel like we're "there," even though we're not on the ground yet.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[Goof]

Regardless of how many times one has flown, there is still that uncertianty and thought of what could possibly go awry. My family and i have flown numerous times to wdw as well as from coast to coast and that little nagging fear will always be there.

But hey, just picture all the fun you will be having at WDW and it will absolutely erase any fear you may have.

 

[EsmeraldaX]

I too have to be knocked out; or I wont even get on the plane. If I see even one sketchy looking person who gives me a bad vibe get on the plane, I get off.

I don't have much advice for you, just think about how fun it will be once you land.

 

[Dznypal]

as a matter of fact when we went on our first family reunion trip
(we went on a cruise my mom planned it sine the ships leave out of port connaveral so my DH could one way or the other get to the dock!!)

anyways DH and DS took the train and met the rest of us at the dock.

it wasn't lomg after that he decided he was just goping to get on a plane and fly!!! So he talked to my brother( who at the time was a airline captain) and he got us the discount family ticket to NYC!!

THe big day finally came I was up early and ready to go (as usual)
and then the cold feet started with DH!!!
(my mom was already at our house to get the kids up and out the door for school)

well somehow I managed to get him to the airport even though he was lookinga little green if my brother hadn't met us at the airport I never wouldn't have gooten him on!!! My brother just kept talking him through it until we were on the plane!! My brother said my DH looked like a glazed donut!!!!

The flight was perfect. MY brother introduced us to a friend of his
that was a pilot and going to NYC so we talked to him.

after we landed and got a taxi to our hotel my DH said the NYC cab ride was more of an adventure then the flight (no offense to any cab drivers or NYERS!!!)

on 2-25 we are going to Hawaii for the 3rd time he just loves flying!!!

 

[tinkie]

I hate it too....I normally take an anti-anxiety pill (a beta-blocker) which is nothing like valium....doesn't make you drowsy or goofy - the only difference is you are not nearly as high-strung. You just don't feel nervous. Cool. I would highly recommend you speak to your dr. about it...there is no reason to be miserable.

However, on my last trip, I didn't have any so I did without. My friend and I worked on a crossword puzzle the whole time and it really kept my mind off of being scared...sounds funny but it works. Now, I always make sure to buy one of those crossword books at the airport.

Deep breathing and the wine helps too!!! I also pray very thoroughly!!

Just remember, if it's your time to go, it's your time, and you'll be taken wherever you happen to be.


You'll be fine

 

[kda]

I read about a local psychologist who specialized in self hypnosis for things like weight loss, to quit smoking, and fear of flying. He was an expert, who also made his own tape on the subject that he gave you to re-inforce what he taught in one session. I found it to be just like a very, very deep relaxation/meditation. He did one session in his office that he "talked you through", and then gave me the tape to listen to as often as I wanted to practice the self hypnosis/relaxation in the weeks before the flight and during the flight. Some of it was reassuring information about the safety of airplanes, but it was also very positive statements: "This is the quickest way to get me there to start my vacation.", "You are calm and relaxed", etc.

I was fairly anxious before and during the first 20 minutes of the first flight after meeting with him (and practicing with the tape), but at least I flew, and I hadn't done that in several years! Each flight after that was significantly easier. I've been doing well for about 18 years and usually fly 4-5 times a year. Good luck!

 

[mitros]

I know you don't want to take drugs, but I hate flying as well, and I have to go from Orlando to NJ several times a year. My doctor gave me some Lorazepan, and I take 2 to 3 tablets{I weigh 250lbs.} And it chills me out enough to get on and take my flight. Very occasional use is not habit forming. I only take them when I fly.