If you're afraid of flying, what is it that scares you?

[Parrothead1964]

I was fine with flying -- I even used to get a window seat so I could watch the countryside as it slowly passed by.

Then one day, all of the sudden I couldn't fly anymore. This was about 1996. I was scared to death of it, and I couldn't explain it. I had to fly to Washington DC once for business, and I couldn't get out of it. I even offered to drive there (from St Louis!), but that wouldn't have worked, so I had to fly. It was unbearable.

When I got home, people suggested I get pills that would knock me out while in flight. I got the pills, but the doctor made me promise to go see a therapist to find out why I all of the sudden did not want to fly. The therapist said it had to do with dying and not being here to support my kids.

BTW, the pills didn't work. I got tired and groggy, but they never knocked me out. My nerves and the tension was just too much. I haven't flown since and will not fly again unless one of my kids or my dad is in trouble.

 

[donaldbuzz&minnie]

It helps me to think of turbulence as equivalent to choppy water in a river. We're just riding on a "river" of air. I remind myself that the pilots prefer a little choppy air, just as I like to go through a patch of choppy water in a canoe once it awhile. It breaks up the monotony. They get to actually fly the plane instead of just sitting there. When you think of the background that so many pilots have - fighter pilots in the military, for example - and realize what that plane and pilot could do if they had to....we really are flying the boring milkruns!

(I just reread the original post. I hope this isn't coming across as condescending in any way, because I don't mean it that way. These are just the things I tell myself to help me relax when going through turbulence. I went through a period where I was nervous about flying, and it was all about control. I felt like I was trusting my life to someone I didn't know. I got over it partly because I realized that this person I didn't know was still a lot more qualified than I would ever be to "control" that plane, but mostly my fears went away when my kids were grown and I no longer felt that same sense of desperation that I needed to be around to raise them.)

 

[mtblujeans]

Originally posted by luvmk
Crashing!

Yes, the possible inappropriate landing!

 

[JVL1018]

I am afraid of dying!
..if something goes wrong up there, if the plane crashes-that's it, you're dead.
I know more people died in car crashes, but in the event of a car crash..or even a train crash-you have a chance, there couldd be something you could do to help yourself.
Giving up all control in the plane--don't like it one bit.
Since 9/11, I am afraid of what could happen trapped on a plane, I don;t know anyone on there, they could do anything-if someone attacks you on a train, the train could stop right away and people could jump off, in your car, you obviously control who gets in.

 

[darlene9947]

Oh, Lordy. What don't I not like about flying?? I am an absolute control freak. I just can't understand the dynamics of what is keeping that huge plane up in the air! I'm afraid of experiencing a really long drop! Turbulence...eeeek!!! And, I can't even think about flying over water. I can can handle short trips of maybe 1 to 2 hours, but get really antsy on longer trips. And the terrorists have scared the begeesus out of me. I have a business trip to Atlanta coming up at the end of Sept. and I am driving. I'll gladly deal with the traffic to avoid the sky.

 

[Davids-Coco]

We had a really bad flight about a year ago and I have been afraid since then. There was a problem with the landing gear and they said it may colapse... my parents were right over it. We were sitting away from them. It was the scariest thing that has ever happened... When they start asking the people in the emergency exits if they are comfortable in their job, saying emergency vehiles will be on the tarmac just in case, telling you how to brace, and you still have to wait to return to the airport to *try* and land, you freak out. It wasn't fun and ever since I have been nervous. I could have lost everything that night.

 

[AnnetteF]

I flew quite a bit as a child, it wasn't until my late teens that it really started to bother me. The control part of it is a very big thing for me. I have always said that I would probably be better off if I could fly the plane myself. It's not that I really expect the plane to crash, but I do feel so out of control.

Another problem I have with it is that I'm very claustrophobic. They pack soooo many people into those planes. The more people I see coming in the plane, the more panicky I get. And then the seats are soooo small and you feel like your on top of everyone else. It seems like everytime I fly those seats are a little smaller. It also bothers me that the flights are so "no frills" now. The meals may not have been great but it all made the flight go by that much faster. I always feel so uncomfortable all the way around that it makes me feel like I'm riding in the lowest form of public transportation around. Nothing else has ever made me feel so much like cattle.

These were my feelings way before 9/11 and in spite of them I still made a couple of trips to California and also overseas. We have been driving to Florida every year since 1991. I have to admit that I have not flown since 9/11, although since then I have had no reason to. If an opportunity to travel that requires flying comes up, I will have a lot to think about since the terrorism threat has thrown a whole new fear into my thoughts of flying.

 

[totalia]

I LOVE flying. Its such a rush.

 

[Kristi1357]

I have been afraid of flying since I was a teenager (before that I was fine). I think it is a lack of control issue with me. I am also very afraid of heights in general. I don't ride ToT anymore - I like the drops, just hate hanging there looking out high above MGM.

Anyway, I hate taking off the most. Especially the "stopping" like the pp mentioned. I thought I was the only one who thought it felt like stopping! I do have what may be termed panic attacks during this time. My feet are going a mile a minute, heart racing, sweating, etc. I am always clawing DH's hand or leg and many times I am even in tears. Once we level off, I am usually ok, but I don't enjoy it. I do watch the flight attendants very closely - I figure if they are reading, or going about their duties as normal, nothing is wrong.

We flew to Vegas 3 weeks after 9/11. I was such a wreck since we were going out of Logan also. That was the first time I asked for, and got, drugs from my Doctor. I don't remember exactly what she prescribed, but as we were taking off, I was as upset as ever and telling DH that those drugs don't work!

I like landing though - it means I am getting outta there!

I don't let this fear take control though. As much as I hate flying, I will not let it stop me from going places. I try to tell myself, if it's my time to go, it's my time to go.

At least I know am I not alone!

 

[HisEllyNelly]

I never used to mind flying but have found the older I get the more things scare me. I havent flown in more than 11 years and 9/11 had nothing to do with it(although that hasnt helped either). I think for me its also a control issue. I dont like being on anything that I cant get off of when I want to. Believe it or not...I dont think I could do a cruise either....being out in the middle of the ocean with nowhere to go to get off. Even elevators bother me...I am terrified of getting stuck in there.Lol....ok looks like I have some issues! Just seems to get worse the older I get...hahahahaha.

 

[theSurlyMermaid]

Totally agree with those who have stated (quite correctly) that with a car or train crash you have a chance of survival. There is NO chance from 20,000 feet in the air.

Also agree with those who have stated they dread the feeling of knowing you are going to die. I used to obsess about what those poor people on the planes on 9/11 were thinking and feeling...especially families with small children.

Oddly enough, I am MUCH better on international flights. I don't have any idea why. The movies?

 

[phorsenuf]

I suffer from panic and anxiety attacks. For me I need to know I have an "escape". If I'm in a car, I can pull over and get out, same with a bus or train. (of course I'd never stop one, but I know the option is there.)
A plane is out of my control. I can't just get up and walk around or get some air. I don't think the pilot would appreciate me opening a door.

It stinks....but thats how it is......

 

[daughter_of_amid_chaos]

Because it could crash.......

 

[lightningcoach]

I just got back from flying and I am one who never enjoys it. The control thing and I can't stand it when they start to reverse and slow the engines for landing. Also any turns to head toward a landing strip in air freak me out.

The plane I just flew on the flight to Michigan was filthy. There was dirt or mold growing out of the vents along the inside of the plane. They hadn't cleaned the dirty tissues from the previous flight because they were late and the side fabric panels against the walls were held together with duct tape! No Lie! It started me wondering what else was held together with duct tape.

I am always nervous when a plane is delayed because if they aren't cleaning it to get it back in the air then what else are they pushing through to appease people upset over a late flight. "Oh that bolt will hold with some sticky tack until we are able to fix it- no problem"



My return flight was better. Much cleaner plane but because Tampa was backed up dealing with flights origianlly canceled from the Hurricane a normal 10 minute descent lasted thirty minutes. Uggh- that was painful when you feel you are just floating in air in a holding pattern.

 

[Phrebert]

Landing is the scary part. I was on a flight into Denver and right before landing the plane tilted sideways and as I had a window seat above the wing I could swear the tip had hit the ground.

 

[minniepumpernickel]

I'm a little bit afraid of flying alone. I'm a disaster volunteer and The Red Cross asked me to fly (alone) to FL. I doubt that I could take off of work anyway, but why "alone"? Why can't they fly people out togethor? It just freaks me out a little bit. I can't really explain, why.

 

[MAC3]

Originally posted by FreshTressa
Umm...I'm afraid of dying. And I'm afraid of falling out of the sky. It just does not seem natural to be up so high with nothing under me.

It started for me when a plane crashed near san francisco coming up from puerto vallarta. I was on that same route just 3 months earlier.

I'm also afraid of having to experience the few minutes before a crash, knowing you are going to die.

I'm a big chicken!

From 1 Big Chicken to another, this is exactly what I would have said. So your not alone. I'll do it, but I don't have to like it. So now I drink to calm my nerves.

 

[MAC3]

Oops meant to edit my post not quote myself!

 

[jan/cape]

I get really anxious before the flight. I hate driving to the airport. I hate waiting in the airport. We once sat in a little pub before we had to make our way to the gate. It was a very small place and we were in the corner. I just couldn't stand it! I became very aggitated. Steve suggested we go for a walk and find a bigger place to sit. we did find a bigger pub, i was able to stretch out my legs. I also took a very mild prescriptipn my dr. prescribed for an hour or so before flight. I am fine by the time I get on the planeSo I guess it is the anxiety before the flight that bothers me the most.

 

[Viking]

I love flying!!!
I was in one of the first planes leaving Frankfurt for the USA just four days after 9/11. I've travelled to the USA twice more after that, also flew a couple of times to Berlin, London and Hamburg after 9/11, and this year we will be flying to the USA exactly on 9/11.
Perhaps it helps that I work in aviation, know about the laws of physics holding the plane up, know the statistics (As a single person you'll have to fly for 29,000 years until something happens to you ) , and additionally I know that the pilots would never find their way without my work - One more reason to do my job 110% and add to flight safety.