Timid flyer....

[Unofficial627]

When we go down to WDW, we will be flying. Now, I haven't flown since I was about 7 or 8 (I'm 16 now), and with all of this tightened security and whatever else you have to go through, I'm getting this idea that flying isn't exactly the best way to go... anyone else out there go through the same thing? I'm just afraid once I get up there, something's going to go wrong, like the engine goes out or something else that only happens in like one flight out of 100,000,000. I've heard flying is safer that riding in a car, but still, it's as if nothing will go wrong with the hundreds of flights that go out a day, except for mine. So has anyone else gone through this? If so, how did you handle it? Did you just grit your teeth and do it? Any help would be appreciated greatly!

 

[inkkognito]

Believe it or not, even though I fly to Orlando at least once or twice a month, I am scared to death of flying! I guess I'm more scared to death of a 24 hour journey vs. 2 hours, but no matter how often I fly, I can't shake the fear.
Check out www.fearofflyinghelp.com
It's a great website that explains how planes are airworthy, what all those strange noises are, why they cut the engines when they're getting ready to land, etc. It really helped me a lot. Also, get a good humor book like "Plane Insanity." That book is so funny that it actually kept my mind off of a vicious patch of turbulence that normally would have had me leaving fingerprints in my armrest.
I also like to try to get an exit row because psychologically I can tell myself that I'll be one of the first off if anything happens.
Hope this helps!
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[mcnuss]

But I am not so great in a car, either!

I mostly take lots of deep breaths, try to relax, and do something I enjoy. Bring music, and if you have one, a portable DVD player, to help pass the time and take your mind off things.

Also, one of the things that used to scare me was the sound of the engines when the slow down or speed up. So now I remind myself that when I drive, I accelerate and decelerate all the time, and that's all that's happening. And a pilot once told me to think of turbulence as just bumps in the road. That does help me.

If you were a little older, I might recommend Valium, but at 16 you're too young!

 

[Harambe]

One trick I use is to get a good look at the pilot and flight attendants. I picture them doing their jobs then heading home to their families for dinner. They fly for a living! Day in and day out, getting up in the air! If they're not worried, why should I be!

My BIL works for GE in the plane engines department. He says each plane is designed to have many backup engines and procedures, and tells me flying is safe.

There you go! My last resort is to close my eyes and picture the wonderful palm tress all over WDW!

Funny thing is I'm always nervous flying down, but don't care a bit flying home. Too depressed!!!!!!

 

[Unofficial627]

Thanks for all the reenforcements!! It's good to hear that I'm not alone with the whole 'scared of flying' thing. I'll definantly have music with me and a ton of homework, so that should keep my mind off of things for a while.
Thanks again!!!