Anyone else here have a problem with flying?

Lysander

Lysander

Lysander

Capodecina
Soldato
Joined
1 Aug 2005
Posts
20,005
Location
Flatland
I feel a bit odd for making this thread but at the same time I want to share. For years I never had any problems with getting in a plane and went to various countries - Italy, France, Spain, Poland, USA etc with no problems at all. Then in 2005, after regular travel to and back from Holland, I started to gradually develop a fear of flying to the point where I was taking the ferry to places rather than a plane [which takes a LOT longer].

Since then I have been on planes once or twice - to Holland again, and back over to the USA - but I don't find it enjoyable at all. I'm off to Portugal tomorrow and wondered if anyone here had tips for getting through the flight.
 
iPod with in-ear headphones that block out all the surrounding sound! It's the only way - I can't believe I only got mine so recently. Absolutely no need to put up with the sound of horrible jet engines, and you can pretend you're sat at home listening to music :)
 
Don't drink alcohol.

Have you considered doing one of these "Fear of flying" courses? It's an all day course where you speak to pilots, engineers, air traffic controllers, cabin crew etc. They all explain what they do and the responsibility they have towards safety.

The day ends with a short flight to help you overcome the fear. They usually fly out of Stansted or Luton.
 
I totally **** myself on takeoff. Flying to Turkey in August, first flight in about 7/8 years. Thinking about what it feels like taking off makes me feel ill and scared. Grr.

Rest of the flight i'm ok, ridiculous!
 
Scuzi said:
Don't drink alcohol.
Click to expand...

Oh, why not? On my last flight to the USA it really helped.

I have considered the course and may look into doing one depending on how bad things get. Not too bad, hopefully. I'm trying to isolate the source of my concern and it seems to stem from

a] not understanding how a plane can stay up
b] worrying about strange noises the plane makes which may mean a vital part has failed [possibly ridiculous, but there you go]
c] turbulence and the plane losing control
d] any other cause of power/engine failure

I know that a lot of these are daft - and probably perfectly common as well. But they seem to be the main things I get worried about.
 
I hate flying but I always think, "the people who fly the planes have as much fondness of the prospect of dying as I do so I will just go with it knowing they will get me there with their best effort safe and in one piece".
 
I used to love flying and have flown to so many places before such as USA, Canada, Turkey, Greece, Canary Islands etc. etc.

Around 15 or so i developed anxiety and whilst my anxiety is not as bad as it was (im 23 now) flying is worse now than ever and it really is becoming a problem.

If i have to fly the best way is to block out the surroundings. As someone said listen to some music, get an eye mask to cover your eyes and take your mind off of what is happening.

It has got to a point now with myself that it is almost not worth the hassle putting myself through this and i do not want to put myself on any medication so i was considering some form of hypnotherapy.
 
The only problem I have with flying is the ridiculous manner in which most passengers are treated in British airports, the notion of budget airlines that end up charging you twelve different surcharges, and and industry that keeps adding more fuel charges, despite having massive tax subsidies from the government.

Other then that, no problem. Planes are quite fun.
 
Lysander said:
Oh, why not? On my last flight to the USA it really helped.
Click to expand...
Because quite often perfectly normal people who are afraid of flying take a few drinks and the alcohol mixed with their fear can make them do something stupid such as become violent. It happens more often than you would think.
 
I once told a mate who had never been on a plane to get a window seat and only worry about anything if he saw the wings bending, he was a bit off with me when he came back, lmao.
 
As for watching Air Crash Investigation..

I remember watching 'Why planes go down' two weeks before my first flight aged 14. The sole reason being it was presented by Gillian Anderson and I fancied the pants off her at the time (who didn't!) :p
 
Lysander said:
Exactly - they should be sturdy but they wobble about all over the place!
Click to expand...

They need to flex or they would cause undue stress on the airframe and following this structural failiure, even buildings that look rock solid flex to some degree, the flexible properties help cope with,

Heat and cold, turbulence and many other factors.
 
Doesn't bother me- I fly all the time though, and have had my fair share of stormy conditions... Even had the oxygen masks drop down on the way back from Brussels a few weeks ago, I still don't mind. (Yes it was a real emergency- cabin depressurisation), but we landed OK.

The GF HATES it though, sweaty palms every time the plane goes up, down, or anything and she gets really really stressed when it gets turbulent...
 
I'm terrified of flying! :(

I find a few drinks, Kalms and a distraction helps but it doesn't make you less scared!

I really love plane food, though! :)
 
my fear of flying is such now that I simply cant even bear the thought of flying any more, not been on a plane now for 2 years and have no intention of ever getting back on one if it can be helped. During that last time I took a couple of tranqs and had a few beers and they didn't even touch the sides never mind take the edge of it. To me now its got to the point where the prospect of flying affects me for months leading up to the flight (steepness nights, nightmares and anxiety attacks etc etc etc) and then ruins the holiday as i panic about the return journey so its simply not worth it anymore.

I know its totally irrational and i'm aware the risks are minute and i dare say i could get some help but if i'm honest I don't want to be cured, I simply don't want to fly ever again (if that makes sence)

LOAM
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom