Fear of flying

[Jono8]

I don't like it but i still do it. What makes me get on the plane is the old " what is the point in living if you can't live?"

I'm not going through my life never going abroad/on holiday so i just get on with it. Every year i get less and less nervous

 

[anything I don't mind]

The worst part of a plane ride is the take off and the landing. You have more chance of dieing in a shark attack than a terrorist attack on a plane. In most cases it is not pilot malfunction that has caused problems but aircraft problems. Weather is also a problem. I still do not know why they don't put parachutes under the seats and not life jackets. But this other guy said that if they did that you would be lucky to clear the engines.

 

[Twentyone]

I just have a drink, at least then I stop noticing the plane tilting all the time

I only hate flying over seas though, if the whole trip is over land it doesn't matter. I go travelling by plane maybe 4-5 times a year and it's only recently I've started hating it since I started noticing the tilting Take off sucks too because it feels like the plane is going to flip. Landing is awesome fun!

 

[Maccapacca]

I love flying love taking off love landing love rough bouncy rides but can't stand the claustrophobia, I'm literally crawling in my skin and trying not to have a complete panic attack for 9 hours, now I have two kids I couldn't think of anything worse.

Next time I'm drugging up and letting the wife deal with the kids

 

[pingwing]

I always wonder why people are scared of flying?? I love it and just can't picture why it inspires fear??

Anyone have any explanation?

 

[dal]

I have watched just all the air crash investigation programs and to start with it did make me more nervous about flying but by watching them then seeing the fixes they make after the crash it made me realise that flying these days is so safe its unreal, I dont think I'd recommend it for overcoming your fear of flying though - I think Id try getting somthing from the doctor.

I had a flying lesson for a birthday present a few years ago in a cessna, I was only in the air 20 minutes but I loved it, shame I cant afford to have more lessons really.

 

[Squark]

I love flying, turbulence and other things don't bother me in the least, but I can't stand the lack of space on a commercial flight (I don't have the money for an upgrade )

 

[Jono8]

I always wonder why people are scared of flying?? I love it and just can't picture why it inspires fear??

Anyone have any explanation?

You know what i don't like? Its the fact that if something bad happens you are likely to know you are going to die as you plummet to the Earth.

People alwasy say that you are more likely to die being knocked over by a car or when you are driving but that would be a sudden instant collision.

On a plane....you will probably have to come to terms with death as you plummet 1000's feet into the earth

 

[Natwee]

Valium works for me.

 

[Twentyone]

You know what i don't like? Its the fact that if something bad happens you are likely to know you are going to die as you plummet to the Earth.

People alwasy say that you are more likely to die being knocked over by a car or when you are driving but that would be a sudden instant collision.

On a plane....you will probably have to come to terms with death as you plummet 1000's feet into the earth

Exactly.

It's the thing that you will be able to think you are dying before you do.

 

[pingwing]

You know what i don't like? Its the fact that if something bad happens you are likely to know you are going to die as you plummet to the Earth.

People alwasy say that you are more likely to die being knocked over by a car or when you are driving but that would be a sudden instant collision.

On a plane....you will probably have to come to terms with death as you plummet 1000's feet into the earth

Never thought of it like that, mainly as they just seem not to crash with any regularity

Would you rather have it over and done with quickly say in a car crash or being hit by a car? I am personally much more wary of these than getting on a plane just as they could happen without my control either way.

 

[Glaucus]

You could attend a "fear of flying" course which may or may not help. Worth a shot though! www.aviatours.co.uk

If you go see your GP, they can prescribe you something to reduce your anxiety.

Was going to suggest this. If you understand how it all works. You are going to be less scared of the uknowen, as you'll have a good idea.

 

[neoglow]

Ive never understood fears and phobias, dont get me wrong Im not taking the michael cos Im scared of spiders, hate the things. God knows why cos the average house spider is tiny compared to me. I think its their unpredictability (grown up word lol), when they suddenly dart off in any direction. Any other creepy crawly dosent bother me, or anything for that matter, just those 8 legged crickers.

>shudders...

 

[semi-pro waster]

I always wonder why people are scared of flying?? I love it and just can't picture why it inspires fear??

Anyone have any explanation?

For some people I suspect it's the loss of a perception of control - on a plane you're definitely not in control of where it is going (and if you are then I don't think pilot is the ideal job for someone with a phobia of flying...) while in a car for instance you will probably perceive yourself as being in near full control so despite it being many times more "dangerous" per mile travelled being in a car the fact that you think you can do something about your situation makes it psychologically different.

 

[Natwee]

For some people I suspect it's the loss of a perception of control - on a plane you're definitely not in control of where it is going (and if you are then I don't think pilot is the ideal job for someone with a phobia of flying...) while in a car for instance you will probably perceive yourself as being in near full control so despite it being many times more "dangerous" per mile travelled being in a car the fact that you think you can do something about your situation makes it psychologically different.

This is exactly it for me.

 

[pingwing]

For some people I suspect it's the loss of a perception of control - on a plane you're definitely not in control of where it is going (and if you are then I don't think pilot is the ideal job for someone with a phobia of flying...) while in a car for instance you will probably perceive yourself as being in near full control so despite it being many times more "dangerous" per mile travelled being in a car the fact that you think you can do something about your situation makes it psychologically different.

Ah yeah I can see how that can create a fear of sorts, can that then translate to other types of transport like Trains where you are a complete passenger for the trip?

I assume it's also then like that first time you get in a car as a passenger after you pass the driving test, you feel back on the wrong side of the road (and air break a few times which always makes me laugh)

 

[Twentyone]

Ah yeah I can see how that can create a fear of sorts, can that then translate to other types of transport like Trains where you are a complete passenger for the trip?

For me personally I see that different as I'm still on ground and was something to happen that doesn't kill me instantly I still have a chance to escape.

 

[Tbid]

There really isn't anything to worry about



Except

Terrorist Hijack.
Engine Failure.
Fuselage Failure.
Catastrophic storm damage.
Incapacitated Pilots..

But in all seriousness how about organising a trip in a light aircraft?

It may seem ridiculous but it's not hugely expensive for a short flight and you should be able to get some stick time and see that flying's perfectly fine..Just a thought.

 

[ThePirateHulk]

I'm more scared of driving that flying.

With flying at least I know there is a trained professional in control of every plane in the sky. You have no such luxry with cars.

 

[Energize]

Benzodiazepines are the easiest solution to the problem. You can take them everytime you go flying and they will help you sleep much better on the flight too.