im so scared of flying ;(

joolsybools

Really great advice from Ephemera.

I would also suggest taking up yoga and doing a good hour or 2 session before you fly - this will make you feel much more relaxed. You may not have time to go to a class or get a DVD before you go but I would recommend taking it up in the future. Some of the techniques Ephemera has posted will be part of a good yoga class and these techniques are great for everyday life stresses, not just flying!

Good luck! x

swiss69

vixarooni wrote: »

When i take off i get my boyfriend to sing and i sing along. It helps take my mind off it cos you gotta keep singing. I look an !!!! but i just have to sing to keep my mind off it, then if i get scared again i sing again. Try it, (quietly!) ha

Remind me not to sit next to you! Reminds me of the singing nun on airplane!

It is not a fear of flying that people have it is a fear of dying!

Blue264

swiss69 wrote: »

It is not a fear of flying that people have it is a fear of dying!

In my totally amateur research, I've found that most people who have a severe fear of flying are actually scared of losing control. They fully realise that they have given complete control to another person whom they rarely see but do hear. It feels very wrong! The pilot becomes their god for a few hours.
Often, the same people are the worst back seat drivers.

I work in the business travel and can count the people who are 100% comfortable with flying on one hand. You can throw all the statistics in the World at them but it doesn't work.
When you catch a bus or get a taxi into town, you can see the driver. Even though the stats clearly state that there is far more risk in these methods of transport, their fears are allayed because they have sight of the driver.

My ex wasn't bothered about flying until one time when we were flying to Naples. He was so bad that I honestly thought he would refuse to board the flight.
I managed to get him to the gate and he saw that there were about 30 nuns at the front of the queue. That's when he uttered the immortal words..."I'll be ok now because if there is a God, he doesn't take down his own."

sturll

Blue264 wrote: »

In my totally amateur research, I've found that most people who have a severe fear of flying are actually scared of losing control. They fully realise that they have given complete control to another person whom they rarely see but do hear. It feels very wrong! The pilot becomes their god for a few hours.
Often, the same people are the worst back seat drivers.

I work in the business travel and can count the people who are 100% comfortable with flying on one hand. You can throw all the statistics in the World at them but it doesn't work.
When you catch a bus or get a taxi into town, you can see the driver. Even though the stats clearly state that there is far more risk in these methods of transport, their fears are allayed because they have sight of the driver.

My ex wasn't bothered about flying until one time when we were flying to Naples. He was so bad that I honestly thought he would refuse to board the flight.
I managed to get him to the gate and he saw that there were about 30 nuns at the front of the queue. That's when he uttered the immortal words..."I'll be ok now because if there is a God, he doesn't take down his own."

I was in Mexico a few years ago at Cancun. There was a young woman sat shaking and crying uncontrollably. She really was a wreck.

A few hours into the flight and i spotted her sat laughing watching an in flight movie.

Blue264

sturll wrote: »

A few hours into the flight and i spotted her sat laughing watching an in flight movie.

Absorbed in something else and totally distracted.
It's all about your own imagination. If you believe you are in your own living room watching a movie, that's where you will be and you will feel secure.

I saw a girl at McCarran airport (back in 1997) so absolutley drunk that she had to be carried onto the plane. This wouldn't happen now, but it was what she needed to get through the flight.

yummymummyoftwo

thanks for all your replies
i couldnt get to sleep last night for thinking about it i finally nodded off at 3 o clock,im not even tired yet,
i feel sick deep inside my stomach,everyone just laughs at me and say im being silly,i am trying not to think about it but its always at the back of my head,

Marty_J

yummymummyoftwo wrote: »

everyone just laughs at me and say im being silly

The thing is, when you touch down in the US, you'll be saying you were silly too.

Stephen_Leak

For the love of God, do not get drunk. If you are really still that worried, get a couple of "Micky Finns" from your GP.

I don't like flying, because it's so boring. And noisy. Imagine spending X hours in a tumble dryer. Being a science fiction fan, I just imagine it's a long interstellar space flight, and go to (hyper)sleep.

cabbage

Sam_Bee wrote: »

If the fear of flying could seriously impact anyones upcoming holiday, I would seriously recommend considering this:

http://flyingwithoutfear.info/index.htm

It could be the best £200 you ever spent.

I did this course in November 07. I've flown to two different destinations this year after not being able to fly for 17 years due to fright and claustrophobia. Its the best £200 (+vat) that I have ever spent. If you don't have time to do a course before you go, then sign up for the newsletters and read the forums. Millions of people dont like flying like you and they are all ordinary succesful people.

My top tips: don't drink alcohol - you will feel worse
Look out of the window on take off and landing (try standing up and turning around with your eyes shut and then with them open - you'll see what I mean)
You can't control your surroundings or the aircraft or crew but you can control your thoughts and your breathing. Kepp your thoughts positive and your breaths normal
Its impossible to feel scared if you laugh or are relaxed
Tell the crew and check in - they are trained to help you
Think positive thoughts and say them out loud (I know its daft but it works) things like "isn't this exciting" "I can't wait to get to ..... destination>
If you are going via Virgin Atlantic they have a radio channel devoted to their relaxation expert David Landau - he's very good!

Flying is very very safe. The plane is mot'd every week and checked before each flight. Everything has a double safety mechanism ie two engines, 16 wheels, enough fuel to fly for hours plus journey time. The staff have to answer safety questions each and every time they fly.

Don't read the daft replies on here about crashing etc - its no help whatsoever. Millions of flights take off around the world every day - they don't make the news as "flight lands safely after non eventful flight" isn't newsworthy. The pilots and crew would not put themselves in danger on a daily basis - its perfectly safe.

RedBern

getting on to a plane is like boarding a bus - there's the conductor - who's a lady, you show her your ticket and you sit down. Don't look out the window - get an aisle seat and just think about getting on a bus but staying on it for 8 hours! It is as safe. I used to be really worried but this has helped me get through flights.