Fear of Flying

ilikedrawing

Hi everyone, i'm flying to Canada in 16 days and i'm terrified of flying. So much so that i left booking it until the last minute!

I've been flying to Canada (and many other places) since i was little and never had a problem, until i was about 13 when i got scared of heights, rides and flying etc

I know its a safe way of travelling and i should try not to worry, but its more of a control thing, i often have anxiety attacks if i'm in a friends car and not driving. A few days before the flight i stop eating and on the day of the flight i will be sick up until i get on the plane. Once on the plane i shake and feel an intense fear in the pit of my stomach. The time when im most anxious is when we taxi and then take-off.

I thought i had this covered by thinking i could watch comedy programmes on my ipod, but you cant have anything electrical on during take-off, nooooooo!

Is there any medication i can take? The only problem is i'm flying on my own and i don't want to drugged up once i get there as ive got to have a clear head! I dont mind landing as much because i know we'll be on solid ground soon!

Thanks in advance for any advice :beer:
[threadbanner]box[/threadbanner]

swiss69

Having about 5 whiskeys prior to getting on the plane usually works for me!:rotfl:

A mate said to me ...Its not a fear of flying...Its a fear of dying!

It is loss of control for me too.

I console myself with statistics.....More chance of winning the lottery so that says it all!

ilikedrawing

I could have a few drinks before i got on, take the edge off maybe. I hope it doesn't make me worse though!

lilac_lady

I have exactly the same fears as you. I fly but hate it. I'm convinced that the plane will be ok on landing as there'll be very little fuel left. (I know, I know). I've never had a bad flight but if I ever did I know I'd never fly again.

Ali_UK

How about some rescue remedy? And make sure you tell the check in person you are a nervous flyer it should influence where you are seated and they will tell the stewards etc so they will keep an eye out (but not over-fuss) for you. distract yourself with a magazine (more pictures than words incase reading makes you feel a bit off). I'm sure you'll be fine x

McKneff

I would like to add my tuppence worth. I hate flying, i have never flown
I am terrified at the thought of it. I will never get in a plane as long as i live.
I am not frightened of flying, I am frightened of crashing!!!!

All i would like to say is 'bliddy hell, mate, you have got some bottle'
Hope you get on okay (and off):rotfl:

alared

About the only thing you can do at this late stage is to go to the quacks and ask for some LORAZAPAN to help you relax.

M4RKM

alcohol.... proper people will tell you to stay away from booze, esp when flying, but, it calms your nerves, and relaxes you, which is really all you need.. if you feel relaxed, surely it will be a bit easier..

unfortunately, take off and landing you can't have your ipod on, but any other part of the flight, you can. Oh, and if the plane is reasonably empty, keep an eye out for cheap mans business class, aka 3 or 4 seats in a row emtpy, so you can stretch out and fall asleep... i did that last year to NYC, pure bliss!!

M

WiseInvestor_2

Alcohol can also heighten anxiety and most definitely impairs rational thinking, so think before you drink! Drugs are an absolute no-no for all sorts of reasons; what if you feint on Take-off? Since you're travelling alone there'll be nobody able to explain your fears or medical history to the cabin crew so they won't know for sure how to treat you. Your actions could result in the Captain having to declare a full-blown emergency simply because you're scared - and now there'll be 300 people too frightened to fly again!

Ali_UK gave good advice to TELL SOMEBODY. The check-in agent could make a comment on your booking but the cabin crew in your section almost certainly won't see this, and definitely not before Take-off. When you board mention it to the cabin crew around you and also to the passengers next to you - it's unfair to scare them when you're grappling your armrest and maybe their arm!

My advice - get to the airport nice and early. Try to get a window seat if you can as at least you'll have the option of looking where you're going or staring at the floor. From an aisle seat you won't have that choice. Some would suggest that window seats can feel more claustraphobic but in reality an aisle seat is no better as you can't stand up or run to the toilet even if you wanted to.

Get through Security as early as you can (normally up to 4 hours before Departure) and find a good seat with a good view. Watch all the other planes Taxiing around, Taking Off and Landing. If it's a busy airport like Heathrow there will be literally hundreds of movements, all completely safely. Try not to stare at the Departures board like a boiling kettle as you'll only keep reminding yourself of the time. Set an alarm for one hour before scheduled departure to check the Board and make your way calmly to your Departure Gate. Get there in good time and talk to somebody, about anything - especially all the things you're planning to do in Canada.

Don't rush to the front of the queue to Board as you'll only have to spend more time in your seat getting worried, although don't wait until the last minute either as you should stay as relaxed as possible and you'll want some time to familiarise yourself with your surroundings. Take time to look for the toilets - count the rows if it would help - set up your air vent if there's one above you and work out how to switch on your reading light. Have a flick through the inflight magazine to see what you'd like to watch during your meal.

Don't stare at your watch. Don't keep reading the Safety Card - once should be enough as the cabin crew will show you everything you need to know. Try to stick to water (not alcohol, coffee or fizzy drinks) in the Terminal as your body will feel more relaxed when it's properly hydrated. But visit the toilet before Boarding as you won't want to be strapped in with a full bladder! Even if you're not a chatty person make the effort to speak to the people next to you as it will make the wait pass more quickly.

When you're offered a drink after Take Off order a glass of water AND whatever tipple you enjoy as it's far better to gulp water than vodka! Don't rush your meal as indegestion is uncomfortable when added to the slight pressure changes in the cabin. Make regular visits to the toilet (at least once an hour) simply to keep your limbs moving, not just to guard against a Deep Vein Thrombosis which is VERY rare but because you'll feel more refreshed on arrival if your body hasn't been motionless for hours.

Above all, relax and try to remember what you enjoyed about flying when you were little. It's VERY exciting! Plan your journey so you won't have to rush, chat to everybody to occupy your mind but mention to your cabin crew that you're nervous if you think it would help. Enjoy.

M4RKM

aaah... someone there with some very sensible ideas there...

lisyloo

I used to be scared of flying as a passenger (and it's definitely a control thing cos I'm a qualified pilot).

Might be too long term for you right now but I cured myself by reading disaster books and watching disaster documentaries.
That might sound really odd but I belive it's a well known technique called "desensitization" (which I didn't know when I embarked upon it).
It has definitely worked for me.

Short term I found alchohol worked well although I'd go for spirits and not volume in case you get constrained in your seat for any length of time.
I got a good telling off when I went to the loo near landing.