Fear of Flying

okwannahi

I don't understand. The death rate of flight is 1/4023 and the one via car is 1/247. You fear flight? I think you should fear going out by car first.

WiseInvestor_2

Most people can drive so even as a passenger they have an understanding of what's happening around them. Flying is very different as it's an alien environment to most people, although in reality EVERY Pilot is SIGNIFICANTLY better trained than EVERY driver on the roads. It would be like driving on a motorway surrounded by highly trained and highly experienced Traffic Cops for whom safety is their absolutely number one priority.

thatsfabulous

okwannahi wrote: »

I don't understand. The death rate of flight is 1/4023 and the one via car is 1/247. You fear flight? I think you should fear going out by car first.

I see what you are saying Okwannahi but you dont get on a plane everyday like you get in your car everyday do you?

Ilikedrawing: I am cabin crew and for my flying is like just getting in my car or doing something else i do every day or every other day however i understand that for other people its not like that and so do all cabin crew, for some people they fly only once or twice a year.
My advice to you would be
* Arrive early to the airport early so that your not getting stressed rushing to check in, get through security etc Take your time, going an airport like flying is not sometime you will do everyday and so you will prob get anxious by just being there. As another memeber said dont be afraid to look at the other planes why you are waiting and to prepare yourself

* At check in if there is a certain place on the aircraft you would like to sit ask, so to speak there is no ' safest place to sit on a plane' however you may prefer to sit at the front or rear of the plane. Also only you will know ( each person is different) some passengers who have fears of flying dont like to look outside the window on take off/ landing which of course is fine although you dont have to just bear in mind that for take off and landing window blinds must be open.

* Remember turbulance is normal, it happens on every single flight only sometimes you notice it and sometimes you wont ( its not that it doesnt happen on some flights and does on others) Passengers will ask me ' is this bad turbulance' when its just a little bumpy and as i think to myself, what turbulance? i dont notice it, its like going over speed bumps in your car...

Also remember noises are normal again to bring it back to your car you know doing certain things changing gear etc will make certain noises.

* Tell you cabin crew I by no means think will they cure your fear flying but they will put you at ease with noises, take off etc and try and make your flight as relaxing and enjoyable for you.

* Think of the outcome.... Keep thinking of how much of a lovely time you will have when you get to Canada and think positive you WILL do it!!

Good luck!!

alared

Fear of flying can be mainly put down to,not being in control or claustrophobia.

Infidel

Just one word of advice, as it's a long haul flight, i'd be very careful with taking too much medication (or even alcohol) that may 'knock you out' as DVT could become more of a problem.

Tarry

What about talking to your GP for something to help relax you but not knock you out?

ilikedrawing

Thanks for all the advice everyone, you've been really helpful :T

Ive looked into medication, and i've realised theres too many possible side effects and its hard to control the drowsiness etc Alcohol is something i'll think about on the day, i've got a feeling it could make me worse. So i'll definatley get some rescue remedy and maybe some Kalms.

Like i say its mainly take-off, once we've been in the air for half an hour i calm down, unless theres major turbulence! Once i can watch Alan Partridge or another show i should be ok because it helps my anxiety a lot.

I sound like a complete drip i know, but im not! haha

okwannahi - I don't understand. The death rate of flight is 1/4023 and the one via car is 1/247. You fear flight? I think you should fear going out by car first.

I'm anxious about that aswell!

Most fears are irrational and psychological, i get very anxious when i'm not in control, even being a passenger in a car, i like to drive as my fate is mainly under my control.

IClaudius

what about trying hypnotherapy?

WiseInvestor_2

ilikedrawing wrote: »

i like to drive as my fate is mainly under my control.

This is where perception and reality differ. Every time you get into your car you run the VERY real risk that another driver will make a mistake and hit you, even though you're driving 100% safely.

Even IF (and that's a massive IF!) a Pilot drifted off-course there are airspace restrictions in place that prevent him from getting anywhere close to another aircraft. And even then aircraft have special proximity computers that alert to potential 'threats' and steer Pilots toward safety.

Fear of flying is very real and not insignificant, but the facts outweigh the myths and there's every chance your flight will go just as smoothly as all the other hundreds of thousands that Take Off and Land across the World, every single day.

Carol444_2

When I was about to take my driving test (about 10 years ago now) I took Kalms, they have to be taken for a week before you do the thing you are afraid of as they gradually build up in your system.
They do what it says on the packet and make you calm and relaxed without getting tired.
Unfortunately for me my body wasn't too keen on them and the day before my test I was well sick and removed the lot from my system.
I would still use them as they do work but I would not take them for 7 days like I tried to do last time, I would take them for 4 or 5 days beforehand instead.