Frightened of flying? Virgin, flying without fear

dug123

My son is 17 years old and has always point blank refused to fly. He has had a few phobias (he once got stuck in a lift which did not help) and no amount of bribary would change his mind. Every summer we have had to drive to France or Spain. For the past couple of years during winter we have been to the Canaries and left him at home dog sitting.
We always wanted him to fly because we were afraid of all the opportunities he may miss (holidays with friends, a girlfriend / wife who wants to fly, business trips etc) Who knows what the future holds?
So we spotted the Virgin flying without fear course last week and fortunately they had a course running at Manchester this Sunday (25/04) and he agreed to go.
I dropped him at the Hilton hotel about 7:00am ready for the course which started at 07:30am and went home waiting for the phone call - come and collect me I want to leave!
They had talks by airline pilots and crew who explained all about flying and all the safety features and a talk by a psychologist who explained about fear. They had a meal at lunchtime and then headed over the road to Manchester airport for a 30 minute flight :eek:
During the flight the captain explained all the noises and they all knew what to expect from the morning lectures.
At about 3:30 I went to pick him up and as I was sat waiting I saw people passing who had obviously been flying as they all had a certificate (signed by Richard Branson) to say they had done it. I fully expected my son to shuffle out and apologise for wasting our money as he had refused to fly but he turned up with his certificate and a BIG grin on his face
He loved it and cannot wait to fly again.
My wife has been in tears virtually ever since and we have been on the internet looking for deal for the summer.
I am absolutely impressed, I cannot believe it. It cost us £199 + VAT and was the best £233 we have ever spent.
I know lots of people are frightened of flying and I would urge you to give it a go.
The other thing that impressed him is that Paddy McGuinness was there on the course (the comedian), apparantly he has flown before, but only after about 10 pints!
The website is:
http://www.flyingwithoutfear.info/
Thank you Virgin.

littlereddevil

Excellent news for your family, well done him

delwynshd

Im really scared of flying believe it or not being in the profession Im in lol

I cant control my emotions on take off and burst into tears, shake and turn bright red lol not much of a man am I lol

I have flew loads of times more than I can count but the last few years I have stopped going as my fear is becoming worse

Im due to fly with easyjet to Barcelona on the 11th May and im dreading it,I flew with JET2 to Paris in November and the planes seemed really old and shook alot on takeoff wasnt a good experience.

Two weeks to prepare myself stocking up on the calms tablets already lol

Del

spiro

delwynsholidaydeals wrote: »

Im really scared of flying believe it or not being in the profession Im in lol

I cant control my emotions on take off and burst into tears, shake and turn bright red lol not much of a man am I lol

I have flew loads of times more than I can count but the last few years I have stopped going as my fear is becoming worse

Im due to fly with easyjet to Barcelona on the 11th May and im dreading it,I flew with JET2 to Paris in November and the planes seemed really old and shook alot on takeoff wasnt a good experience.

Two weeks to prepare myself stocking up on the calms tablets already lol

Del

Half or whole valium before each flight, doctors will prescribe them for you. I know people who swear by this.

richardw

I'm more worried about the more likely event of being hit as a pedestrian by a cyclist or car when the driver is having a fag or on their mobile.

I have no fear of flying mainly because I've already been in an aircraft during a rare severe electric storm way back in 1996.

weezypoos

Thanks for posting this, I'm so pleased for you and your son! It's nice to know that £199 won't be wasted as I've toyed with this idea for many years now.

I too burst into tears on take off and then pretty much for the rest of the flight. So far, I haven't let it stop me flying but it really does ruin the start and end of our holiday.

I've met so many lovely people who have held my hand on take off and landing and explained what everything is (complete strangers)!

I have valium which doesn't really help, the doctor told me that last time, I took enough to sedate a horse!!

I will be looking into the course.

delwynshd

I have just looked on youtube at some vids and they help by explaining noises

Im ok after 15 mins but still very on edge for the rest of the flight for some reason I just asume that my plane is gonna just drop ou the sky its rediculous lol

I hate take off but love the landing I think its knowing im coming back down to earth

katiestar1

I thihnk this is absolutely fantastic! I have never heard of a training day like this. A friend of mine is really scared of flying and it is becoming more and more of a problem.

I will definitely be recommending a course like this - brilliant find.

Thank you!

Bongedone

My other half did this at Heathrow last year. She used to have to take lots of valium and get drunk to even enter an aeroplane.

We went to Croatia 2 weeks after the course and she had no issues with the flight. She said she still did not like flying but she was not scared anymore.

I have also noticed that she has lost her fear of spiders as a side effect. She used to go running and screaming out of the room. Now she just calmly asks me to get it out.

We have actually booked our honeymmon to Mexico this year as she feels she can handle the longer flight. Next year we will go and visit my sister in Australia which was not possible till now.

I had my doubts but this course is the best money we have spent.

So I agree, well done Virgin.

Bongedone

weezypoos wrote: »

I too burst into tears on take off and then pretty much for the rest of the flight. So far, I haven't let it stop me flying but it really does ruin the start and end of our holiday.

Was the same for my OH before the course. Two weeks before the holiday she was a nightmare. Then one week before coming back she would ruin it by worrying again.

moonrakerz

BA do them all round the UK and Eire.

http://www.aviatours.co.uk/