Has Anyone Cured their Fear of flying?

piglet74

The same "friend" also told me that the oxygen that dropped down was of no medical use, but just to calm you down!

Again,.. Why do I torture myself like this ;-)

securityguy

piglet74 wrote: »

The same "friend" also told me that the oxygen that dropped down was of no medical use, but just to calm you down!

He is, of course, talking nonsense.

http://www.theairlinepilots.com/medical/decompressionandhypoxia.htm

trolleyrun

Piglet74, you need some new friends, I'm afraid. I don't know why they've told such a load of rubbish, but I'd happily shake them (a little bit) and tell them to stop talking nonsense.

There are no parachutes for anyone on commercial aircraft. As I've said before, the doors cannot be opened in flight, so a parachute would have no use anyways. For that matter, you would be safer inside the aircraft than outside.

The brace position is to protect your head and spine, mainly. Nothing to do with teeth.

Please - I beg you - do not watch "Air crash investigation" or similar programs if you're scared of flying. It's not helpful. Also, just pure facts make terribly boring tv, so they embellish as much as they can get away with. Ignore the media when it comes to anything to do with flying. They don't know what they're talking about, so they make it up - purely to scare people.

In view of statistics, if anyone thinks they're nearer to crashing because of flying several times, then what about me? I've done at least 6000 flights in my life and I've never been involved in anything dramatic. No emergencies at all. I've never feared for my life whilst at work.

Aircraft in what we call the western world are incredibly well maintained. Everything is checked, checked again and then some more. Aircraft go through daily, weekly, monthly etc checks. It takes longer to train as an aircraft engineer than it does to be a pilot.

Please remember that no crew are suicidal. We all have friends and families to go home to, so we're not going to "chance it". If we're in doubt, we call the engineers. Our engineers are top notch, there is no doubt about that.

Feel free to fire more questions at me. Hopefully, you'll gain more knowledge (facts, not hearsay) and can then think about flying in a different way.

I'll try to explain more about turbulence later if anyone is interested (that's usually a big scary bit for a lot of people)

Oh, and the drop down oxygen gives you concentrated oxygen. It is definitely a must in a decompression! Think of it this way: all companies want to save money. Why on earth would any airline spend a vast amount of money on "fake" oxygen masks? These systems cost a lot of money to maintain, and it's because it is needed in the UNLIKELY event of a decompression (I still haven't experienced one).

mel48rose

colleensims wrote: »

Love this thread.

I have a big fear of flying. Went on a plane for the first time when I was 17 (now 27) and have been on one almost every year since but I literally hate it! Even if I see a plane outside and I have my feet firmly on the ground I feel sorry and emotional for the people on board. I love our holiday when I get there but the plane journey ruins the excitement for me. I am flying to America again in June and although I should be excited, I feel like I am preparing to die.
We got a dog in November,he is like my baby, I feel that I am putting myself in danger by going on holiday and my husband and I might not come home and see him again.
When we go on a plane, I always tell my mum and friends what to do with my house, car and belongings if I die:eek: Its like I fully expect to die.
The worst things for me are.......
1)Waiting at the airport. I end up needing the toilet (I dont mean a wee) about 10 times before take off, It has a massive laxative effect on me!
2)My husband love to go to the airport and enjoy a massive breakfast and stuff before the flight. This annoys me as I am thinking 'whats the point of eating if we are going to die anyway'.....stupid I know!
3)As someone mentioned, with every sucessful trip (one where we havent crashed) I am always thinking the odds become more likely that you will have an accident.
4) I HATE HATE HATE takeoff. The noises, the angle of the plane. I usually put sunglasses on and cry. I get worse with everytrip.
5) I look around me and get everyone else doesnt look concerned. This annoys me even more as it makes me feel like a complete idiot.
6) I am constantly on the lookout for secret signals between the crew and pilots. If one goes into the flightdeck I start to worry that there is something wrong when in reality the pilots are just having a drink taken to them or somethings.
7) I hate a love/hate feeling for the pilot. I want to hug and kiss the pilot when we have landed safely, but if I spot the pilot going to toilet during the flight, I feel sick.
8) I cant believe they dont have parachutes onboard!!!!!! What good is a life jacket going to doing when you are thousands of feet in the air flying across America?

I shall stop writing now as the list goes on and on and on. I just want to enjoy my holiday!! Any pilots on here, with any facts that will make me feel better? thanks

I had to laugh when reading this but could identify with every single word. Why are we like this?? It sounds so irrational when you write it down. Wish we could just fly without a problem. :rotfl:

Gillby1

trolleyrun wrote: »

Feel free to fire more questions at me. Hopefully, you'll gain more knowledge (facts, not hearsay) and can then think about flying in a different way.

Trolleyrun, can i just say a huge thanks for taking the time to post, as a couple of your comments have made me feel much, much better about my planned flight. Same to anyone else who's posted helpful information. It really makes a difference!

(Slightly less terrified) Gillby x

trolleyrun

Thank you Gillby1 for your lovely words. I will keep trying Replies might be a bit delayed in the next few days as I have to go do what I do best I will check in though (pardon the pun) and answer as and when I can

Gillby1

Thanks Trolleyrun. Have you ever experienced any severe turbulence?

For anyone who is worried by turbulence, there's a helpful article on the Telegraph website, here. The pilot says that severe turbulence is so rare, he has only experienced it one in 10,000 flying hours, and even then it isn't dangerouns - it just feels scary!

Still waiting for my Alan Carr book to arrive...

Gloomendoom

That is a good link. As it says, if you only fly once or twice a year, you are unlikely ever to experience severe turbulence. I have, once, but then I used to fly a lot with my job.

As for the other sorts of turbulence, in my experience, the worst that can happen is that food and drinks stop being served.

trolleyrun

I've experienced moderate turbulence but not severe. I know it feels like you're being shaken about quite a bit, but it's not dangerous. Sometimes, crew get told to sit down as well, but it's only so we don't injure ourselves or the passengers. I usually compare it to waves in the ocean. The only difference is that you can see the waves. I'll explain more as and when I can, as I have to go find an aircraft

colleensims

Gillby1 wrote: »

Trolleyrun, can i just say a huge thanks for taking the time to post, as a couple of your comments have made me feel much, much better about my planned flight. Same to anyone else who's posted helpful information. It really makes a difference!

(Slightly less terrified) Gillby x

Yes thankyou!:D Trolleyrun, when you have time could you tell us more about turbulance. I want to know everything. Thank you very much