Flying tomorrow - nervous!

Heliflyguy

Well to buck the trend I love taking off, thundering along the runway engines roaring, experiencing the feeling of the plane lifting off, a slight feeling of weightlessness.
Then rising above the clouds, cant beat it.
Landing is ho hum.

hgotsparkle

Heliflyguy wrote: »

Well to buck the trend I love taking off, thundering along the runway engines roaring, experiencing the feeling of the plane lifting off, a slight feeling of weightlessness.
Then rising above the clouds, cant beat it.
Landing is ho hum.

I'm with you, I love flying and find both take off and landing worryingly exciting! I also love when the plane changes direction and tips to one side and it looks as though from the window, that you've tipped 90 degees, of course you haven't, but it looks amazing!
I would love to be cabin crew, but unfortunately, I can't swim

belfastgirl23

I have been a nervous flyer in the past. Which is a problem if you live in Northern Ireland since you're a flight from everywhere

Things I find work:
Deep breathing - I practice it regularly as part of mediation so I associate it with calmness
Distraction - I do sudokus or play games on my phone if possible on takeoff to distract me. I also try to be a bit into an engrossing book before flying and then read it as the flight goes on. Or if you're flying with a colleague do you have work stuff you need to do and would this serve as a distraction?
Rescue Remedy - I find the sweets do really help.
Thinking ahead - focusing on how relieved and good about myself I will feel if I successfully complete this flight
Acclimatisation - flying often despite the anxiety. It definitely gets less bad the more I do it

I don't think the logical suggestions really help unfortunately - it's not a logical problem so it doesn't have a logical answer. So the issue isn't bombarding yourself with information about flying, it's using relaxation and/or distraction techniques to manage your anxiety.

Good luck!

esmy

Another one who likes take off and landing - the middle bit I find very boring!
No tips OP, except my mantra for difficult experiences 'This time tomorrow it will all be over'. Good luck.

RachRubyD

Where are u flying from? To dublin is very quick normally. I fly to Dublin from Liverpool alot to see family and its about 30-40 mins if that , but it feels shorter. It doesn't feel as scary either as flying on a bigger plane like to spain or other further countries.

I don't get nervous but my boyfriend does.

Just think if its really that bad you can always sail back from dublin.

I hate rollercoasters and that funny feeling in your belly and I don't think taken off gives you that feeling. Its a bit weird but nothing horrible and its over before you know it. If you don't mind heights then I find looking out the window and trying to spot landmarks or looking at how tiny the cars are keeps my mind busy.

BunnieJ

So...I chickened out!

I didn't realise just how bad my fear has become. Did really well and got up to the gate, had a bit of a wobble, but my colleagues persuaded me to get on the plane. I walked up to the door and they explained to the air steward that I was nervous. I took one look at the inside of the plane and I couldn't do it. It was tiny (well looked tiny to me) the seats looked old and worn, really squashed together and really small. I couldn't imagine trying to fit in one if I was a slightly bigger person. The whole plane atmosphere just made me feel awful. I got taken back to the airport by security and came home

I wish I'd tried to stay on the plane, but I couldn't.

purpleshoes_2

I'd say try and get over your fears. I used to be scared of flying to the point where I didn't fly. For years at a time. Not helped by an unsupportive ex partner who used to mock me. What helped me was something called eft, emotional freedom technique. I did a course but there's free downloads online.

When I say I didn't used to like flying I mean sweating, crying, being terrified on the way to the airport.

Another thing that helped me was taking a short flight to Ireland. I was in the frame of mind that it was a 20 min flight and I couldn't be bothered getting upset. I didn't and I've been more or less fine ever since.

I went to Orlando in 2011 and was fine. I prefer not to do long flights regularly so I go to Spain on holiday.

I take hand luggage which means I don't have to faff around and be at the airport earlier. I do get the odd I really don't like this moment but that's all it is, it passes.

I'd also say my fear of flying was at it's worst when other anxieties in my life were at their worst.

If you can, try and get some support to get over this fear because I bet you the plane you should gave been on this morning landed safely and if you are supposed to fly now and again with work and can't do it, in time that might affect you.

busiscoming2

Heliflyguy wrote: »

Well to buck the trend I love taking off, thundering along the runway engines roaring, experiencing the feeling of the plane lifting off, a slight feeling of weightlessness.
Then rising above the clouds, cant beat it.
Landing is ho hum.

Me too

That isn't to say I don't find the thought of flying and being up there scary. I think a lot of people (probably the majority) have a deep seated fear they will die on a plane, but in reality the statistics say otherwise. My way of dealing with it is to keep occupied: reading, mp3 or eating and just look at the cabin crew: they didn't get on the plane to die did they?

Sit back and enjoy it.

SavingPennies_2

hgotsparkle wrote: »

I'm with you, I love flying and find both take off and landing worryingly exciting! I also love when the plane changes direction and tips to one side and it looks as though from the window, that you've tipped 90 degees, of course you haven't, but it looks amazing!
I would love to be cabin crew, but unfortunately, I can't swim

Argh I hate that bit!! I have to cover my eyes!! Though it makes me feel better to know that some people enjoy it lol.

Caz3121

BunnieJ wrote: »

So...I chickened out!

I didn't realise just how bad my fear has become. Did really well and got up to the gate, had a bit of a wobble, but my colleagues persuaded me to get on the plane. I walked up to the door and they explained to the air steward that I was nervous. I took one look at the inside of the plane and I couldn't do it. It was tiny (well looked tiny to me) the seats looked old and worn, really squashed together and really small. I couldn't imagine trying to fit in one if I was a slightly bigger person. The whole plane atmosphere just made me feel awful. I got taken back to the airport by security and came home

I wish I'd tried to stay on the plane, but I couldn't.

I fly weekly for work and have never had a problem but my SIL was like this, she just would not fly. My brother flies all over the globe with work but she was never able to accompany him. They live in Germany and to come home for a visit would result in a very long car journey, she was really frustrated. My brother booked her on a Fear of Flying course and she is cured. This month alone she has flown with him to Scotland, Denmark and off to New York and she has no problems at all. Maybe see if there is a course offered near you and put it on your Santa list
best of luck