Flight ordeal - Turbulence.

Disney_Pluto

I had to reply to this as I can 100% relate.

When I was 14 we flew back from the Carribean straight into a storm, food went everywhere and was exactly as you described. I have to say the Cabin Crew even looked a little worried.

We got a plane to Italy the next year and on the way back had a total meltdown and my dad took me off and we had to get the train back. The following year they booked a holiday to Spain but on a sleeper train which as a whole family we said we would never do again.

I didn't go on holiday again until I met my husband. We were 19 at the time and we got the train to Nice. It took 16 hours overnight!!! We didn't go on holiday at all until I was 24 which is when I started to feel guilty. I had seen a lot of the world as I was lucky my parents took us to lots of different places as children, however my husband had never been outside of Europe. I was determined to fight this fear! I booked myself on a fear of flying course and then booked a flight to Orlando. Myself and whole family went and had a lovely holiday however still lots of tears and I was still petrified. The year after I got a flight to Cyprus and my parents next door neighbour who's a BA pilot had to talk me on the plane. Back to not flying for a couple years.

Then my husband proposed there was no way we weren't going on honeymoon! We booked our honeymoon to California and I booked in to see a Hypnotherapist. I had 3 sessions and it changed my life. I still don't like flying but getting on the plane there were no tears I was fairly calm and we are going to Florida next year. The only thing is I still only fly on big planes (generally transatlantic) because I still have it in my head that bigger planes are safer.

Anyway I woukd 100% say try a hypnotherapist. It's not cheap but it literally made me a different person. I wish I had tried it sooner as I let the fear rule me for far too long!

rpc

Planes are built to cope with much more than that.

You say you were worried about the rapid descent, but with bad turbulence it is entirely possible that the pilot asked to be cleared to a lower level to avoid it. Turbulence occupies a 3d area so any direction can take you out of it (left right up down).

You can also get effects that cause what feel like massive plunges, but mid-flight they actually aren't much bother in the grand scheme of things.

I hate turbulence. I'm a Chartered Engineer and know the plane will be fine, but it still freaks the bejeezus out of me if it gets to more than a rattle. It's a part of flying. Perhaps the only thing worse than the turbulence itself is getting near the end of a long haul flight and they announce no morning food or drinks because of turbulence. Hungry hungry!

barba

tracie_80 wrote: »

Myself and my family are frequent fliers. Being frequent fliers

Show off....

kwmlondon

Gloomendoom wrote: »

Yes. I've mentioned it before. Breakfast had just been served and I was just tucking into a Müller Corner Crunch. Then all hell let loose. The plane just dropped. There was food everywhere. I later found a sausage in my jacket pocket.

I've never eaten a Müller Corner Crunch since.

I know this was probably a horrific experience but I'm laughing really hard at the phrase "I later found a sausage in my jacket pocket" that's hilarious!

dontone

The plane dropping happened to us when we were going to America in 2004. It's a horrible feeling, terrifying when it happens, and the relief when you land is the greatest feeling ever. so I, and a lot of us know how you fell OP.
What happened with us is that it was going really smoothly, and then there was a slight shake and rumble and then the plane just dropped. We found out then who was American and who were British, 'cos the Yanks all starting crying and screaming, and the majority of British went 'f****** h***'!!
There was one bloke who came out of the toilet just as it all started and he literally flew down the aisle, arms outstretched, and instead of helping him up, and asking if he was ok, the stewardess rollocked him and the rest of us for leaving our seats during the flight. It was like we had to put our hands up to go the toilet, they were that strict. It was just one of those freaky things that, luckily, we haven't experienced since (and have no wish to again tbh)

*max*

I can also relate to the feeling! I was never afraid of flying until 2 years ago, I flew quite a lot. Experienced turbulences, got mildy anxious, but nothing bad. Then 2 years ago coming into Dublin airport, my plane went through 3 aborted landings in a row due to severe high winds on the ground. It was pitch black, but we could see the lights of the airport. We can see the runway lights getting closer, the plane gets thrown about because of the high winds, then all of a sudden the engines power up and the plane goes back up again...3 times in a row. There were people throwing up all over, people screaming, a lady behind me had a panic attack.
Finally we landed on the 4th try, to a round of applause! The pilot even came out and apologised.

I have been terrified of flying since. I know I will have to soon though. I've just read this, which helped a little (toward the bottom of the page, there is a Q&A section.
http://www.askthepilot.com/questions-answers/

hazyjo

One plane I was on had engine failure - another had major hydraulic problems - both were sent back to Gatwick after we took off, and we were followed up the runway by the 'blues and twos'. Also been on another which didn't quite get to take-off, but we all got booted off (oh and another they pulled out of service when we'd all checked through and were as far as the gate waiting to board!


Several years ago, I managed to have three cancelled flights in the space of 6 months (one was Jamaica too!). Two were in the para above.


I am VERY unlucky when I fly.


The second time the plane was sent back after take-off (with the hydraulic probs, etc), things were literally falling off the ceiling as we landed. This was after hours and hours of delays due to plane problems. When we did eventually fly the next morning (all spent the night in the airport waiting for news of when we'd go), I cried on take-off as I was so scared. I was on my own (meeting a friend in Greece) which was even worse!


I actually cry, or nearly cry, on most flights now too. Once I'm up, I'm fine, but I seriously believe something horrendous will take off on take-off (and sometimes landing) and get very emotional about it.


But I have taken control - I won't let my fear rule my life. We're flying in Feb (thankfully me & you aren't on the same flight lol) and I'm already very nervous - especially after saying I'd never fly in winter again).


Your doctor may help. They can prescribe things just for the journey to calm you down - and courses for phobias can help.


Remember, around 95% of plane crashes have survivors! (Sorry if any info repeated, not read all replies.)


Jx
PS have also had some pretty bad turbulence, and circled runway. I was also a passenger in around 7 car crashes (at least 2 write-offs). I'm surprised anyone still travels with me...

dandelionclock30

Well you either have to get on with it and take something/use relaxation techniques or tell your husband to go by himself.
I've had it where the plane dropped out of the sky like a stone and we were falling for ages. It was from Manchester-Barbados. People were shouting F in hell and screaming.
It was bad but its the boredom and cramped conditions I dont like.

duchy

My Mum's solution was to go on cruises.

I worked in the travel business so flew a LOT and although I don't actively enjoy it I was never scared until the first time I flew with my baby son and completely unexpectedly as we started to taxi I freaked at the thought of "putting him in such danger" . It took every ounce of self control I had to get through that flight -but I did - and whilst I always felt a degree like that when flying with him throughout his childhood I didn't want to stop flying.

Decide why you want to fly - is it to please your husband or because you love seeing new places -and work out what your biggest motivation is and then go get professional help,

Ultimately millions of people go on holiday without flying every year and don't feel deprived though. A holiday is about enjoying yourself not feeling scared and miserable though- however the fact you DID manage the flight home shows there is hope for a long term solution for you.

(Your husband sounds a real prince though )

Frugalista

dontone wrote: »

We found out then who was American and who were British, 'cos the Yanks all starting crying and screaming, and the majority of British went 'f****** h***'!!

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl: This made me laugh out loud - so true!!