Stressed/nervous flyer

Al_Mac

Absolutely hate flying, SWMBO said she'd never go on a plane with me again.

Booked to go to Nice in a few weeks time, possibly being given another chance?

Anyway the question is, would a Docter give me something, valium, just to help me throught the flights?

Does anyone have any good suggestions for an alternative?

I make a very, very bad passenger in everything else as well.

p3gg

Al_Mac wrote:

Anyway the question is, would a Docter give me something, valium, just to help me throught the flights?

Depends on your GP, but yes, it can happen, I know this for a fact. Don't go in there using the "v" word: just describe your experience and feelings about flying as well and as thoroughly as you can, and ask him/her if there's anything they can do to help. Plus remember vallium may come in a packet that has a different name on it.

Al_Mac wrote:

I make a very, very bad passenger in everything else as well.

Maybe you should try for your pilot's license

Jay-Jay_4

My 'incredibly soft' friend takes some pills from the docs before flying and they seem to work.

Would a stiff drink not have the same effect, obviously just the one as we don't want you getting chucked off for being 'fissed as a part'

Or you can borrow my one year old..... no time to worry about flying when you have a small child poking you in the eye and trying to eat the arm rest :rotfl:

jazzyjustlaw

I hate flying too. I have horrendos vertigo even going up an excalator.

Try yoga that helped me and meditation did too. Just try and watch the video on the plane.

Good luck.

Trollydolly_2

Awww hun, i have passengers like you everyday and i WISH there was something i could say that would make you feel better.

I can tell you all about the way the plane works and how they are checked by engineers before every flight (trains, cars, coaches, boats are not).

I can tell you all about turbulance and how as far as im aware there has been no plane crash on record that has crashed specifically because of turbulance.

BUT i know that no matter what i tell you it wont help.

The only thing i can suggest is that you must tell the airhostess when you get on the flight that you are a very nervous passenger, if she is any good at her job she will keep an eye on you and lavish attention on you.

I have sat next to passengers for a whole flight before now, while they are crying and crushing my hand. All we can do is try and take your mind off it by having crazy conversations.

I would recommend that you DONT DRINK ALCOHOL before the flight, I have found that this, rather than makes you feel better actually excentuates your fear, also one of the problems with fear of flying is that people can get panic attacks etc and alcohol really doesnt help that. PLEASE DONT DRINK

As for valium, yes you can get it from the doctor for flying, just make sure you take a note from the doc saying it has been authorised as some countries and airlines can be a bit funny about it.

If you want to ask me any questions or if you feel i could help you in any way let me know.

If you have the money to do it BA and some other airlines offer fear of flying courses. These offer fabulous results, my uncle and cousin both went on one and have been all over the world since, couldnt recommend them more!

Good luck hun, i really feel for you.

TD xx

PS i know exactly how you feel as im terrified of trains, for lots of reasons. I even take my own mini hammer with me as one of my fears is not being able to get out!
I have been known to get off at completely the wrong stop just to calm down.

SnowyOwl_2

You can get stress relief tablets from Boots - they are non-pharmecutical. I used to supplement them with some Bach's Rescue Remedy, and a bottle or so of wine. Never failed. I take it SWMBO can drive you back from Aldergrove? Best way to desensitise yourself is to fly frequently. The tablets/herby drops/red, white or rose who cares, method does work but it's much more psychologically effective to confront the problem. Yes I am advising you to go on hols lots and lots, unfortunately this cure doesn't come on prescription, but flying a lot was the ultimate cure for me, being scared got boring. If you can't do that, then I find it best to sit in an aisle seat, also sit at the front and observe the cabin crew. I don't mean stare at the "dollies" but rather occupy your mind with what they are doing and earwig on their conversations. I know a few aeronautical engineers and from what I can gather the safety features incorporated into planes are amazing. Do not think about a single thing beyond what you can see in front of you or immediately beside you...look at other passengers and think about them. Don't look out the windows - again front row is best for this as there are no windows there. If you are going with easyJet get to the check in first. It's a free for all for seats so you will have to get to the front of the queue at the boarding gate to get the seat you want. They usually give people a meaningless number at check in and then call people onto the plane in batches using the numbers, but it is still a "find your own seat" job. Tell yourself over and over that air travel is perfectly normal (because it is!!), thousands and thousands of people do it every day and that you can do this. Don't think about the journey, think about how great you're going to feel when you arrive and what you will do when you get there. You could try a Walkman type thingy with a relaxation CD in it, though that would have to be turned off during take off and landing (when the fasten seatbelt sign is on). If you're not convinced by any of this advice then go to your doc and ask for valium - if that is what it is going to take then insist on it.

Nice is fab by the way. Fabulous food and it doesn't have to be expensive if you go into little caffs which the locals use, ie away from the sea front. Great market, also for food. It's easy to get to Monaco & Cannes (though Cannes is boring unless you're a millionaire who likes designer shops). You'll see Elton John's pink palace up on the hill behind Nice. If you like shopping have a look at Carrefour...that is the Big Momma of all supermarkets...if you're self-catering that's the place to stock up. I liked the pebbly beach - took a photo which people have actually bought from me and hung on their wall!! Nice reminds me of Brighton but without the pasty legs and burnt faces. Horrible story to tell you though...my friend Lucy from London went there last year and bumped into my ex-boyfriend from Cheshire...with his new wife...EEEEEKKKKK!!!!!!

Have a brilliant time.

p3gg

Trollydolly wrote:

PS i know exactly how you feel as im terrified of trains, for lots of reasons. I even take my own mini hammer with me as one of my fears is not being able to get out!
I have been known to get off at completely the wrong stop just to calm down.

Smashing.... Little hammer allowed on planes also? Maybe not... (I would be wanting one on your Fokker 50s, I can tell you!) Disembarkation prior to intended destination also discouraged.

p3gg

SnowyOwl wrote:

If you are going with easyJet get to the check in first. It's a free for all for seats so you will have to get to the front of the queue at the boarding gate to get the seat you want. They usually give people a meaningless number at check in and then call people onto the plane in batches using the numbers, but it is still a "find your own seat" job.

Even if you don't get to check-in first, with some lo-cost airlines with free-for-all boarding, if you announce yourself at check-in as a nervous flyer (or to the staff at the gate if they happen to be different), they will sometimes escort you onto the aircraft first -- or at least with the pram-/baby-carrying brigade -- so that you can select and relax in your seat before the hordes climb on. Presume this depends on the airline, mood and attitude of the staff, time available before take-off, etc. -- but always worth asking.

Trollydolly_2

Oi!! Stop knocking my Fokkers! lol

Erm No no hammers allowed on the planes!

Thats why im very nervous, going to see my friend in London next week, flying down and then getting train to them!! WONT BE ABLE TO TAKE MY HAMMER!!!! God, im breaking into a sweat thinking about it!

I had a nervous passenger who tried to open the emergency exit during a flight once! NOT FUNNY! Fortunatly on that type of aircraft because it was pressurised the doors cant open till the aircraft at a lower flying level. PHEW!!

Hence i say PLEASE DONT DRINK!

NERVOUS ALCOHOL FUELLED PASSENGER = CRAZY UNCONTROLABLE DANGER

Trollydolly_2

Al_Mac wrote:

Not that stupid, SWMBO wouldn't be up for the drive. I think it is more the not being in control on a strange big machine. Good idea about the fear of flying, might help the other paranoid fears I have.

Thanks TD
:beer:

Oops and I said not a good idea:o

Thanks for the beer! :beer:

Surely its best your not in control of the strange big machine!! Especially if you dont know how to fly it!!

If you are flying Easyjet the captain who is in charge of the flight is likely to have been flying for a very very long time, the first officer a bit less.
They go on courses all the time to refresh there flying, they get spot checks by training officers on a regular basis. Every 6 months they have to do a simulator sesion (exactly the same as flying the real thing) where they get put into the worst possible situations that "could" happen on a flight, they have to deal with it or they loose there licence (That most of them have forked out somwhere in the region of £30,000 to £50,000 for plus alot of hard work!).
My ex boyfriend had a particularly nasty simulater session one year where he had to deal with ..... a pilot incapacitation, engine failiure, decompression, fire in the cabin, and lots of other nastys i cant think of ALL ON ONE PRETEND FLIGHT!!! (This wouldnt all happen on one flight) He had to deal with them all or he was out! He did and is now a 24 year old Captain! The youngest at that airline!!

What im trying to say is that they really do get pushed to the limits and are trained and trained and trained again, all year. They really do know there stuff.

If you email easyjet it may be possible for you to board the aircraft early and meet the pilot and the crew before the flight, just so you can get the feel for it and they could explain some bits and pieces to you. I know they did this for a passenger on a flight a year or so ago so try and get in touch with there OPERATIONS dept and ask them. It cant hurt to ask!

TD xx

SnowyOwl_2

Al_Mac wrote:

Not that stupid, SWMBO wouldn't be up for the drive. I think it is more the not being in control on a strange big machine.

Hi Al Mac

Yes, this is what I meant when I said sit at the front, gawp at the crew, stare at passengers, study a book, etc etc - basically make your sphere of interest as small as possible around you. Literally don't think about the aeroplane, think about what you can see, smell, touch etc as you will have total control over that if you keep attention to the small details close to you. And do try the positive thinking thing. Say in a loud strong voice "I can handle the flight, I will be OK". Really say it like you mean it, don't whisper or just think it...say it out loud over and over. It will help, try it and keep doing it.


When you get back to Belfast please don't drive if you took a valium in France and it makes you drowsy...

Glad to hear you're not my ex...I don't know where he went to, he could be anywhere. Scary:eek: !!