Fear of Flying!

[tigerlilly01]

I am going on a trip next month and will have to be on 2 flights to get to my destination .... the first one is only about an hour and a half but the second is 10 1/2 hours!!!  I HATE to fly.  Any suggestions on how to ease the fear and make the time go quickly?

[FuzzyCottonsocks]

Watch the in-flight movie (a 10 hour flight should have one), try to nap...  Maybe meditate.  Close your eyes and picture something that makes you feel calm and happy.  If all else fails, there's always those little bottles of Bacardi 

[sweatytree]

My wife also has a fear of dying in flight and we are taking a 10 hour flight this weekend and coming back the following weekend.  She will be taking some sleeping pills and will be distracted by Books, Magazines, iPod, In flight Movie, People watch...

[ancmetro]

      You are not alone. My last trips: Bus and ferry.

[Sohcahtoa]

I am going on a trip next month and will have to be on 2 flights to get to my destination .... the first one is only about an hour and a half but the second is 10 1/2 hours!!!  I HATE to fly.  Any suggestions on how to ease the fear and make the time go quickly?

You have to ask yourself...what is there to be afraid of?  You are statistically FAR more likely to get into an accident if you drive than if you were to fly.  If you're one of those that has a fear of looking out the window and noticing the wings flexing and are scared they're going to break off, there are solutions to that.  First, you can always ask if you be be reseated and switch places.  If that doesn't work, just remind yourself that the wings are DESIGNED to flex slightly, and every 747 (Or 737, or whatever you end up flying in) out there has wings that flex slightly, and how often have you heard of a jet's wings just suddenly ripping off?  Now compare that number to how many flights occur EVERY DAY.  Its about as close to 0% as you will get.

If you hate flying because you get motion sick, take some Dramamine or something similar.

Personally, I LOVE flying.  I love the fast acceleration and the feeling of being pushed into your seat as the plane takes off, then watching the ground slowly disappear.  I love flying through the clouds, and then the view from just a couple thousand feet above them.  Its just so beautiful.  Then, once you level off at 36,000 feet, the clouds way below you, the view is just amazing.

One of my personal goals in life ahs been to earn my pilot's license and own a small aircraft.  Just something small that I can take myself and a couple friends sight-seeing.  Something like this:



Dammit now I want to reinstall MS Flight Simulator.  Runs like crap on my machine though.  This GeForce 7950 just doesn't cut it anymore.

[snyouger]

it is not that bad just relax and watch the on board movie

[spekalo6]

make yourself comfortable, then take a nap. buy a comfy pillow before you board 

[dreamyxo]

You have to ask yourself...what is there to be afraid of?

Yes what is it you're afraid of?  What do you think is the worst thing that can happen to you on a plane?  Are you afraid of the plane crashing?  Like the other poster said you are much more likely to be killed in a car than a plane.  Most crashes occur during take off and landing.  Once you get past the take off you've got it made.  Don't be afraid of turbulence no plane has every fallen out of the sky because of turbulence. 

[jjwebb232]

I have some problems taking off, because I don't like the feeling of being pushed back into my seat.  But remember, these are TRAINED PILOTS, and there are always TWO PILOTS managing the plane, and are always able to contact the ground if any help IS needed.

I actually flew a plane once   It was fun.  I didn't take off or land, just steer while in the air.  It's kind of hard not to pull up at first (since you have a tendency to try to relax your arms and pull them in a little) but it was really fun.

[karenkpc]

finding out what's behind the fear and working on changing that will help long term.  until then, take as many distracting things that work well for you on the plane (books, knitting, mp3 player, puzzle books, whatever one is allowed to take these days).  use each item until the distraction stops working, then move on to the next.  chew gum to keep your ears happy. 

[shmiddy]

no

[jnjmolly]

I enjoy flying, because I try to picture i'm just sitting at home and i'm not flying in the clouds lol. I would suggest listening to music and thinking about what you are going to do on your trip. Good Luck and try to have fun!! 

[marcar1008]

  OMG that is alot of time on an airplane. To make you feel better we will all be praying so you get to your destination safe.

[samiole32]

Try to think about what will you see after the ten hours flight the place you are going to and how you will enjoy it think about the fun you'll have and the fact that you'll be away from your daily routine and all this desurve being in a flight for 10 hours and the time will pass and I hope you enjoy your trip, When I go to my home country (EGYPT) I have like 3 flights one of them is 12 hours and the whole flying duration is 18 hours but I think it desurve every single minute

[kvkvn]

Don't be afraid! I suggest sitting in the aisle, so you don't have to look out the window, and have the person next to you shut the window. Also you must bring a distraction, music and headphones being the best thing.