terrified of flying. Tips?

[BrownEyedBtch]

I hate to say this, but I don't know what we can suggest for you because so much of your anxiety is in your head. You could definitely use professional guidance, especially since these fears are not limited solely to air travel. Personally, I was ready to get on a plane on Sept 12 because no one could ever stop my desire to travel and see the world. If you fear accidents and disasters, just know that thousands of flights take off and land safely every day around the world, and people travel by trains every day for distances short and long. You hear about 1 or 2 incidents, but out of thousands, that's no big deal. Turbulence is normal. Traffic is normal.

For your trip, I hope you have a red-eye flight because you will be able to sleep the whole flight through. Bring a comfort item on board, like your own pillow or a snuggie or something. Get the right mix on your ipod to help you relax. Request a seat near flight attendants, or if you are not able to do that, tell the flight attendants of your worries. They meet millions of people like you every year and will be able to help calm you down. You may even score a free cocktail out of it if they think it will help. Though people rarely do it, check for your nearest exits and regard the safety card in your seat pocket. Count the number of seat backs to your exit so you know where to go. The chances of you needing to exit due to emergency are so slim, yet just having taken some precautionary measures might help you feel calmer. People panic when they don't know where to go or what to do, and you will already know.

I get motion-sick so easily, so I load up on dramamine. I am out like a baby the entire way. Do whatever you can to help you sleep. You will be okay.

[picard102]

Imagine yourself saving the plane from destruction, or escaping the disaster unscathed, rather then a horrific outcome.

[marina]

Originally Posted by bluecrucial

Did you have to use this word? :P

[Patrice]

I'm not terrified of flying, but I am disgustingly aware that I am putting myself into a situation I can't get myself out of when the plane leaves the ground. That actually tends to be the worst moment for me...that split second when the wheels stop touching the ground and shit better work out.

I stay sober pre flight lest I'm working off the night before on early AM flights. As far as staying calm otherwise I like to catch a glimpse of the pilot beforehand, check the plane for someone under 10 years old (surely the lord will spare the little children) and once they close the plane door I let it go.

I take a moment to laugh at everyone else on the plane for being dumb enough for getting on a plane when they can't fly on command either, order a drink and sip it and iPod my way through it (Jeff Buckley pairs well with a window seat). Then my only other job is to be tense for 10 seconds before the plane touches down and do the Ethnic round of applause after we touch down successfully.

[RachaelBachael]

Originally Posted by iheartnihilism

I'm 29 and never been on a plane before.

I think this has a lot to do with it. You've never been on a plane before and lets face it, most movies and tv that have plots revolving around a plane don't usually make the plane land safely.

I think a lot of your fear will be fine once the seatbelt sign is turned off. I'm a nervous flyer and I like to have a drink before the flight takes off. I like aisle seats (windows are wasted on nervous people) as well. The takeoff is the scariest part in my opinion. Once you've made the descent and you've leveled off chances are the plane will stay steady the rest of the way until landing.

I've flown many times and I still death grip my armrests when taking off, close my eyes, and listen to music. Don't be afraid to do what you need to to ease your fear once you're on the flight (within reason of course). Keep us updated on how your flight goes!

[BrownEyedBtch]

Out of curiosity, where are you taking off from/landing in? Your prep might be different if your flight is shorter/longer than I think. I'm used to flying between Hawaii and the west coast, or between islands, so my idea of what the average flight is is off because it's either 30 mins or 5 hrs for me.

[william]

I've flown a lot.

What you may experience:

Planes shake. Nothing to worry about.
Planes dip. Nothing to worry about.

When the plane takes off it might bank making it feel as if the plane is on it's side. Nothing to worry about. It might dip. Nothing to worry about.

Don't look out the window during landings - the act of banking looks more drastic than it actually is.

When the plane goes through clouds you'll experience turbulence. Normal.

Rain doesn't affect the way planes fly. It cuts down visibility which by the FAA makes them space the flights.

If it's windy outside your plane will experience a lot of turbulence. Normal.

Turbulence will not not affect the plane. You have to be in a hurricane to worry.

I've been on planes that have filled with smoke, almost became vertical, have dipped feet, shaken, dripped, etc... Nothing's happened.

Drunks are not allowed on planes.

I'm not a big drinker on flights. If something were to ever happen, I want to be alert. Then again, I've had a few when I've flown first. Never enough to make me drunk.

When the plane takes off, you'll feel the thrust as it accelerates.
When the plane lands, you'll feel the brakes being applied.

When the plane lands it sometimes "bumps." Normal.

Once the plane is level - 10 minutes or so into the flight - sometimes longer - most of the flight should be smooth. Then you'll hit some wind and the plane will shake. Happens all the time.

If there's a lot of turbulence the pilot will ask you to fasten your seatbelt. Normal - they don't want to be sued if you hurt yourself.

Advice:
Make a ritual - something that gives you control: "The flight will be OK if I touch every seat on my right before I sit down. If I forget to touch every seat, I'll do it on the way to and from the bathroom."

Planes are safer than the highway. You're more likely to have an accident on the way to the airport than on the plane.

The worst part of flying is onboarding and offboarding.

[william]

BTW, most domestic flights no longer accept cash.

Beer costs $5

Bring snacks. Unless you're traveling business/first, you're lucky if you get a free muffin.

Don't put your seat all the way back. It's rude to the person behind you. If you must recline (usually because the jerk in front of you did so) do it slowly and don't go all the way back unless you have to.

Newark, I'm guessing. OK Airport. I fly Continental there all the time.

[spooky]

Originally Posted by william

Advice:
Make a ritual - something that gives you control: "The flight will be OK if I touch every seat on my right before I sit down. If I forget to touch every seat, I'll do it on the way to and from the bathroom."

Isn't that creating a psychosis?

Once the plane is in the air, sit cross legged, and start chanting, beginning from a whisper and building up to loud speaking voice, "omb omb omb omb omb omb omb omb omb" followed by, as loud as you can muster, "Allah Ackbar!".

If what happens next doesn't distract you from you fears, I will buy you a can of Coke!

[william]

I donno if it creates a psychosis, but it won't hurt.

I used to order Tomato Juice every flight until I forgot / got sick of it / or they didn't have it and had to come up with another ritual.

Totally irrational but fun.

Whenever I fly with my wife I look out the window and pretend to see the mechanic and say, "I can read his lips! He's saying 'I much fear trouble in the fuselage Frederick.'" (Fans of "The Odd Couple" might get the reference.)

hehe.

It's become a family thing.

I flew three times last week and forgot my "ritual" until the last leg and then I was like, eh - next time. One doesn't allow things like these to hold dominion.