terrified of flying. Tips?

[BrownEyedBtch]

I have also heard turbulence is at its worst when you fly over land, but there has to be some sort of weather system on land that would affect the way the plane 30,000 feeet up reacts to it.

Honestly, I think you will be safe. If you ask the flight attendants to keep an eye on you, they will. And be nice to them - their jobs are shit and people treat them like crap. If you are nice to them, they'll be nice to you.

[PoorGradStudent]

I'm terrified of flying too, and I live in Hawaii so I fly at least 4 times a year. The worst part for me is take off and turbulence. What works for me is just closing my eyes and concentrating on whats happening. It sounds weird but, it's kinda a "let the fear in" technique. Also, if the vibration of the plane creeps you out (like it does me), rest your feet on the bar below your seat. It's a way smoother ride that way. Good luck.

[RichieGB]

Whatever you do, just try NOT to remind yourself that thousands, if not tens of thousands of people have died from flying.

[PoorGradStudent]

Originally Posted by RichieGB

Whatever you do, just try NOT to remind yourself that thousands, if not tens of thousands of people have died from flying.

Ignore this asshole.

[Rhian]

I was also going to suggest a red eye flight, you'll have time to eat something substantial, and bring snacks in your carry on.

I don't drink on planes now, I cause enough scenes needing special assistance, I need to be as cognisent as possible.

I do as William did, tomato juice. And yes the in flight service is credit card only.

I hope that you will be able to have a good safe flight.

[typicallistener]

Amazon.com: Flying Without Fear (9781572240421): Duane Brown: Books

I used to be phobic about flying, now it just bores me to death

[BellaJane]

I have pretty bad plane anxiety too. I'd suggest going to a doctor and just telling them the truth, you'd like something to take on the plane for anxiety. Xanax are very easy to get, no doctor has ever told me no to xanax. You can even say that you've taken it before in this situation and it worked very well for you. The second you sit down on the plane, take 1mg, so that it will hit you even before takeoff (takeoff freaks me out the most). I always take Xanax on planes, and usually end up sleeping for most of the flight. Goodluck

[PoorGradStudent]

Originally Posted by Rhian

I do as William did, tomato juice.

I'm a bit surprised about how many people have a ritual of drinking tomato juice. I thought it was just a weird thing I did.

[iheartnihilism]

Originally Posted by John Galt

Bake pot cookies, eat one about an hour before take off. Take some with you as a snack, and take some cheetos too.

I don't smoke pot. It makes me ill. :/

Originally Posted by 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.

it's 5-6 hours. From Newark to orange county and then LA back to Newark.

Originally Posted by 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.

I think that's like 80% of the problem. and it's weird, because I'm not a control freak in the least. I also don't drive so maybe never having had control of machines is what forms my distrust.. (huar?)

Originally Posted by RachaelBachael

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.

This too.

Originally Posted by william

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."

lol so to get over my irrational fear, I just need to amp up my OCD :P

Originally Posted by yoav

your fear of flying/travel is not irrational, it's misplaced, and it's not about the fear at all. the fear is a defence mechanism to convince yourself(conscious - subconscious interplay) not to go to your destination.

gotta completely disagree with you there. It took one road trip for me to fall in love with traveling and I'm super excited about going. (people often ask me "well, if you wanna see the world, you know you need to get on a plane eventually" and I always reminded then hat there's boats. Not very realistic but I'm holding out hope of a lottery win..)

Originally Posted by RichieGB

Whatever you do, just try NOT to remind yourself that thousands, if not tens of thousands of people have died from flying.

I know you didn't mean to but that actually helped. Tens of thousands seems like nothing compared to millions that fly all the time. Thanks!

I'm going to check out that link that was posted about how we fly, cause i honestly think it'll help. And Marina, i tried your water wheel technique at home and it's nice. I'm definitely going to try that.
It helps that my boyfriend will be there and he's vowed to take really good care of me and not let me freak out. The bf said we'll be leaving the house around 4-5am to get to the airport so i'm planning on staying up (sober) all night the night before so i'm extra tired once we get on (good idea? bad? i can get frazzly on no sleep) and i'm planning on taking a shot of NyQuil in route (I've been using it lately when i can't sleep and the recommended dose knocks me out w/ no dreams about 20 minutes after i take it).
We just booked the tickets last night so it's do or die time in 12 days. O_O
It helps that including airfare and tickets, we've dropped about $1300 on this trip so far. There's no way I can let some fear make me throw away that much money! Thanks guys for being so sweet and helping when I'm being so silly and childish.

[HanSolo69]

Just think about the fact that your hurtling through the air inside of a pressurized metal tube, an act which in itself is equal to laughing boastfully in the face of God/physics/common sense.
Then think about how when you're in a train, you're barreling down the tracks inside of a metal tube with no real means of escape.
And when you're in a car you not only have to worry about something going catastrophically wrong with your own vehicle, but there are also all of the other idiots flying down the road in their own personal 4-wheeled coffins, talking on their cell phones and ready to nudge you into the guardrail or into oncoming traffic.
Or while you're walking, contemplate the fact that you could suffer a massive heart attack at any moment. You could keel over on the side walk all alone or surrounded by strangers, none of who would take a moment to help you and you will never see your loved ones again.
And after you've thought about all of this, remember that we all have to die some day and if you want to have control over it go ahead and kill yourself now.