Air Travel » Air Travel Flight » Afraid of flying
Question:
I haven’t read this group before, but I suppose this might be an appropriate group to ask advice on this case: For a reason unknown to me, I have a bad case of aerophobia. Next month I’ll be flying again, and am not looking forward to it. Sad that is, because otherwise I like travelling a lot. So, I’ll be happy to read a lot of assurances of safe flying and explanations of very safe airplanes. 
Lauri
Response:
>I haven’t read this group before, but I suppose this might be >an appropriate group to ask advice on this case: >For a reason unknown to me, I have a bad case of aerophobia. Next month >I’ll be flying again, and am not looking forward to it. Sad that is, >because otherwise I like travelling a lot. >So, I’ll be happy to read a lot of assurances of safe flying and >explanations of very safe airplanes. > Lauri
I have no fear of flying. I do have fear of crashing however. More seriously – I realize that there are literally thousands of airplanes in the air everyday flying safely. When there is a crash anywhere in the world we hear all about it which is acutally very very seldom. As the saying goes "You are much more apt to die on your way to the airport in a car than on the flight". Jeanne
Response:
> So, I’ll be happy to read a lot of assurances of safe flying and > explanations of very safe airplanes.
Oh Lauri! You do not need assurances. Statistics point to the fact that air travel is the safest method of transportation. Believe me, would I entrust my wife and family to flying if it were not safe? You are more in danger from your present government-especially in the UK-than you are from flying! Do it now Lauri, book a short flight to begin with. –o–O–o– From the shadow of North Berwick Law in East Lothian, "Bonnie Scotland" Edinburgh Airport is Britain,s fastest growing. Visit us soon."Hoots mon"
Response:
>For a reason unknown to me, I have a bad case of aerophobia. Next month >I’ll be flying again, and am not looking forward to it. Sad that is, >because otherwise I like travelling a lot. >So, I’ll be happy to read a lot of assurances of safe flying and >explanations of very safe airplanes.
I wish you luck. And I agree with those who say that it’s a good idea to try a short local fight just to get the feel of it. In fact, if possible, I’d try to get a private pilot to take you up so that you can see what’s going on, and so he/she can explain to you what’s going on. Listen to the pilot talk to Air Traffic Control (ATC). Back when some airlines use to let you listen to it in flight, I did so all the time. I felt better actually feeling the aircraft do exactly what the ATC controller ordered the pilot to do. It may help you also get used to what you’re feeling as well. Take it a day at at time, and gradually build up to where you can take a commercial flight cross country, or trans-atlantic. When you do get to that point, one thing you might do is let the airline personnel know this when you do book a flight. I believe some airlines may have provisions for assisting with someone who is aerophobic. At least let the flight crew know. They might be able to help you. Take Care. Regards, Arnold.
Response:
>I haven’t read this group before, but I suppose this might be >an appropriate group to ask advice on this case: >For a reason unknown to me, I have a bad case of aerophobia. Next month >I’ll be flying again, and am not looking forward to it. Sad that is, >because otherwise I like travelling a lot. >So, I’ll be happy to read a lot of assurances of safe flying and >explanations of very safe airplanes.
I work for an airline (and all opinions expressed are mine alone) that flies around 3500 flights a day. I don’t know the exact numbers off the top of my head, so for anyone that wants to argue, let’s just say 3000. 3000 times 365 is 1,095,000 flights a year. I’m sorry to say we had an accident recently, but prior to that it had been (I think) 16 years since the last accident. Just on one airline, that’s a 1 in 16 million chance. I don’t think I even want to know what the ratio for a car is. If you’re worried, go with a well-known airline with a good maintenance record. There is also a "Fear of Flying" class that an airline offers. This may be beneficial if your travel is required, especially for business. If you like, e-mail me and I can give you details. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Lauri
Response:
>I haven’t read this group before, but I suppose this might be >an appropriate group to ask advice on this case: >For a reason unknown to me, I have a bad case of aerophobia. Next month >I’ll be flying again, and am not looking forward to it. Sad that is, >because otherwise I like travelling a lot. >So, I’ll be happy to read a lot of assurances of safe flying and >explanations of very safe airplanes. > Lauri
LOL..I’m a pilot (just small planes) but I feel a tiny bit uneasy when I fly with a commercial airline too..:) The thing to bear in mind is that the flight crew has absolutly no desire to crash either…and by and large are well trained with a lot of experience. Regards, Norm
Response:
>I haven’t read this group before, but I suppose this might be >an appropriate group to ask advice on this case: >For a reason unknown to me, I have a bad case of aerophobia. Next month >I’ll be flying again, and am not looking forward to it. Sad that is, >because otherwise I like travelling a lot. >So, I’ll be happy to read a lot of assurances of safe flying and >explanations of very safe airplanes. > Lauri
I too am uncomfortable about flying and empathize with you Lauri. Take offs especially. I think, for me anyway, it may be a touch more claustrophobia instead of aerophobia since I feel more comfortable on less full flights, bigger airplanes, and surprising next to a window seat (because of the illusion of extra space). I have found that listening to the cockpit transmissions and learning more about how planes work have given me more and more confidence. And knowing that it really is the safest form of transportation. All that said though, I still get "butterflies" everytime before my flight. Joe Seidel
Response:
Lauri, I ve been flying many years now and what makes people afraid of flying is definetly ignorance. Once you know how airplanes work, all their backups, the training pilots and FAs have, the checks aircrafts have to go through you ll realize how flying is the safest transportation. Out of 13 million people getting on a plane everyday around the world only 2 500 will have an unhappy experience and die! How many people die in car accidents! So the problem for the scared passenger is not being in control. So next time you fly, ask the FA to visit the cockpit and chat with the pilots, they ll explain to you the basic backups and stuff. The most dangerous moments are take off and landing after that the pilot has enough height to control the airplane in case of a problem and he is trained for every eventuality. So enjoy your next flight! Flying is the best!!!
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->I haven’t read this group before, but I suppose this might be >an appropriate group to ask advice on this case: >For a reason unknown to me, I have a bad case of aerophobia. Next month >I’ll be flying again, and am not looking forward to it. Sad that is, >because otherwise I like travelling a lot. >So, I’ll be happy to read a lot of assurances of safe flying and >explanations of very safe airplanes. > Lauri >I too am uncomfortable about flying and empathize with you Lauri. Take >offs especially. I think, for me anyway, it may be a touch more >claustrophobia instead of aerophobia since I feel more comfortable on >less full flights, bigger airplanes, and surprising next to a window >seat (because of the illusion of extra space). I have found that >listening to the cockpit transmissions and learning more about how >planes work have given me more and more confidence. And knowing that >it really is the safest form of transportation. All that said though, >I still get "butterflies" everytime before my flight. >Joe Seidel
Most people afraid of flying are because of ignorance. Don t be afraid to ask the FA to visit the cockpit and chat with the pilots about all their backups, training. Out of 12 million people getting on a plane every day around the world only 2500 a year will have a unfortunate experience. How many people die every day in a car crash!! Takeoff and landing are the dangerous parts of a flight because there s not enough height to bring the aircraft back in case of a mishap but after that enjoy!! FAs and pilots are very well trained for emergencies and aircrafts have to go through vigorous checks. Have fun flying!! Chloe
Response:
>….Out of 13 million people getting on a plane everyday around the world only 2 500 >will have an unhappy experience and die! How many people die in car >accidents!….
Even if 100 million people were flying a day, I would not get on an airplane if 2500 of them were being killed a day. I see you corrected your statement in your following post. Thanks for the info. I am convinced that it is the safest form of travel. Joe Seidel Chicago, IL
Response:
Here’s 2 suggestions that might help some people deal with the fear of flying: 1) Get a cassette tape or CD of *very* relaxing or quiet music and begin listening to it *the moment* you get settled in your seat and snap the seat belt buckle closed. This type of music can be found in large CD stores in the "New Age" or "Meditation" section. Also, recordings of light, steady rain (yes, rain- these do exist. I have 2 or 3.) can be a relaxer as well. Concentrate on breathing slowly and evenly. At the same time, visualize, in your mind, a calm, serene image; it could be sitting by a lakeside or stream, in a meadow, way up in the mountains, etc. Something that YOU find very relaxing. 2) Go to a doctor, explain the situation, and ask for a prescription of a tranquilizer, such as Valium or Tranxene (or any one of the many others available) and take it as directed. Also, there’s a medication called Xanax (forgot the generic name) that is said to be useful in treating "panic attacks." This may help calm your anxiety as well. I am not a doctor. These are just my suggestions.
Response:
>Here’s 2 suggestions that might help some people deal with the fear of >flying: >1) Get a cassette tape or CD of *very* relaxing or quiet music and >begin listening to it *the moment* you get settled in your seat and snap >the seat belt buckle closed.
Unfortunately, most airlines that I’ve been on will not permit this usage during takeoff, which is when it’s most needed for many phobics. >2) Go to a doctor, explain the situation, and ask for a prescription of >a tranquilizer, such as Valium or Tranxene (or any one of the many >others available) and take it as directed. Also, there’s a medication >called Xanax (forgot the generic name) that is said to be useful in >treating "panic attacks." This may help calm your anxiety as well. >I am not a doctor. These are just my suggestions.
I’m not a doctor either. But I am a nearly-former phobic . After Valium, beta-blockers, two therapists (one a hypnotherapist), etc., I did find Xanax (generic name alprazolam) to be the single most important thing in helping with my phobia. It was recommended to me by two separate phobic flyers. It does not make me incapable of traveling alone or dealing with practical matters. And not only does it keep me from panicking on a given flight, the phobia has gradually diminished as a result of using Xanax, since I have amassed more and more panic-free flights. So it is doing more than just covering up the problem; it is actively changing and reducing it. People have also strongly recommended the programs various airlines have; usually they’re one-day seminars where a psychologist or other trained sort works with airline professionals, explaining noises, etc. I couldn’t afford that and my insurance wouldn’t cover it; I also think the benefit of that would be lost if I didn’t take several flights really soon after the seminar, which wasn’t going to happen. YMMV, IMHO, etc. But I speak as somebody who once got on a plane to fly to New York and walked off it again without flying. It is possible to make things easier for yourself. Deborah Stevenson
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