I'm afraid to fly in an airplane, yet i have a ticket in my hands...?

Question

I've been suckered into flying to tampa on my birthday, and im scared beyond all belief of planes, somoene tell me the statistics, how they work, something ??? please, i've looked up the information, but i dont think its clicking....any ideas?

Answer 1

I was totally petrified going on a plane last year to Greece which was a four and a half hour flight. I had never been on a plane yet im 30 years old. The worst part is the take off. Going along the run way scared me although i had a window seat. Once up in the air i loved it. Im still a bit nervous about flying though i ended up on a plane 4 times last year and im going to Tunisia in March. Its really not that bad. Good luck and enjoy the holiday x

Answer 2

It's far safer than driving. Far more people die in car crashes than plane crashes, you just hear about plane crashes on the news. I'm actually more scared of being in a car than on a plane (seriously!!)

But of course that's easy for me to say - I fly a lot (almost 100 times a year for work, but the first time I was on a plane was at about 6 months old so I've been flying a lot). If you have a true phobia then they have "fear of flying" classes or you could see a phobia specialiat. Otherwise just take a valium or other anxiety medicine, or something to make you sleep if it's a long flight. Also listening to music with headphones is a good idea or something else to make you relax.

Answer 3

If you are so scared of getting onto an airplane, no amount of "information" will help you. Written information is useless when you have an uncontrollable fear of something.

I have no idea of when your birthday is, but if there is time before you fly, go to a psychologist who specializes in fear syndromes. It is necessary to do this or you very well might "freak out" on the plane and they will be forced to remove you from the flight.

Answer 4

I'm going to recommend a site that REALLY helped me... a lot. I was scared to death of getting on an airplane. It really explains everything you could ever be scared about of airplanes. It's operated by a current American Airlines pilot, so he really knows his stuff. It's also free.

http://www.fearofflyinghelp.com

I won't lie to you, though, actually getting on the airplane is still very scary. I also most chickened out myself, but I really didn't have a choice. You just need to march right on (even though your legs feel like jelly), take a seat, buckle up tight, hold onto the seat in front of you with your head down, and think good thoughts (say a prayer if you believe in God), and wait.

Thinking good thought/saying a prayer, I found, kept my mind (partially) busy as we went down the runway, which really helped. After about 2 minutes you'll be feeling a LOT better, I guarantee you.

Have fun! You'll be fine.

Answer 5

Just keep in mind that the odds of being in an airline accident is about the same as your chances of being struck by lightning. There's nothing to flying, its like riding a bus.

Answer 6

your odds are better making it there alive in a plane than in a car. go to your doctor tell him what's up and ask for a couple valium for the flight

Answer 7

don't be nervous when i fly i used to either hold my mom or dad but not anymore i don't hold there hands its only scary for the first few minutes take off and landing is fine

Answer 8

Honestly, to sit on one feels a bit like sitting on a bus. Until it starts moving. And then it still feels a bit like a bus, except faster. You'll know when you get off the ground because all of a sudden you can tell there isn't any friction under the wheels; it's really smooth. You gain altitude fairly quickly and you'll be able to tell you're leaning back a little. If you're brave enough/lucky enough to have a window seat, look out! It's so amazing to see the ground dropping away. Cars and trees go from looking normal sized to little dots so quickly. It might be a little rough as you gain altitude, but to me it's exciting. You might pass through clouds-- they look just like fog. And then all of a sudden, you're above the clouds looking down on them. It's so awesome!

As far as the flight attendants and such go, they'll go through the emergency procedures before you take off. Point to the exits, show the oxygen masks, etc. Just like in movies. They make sure all the carry-on luggage is packed away in the overhead compartments, all purses and such underneath the seat in front of you, your seatbelts on properly, your seats locked in upright positions (seriously, just like the movies!). And then, depending on the airline, you usually get pretzels or peanuts and a drink during the flight.

The landings are what typically make people nervous, atleast the people I've talked to. It's one of my favorite parts though. The pilot will announce they're about to descend, so you know to expect it. If you look out the window, you'll see the ground get closer. They might tip the plane one way or the other in order to turn to the runway. The ground gets closer... but unlike the warning on mirrors "Objects Closer Than They Appear".... really the ground is still further away than you think! You might feel like you're about to run into a tree or something, but I promise, you aren't. The wheels will touch ground, and it may feel like you bounce into the air again. Once the wheels are on the ground, they put on the breaks, and you'll really feel yourself slowing down suddenly. Then they'll taxi around and let you off back into the terminal.

A few tips for your first time flying:

Take gum! Chew it during takeoff and landing. It'll help your ears from popping so badly. I've never had too much problem, but some people do.

Don't carry much with you. You probably won't use half of it, and it makes it easier to get on and off. (And come through security, for that matter.) I usually take a book and a jacket and an I-pod, although some planes have Sirius radio built into the armrests and supply you with headphones. Some people like to carry a change of clothes with them incase their luggage gets lost, but unless you have a lot of layovers I wouldn't worry about it. I've never had them lose my luggage, and lots of times when they DO lose luggage, they end up sending it to you by taxi.

Wear slip on shoes. Really, that's more for security reasons. Lots of airports require you to take your shoes off anyways, so the easier you can make it on yourself, the better.

And lastly.... this is really important.... ENJOY YOURSELF! Some people don't like flying, or do it so much it's nothing special, but it's really one of my favorite things in the world. It never gets old. Like I said, seeing the world drop away like that... it's just amazing. I have a photograph I took over the wing... you can see to the end of the world, really! The horizon line is way off in the distance, you can actually see the curve of Earth. And the sky is such a clear dark blue. Absolutely Stunning.




NOW TO THE QUESTION U ASKED:

I listen to some music from a C.d. player, Ipod, Mp3 players .. etc. This way, you'll be concentrating on your favorite songs and lip synching it versus thinking about the flight itself. I still have really bad anxiety attacks myself, which I get really nausea and vomit. I know. It's gross. I'm generally afaird of heights and flying makes it just worse for me, but listening to songs makes it better for me. You won't even notice that your flight took off. And try to relax.if its a night flight, you can sleep...even on day flights too...take some snacks, books and maybe a therapy pillow. Flying is really the best and safest way to travel. Maybe take a photo of u and ur friends that might calm u down. Dont worry, they check EvErYtHiNg!!!! at the port, get some friut snacks, and on the plane chew them very very slowly w/ ur eyes closed. that always helps me. Gum will also work. I always take some lotion so i dont get dry. I used to be scared, but i took a mini mini fan and i just relaxed and that was it. take deap breaths, and it will be over be4 u know it!!don't be nervous. Flying is fun, get a seat by the window so you can look out at all of the clouds and stuff. The view is very calming. tip, if they offer movies- watch them, the funnier the better! but it's no big deal, you might enjoy it.I usually try to sit by a Nun or a Priest----just to add that extra piece of luck.


Dont worry, Air travel is the SAFEST form of travel, and i grew to love flying!!

Hang in there,
Travel Addict