I am AFRAID of flying on airplanes... What would you say to try and convince me to fly ?

Question

...and saying that more people are killed everyday in cars than on planes is not going to do the trick because I'm afraid of heights. I get a rush of fear and anxiety throughout my whole body when up high. Like, for example...I had to go up an elevator recently that had a glass window and when I turned to look out the window behind me, I had to grab ahold of the rail and that fear ran up and down my body. It's over as soon as I get off the elevator. In a mall, I can't walk near the rail which overlooks the lower level from the upper levels. If I get near them it throws my equilibrium off so bad that it makes me sway. Anybody else have that fear of heights ???

Maybe it is a fear of falling instead o heights, huh ? Fear of death, too. Fear of being "not in control". That's why cars aren't so bad to me (when I'm driving !). I don't like to ride in the back seat of cars but I do anyway when I need to.

HASSEN: cool first name, per your e-mail address.

Answer 1

First off, try not to worry or be nervous. I know that seems hard not to, but the more you worry and the more nervous you are, the scarier it'll be. I believe that knowledge is key, so here is hopefully the key to help you overcome your nervousness:

When you taxi, you barely feel the plane move at all. At this point the cabin crew will tell you all you need to know about what to do in case of emergencies and such.

When the plane prepares for liftoff, it starts to go really fast down the runway, and then within 45 seconds you are up in the air. Things may seem a little wobbly at first, but that's just because of moving through the different altitudes. Your ears will pop as you climb through the altitudes also. (chewing gum, drinking something, swallowing, or yawning will alleviate the pressure.)

Once you are in the air, things will feel smooth. You will hear the humm of the engines, but that's normal, nothing to worry about. I actually find it relaxing. If there is turbulence, you might feel the plane wobble a little bit, but remember, planes are designed to withstand this, so take a deep breath and try not to think about it.

When you are approaching landing, your ears will pop as you descend through the altitudes (remember: chewing gum, drinking something, swallowing, or yawning will alleviate the pressure). You will feel the plane slow down and the cabin crew will prepare you for landing. When the plane touches down it kind of feels like a short jolt, and then you hear them cut the engines off and the plane slows down pretty fast.

From there, the plane will taxi to either the gate or the designation where a bus will pick you up. You wait for the plane to decompressurize a few moments before they start letting the passengers out. That was your flight.


To entertain yourself:
- Bring along a few book, magazines, puzzles (such as crosswords or Sodoku if you like those).
- Bring along an iPod, MP3 player, or CD player to listen to music.
- A laptop is good to have as you can play games on it, connect to the internet, and get any work done that you may have.
- Talk to your friends who are sitting close to you.
- Try talking to the people next to you. Sometime you will meet some really interesting people, and forge friendships.

If I can be of any more help or assistance, feel free to contact me.

Answer 2

What specifically makes you scared to fly? How many times have you flown before? Knowing what part of flying you don't like will help us give you a better answer. Some people are afraid of crashes, some are afraid of the unknown or not being in control. I'll edit my answer if you add details. Just trying to avoid an unhelpful 10 page essay! EDIT: Looks like plenty of people beat me to the safety statistics. Keep in mind, whenever there is a fatality on an airliner anywhere in the world, you are going to hear about it. There are two reasons: 1) because it's so rare, and 2) it plays on peoples' fears, which makes a good news story. I don't know what country you are in, but the United States has had multi-year spans without a major accident. With tens of thousands of flights a day, that's pretty impressive. I wish driving had that kind of record. If you haven't been on a plane before, try to go with an experienced flyer. That way, you can be "coached" on what kind of sensations to expect and what all of the different sounds are. If this is the case, I can't say anything to take away the fear. It's unknown to you, so you're supposed to be at least a little scared!

Answer 3

My fear of heights is usually only in ladders or really high places that have only glass and it looks like there is no barrier between you and the ground, like the restaurant up at Stratosphere in Las Vegas. But every once in a while those darn little rails at the mall do give me chills, too, so I definitely know how you feel.

I have flown a lot, with most of my flights being over-12-hours-international ones so I definitely know what that's it's like and I have to say flying is nothing like elevators or the top floor at a mall. It is really not as bad as you might think it is; most of the time the flights are very smooth - it feels like riding a train or bus. Another plus is that you get in and out on the ground, which doesn't seem to be a problem for you.

My suggestions oif you are afraid of heights are:

* Get a seat in an aisle (or the middle section if it's a larger plane)
* Don't look out the windows - especially during takeoff and landing. It might help to fly at night, too, since it'll be dark if you do look out.
* Take a short flight the first time. That way if you do end up panicking it's not for hours. Plus it'll get you used to the feeling of the takeoff, landing and the flight itself.
* Make sure you take things that will make you calm if something like turbulation does happen. i-pod, laptop, magazines, books - whatever might keep you entertained if you can't fall asleep. Short flights are usually not going to have movies shown.
* Flying with a friend definitely doesn't hurt. :-)
* Don't obsess over the fact you are flying. And think of turbulation as pot holes in the road.
* The bigget the plane is the less you'll feel, so no little express planes (at least not at first).

Good luck. I hope you find the courage to try it out. I personally love to travel, so I can't imagine not flying. Plus my sister is also afraid of heights and she's done fine, although she doesn't enjoy it as much as I do.

And if you do decide to fly: Gum helps with the ear popping that can happen when the pressure changes during takeoff and landing. I always have some with me. Also - bring you own headphones and snacks. Most of the time you have to pay extra for those on the plane. :-)

Answer 4

The only time I ever had a momentary problem in a plane was on a trip to Germany in the back of a military transport. We were told our altitude and my problem came when I realized we had 8 miles of empty space below us. I closed my eyes for a second and imagined that crash. I opened my eyes back up and thought, nothing I can do about it. Never had the problem again. One cool thing was looking out one of the windows in the plane and seeing the cliffs of Dover as we flew past England.
Flew into St. Louis onetime during a thunderstorm, in a 20 seater. The pilots had left the curtain to the pilots cabin opened during the flight. The wind in that thunderstorm was throwing that plane all around. I happened to lean forward and out into the aisle to talk to a friend in the seat ahead of me, while we were approaching the airport. That time I thought it was cool to look out and see the end of the runway all lit up and seeming to dance all across the windscreen. For some reason I thought of Richard Wagner's, Ride of the Valkryies. It was better than a roller coaster ride. The first thing my friend did, after we deplaned, was the funky chicken dance. That about summed up that flight.
I also know what you mean about losing equilibrium near the edge. I attribute my problem there to spacial vision. I think the reason I don't suffer in a plane is because I can see things near to me and the walls of the plane limit my spacial vision. In other words it is like a trick of the mind. When I am near the edge of an elevated platform of some kind I feel like I am being drawn over the edge. I have to look for limitations such as a railing to keep me from going over. The railing calms me and I am good to go.

Answer 5

I don't like to fly at all but I've done it. I have taken aisle seats so it's easier to get in and get out. I take sips of clear soda pop to calm my stomach and also bring a bag of chips or something so that there is something in my stomach but not a full meal incase I'm not feeling too well. When the plane takes off I sit back and close my eyes and when it reaches the heigth it needs it feels like riding in a car. When it lands I do the same thing as it takes off... just sit back and try to relax.

Answer 6

My grandfather was killed in a plane crash in Puerto Rico, but i know that there is so much to see out there and that is the best way to get anywhere. And this summer I flew for the first time to London and Bulgaria and had the time of my life! Now i am dying to fly somewhere else. There's a whole world out there- so go, fly, you'll make it back just fine and have a wonderful experience!

Answer 7

I feel for you Brat so you need not fear it, I'll be with you and not let anything hurt you! flying is like riding a Bus, its long and narrow and if you ask when you buy your ticket you can sit on the Isle. If your Flight Is a long one you may get to watch a movie!! you may feel a bump or two when you change air layers. but not even as bumpy as a Metro bus. If you can have a friend go with you, it helps. If there is a magazine or a book you are interested in bring it. My favorite is a crossword puzzle book. If you get stuck you can ask the good looking person next to you to help you out! Really Brat it can be fun if you master your fears. good luck!!!!1

Answer 8

im very afraid of heights and just last month for the first time i flew. Its nothing...looking out the window is like its a video game. And the feeling is easier than on an elevator...i guess cuz your sitting down.

Answer 9

well look on the brighter side on the plane you can feel you are on top of the world
you get to see the flying dragons and you are above all the millipedes

if really something scares you you can crouch by the aisle buut that wont happen because you can always fasten your seat belt instead


if you think the plane is going to crash look on the brighter side you are not the only one you have company (the rest of the passengers) there are many on the look out for a sky diving adventure ,,,,


consistently watch "lost" serial where they show you can actually live on the other side of the island

you actuallly need to see more films of arnold ,,,,jet li,,,, where they defy gravity


i think i have inspired you enough

Answer 10

Think about the end result of your flight. If your going on a vacation trip just think about how much fun you will have when you get there.
Take a couple of sleeping pills and after your seated try to fall asleep before they take off then you won't think of the height. DON'T TAKE A WINDOW SEAT. Pretend your in a theatre that moves.