I have never flown before & I am terrified. Can anyone offer advice that may make my flight easy? Please...?

Question

I am flying with a friend but she can't be much help since this is her first flight and she's scared also. My flight is from Detroit to Ves (5 hours). I have Xanax that was prescribed by my doctor (does this really work)? Unfortunately, I chose a window seat. Lol!

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, and once you know the procedure it'll be a lot less scarier for you.


Make sure you get to the airport with plenty of time to check in, go through security, and fine your concourse and gate. Rule of thumb is to allow yourself 2-5 hours before your flight. Call the airport ahead of schedule to see what their wait time is for that specific day.

Make sure you have all your documents with you (picture ID or passport, visa if needed, and ticket). Also make sure that you are not taking any forbidden items with you. http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/permitted-prohibited-items.shtm


Now you are ready for your flight!

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.
- Try talking to the people next to you. Sometime you will meet some really interesting people, and forge friendships

Answer 2

I don't know what the restrictions are now. But I'd always take a couple bottles of water, a sandwich, books or magazines or crosswords, and make sure to have some money on you. If you're old enough, I suggest a bloody mary. Dress comfy, and try to relax and just sleep. Oh, and bring gum in case your ears clog up. And use the restroom before getting on the plane.

I've been flying for over 30 years, and I still don't like the landings. I take a deep breath and exhale slowly when the wheels start touching the ground.

Otherwise it's usually a smooth ride...unless you're on NorthWorst. :)

Answer 3

I'm not very religious, but I always say my flight prayer when I fly. Generally, I ask every god I can name to let everyone flying that day reach their travel destinations safely. I also put my faith in the pilots. They want to get where you are going too.

Most of the flights I take are much longer than 5 hours so I find stretching every 3-4 hours helps me relax. I go to the area in the back of the plane near the toilets and spend 20 minutes stretching. Then I usually sit on the floor with my legs crossed or straight in front of me for another 10 minutes. It's good for relaxing and it gets rid of the stiffness you feel when flying for long periods of time.

Answer 4

I'm a flight attendant and let me suggest a few things.

You can sleep all throughout the flight, and if you plan on doing so, your window seat is okay. Ask for an extra pillow (or better yet bring one of those travel neck pillows), eyemask and earplugs. Or bring your iPod.

Don't get drunk before or during the flight. You'd feel more drunk once airborne.

Bring a small bottle of water. That way, you wouldn't have to ask for a cup of everytime. Ask your flight attendant to refill it for you once empty. You get more thirsty as the enclosed space is really dry. This said, bring with you a face mist.

Don't bring too much on board. Bring only the things you need. See, if you've got only a bag then chances are you could stuff it under the seat in front you. It's better than having to get up and get your big bag from the overhead bin everytime you feel like getting your Altoids or something.

Not a sleep person? Bring them all: novels, crossword puzzles, sudoku, iPod, or your laptop.

Depending on how steep the pilot does the climb and descent, you might experience your ears popping. On climb, swallow to ease the ear ache. On descent, the valsalva maneuver.

Motion sickness? On boarding find an airsickness bag in the seat pocket. If you don't have one, ask for it...before it's too late ;)

And lastly, wear comfortable clothes. =) Hope this helps. Have a safe flight. Five hours isn't that long. :)

Answer 5

Try to make peace with the feeling that you are out of control. That is what causes most fear of flying. Don't be scared if there are slight bumps, the pilots know what they are doing. Also, when you take off, it will feel like a roller coaster and your stomach may flip-flop. You might even think flying is fun.
Once you get off the ground, you will probably be so amazed with the actual flight that you will forget how scared you were.

Answer 6

If you are afraid of heights--don't sit near the window.
If you are flying alone, use good judgement, and strike up a conversation with people around you.
Also, things like music, books, and crossword puzzle and even food can take you mind off of it.
Lastly, if it is a long flight--try sleeping. You can ask for a pillow.

Answer 7

My father has had his pilots license for 30 years. It's a joke in our family that I have more time upside down in airplanes than most people have right side up!!

I always think of statistics when it comes to flying. You have a better chance of choking on food and dieing or winning the lottery than you do of dieing in a plane crash. Flying is thousands of times safer (yes, thousands) than driving. Pilots have to have an incredible amount of training to do what they do. I have a lot of friends still flying the smaller planes trying to get enough hours to get in the big ones.

My uncle was the Director of Aviation for the state I live in for almost 30 years, so I have quite a few pilot friends, some famous, some not. By far, we've lost way more of them to cancer and illness than we have in crashes. In fact we've only lost one to a plane crash and he had his plane stupidly reconfigured for aerobatics.....way too much power for the plane.

Answer 8

I understand completely what you are feeling. Flighing can be a scary thing. Are you going alone or do have a friend or companion to offer you comfort?
Bring things like a ipod or cd player.

Or if you are really terrified... take a sedative.
Good luck on your flight!

Answer 9

You're much more likely to be injured or killed in a car than on an airplane.

Thousands of flights happen each day, yet, we very rarely hear about problems.

Answer 10

I would suggest that you bring an ipod or something like that with you. You want to bring something that will preoccupy you so you don't just sit there and think about flying. It is actually a very safe way to travel.

Hope this helps and enjoy your trip!