Airplanes....???

Question

I am very afraid of airplanes. Im not sure if its because of the height or something else. I am going on a plane to go to montana this summer because its too long of a drive. Please help me be able to get over my fear of planes!!!! Any advice is welcome. thank you.

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

If you need someone to talk to, or have any questions, feel free to contact me.

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

Flying is a very unnatural act for us humans. The primary reasons people are afraid is for two reasons. We have all seen the TV footage after a crash occurs and hear how many people have passed away in the crash. The other reason is that we are surrendering control of ourselves to a couple of very highly trained, imminently qualified pilots and a cabin crew of professionals that we have never met. It is difficult to place your trust in a complete stranger.

That said, flying is the safest mode of commercial transportation. Its safety record is unparalleled in comparison to any other mode of transport. Millions of people travel by air every year and tens of thousands fly everyday in aircraft of all shapes and sizes. You never hear about all the safe flights, only the ones where something unfortunate happens. From a purely statistical standpoint, if you were to be born in an airborne airplane and fly 24-7-365 and never land (theoretically) you could not expect to be involved in any type of incident until you are 76 years old.

Ask your doctor for a couple of valium if you think you really need it, ask the airline for a window seat forward of the wing and take your camera for some truly magnificent photos.

As was also mentioned, take your laptop or a good book and relax. If you encounter turbulence, look at it as a bumpy amusement park ride. Good luck in beating your fear and have a good flight.

Answer 4

I think the only way to get over your fear is to face your fear and fly. Stay calm. Use self talk to convince yourself it is ok., it is safe, that it is fun. The more you think about being scared, the deeper your fear will become. Remember that air hosts fly every day, all day long and they are alive and well. Talk to people that like to fly and try to change your views about flying. The more you talk about being scared, the more scared you will be. Try focusing on the positives. Good Luck and Have a great flight!

Answer 5

No worries at all. I travel often for a living I racked up over 30,000 miles last year alone. Air travel is much safer than driving. There is one fatality per 1 million miles traveled by auto as opposed to one airline fatality for every 23 million miles flown. Get yourself a nice pillow, some headphones, and an MP3 player kick back and relax and enjoy ythe flight.

Answer 6

Good advice above, with the exception of the statement that you can connect to the internet during flight; you can't.

Answer 7

talk to your doctor, they can give you something to calm your nerves. or take some valuum.