Are you afraid of flying? If so why, how and what do you do to get over your fear?

Question

I am deathly afraid of flying, my dad has been telling me that I might have to fly and go back to my home country to visit for a while which is like 18 hours away, meaning 18 hours in a plane. Then come back to the states for another 18 hours. I can almost die just thinking about it.I dont know how I am going to be able to do this. Do you have a fear of flying?

When I was younger, I flew a lot, from uk to zimbabwe, nigeria, switzerland and united states at least 10 times back and forth,but now that I am older I am so terrified especially after 9-11. My dad tells me everyday the chances of me dying on the road to work or school are higher than on a plane but I just cant see my self doing it! I am even afraid of roller coasters..LOL

Answer 1

Take all of this into consideration -- pilots are very very highly trained and tested on their skills to be able to perform safely in emergency situations. Their training is to the point where it is instinctive for them to take the appropriate actions to safely recover from an emergency situation. They are tested yearly, and if they are ever unable to pass the tests, they are terminated.

Every 5 seconds, a boeing 737 takes off. And those are just boeing 737's, there are hundreds of other aircraft out there that take off every second. You don't hear about an aircraft crashing very often at all in relation to how many aircraft take off each day.

Air travel is safer than driving, or taking a bus. Statistics show that the amount of people that are killed or injured in automobile accidents greatly exceed those of air travel incidents.

So, there really is nothing to fear. I am going through flight training right now, and believe me, there will never be any under qualified pilot or any pilot who can not perform well in an emergency situation flying for an airline. There is just too much for airlines to loose, they do not let it happen. There are also millions of dollars of safety instruments such as Ground proximity warning systems and air to air collision systems installed in all commercial aircraft, these systems greatly reduce air travel incidents.

Answer 2

I am so NOT afraid of flying. I'm more comfortable in small aircraft than in commercial ones. I think it has to do with getting to know the pilot if I don't already. I have a great admiration for pilots. And the AME's who keep the A/C running to optimimum performance. They know are held responsible for the safety of not only the pilot but passengers as well. And because I've worked in the industry am aware of how high those standards are. It's one of the safest ways to travel. So I can watch the scenery, especially in a helicopter, and feel more at home than if I were at home watching a favorite movie.

Sounds as though you're going to be cooped up in a commercial cabin so there might not be much to see or even experience. Take a good book, or whatever portable handicraft you can think of to work on (knitting, crocheting). A pad of paper for writing down your thoughts down during the flight. A CD player or plug into the on-flight flick they provide for long hauls. A cozy pillow, and be prepared to chat the time away with your seat mate. It's a long flight, for sure, but do-able. To be honest, I don't think I could handle 18 hours on a plane without a lot of distractions but then I'm ADD. I'd feel sorry for the person next to me more than anything else.

Answer 3

Yes, I hate flying but I still do it. Statistically, flying is a lot safer than riding in cars every day. If you really freaked out on the things that statistically stand a better chance of killing or harming you, I bet you can rationalize this fear away. Do you freak out eating an order of large french fries or riding on a bus or in a car? Or do you think that sounds a bit ludicrous? Of course it does! So you have to try and change your attitude about the whole experience.

I have found some strategies to be helpful--in the days before my flight I devote some time to worrying about what could happen. I say to myself over and over--I want the plane to crash in a fiery ball and die young. Or I say I want the plane to crash into the ocean and any survivors to get eaten by sharks. Say whatever it is that makes you the craziest. You are kind of anesthetizing yourself by saying this very, very unlikely scenario outloud; you will realize how ridiculous it sounds. Other things: bring music along (ipod) or reading material and of course, sit next to someone who can hold your sweaty little hand during takeoff, turbulence, and landing. I cannot recommend any medication, because I think that stuff is for wussies.

Good Luck

Answer 4

It fun, try to get excited. Try to think of it as a roller coaster ride or something you enjoy. Most times it be a smooth ride. But, if the plane hit some turbulence it may shake around some. It just wind. So, look forward to turbulence and most times it never happen when you wanting it. Cars are more scary to me, because in a car, there others cars everywhere. In a plane, odds are you never see another plane, except at the Airports.

Answer 5

i have a fear of flying and i just think about how there are thousands of planes that fly everyday and the chance of something happening is very slim. also, not getting on a plane limits the amount of places you can go to so basically all you do is stay in your country your whole life. It gives you the chance to get out and see the world. Just think that the chances of something bad happening are so slim, that not getting on a plane is silly. people die in cars more often than they do in planes. wayyyyy more often. I hope this helps!

Answer 6

Yes, and I have had to fly many times. Whenever I find out I'm going to have to fly, I can't stop thinking about it. While flying I pray the whole time I'm in the air. I am a big baby when it comes to flying. Although, I have never had any sort of problem flying. There is really nothing to worry about. If your old enough, when you get in the air, have a beer and relax. We make it a lot worse than it really is.

Answer 7

I had never flown and took my first flight (in a small plane) at the ripe old age of 48. I thought I would be terrified, and actually I was until I made it through my first take off and my first landing. After that, it was gravy. Just bring a book, an IPod or watch the movie. Better yet, sleep. You'll be fine. If I can do it, you can.

Answer 8

I have flown before in basic terms loosen up and picture of ways immediately you receives there i'm getting somewhat apprehensive at the same time as the plane takes to the air yet i'm fantastic when we get contained in the air i do not fly very typically the most suitable time I flew become 2 years in the past and that i do not recognize at the same time as i visit fly again it really is often very tender flights so sturdy success and luxuriate on your vacation

Answer 9

Ive never been on a plane, the only thing i can think of is not getting the window seat and go on there feeling sleepy so when you sit down you fall asleep, also sit with the people who are most talkative and the ones who will help you through it the most, like me.

Answer 10

The only thing that gets me scarred about flying is that nausea. I hate that feeling that you get when you are about to throw up. There is nothing to be afraid of flying though i think flying is safer than driving cars any way. You should be more afraid of getting in a car.