Fear of flying?

Question

I don't know why I've developed this sudden phobia of flying. I used to fly all over the world when I was younger and never once has anything ever happened. I guess, ever since Sept. 11th I've been terrified of flying. I keep telling myself it'll be alright, people fly every day. But then I think, what's not to stop it from happening to me? Not that I'm fearing the planes slamming into a tower, it's the terrorism on the plane, no matter how high security has been enforced. What if the plane malfunctions -- what if the people that check the plane over look something before take-off?

What can I do to calm myself down? I'm flying from Phoenix to Las Vegas in 2 weeks. It's not even an hour long flight, and I've flown it before, no problem. Now I'm just terrified. What can I do to chill out? It's inevitable, I'm flying, no ifs ands or buts about it, no refunds on the plane ticket. Help calm me down. =(

Thanks.

I could never fear riding in cars. I love cars and racing them. =)

To the Y!A user, sellatieeat: why did you say to stop thinking positive? shouldn't I be thinking positive?

Answer 1

dont keep thinking about your dilemma over and over again... that'll surely help
just be positive abt your trip... the security at airports and in air crafts has really increased and improved a lot since teh 9/11 incident.
you wil have a gr8 flight
keep smiling.... take your iPod along...and keep your mind occupied.. if u like reading take your fav book along to keep u busy
have a safe trip

Answer 2

Just remember that air travel is the safest form of travel in the US. There are additional safeguards and all planes have back-up systems. If you consider the number of flights daily and the rare reports of a problem you will realize this. Statistics show you are more likely to be injured in route to the airport than on the flight. The difference is that every auto accident does not make the national and international news. If they did there would be no air time for other news.
The news only reports mass transit accidents because if you can give a large number of people injured it makes better ratings.

Of course I hope this doesn't give you a fear of riding in cars.

Answer 3

Your chances of being involved in an aircraft accident are about 1 in 11 million. On the other hand, your chances of being killed in an automobile accident are 1 in 5000. Statistically, you are at far greater risk driving to the airport than getting on an airplane. However, the perception is that you have more control over your fate when you are in your car than as a passenger traveling on an airplane. Experience shows otherwise, considering that over 50,000 people are killed on the highways every year. Media coverage would suggest that airline crashes happen every day. Studies have shown one would have to fly once a day every day for over 15,000 years in order to statistically be involved in an aircraft accident"
Flying is very very safe. Don’t worry about terrorists that is the least likely thing to go wrong on a commercial flight in the US these days. Flying in the United States is very safe, there has not been a major airline crash in the US since November of 2001! That is a long time for no major crashes and only on fatality in the last seven years for the Major Airlines in the US.
Even when there is a problem on an airplane, if an engine fails on takeoff or an engine fire etc.. 99% of the time the plane lands safely. Planes these days are amazing piece of technology and the pilots are trained better than ever. If you not afraid to drive in a car you should not be afraid to fly in a plane.
Just sit back relax and try to enjoy the flight. Its one of the safest things you can do much safer than driving a car, walking down the street, or even sleeping in your house. More people have died on North American highways in the year 2006 than the amount of people who have died in powered flight aviation whole 104 year history!
Also the best way to completely get over your fears is go to you local General aviation airport and take flying lessons! Once you fly in a small airplane a few times and learn that airplanes fly and that’s all they do you will be much more confident with flying on commercial planes. You will learn a lot with a few flying lessons. I could even teach you a lot by just showing you my Microsoft Flight Simulator. Flying is a great experience, once you get used to it and learn what makes airplanes fly etc.. your fears go away trust me, I used to be a little bit scared to fly too. Now I LOVE it.
Just remember this, your not afraid to drive in a car are you? Well think about this. Cars are made to crash wells planes are not. Why? Because cars crash and planes don’t, they just like to fly.

Answer 4

just go in the plane, and stop thinking about it. think of something else that is nice. bring a book to read and most importantly just enjoy urself. the more u keep thinkng bout it the worse for you, so just try to be relax when you are there in the airport. take deep breath, and say "ill be ok". everything will be fine.

Answer 5

Get over it! When it's your time, it's your time. My mom was run over by a car when she was out for a walk. Focus on ways to make every day count instead of spending time worrying about what might happen. Life IS HAPPENING now. Be a part of all that is wonderful.

Wish you luck!

Answer 6

i don't know, but now I'm more nervous than ever to fly myself! I've never flown before and am flying from NH to Florida in Feb and NH to Alaska in July!

Answer 7

you just need to stop thinking positive. I'm pretty sure that every passenger also fear of the worst. But don't htink about it. YOu have to trust the aircraft crew. They work hard to make sure that the aircraft will work properly. You should probably listen to music on the plane to help calm down your nerves.

Answer 8

Lots and lots of Alcohol. That’s my grandfather’s solution to everything