I'm scared to death of flying?...but I may have to fly soon! (gulp)?

Question

I will probably have to go down to New Orleans soon, and it look like the best option may be to fly down there.
The problem is I've never flown before in my entire life, I've done every vacation and trip on the road.
and unfortunately, I've seen to many airplane disaster movies, and of course 9/11 This scares me to death to risk my life life on one of those flying metal gas tanks.
(I swear when I go to Europe I'll take the long way; The Queen Mary 2, than get of a jumbo jet at JFK.)

Answer 1

Ok its kk its kk i had the prob to but not as much as you well when we got in the air kinda well hears how you relax your self:1.They have a radio hooked up so bring some head phones or buy those 2 doller ones find some classicel or smooth jazz and put like a sleeping mask on shut the little window or if you want to face your fear look strat out the window and say to your self its not gonna crash and im perfictly safe.2.my best friend has the same prob i posted if there was any good facts so heres a few theres a better chance of you dieing from a coconut(dont start geting afraid of coconuts now:)) then dieing in a plane crash.over a half a million planes fly in and out of air ports all over the world ever day and one hasnt crashed in three months and that was a REALLY REALLY long flight and they were flying throu a rain forest storm and no one died. the odds of u dieing in a plane crash in 7000-1.you can also bring a little portable dvd player and watch a movie with the little window shut so you dont have to look down and also its best to fly at nght if you have those fears because you cant see any thing and you might be so tierd u will catch some Zzzs.Umm mabey have a few beers thats known to do some good.Use the rest room alot so you wont pee urself and take a book a good book even if u have red it all ready at least you know its good but make shure you dident just read it the other day lol.and theres plunty more but big thought little space u get the picture:) lol good luck and dont be afraid enjoy and think of how pretty new orlens is and how much of a drag it would have been to drive.
Good Luck!

Answer 2

I know lots of people who are afraid of flying. Unfortunitly it is hard to disway the way they feel but if your a rational individual listen to what i have to say and you should worry way less about a flight. Statistically planes are safer the cars. Out of all the modern commercial flights over 99.99 have completed the flight without a crash. Thats why when a flight does crash it is such a big deal in the news or they make movies about it. Someone's proffesional is to fly a plane and its statistaclly safer to do that then be a garbage man. I have flown countless times pre and post 9/11 and have never had any problems ever in fact its unlikly that anyone you know, knows someone who was in an airplane accident. Fight your fears the time you save with flying is great plus the fact you can sit back and relax is even a bigger plus.

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

Many people are scared to fly and this fear is well recognised. Most airlines run or are associated with Fear of Flying courses. I was involved with the courses in association with Qantas in Australia for more than 20 years. Contact the major airlines for information. The courses are excellent and really help. (One of the Turbulence movies, number 2 I think, was subtitled "Fear of Flying". Ignore it, better still don't watch it. Fear of Flying courses are nothing like that.)

There is a book published in 1998 called The Fearless Fliers Handbook by Deb Seaman. She was on one of the Qantas courses and on the successful completion of it, she wrote the book getting all the speakers on the course to contribute. Look out for it, there could still be a few around if it is out of print.

Flying is a great way to travel - fast, safe and cheap. You can learn to enjoy it.

Answer 5

I hate to tell you this but your fear is illogical. I am not going to cite all the statistics but flying is much safer than driving. This a known fact. There is no reason to be scared of flying. If you are that anxious about it, maybe you can just take a sleeping pill and sleep through the whole experience. I am sure your Dr. will prescribe sleeping pills if you are having tons of anxiety. Not an ideal solution but it will get you where you need to go without you freaking out.

Answer 6

You should probably start lifting weights now... your arms gonna be tired, that's a long way to fly!
The only (mildly) scary part of flying is the take-off and then the novelty and beauty of the world around you is so commanding you'll forget everything but amazement. Good Luck!
Make sure you wear a thick bird-suit with lots of feathers... you'll get cold!

Answer 7

Wa Aleykum Salam. I am a Christian but have worked many years in Saudi Arabia and know a lot of Arabic language. I have many friends who are Muslim and I respect and honour their religion and beliefs which are not so very different from mine. All people are sinners, and all people are capable of doing good things too. We must not fear death, as it is part of the normal process of the life cycle. I can understand your anxiety, but air travel is the safest form of transport there is. You are far safer flying than you are on the packed roads and motorways. Prayer helps us all in difficult times and gives us peace of mind that Allah will take care of us, even in our darkest moments. There is no pit so deep, that Allah is not deeper still. Remember that and you will have his blessings. Be happy with the life that Allah has given you and enjoy it as it was meant to be. Peace be with you.

Answer 8

Well, you can take anti-anxiety medications if you wish. When I get on a plane, I don't bother to worry about anything. If in the one in two million chance the plane goes down, then there probably is nothing I can do about it anyhow. Bring a book or magazine that can occupy your mind. Also, bring a favorite snack.

Answer 9

I feel your pain..
I've been on 100 flights in my life, and I STILL hate it.. so I can understand..

My best advice is to find someone who can give you a few "ativan" pills, and sit back and relax on the flight..That's what I did last time..

My mom always told me.. "You don't have to FLY the plane.. you just have to sit there and shut up".
Just try and remember that.

Good luck!

Answer 10

dude i had the same problem. Just think for the best and bring a head set. The ride sometimes does get bumpy.. but there just air pockets. Everything will be fine and safe.