Nervous about flying

[danzingcutie12]

This may be a really stupid question, but I figured I would ask anyway.

We are flying to California in a little less then a month and I couldn't be more nervous about flying. I have flown three times before but only to Florida, which is only about a 2 hour flight from New Jersey. But I can not believe how scared I am about flying to California. I can't even fall asleep at night because I keep thinking about the plane crashing or getting hijacked by terrorists. I was on a plane after 9/11, but it was on my senior trip, it was chartered, and I was with my friends. I am so excited for this trip just not the flying part of it. And after the success of "Lost" I am surprised that more people aren't afraid to fly.:veryconfu

I can't give up this chance to go to DL, but is there any way I can deal with this fear. Is there anyone that has dealt with this same thing before?? If there any suggestions you may have?

 

[Maryssa*]

I still fly but it scares me to death. I break out in a cold sweat and if we hit an air pocket and the plane bucks I burst into tears.

I'm exactly the same way =(

I usually jsut tell myself that the crew knows what they are doing and they would move out of any turbulence that was actually dangerous to the plane. They dont just fly through it purposely to scare everyone.

 

[tigsmom]

I just make the flight from Newark to Tampa or Orlando and I'm not comfortable the entire trip. I know the chances of something happening are slim, but I think its the being closed in thing that bothers me more(well that and the motion sickness). Talk to your doctor about your nervousness and hopefully you can get a mild sedative to help out. Take it for a day or two prior to each flight ans you should be ok. ((HUGS))

 

[ONUpolarbears]

This site may calm you down a bit.

http://www.freeessays.cc/db/8/asp5.shtml

Planes are still THE safest way to travel. The only reason people make a huge deal about it is when something on a plane DOES happen, the news gets all over it. But put it in perspective, for the 1 or two plane crashes you see a year...how many flights are there a day? a year? Not to mention almost all mechanical problems with planes are found before they even take off or they're so minor that it wouldn't cause a problem for a long long time. Many planes go under preventive matenence where parts are replaced before they even need to be. You have nothing to worry about. If the media would put every car crash on the national news every night.....you'd never want to drive again! Calm down. You probably have a better chance of crashing on having mechanical trouble on the dumbo ride;-)

Enjoy your trip!
Jim

 

[Teenchy]

$5 per cocktail


Really, another thought, I know that some airlines use to give classes to people who have a fear of flying, you may want to see if they still do, that may help you in the future.

 

[figmentmom]

A good friend of mine cannot fly without seeing her doctor for a prescription first (as many others here have already suggested).

Another good friend of mine is a pilot, and he always reminds me that all pilots are VERY aware that they would be the the first to arrive at any accident scene!

What relaxes you when you are nervous at home? Reading, meditation, deep breathing, music, movies? Adapt whatever works for you to a form appropriate for air travel, and you'll be OK.

Have a great trip! :wave:

 

[KrazyKemp]

Frist, get the book Airframe, but Michael Crichton and read it.

Then you can buy a little portable DVD player (if your laptop doesn't have a DVD player), and bring along, Airport, Airport 75, Airport 77, Amazon, Alive, Flight of the Phoenix, etc.

Yeah...

'Cause that would really help...

:lol:

:lookaroun

 

[DznyGrlSD]

I called my Dr and he gave me Xanax (sp?). It took the edge off the flight...

My doctor gave me the same thing to calm me down. I have panic attacks in airports

 

[Fantasmic!329]

I flew (from NJ) to California last summer. I was expecting the flight to be really long and scary. In all honesty, the flight wasn't anything like I expected. The time (literally) seemed to fly by. And I wasn't the least bit scared. Reading a book/magazing really helps. Or, if your flight has movies, watch them. I am sure you will be fine.
Have a great time in the DLR! It is loads of fun. DL is similar to MK in many ways, but I found DL to have a special charm that MK just doesn't have. DCA is different, yet fun.

 

[epcot2004]

We have a portable DVD player which gives us something to do while on a long flight. I prefer to sit by a window, I feel better when I can see what's going on outside for some reason. Flying is so safe. After driving to Orlando six years straight from Buffalo we have decided flying is the only way to go!:wave:

P.S. My wife won't let me buy a "Lost" shirt until after our trip so you're not the only one referencing that amazingly good series.

 

[WaltzingMatilda]

I can totally relate. Every time I book a flight, I start having touble sleeping. I always cry during takeoff (had to hide it last time, as I had my 4 year old with me - she had zero fear, bless her innocent heart).

This year, some of us are taking the train. Just don't think I can face a plane again.

 

[justducky78]

http://www.freeessays.cc/db/8/asp5.shtml Planes are still THE safest way to travel. The only reason people make a huge deal about it is when something on a plane DOES happen, the news gets all over it. But put it in perspective, for the 1 or two plane crashes you see a year...how many flights are there a day? a year? Not to mention almost all mechanical problems with planes are found before they even take off or they're so minor that it wouldn't cause a problem for a long long time. Many planes go under preventive matenence where parts are replaced before they even need to be. You have nothing to worry about. If the media would put every car crash on the national news every night.....you'd never want to drive again! Calm down. You probably have a better chance of crashing on having mechanical trouble on the dumbo ride;-)

Enjoy your trip!
Jim

With me, it has very little to do with mechanical problems or 9/11 attacks. So, I agree - planes are probably safer in that respect.

It's being enclosed in a small space for hours on end that bothers me the most. It's not like you can just pull the plane over to the side of the road if you feel sick or want to take a walk. I rarely get motion sickness and never really had problems flying before, but now that I've had this medical issue to deal with, it makes it worse for me. I can't imagine how people with serious medical issues travel comfortably at all...it has to be so hard and I am humbled by what people have to go through everyday just to do everyday tasks.

I'm also a clean freak and am disgusted by the small bathrooms so I do everything possible to avoid them if I can!! I just munch on crackers and pretzels and drink only water.

 

[tigsmom]

With me, it has very little to do with mechanical problems or 9/11 attacks. So, I agree - planes are probably safer in that respect.

It's being enclosed in a small space for hours on end that bothers me the most. It's not like you can just pull the plane over to the side of the road if you feel sick or want to take a walk. I rarely get motion sickness and never really had problems flying before, but now that I've had this medical issue to deal with, it makes it worse for me. I can't imagine how people with serious medical issues travel comfortably at all...it has to be so hard and I am humbled by what people have to go through everyday just to do everyday tasks.

I'm also a clean freak and am disgusted by the small bathrooms so I do everything possible to avoid them if I can!! I just munch on crackers and pretzels and drink only water.

The size or cleanliness is not an issue for me...I refuse to get out of my seat until the plane is stopped.:lol:
Hit the bathroom the last thing before boarding and the first thing afterwards, I eat & drink nothing unless I'm nauseaous then its just sips of ginger ale.

 

[justducky78]

The size or cleanliness is not an issue for me...I refuse to get out of my seat until the plane is stopped.:lol:
Hit the bathroom the last thing before boarding and the first thing afterwards, I eat & drink nothing unless I'm nauseaous then its just sips of ginger ale.

:lol::lol: I hear ya! Ginger ale is a good tip! I live for that stuff when my stomach is doing flip flops.

 

[JimboJones123]

Gingersnaps too!

 

[Dagger]

Phobias can be defined mostly as "irrational" fears. If you think of someone with a fear of let's say of spiders, you have to think that as a "normal" person....yeah, they're gross and we don't want them in our houses, but what are the odds of being bitten by one? OK now what about a bite that's fatal? I don't even know what the odds are but I know it's enough that most people don't have that fear and probably don't even think about it more than a few times in their life!

Basically, as most have said, statistically speaking your odds are better to fly than drive. I'm with you, though, that's not comforting!

What I realized I had to do when I too laid awake thinking about the stupid flight I'm going to be taking to get to WDW (and for me it's not until DECEMBER) is that it's really in God's hands. I believe that what's amazing about 9/11 is that God got all those people whose time it was together in one plane. That's more amazing than we can even comprehend! I don't mean to start an argument or debate, but this is honestly what comforts me.

The only 2 times I've flown as an adult were to go to WDW and in December I'll make it a 3rd for the same reason. The last time I went I took 3 Xanax and drank a martini and a beer and to be honest I was completely sober because I didn't want to feel that way up there and it made it worse. I'd rather just put it in God's hands. I did book an aisle seat for this next trip and our precious baby daughter will be with us (on her first flight) and all I can do is pray the 2 hours goes by fast... :sohappy: