23 years old, and scared of first time flying! Should I worry?

Question

Hi yall, I am 23 years old and I have never ever flown before in my lifetime. This would be the first time ever that I would be higher in the blue sky than Charlotte NC Carowinds' rollar coaster Thunder Road (even more rollar coasters I avoid at all cost *shivers* not so good experience). I am so nervous, oive! My friends even joke to me to butter things up that taking off and landing is just like falling from a rollar coaster. You know that weightless feeling you get all a sudden when going through a fast drop....is it really like that? What about things to take your mind off of flying? What should I do? Now I am also ditsy at times and forgetful, I hope I dont end up going to the wrong destination or go to the wrong gate. I prolly wont be hungry that morning...

Answer 1

You have nothing to worry about, its a piece of cake.  My girlfriend was the same way when I flew her down to FL for the first time.  There is no weightless feeling while flying on a commercial airline unless you hit some severe turbulence (which is extremely rare).  To feel weightless you need to climb/descend as fast or faster than gravity and that doesn't happen during any segments of commercial flight.  Takeoff is like accelerating in a fast car.  You get pushed back into your seat for a bit.  Then you angle up for 15 minutes at most and you are level until the top of descent.  I would say the most nerve racking part of any flight is the landing and that is still nothing to worry about.  Just a thump followed by heavy engine thrust for the thrust reversers and you're done.  On a recent flight up to NY the plane I was on was being fit into the ATC system and there was like a constant speed up/speed down motion and I could see that making someone sick.  It wasn't bad at all but sometimes I take a motion when I am in private planes to avoid that feeling.  I would bring an ipod or something like that just to pass the time.  Lastly don't worry about the terminal/security.  People make such a big deal out of nothing.  The security is there for our safety and if you have any trouble finding your gate ask someone for help.  I know personally that Charlotte has plenty of airport personnel you could ask for assistance.  If all else fails you could have a few drinks before your flight but don't get blitzed because they won't allow you on the plane!

Answer 2

It is great I was a little scared my first time but I would rather fly than drive any day.  Take gum to chew something to read and hope for a window seat the views are so amazing. don't worry about the wrong gate etc. they won't let you board the wrong flight.

wear flip flops if you can so going through security will be easier, don't wear a belt if you don't have too and if you are traveling with a laptop take it out of it's bag it has to go in a plastic bin alone out of the bag.  

Take something to read if your nervous the take off part only lasts a couple minutes and it's not bad at all.  The landing will be a breeze as well.

Enjoy your travels.

Answer 3

the landing doesnt really feel like that, i mean you can tell that you are going down but its nothing like a rollar coaster.  and i dont think they would let you on the wrong plane..  some things to take your mind off flying are reading a book, wordsearches or something like that.  if you can go to sleep that passes the time.

Answer 4

Statistically flying is much more safe than driving. Do you freak out every time you're in a vehicle on the road? If not you should be even more at ease in the air.

Answer 5

If it were anything like a roller coaster you certainly wouldn't find me on a plane - EVER.  I fly a lot.  I'm flying tomorrow.  When I was your age I was also nervous and used to go by bus or train everywhere.  What a pain!  Once I got over my fear (have to admit that a couple of cheeky beers helped me), I realised just what a non event it was.  I ended up flying several times a week for work and I often fell asleep within minutes of taking my seat and woke up for landing.  Sometimes you may have a chatty (or hot!) passenger sitting next to you.  Talking to them certainly takes your mind off stuff.

The physical sensations are virtually zero apart from the thoroughly enjoyable acceleration before take off (pretend you are in a Lamborghini Murcielago) and sometimes a bump on landing.  If you are at the rear of the plane you will feel more of a sensation when they brake on landing as the plane tends to 'yaw' (move slightly from side to side).  This is all normal.

You will get used to the different engine noises and when the flaps move or landing gear comes down.  My tip is to look at the stewards.  If they are going about their work as normal then there's nothing to worry about.

You won't be able to get on the worng plane.  Enjoy the airport experience and when you land relish the fact that you have overcome this very real fear.

Good luck

Sally

Answer 6

Lucky you!!! At 23 you already have a chance to ride on a plane. I'm now 36 and I just had my first flight last three days ago. No, don't compare it to the roller coaster you'll never gonna have that fast drop experience. It was more like gliding. Well, my advice in taking off your mind to flying is that bring along something to read on like magazine or a newspaper. And concentrate on reading....

Answer 7

I love flying and i hate roller coasters so there is the answer , it is nothing like a roller coaster.I think you are apprehensive about flying with it being your first flight rather than scared , there is a difference , how can you be scared of something you have never tried ?. I fly often and i have never experienced any problems at all and it is a very safe way to travel. Sit back and enjoy the experience i am sure you will Love it .

Answer 8

HAHA noooo its sooo not like a roller coaster, you dont hardly move at all!! You just feel some g's when you are taking off, but landing, you dont hardly feel anything just maybe some extra bumps or something...

Just make sure you pop your ears, if you want, you can get ear plugs that help with the ear popping, because for some people it can get to be excruciating pain.

And no you shouldnt worry, planes are pretty safe. Just pray to God that you will be safe right before you get on!