For Pilots or ppl who fly often...?

Question

I am extremely afraid of flying. Just being at an airport makes me nervous! I was in a seaplane once... didn't like how it made me feel.

My quesitons are:

I have low blood pressure... even going in a ferris wheel made me feel sick. Will taking off/Landing cause me to feel sick? Or the air pockets?

Does the altitude affect some people more than others?

I'm just so afraid being up that high, something bad will happen to me health-wise, and we wont be able to land in time. Like I'll have a heart-attack, or such a bad headache that my nose will bleed... or I wont be able to stop throwing up...

I have anxiety attacks/panic attacks... but I'd LOVE to start flying places instead of taking the bus. I want to get over my fear of flying.

One more question :)

How annoyed would a Pilot be if I asked to go on a plane without it taking off? It just seems like a lot to push myself to go on one, then actually take off somewhere.... I'm THAT scared of flying.. I feel like a k**b.

Thank you for anyone who can enlighten me. Take care ~ Jen

Answer 1

No commercial pilot will allow you to just go on the plane and then get off before it takes off. You would need to hold a ticket before you were even allowed to board the plane.

This is not the right place to get the assistance and medical advice that you need. Consult your doctor about the medical issues and a mental health professional about the extreme fear.  

Answer 2

I think the best thing to do is to understand what is happening - then you'll know there's nothing to be afraid of!

I'm a pilot by trade - so trust me, I meet people all the time who are scared of flying. They range from people who are first time flyers to couples where one is scared and the other fine to people who've flown for years and still never quite got over the fear...when I talk to them a bit, I find the big concern is not understanding.

They don't know what happens, why things feel this or that way, and they need reassurance about the things that seem odd. Also, they quite often need myths to be burst - TV and movies are hopeless for spreading nasty ideas about flying that are simply impossible!

First up, to answer questions. Honestly, low blood pressure and altitude won't make you sick. Although the plane itself IS at 30,000 - 40,000 feet, the pressure inside the cabin means that inside, it's only effectively the same as 5,000 feet up...which is perfectly safe and not enough to make you sick.

I can't speak for every pilot but myself, I wouldn't be annoyed at all, promise! We pilots tend to be calm, rational and understanding people -and believe me, understanding people's fear of flying is everyday to us - so if you just wanted to be on a plane to experience it, but you weren't ready to GO anywhere...I'd understand totally! I think it's a good idea.

Some common ideas to follow... :-)

Most people tell me they are scared of crashing - that's the big one. If we take that though and look at the stats, some rather cunning analysts a year or two ago figured out that on average, you would have to fly 10 hours a DAY, for about 12 million years until you would be guaranteed to be involved in a crash.

So in other words, they are so few, the odds are literally one in billions!

Not to mention, most crashes happen on landing, when the plane is slow, close to the ground and people survive - very, very few plunge from the sky. In fact, virtually none. Most people survive the actual crash, then those who suffer are the ones who don't know what to do after - so the best thing you can do is pay attention to the safety brief - and bear it in mind. It'll put your mind at rest because if something went wrong, you'll know what to do...trust me. :-)

People often worry about us as pilots. They're scared we'll get sick or forget what we're doing. Not going to happen!

To fly for an airline, a pilot needs literally years of flying experience...and then once s/he's in, they need years more to become a captain and be in charge. This is why you see most airline pilots are in their 30s - 50s!

I'm only in my 20s and still working away at the hours I need to be an airline pilot. Even when I get the flying experience, I need to be accepted - and the airlines only take the best on board.

Once they're taken in, you have medical screens annually. Don't pass it? Then you stop flying - it's simple. So we know the pilots are fit and healthy!

Then there are tests every few months. From what I've heard, the tests are tough and they make sure the pilots can handle EVERYthing possible - and they do it all by the book and properly. Again - no pass, no fly.

So the two or more fellas flying your plane will be fit, experienced, well trained and capable... :-) you're in good hands! It's not like being a bus driver...

Now - onto the plane, for a few facts and mythbustings.

For a start, fuel. A lot of people are scared stiff about running out - but it just doesn't happen. The flight is planned bit by bit and when the fuel needed is worked out, an extra 10% is added, then more and more added to cover any event (like a delay) - and finally, an extra reserve added...just in case.

Doors - people think they can open in flight...WRONG. The pressure of the air inside the plane actually holds the door into its frame - and it is physically impossible to open!

Engines - jet engines are incredibly reliable - even more so than your car! Plus they are serviced continually, inspected after each flight and even if one or more fails, a plane can keep flying on the remainders. A four engine jet can fly on just one if it needs! It's slow - but it'll keep up there :-)

Wings - you'll see if you look out the window, the wings flex and parts move. This is totally normal. The flexing is just caused by wind - and it stops the wing stressing. It's like if someone grabs your arm and pulls - it'll move, naturally, at the joints - this stops it being hurt! The wing is the same.

As for the moving parts - these are actually brakes ("spoilers") and flaps - which help the wing make more or less lift when it needs. So they move up from the wing or back from it - nothing to be scared of.

The last thing is the actual feelings...

During takeoff, you'll feel pushed back into your seat - even more in the climb. Perfectly natural - it's just the plane accelerating - being such a powerful machine, it makes more of an effect like that than any car!

Turning in the air might feel weird too - because the plane tilts...again, it's totally normal - the plane won't roll over! But as it tilts, the nose can swing around to where it needs to be.

Finally...noise. Unfortunately, the plane's manufacturers can only block out a certain amount of engine noise - the rest is still heard...some people think the engines are exceptionally noisy - they are, but unlike a car, they're moving a few hundred people and there's 2 - 4 of them, not just one...so don't be stressed.

Certainly if you have any more flying concerns, send me an email with your questions - but otherwise I hope I helped!

Think of this...you're in more danger getting to and around the airport than you are in the air... :-) it's just that you're more used to ground travel than air.

Air travel is the safest in the world - for a reason! And everything that happens in the plane is for a reason - so nothing is wrong if they make a change :-)

Hope I helped!

Answer 3

Some places do offer "fear of flying" classes.  Before 9/11 that would often involve going into a commercial airliner without it actually taking off, but I don't know if that's the case anymore.  But of course museums have old airplanes.  I know of ones in DC and Seattle, but I'm sure there are others here and there.

The altitude shouldn't affect you too much - even though the plane is at 35,000' they pressurize the cabin to be equivalent to 8,000'.  You shouldn't have problems at that altitude.

I would advise you to do the following:

1) Look into a class like I mentioned above

2) Learn about how airplanes work.  You will feel much safer when you learn "what that noise is for" and that "every system has a backup, and most of the backups have their own backups", etc.

3) Consider talking to a psychologist

4) I hesitate to recommend it, but some people take medications

5) Research air crash statistics, how many flights operate per day without incident, etc.  More people are killed each year by goats!

6) Just do it.  Force yourself through it.  That will make it easier the next time, and the next time, and the next time.

Answer 4

These questions would be better answered by a psychiatrist rather than a pilot.  I'm sure you could find a local pilot willing to let you sit in his/her aircraft for awhile.  They'll probably think it's a little bit weird, but simply explain your situation and who knows, you may even end up with a ride at some point.

Answer 5

I totally understand how you feel. When i first started flying I was terrified! I called the airline and explained what I was feeling and was able to take a tour of an airplane which really helped. Also I would check with your Dr. and what He/She says about your blood pressure. The altitude should not be a problem because the plane is pressurized and the only thing you may feel is your ears popping. Also I would suggest talking with your Dr. about getting some anxiety medication to take before you fly as well as some dramamine before you take off to help deal with motion sickness. Don't feel bad everyone has their own fears and I was one of them until I tried it. I fly all the time now. Good Luck!

Answer 6

So when you get a cold, or have a stomachache, you call a pilot instead of a doctor?

Answer 7

To avoid feeling that your so high in the air, just simply close your window. Think of it this way, when your so high in the air, just think its the same as a car on the ground. Try to sleep most of the trip so take some sleeping pills if your doctor recommends it. Don't tell the pilot to go on a plane without it taking off because he will think your crazy. In case you have to throw up or so. There will be a bag on the seat in front of you so you can throw up in it. when its take off it like the car is just going fast and then goes up, but you don't really feel it when it goes up. Try not to think about it so much, make yourself comfy and take some entertainment. Remember you have to face your fears! If your ears start hurting just suck on a lollipop or ask a stewardess what you should do to prevent the pain. Have a safe and pleasant trip :)