I'm scared of flying?

Question

In around 3 weeks I'm going to be on a plane for 11 hours. I hate flying! How can I keep myself occupied, there will be tv but that never works. I've tried reading but I can never take my mind off it. What can I do to make myself relax during the flight. I'm sure after a while I'll calm down, but for the first part how can I stop myself being so terrified?

:(

Answer 1

i was the same way i actually cried for 2 hours striaght before i went on the plane its actually a lot of fun! u should enjoy it alot they will serve u food and some stuff 2 drink u dont have anything to worry about in a scientific study it has actually been proven that flying in a plane is safer then driving in a car! just sit back relax and enjoy your plane ride

Answer 2

Me and my daughter have been on longer flights and she take her cd player or ipod,she also like to bring stuff that reminds her home.you can also brings picture of friends and family.just pretend its a giant bus.(whatever you do DON'T the window seat,use it when you feel more comforable)i promise you these things works,so calm down.

Answer 3

u musnt take any sleep for a day or u must work till ur tired before ur gonna flying...

so ur gonna be very tired...and u will get into ur dream(sleep).

n ull dont care about anything, maybeh :P

try it.... ;]

Answer 4

haha i go with the i don't sleep for a day i have a plane ride soon to so haha i'm terrified by not sleeping gives me the pill that my uncle and i use to fly which is Fakitol :PP

Answer 5

Bring an iPod with your favorite music and some restful music (like Enya or classical tunes). Once you're on the plane, take 2 Benadryl and try your hardest *not* to fall asleep. Concentrate on relaxing.

You should be conked out soon. ;)

Answer 6

My cousin was deathly afraid of flying, but she got over it by doing the following things.

1. She brought something on the plane that comforted her. She's a major Catholic, so she brought her rosary onboard and it did help her out.

2. Once she got onboard she took two Benadryl pills. The antihestimine in the Benadryl makes the body drowsy and sleepy. Airplanes are designed to provide the best level of comfort and safety so the humming noise you hear will help you fall asleep. Depending on how exhausted you are, you could sleep the whole way through but it usually lasts only 5 hours.

3. The Chicken Soup for the Soul people have a book that's titled "Fearless Flight Kit" The book explains anxiety and has stories from other fearful fliers. Once you read it, you may feel compelled to write your own story and submit it.

http://www.fearlessflight.com/chicken-so...

4. Alcohol does help, but don't over do it. I once took 2 benadryls and chased it with whiskey and slept for close to 10 hours on a bus ride to NYC from NC. But you will feel lousy once you wake up.

Planes are a lot safer today, one you learn to control your fear you would be able to fly anywhere. Find out what is making you so nervous and work your way towards defeating your fear.

Happy flying.

Answer 7

BOOZE

Answer 8

If you very scared of flying you might see if your doctor will give you xanax. Lots of people who are scared of flying take xanax. If you don't want to have to take drugs you could sign up for a course that will help you get over your fear of flying. If your going with a friend perhaps they could help by holding your hand and talking to you. Find out your underlying fear of flying. Talk to  the flight attendants they may be able to reassure you. They are used to dealing with people who have a fear of flying. Do so research before you get on a plane. Plane crashes are very rare. Write about how you are feeling during the flight. If you are busy writing you might not have time to think about the flight. Bring a crossword or sudoku something that will have to use your concentration on.

Answer 9

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!

So...I'll start with some common ideas. :-)

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 i'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 :-)

Enjoy your trip!