I am flying out of Boston for the 1st time since 911. Does anyone have tips on how to alleviate my anxiety?

Question

I usually have a carefree and adventerous attitude about life and this anxiety is new to me. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

Hypnosis or relaxation tapes or CDs might help.  Or if you prefer the pharmacological approach, dyphenhydramine (Benadryl) is a good sleep aid.

Answer 2

while on the plane fall asleep

Answer 3

Valium

Answer 4

I have a friend at Logan. He flies out of there all the time. He's not a pilot. But he works there. I wouldn't sweat it. Their security is 100% better. Do yourself a favor and wear shoes that come off easily. Because you have to run them through the metal detector. If your flight isn't direct it becomes a hassle. Personally I prefer to fly out of Manchester or Bradley. Only because of the traffic getting into and out of Boston. But Logan is a great airport. No need to be afraid. Watch for falling 1 ton roof panels if you are going through the "Big Dig" tunnel though. (just kidding) You'll be fine.

Answer 5

Terrorists wouldnt bother with planes anymore. In every case of a passenger acting out on a plane or causing danger they have been tackled and restrained. No one has EVER broken into a Flight Deck after 9/11. Don't worry. Crews are highly trained to deal with all emergencies on a plane. You have a better chance of crashing accidentally than by terrorists. A plane is the safest place the average person can be. If you dread flying you should be freaking out about sitting in your living room.

Answer 6

hi this is mohanfrom india..dont worry..okva?

which god u wil be praying often..just lie down and start counting from 1 thinking ur god...ur anxiety and ur frigtness wil flow away..try this..if u got any doubt contact me in this no 9942534487 as i had experinced i wil tel u....happy journey..take care..bye..

Answer 7

Others did a nice job about the flying part.  Here is some knowledge that will help prepare you about the new procedures at the airport.  

well the "flight" part of the trip is going to be just like any other plane trip you took, once you get on the plane - except they have a lock on the cabin door now.  And if there is a bathroom up there, they don't allow lines to form.

Now the good part -

1. You do not lock your luggage, and all of you cosmetics larger than 4oz should be placed in  zip-lock bag on top of the clothes - this allows easy inspection.

2.they do not allow any container of liquid larger than 4oz through security, so don't bring a water bottle, or shampoo, or hairspray, etc through.  they will allow a sandwich, fruit, chips.. you can get water, etc once past security.  depending on where you are, they may or may not let you take it on the plane.  remember, those big shampoo containers get checked in the luggage.

3. they are going to ask you to take your shoes off, and put them through the scanner with your other packs.  they will also ask you to remove your coat, and hat to be scanned.

if you area carrying a laptop, that must be scanned separately from its case, so you'll need to take it out.

I recommend slip on shoes, makes it alot easier.  put keys, coins, cell into a carry-on pocket.

4. they are going to ask for your ticket/boarding pass and ID multiple times!  keep them in a handy pocket.

5. they do not let people without a ticket past the security check-point (you can get a special pass, but it has to be arranged in advance) so if a friend is taking you to the airport, say bye at the door.

6. no joking with the TSA officials about weapons, bombs, etc.  they are required to consider the jokes a threat, and will react as such.  this sounds like a bad thing, but it isn't -

7. this is not europe or middle east - there are no military personnel walking around at this time.  except for the heightened security, all will look and feel the same.

I hope you have great flying weather, with a spectacular view of boston, the great northeast, and points beyond!  Flying is safer than it has ever been.

Answer 8

Trace a line downwards from where your right collar bone starts to the middle of your chest, at this point tap gently with your first two fingers of your left hand, at the same time chant to yourself " I have a fear of flying". Do this for as long as you feel you need to, I did this two days before,during and after my flight from Birmingham UK to Dominican Republic and didn't have any problems.

Answer 9

I'm not really sure about what 09/11/2001 in NY has to do with flying out of Boston in 2008. You will be just one of the hundreds of thousands of people flying that day.

Here are some statistics:

"On any given day, more than 87,000 flights are in the skies in the United States. Only one-third are commercial carriers, like American, United or Southwest. On an average day, air traffic controllers handle 28,537 commercial flights (major and regional airlines), 27,178 general aviation flights (private planes), 24,548 air taxi flights (planes for hire), 5,260 military flights and 2,148 air cargo flights (Federal Express, UPS, etc.). At any given moment, roughly 5,000 planes are in the skies above the United States. In one year, controllers handle an average of 64 million takeoffs and landings. "

You're just not special enough to be singled out for a disaster any more than anyone else is. You're safer in the air over Boston than in a car driving in Boston.

Happy flying!

Answer 10

This article may help

Overcoming the fear of flying

Earlier this summer, I flew to Amsterdam beside an older man who prayed for hours. At first I thought he was devout, but then he explained he was scared of flying and couldn't afford to book a cruise.

A few weeks later, enroute to London, I changed seats with a young woman who was petrified to buckle in. She told me she had a few weeks off between graduate school and a new job and didn't want to waste the opportunity to see Europe — even though she was literally shaking.

Both of my fellow travelers overcame their fears, though the emotional toll seemed costly. And it struck me how the standard concerns about mechanical failure or pilot error have been greatly upped since 9/11 by an even greater fear of airborne terrorism. Many travelers who in the past were not anxious about flying certainly are now. And those who were afraid before are even more afraid these days.

Of course, I could cite the statistics, which continue to show that commercial aviation is safer than car or rail travel. In fact, one study conducted after 2001 concluded that it's 261 times safer to fly from New York to Los Angeles than to drive. But these days the statistics may not help many fliers, especially after they wade through the gauntlet of airport security. It's like telling someone about to go bungee-jumping for the first time that they're more likely to get hurt slipping in the shower.

Fighting the fear

My former seatmates are not alone. It's probably safe to conclude that more Americans are nervous about flying than at any time since the jet age began almost 50 years ago. And all the statistical tables and Erica Jong jokes aren't likely to help, since aerophobia is a recognized anxiety disorder and often masks deeper concerns.

The airlines themselves used to actively combat such fears. In the past, airline employees were better able to assist scared passengers; many still do, but additional duties and more crowded cabins have diverted their attention.

My former employer, Pan Am, is credited with pioneering the first fear-of-flying program back in 1975, and I recall when nervous passengers were given tours of empty airplanes on Sunday mornings. In recent years, American, Northwest and US Airways offered excellent seminars. But most carriers scrapped such programs several budget cuts ago. Now it's up to outside companies to help fight the fear of flight.

I believe that — within reason — we should all convince our friends and family members to keep flying. It's not just the "if we give up, then the terrorists win" argument. But there are two fundamental reasons why such fears should be addressed: 1) For many Americans, flying is the only practical way to travel, and 2) deciding not to fly often grounds spouses, partners, children, parents and friends as well.

Several types of assistance

A variety of tools are available to assist those who want to overcome their fears. They range from books to videos to online courses to complete seminars with actual flights. The price for such assistance ranges from no charge to several hundred dollars.

It's worth noting that when we examined this topic at Consumer Reports Travel Letter a few years ago, we found just a handful of offerings. Now dozens are available.

Here's a rundown of some of the better products:

Self-help

These products are designed to be used at home:

•Achieving Comfortable Flight. A former Pan Am pilot and a psychiatrist created this kit, which includes 7 audio tapes, 2 booklets, and 14 "quick reference cards." $59.95; www.anxieties.com.

•Fear of Flying Help Course. This online program, designed by an airline pilot, subsists on user contributions. It employs photos, videos, sounds, virtual reality tours, and print-outs to aid both children and adults. Free; www.fearofflyinghelp.com.

•Fearless FlightKit. Billed as "Chicken Soup for the Soul's Fearless FlightKit," this package includes a book with real-life stories, a personal checklist to bring onboard, and a "Flight Harmonizer" CD of comforting prose, music, and poetry. $24.95; www.fearless-flight.com.

• Further information about combating the fear of flying is available at TravelDirt.com.

Courses

Throughout the country, a number of companies offer assistance:

•Fear of Flying Clinic. This San Mateo, Calif.-based company offers "therapy combined with education." A behavioral counselor can assist with deep-breathing exercises. www.fofc.com.

•Fear Takes Flight. This four-step program, developed by a Kansas City, Mo.-based company, culminates in a short flight with a pilot-therapist. www.feartakesflight.com.

•SOAR. This Connecticut-based company, founded in 1982, offers a three-part home-study course (at $95 per section). It also offers two hours of "specialized individual counseling" in person or by phone with a licensed therapist who is also an airline pilot. www.fearofflying.com.

Books & videos

Dozens of titles have been published and can be bought online.

•The Fearless Flier's Handbook (Ten Speed Press). Personal experiences by the author and others who have completed an Australian clinic operated by Qantas.

•The Fearless Flyer (Consortium Books). The author has treated patients with aerophobia for 25 years.

•Flying in the Comfort Zone: Overcoming Your Fear of Flying is a video available through Amazon.com.

•Flying? No Fear! (Summerdale). The authors are an airline pilot and a clinical psychologist.

•Flying Without Fear (New Harbinger). The author shares techniques he used as an instructor for American Airlines' AAirBorn program.

• Further information about books, CDs and videos is available at AirSafe.com.

Can these products help you if you have a loved one who's afraid to board an airplane? Absolutely. But the key is to present these aids in a sensitive and caring way and not ridicule such fears. The sooner you do that, the sooner you and your traveling partner can be airborne.

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Bill McGee, a contributing editor to Consumer Reports and the former editor of Consumer Reports Travel Letter, is an FAA-licensed aircraft dispatcher who worked in airline operations and management for several years. Tell him what you think of his latest column by sending him an e-mail at USATODAY.com at [e-mail]. Include your name, hometown and daytime phone number, and he may use your feedback in a future column.