Scared of flying, i'm meant to be flying in a few days for my first time and i am a little nervous?

Question

if someone could answer a few questions for me it might settle my nerves if i know all the ins and outs:

do your ears hurt when you're on a plain? are boiled sweets or gum best to stop this?

what roughly happens before you fly? regular procedures etc.

are there any ways that i can calm my nerves about it? i realise the chances of anything going wrong are very slim, but as this is new to me i am quite scared.

thanks

x

Answer 1

You'll sit around a long time at the airport waiting for them to call your flight, then take another long wait in security (In some airports this may be in the other order)

You get in and sit down, and except for felling the rush of take off and a slight bump on landing, it's just like taking a bus ride. If you pass through bad weather or turbulence, the plane might feel like it drops slightly. It's like hitting a dip in a car.

You have to wear seat belts only on take off and landing.

About half way through they will offer stuff to drink, and food if it's a longer flight.

If it's a long flight there will be a movie, plus there might be music. There will be headphones in the pocket of the seatback in front of you. Also usually a magazine from the airline, but bring your own reading material.

My ears did hurt once, but all you have to do is chew gum, or hold your nose and blow to pop them. I just didn't have any that time. The ear ache stopped as soon as we landed. And it usually doesn't happen.

Try to look out the window and enjoy the view from up there.

Have fun!

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, I'll start with your ears - then move onto a bit about the regular business of flying in general :-)

For a start, ear pain in flying is honestly nothing to be scared of! IF it happens, it's not usually much - and which works better is a matter of personal preference - either is good so I recommend trying both (boiled sweets AND gum) and seeing which works better.

If you get into the flight though and you find that isn't working well enough, there's something else you can try. It's a little trick called the "Valsalva". Weird name, but. Basically, all it is, is to pinch your nose shut, shut your mouth then try to blow your nose as hard as you can - with it still pinched shut. It looks (and feels) weird, I know, but it honestly works really, really well! The main thing is to remember to pinch your nose shut firm though - it won't work nearly as well if you just blow your nose. It works because it "forces" the air out of the inner ear - and so the new air goes in and equalises the pressure.

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 :-)

Enjoy your trip!

Answer 3

No worries

i just came back from flying to and from great Britain and it was great

just relax and all will be ok  

enjoy the flight  

Answer 4

Don't be afraid of the flying.

Commercial aircraft are pressurized so any slight ear problems

can generally be solved by simply swallowing once or twice.

It's the incredible hassles that they will put you through at the

airport that will bother you.

Answer 5

Your ears shouldn't hurt, but they may "pop" when you go up, and start to "plug up" when you come down.

The best thing for that is either chew gum, or yawn a lot.

If you have a cold, and you're congested, you may want to take a decongestant before you get on the plane.

I haven't flewn in several months, but I don't think procedures have changed.

First you check in, if you have an e-ticket, you need to get your ticket out of the machine. Then go check in you luggage, if you have any. If not, just go straight to the gate.

Before they let you go to the gate though, you have to go through security. This involved putting your loose articles into a bin (including your shoes) and walking through the metal detector. Hopefully you won't be pulled aside, because that just takes a lot of time. they'll have you go behind a wall where they will search you with a hand held machine. Not to worry, unless you carrying any weapons!!

Use to be that if you had a laptop, they would have you turn it on to make sure it's functional. Not sure if they still do that.

Then you proceed to your gate, get a few munchies on the way, go to the bathroom, etc.

At the gate, they will usually call first class up first. Then they will start from the back of the plane and call the rows. Some airlines have a different policy where they call a by sections, you may need to read your ticket and see which section you're in.

On the plane, you need to put your stuff in the overhead compartment or under the seat in front of you, and then sit down and buckle you seatbelt.

they should come around with the beverage cart once they are up in the air and straighten out. If it's a long flight, they may show a movie. Headphones are usually about $5, so I take my own.

When you land at your destination, you wait until you come to a full stop, then everyone gets up and stands in line to get off the plane.

Then you go to where you get your luggage, if you checked any on.

That's about it. Nothing to be worried about!!

Good Luck!!