Has anyone here travelled on a plane, I have to in a couple weeks and I am terrified.

What can I do to make it easier and to get worse case scenarios out of my head?
One good thing is I am going to be facing a big fear of mine.

Has anyone here travelled on a plane, I have to in a couple weeks and I am terrified.

What can I do to make it easier and to get worse case scenarios out of my head?
One good thing is I am going to be facing a big fear of mine.


Yes, I have flown many times...  I'm not sure if you're afraid of heights in general, or if you're afraid of a crash.  If you're afraid of heights, you would probably do best with an aisle seat.
I'm assuming you have never flown before?  So I will try to describe it... when you first get on the plane, you will probably sit there for about a half hour before the plane even moves.  Then it will move very slowly on the ground out to the runway, where it will start moving on the ground very fast, and then slowly go up in the air.  Once you're in the air, you really can't even tell unless you look out the window.  Just try to convince yourself that you're on a train.  Sometimes there is turbulence which can feel like a bumpy road or can be a bit of a "dip" but that is normal and doesn't mean there is anything wrong.

And just remember, thousands and thousands of people fly every single day and get to their destinations safely.... we only hear about the very few unfortunate situations, but considering how many planes fly every day, something bad happening is VERY VERY rare.  Similar to car accidents, the drivers who make it from point A to point B safely are never mentioned on the news...

and if by any chance you have a layover in Denver, that will probably be the LOW point of your trip... that airport is the worst place I have ever had a layover.

Good advice from ADH13.  I've flown quite a bit as an ex-airline employee and I've always found flying to be pretty boring for the most part, and it is really a VERY safe way to travel.  A great way to distract yourself is to bring along some music, a book or something to keep your mind occupied during the  flight.  If you're not afraid of heights, and it's really just a fear of flying (my mother is terrified of flying but not afraid of heights at all)  then after you're back on the ground you'll probably look back at the experience and say "hey, that wasn't so bad at all!"  ;)

1) On take off as soon as you leave the ground you will feel a slight dip

2) Chew some gum it helps keep your ears from popping

3) If you use the toilet, when you flush it you will hear a noise like air being sucked out, it's not too loud but it's noticeable

4) If you need any help there is a call button above your head and a flight attendant will assist you

5) even if they say you can remove your seatbelt, you might want to keep it on in case there is turbulence

6) landings can feel a bit rough sometimes, as you are descending it can feel as if the plane is dropping, this is normal even if it doesn't feel so good but this usually only happens if the weather is bad

and if by any chance you have a layover in Denver, that will probably be the LOW point of your trip... that airport is the worst place I have ever had a layover.
Vienna Austria for eight hours really sucked, the only good area to rest was also a smoking area and they just happened to be using a jack hammer to fix the floor the day I was there, it might of been OK if we hadn't been so tired and could leave the small area we was staying in

It is said that traveling in an airplane is safer than driving.  I'm scared everytime I fly, but at the same time I think it's the coolest thing.  It's just amazing that we can fly.:) My husband flies in the Air Force and I just don't worry about it when he's out there.  There is no point and accidents are few and far between.  One thing that may be scary to a new flyer is the turbulence.  I've seen a few people describe it as a small dip.  To someone who is scared, it feels like a big dip.  It can feel like the plane just dropped like 15 feet, but it happens all the time.  Usually the pilot will let the passengers know that you will be experiencing turbulence.  I usually watch the stewardess, if she looks cool then everything is OK. ;D

oh yeah, one more little thing that anyone who has ever flown will probably agree with me on... when the plane lands, and you stand up, watch your head!

lol

Has anyone here travelled on a plane, I have to in a couple weeks and I am terrified.

What can I do to make it easier and to get worse case scenarios out of my head?
One good thing is I am going to be facing a big fear of mine.


right on,Tina..i would recommend music for sure and crosswords to occupy your mind  :)

btw,where are you going? ??? :)

I'm off to Melbourne tomorrow with the family.  I'm looking forward to the flight.  Jacks is right - flying is far safer than driving.  If you know any meditation techniques use them.  Breathing deeply and concentrating on your breathing can help you to relax.  Tell the flight attendant you feel anxious - they are usually very good at putting your mind at rest.  I hope you can relax and have a good time  :)

Since you're taking such a long flight, be sure to walk up and down the aisles occasionally. you don't want your feet, legs or butt to fall asleep. Flexing your feet and legs while you're sitting is also a good idea. You also may want to get one of the crappy airplane pillows to sit on. When I flew to Brussels, my ass hurt so bad I was shifting from cheek to cheek! ;D Drink plenty of water or juice, not alcohol (though it's tempting if you're anxious). You'll have a great time! If you're truly nervous, take a Benadryl to lightly sedate you.

thanks guys, it is the flying that scares me, I'm not afraid of heights-not much anyway-I am going to Ottawa for a few days. Leaving on the 14th of April. It will probably be only about a 1:30 to 2 hour flight-I hope.

I am planing to take a good book with me, I am the kind of peopson that can always get "Lost" in the pages of a book. Usually don't put them down till i am done.

I have flown so many times and the more and more I fly, the more and more I hate it and I get truly peterfied. I have found a few things really helps me get through it. Having my husband next to me to just hold my hand helps. (I know that sounds a little stupid but it really does help me)  Also, music. Most airlines provide music that include a varity of "stations"-rock, classical, alternitive, etc. However, some airlines will charge you $5 for the headphones. You can bring your own music (or just your own headphones to plug into the plane's music) but be warned that you must turn off your music for take-off and landing. Also, a good stiff drink doesn't hurt either.  ;) But, again, the airlines charges quite a bit for a drink-so be prepared to pay out if you go that route. As much as I hate flying, I still find myself boarding a plane. It is usually the take-offs and the landings that really bother me but I find once we are in the air-I am usually fine. As Ktelqueen has mentioned, crosswords and books also help to pass the time. Some airlines (American which I can think of off hand) have their own magazine which has a crossword in it. I had been lucky in the past because when I got to the magazine, no one did the crossword already. You can also bring electronic games but these also have to be turned off during take-off and landing.

Well, that is my advice (from someone who abolusutely hates to fiy but does it anyway).  I'm sure you will do just fine.




Cat

Has anyone here travelled on a plane, I have to in a couple weeks and I am terrified.

What can I do to make it easier and to get worse case scenarios out of my head?
One good thing is I am going to be facing a big fear of mine.
I remember the first time I flew on a plane--it was a short flight from Omaha to St. Louis. I was a little nervous when I got on the plane but once we took off I thought it was one of the most absolutely cool things I'd ever experienced in my life. I think a lot of it depends on the size of the plane you're on. I could get on a big jetliner and not even break a sweat, but the last time I flew was about 13 years ago (I was just getting out of the Army and was on my way home) and it was on a small twin-engine turboprop commuter plane and it made me a little uneasy. Since it was a smaller plane it was more susceptible to turbulence, so it jerked and bounced around a lot more than, say, a 737. It was a clear day out, and I convinced myself not to worry too much, that it was just the nature of the beast. But if I had to fly on that little sonofabitch through a thunderstorm I know I would've been so terrified that it would've taken the ground crews three days to clean all my sh*t out of the cabin.

Has anyone here travelled on a plane, I have to in a couple weeks and I am terrified.

What can I do to make it easier and to get worse case scenarios out of my head?
One good thing is I am going to be facing a big fear of mine.
;DI'm a big fan of the Everly brothers so i don't think i cN HELP YOU WITH THAT ONE

Well whitewolf,I've traveled on planes with my parents years ago.You just to stay relaxed and think good thoughts.try not to think about the bad ones or it's gonna make you crazy.Have a safe trip,WW :)

Well whitewolf,I've traveled on planes with my parents years ago.You just to stay relaxed and think good thoughts.try not to think about the bad ones or it's gonna make you crazy.Have a safe trip,WW :)



Easier said than done I'm afraid, but you guys have helped me to calm down some.