Fear of Flying

[Bennett.]

I'm petrified, but it is something I have had to do periodically, including this week when I got to Canada. I think I barely slept and was having a panic attack for half the journey. I never used to be afraid until I had to bring my family with me. How do you guys cope with being in the air? Love it? Hate it? scared shitless??

 

[silverscope]

I don't hate it but I always manage to have a runny nose about 10mins into the flight which continues the whole flight until I get off and my nose becomes blocked.

But overall I don't mind it, although I don't like heights (what is it, afraid of falling not scared of heights?) but I manage on an airplane. Boats... boats are another story.

Have you tried Valium? Sleeping pills? Whiskey?

 

[Caesar]

It's a funny thing. My mum never had a problem with flying until she was about 55 or so, but ever since she's been getting worse and worse. She's not the only person I know who has suddenly developed a problem with it at some point for no real reason.

Can't think of too many other phobias that manifest themselves overnight in adulthood.

 

[Bennett.]

I have no idea if it is because of my overprotectiveness of my daughter, or the influence of watching too many aircrash shows on discovery...

 

[Smoooothy]

i wouldn't say i have a fear of flying, but i'm very aware of every single noise that happens on a plane

 

[Bunk Moreland]

Always felt bad for people who suffer from this, travelling is awesome and this would just make it so hard.

Personally I hate flying... not a fear thing, I just can’t stand it. I’m the kind of person who can’t sit still for 5 mins, so an economy airline seat is really not conducive. It’s a horrible way to travel. If I was loaded, first class travel would be the first thing I lashed out on.

Not really sure what to do, I guess make sure you’re always with somebody who knows what’s going on so they can help you out. Hopefully the more you do it, the better you’ll get. I’ve sat next to a few people with a fear of flying... it’s pretty common, the crew and others around you will be pretty understanding.

One good thing is interstate flights are very cheap these days, if you really wanted to beat it, nothing to stop you taking some day trips and getting some practice.

If you’re actually managing to get on flights, no matter how hard it is, you’re on your way to beating it I’d reckon. Some people can’t even bring themselves to board a flight. I remember Dennis Bergkamp the soccer player, he just flatly refused to. If Arsenal played on the continent, he’d leave days ahead and get there by car and train, and sometimes didn’t even play at all. Did lead to a brilliant nickname though... the (non) flying Dutchman.

 

[SugarShane]

I love flying. Well mainly take off and landing. The in-flight part is mostly boring.

 

[blueboy25]

A mate of mine can't stand flying and will not move from his seat for the whole flight not even to go to the toilet. Literally sits down, puts his seat belt on and will only remove when its time to exit the plane.

I am a opposite, I can't stand sitting down during a flight, I am more than happy to stroll around the cabin, chat to the hosties up the back for a while.

 

[jacqui9]

Personally I hate flying... not a fear thing, I just can’t stand it. I’m the kind of person who can’t sit still for 5 mins, so an economy airline seat is really not conducive. It’s a horrible way to travel. If I was loaded, first class travel would be the first thing I lashed out on.

.

This. When I went to the UK, I purchased some sleep-ez tablets, popped two and was out like a light

 

[Aussie Assault]

It's a funny thing. My mum never had a problem with flying until she was about 55 or so, but ever since she's been getting worse and worse. She's not the only person I know who has suddenly developed a problem with it at some point for no real reason.

Can't think of too many other phobias that manifest themselves overnight in adulthood.

This is basically where I am at. Used to love it when I was younger but the older I get the worse flying gets for me. I love to travel the world, and know that I have to get on a plane to/from each destination, but it certainly doesnt get any easier.

I'll usually have a few pints before I leave to try and settle the nerves, and then have a few more once onboard. And I refuse to watch Air Crash Investigation and those kinds of shows as it'll only add more doubts/thoughts into my head while sitting 36000ft in the air.

 

[Soups]

Flying into Vegas could definitely change someone's mind about flying. Because of all the heat pockets in the air, it is one bumpy ride. Never had a fear, so I could just sit back and relax. The chick sitting next to me on the other hand was praying to God. Lol poor thing

 

[JuddsABlue]

I dont have a fear of flying but I am pretty alert during take off, ie I get worried about not getting enough speed to take off for whatever reason and running out of runway, or getting stuck at an awkward speed that leads to jumping and then losing control or not gaining enough height

once we get like 100 meters in the air though I'm fine, its really only a machanical fault that'll cause an accident from there anyway

Ive watched a lot of Air Crash Investigation so I've seen how a lot of accidents happen and the nastiest ones are usually during take off

 

[muttweed]

I love love love flying.

I watch tons of air crash investigation shows, but I'm not scared at all. Reality is, air travel is the safest form of travel in the world. You are 1000x more likely to get in a car crash than in a plane crash. They even say this shit on the air crash shows, how can you be scared.


My first flight, I was petrified but I loved it as soon as I eased into my chair.

Best part is taking off, and when you're about to land, 20m above the city and can see everything up close.

I don't see how you can be distressed during a day flight when through the window all you can see are peaceful clouds etc. It's do soothing.

 

[Kaladin Stormblessed]

Similar to a couple of others before, not really scared of flying but extremely alert during take off and landings and generally where I have my worst thoughts. Was that noise routine? Are we taking off too steep? I can't see the land yet we're landing!! etc

Nothing too over the top though. Apart from that, love flying.

 

[Kaladin Stormblessed]

I love love love flying.

I watch tons of air crash investigation shows, but I'm not scared at all. Reality is, air travel is the safest form of travel in the world.

Wrong.

You are 1000x more likely to get in a car crash than in a plane crash.

Wrong.

 

[muttweed]

Wrong.



Wrong.

You say it like you think I calculated the exact statistics

I told you where I heard these things from, don't be picky now.

 

[Kaladin Stormblessed]

Haha fair enough.

Just for the record, buses are the safest form of travel

 

[I bleed Blue]

Haha fair enough.

Just for the record, buses are the safest form of travel

Clearly its teleportation.

Ever heard of someone die during teleportation? I think not.

 

[BomberFletch31]

I love flying. I don't fear it at all, quite the opposite. I welcome the opportunity to fly with open arms.

I'm also an aviation enthusiast and know a little bit about the stresses that new aircraft designs have to go through before the aircraft can be certified. Flying in modern airliners is one of the safest modes of transport.

If there's one thing I don't like about flying, it's turbulence. I do suffer from motion sickness, so I take a motion sickness tablet before hopping on a plane.

 

[raskolnikov]

I used to love it, but I've done so much of it I just find it boring now, but I get a bit nervous when there's a lot of turbulence. There was one internatonal flight I was on a few years ago when the turbulence was so bad I was actually quite panicky.

 

[THRILLHO]

Flying has never bothered me. Not fearful at all. Sometimes, on the descent, I feel very sharp pressure in my forehead as though Yao Ming is squeezing my head like a basketball. Probably has something to do with air pressure. All up, don't have an issue with flying, but don't particularly enjoy it. Like anyone over six foot (I'm 6"2') it's a very uncomfortable way to spend 5+ hours cramped up. Luckily, I usually travel with my gf, so I can always bump her to the middle seat if I ever draw that short straw.

Speaking of basketball, Boston Celtics have drafted Royce White who has an extreme fear of flying. Should be interesting.

 

[dales.girl38]

I'm not afraid of flying on big planes, but I wouldn't be caught dead on a helicopter or one of those little planes. Definitely an irrational fear of mine, but not one that interferes with my life.

 

[Byron_Clanger]

i wouldn't say i have a fear of flying, but i'm very aware of every single noise that happens on a plane

This

 

[standingroomonly]

I don't overly enjoy air travel, being over 6 foot and of a fairly solid build economy and me don't mix too well but i usually just get a window seat, strap in and just try and sleep/watch a movie or two and pass the time.

I usually try and get late night flights when going long haul as i've had more luck getting empty seats/rows.

Playing Kenny Loggins - Danger Zone through headphones during take off/landing makes it a lot more fun as well. Top Gun soundtrack essential for the iphone/ipod.

 

[Shell]

Ive watched a lot of Air Crash Investigation so I've seen how a lot of accidents happen and the nastiest ones are usually during take off

Yeah so have I. I think you are more likely to have problems with take offs or landings.

Yeah great thread to be reading before I fly from London back home to Melbourne on Monday night.


And for the record, I hate flying. I love the concept of being lazy, being waited on hand and foot, free food (which I actually like) drink and all the movies I can watch.... but the air, the confinement, the seating is tiny. When you think about it, it takes a day to get from London to Oz. A day in "normal life" passes by so quickly. A day on a ****ing plane just stands still.

Not looking forward to Monday.

Fingers crossed I dont get bad jetlag either. Experience that for the first time on my Melb- LA. But that is another story lol..