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Problems with flying
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I am supposed to be going on hols with the missus, her parents and sisters in under 4 weeks and I'm totally papping myself about the flights. I can have bad panic attacks sometimes but getting on a plane might just send me snooker loopy, being trapped in a confined space with other people wouldn't be the best way to spend time in anyone's book but if there's turbulence or if someone starts spewing I might just jump out! Has anybody got any advice on what to do or what I should take? I need to be chilled out but not so chilled that I have to be carried off the plane cos I'm too sweepy!
And don't suggest taking deep breaths, this is gonna be (literally) miles away from that kinda thing!
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from memory - you'd have to check, I'm too sleepy to do it - BA and Virgin both run fear-of-flying courses for nervous would-be passengers. They deal with obvious things like fear of engine failure etc. I don't know if they also handle claustrophobia, which sounds more like what you have; but remember, planes are much less crowded than buses or trains.
I'm sure there's not a whole lot that a faceless conglomeration of 1's and 0's can do to help your anxiety... however, I've been an airline pilot most of my adult life... I've accumulated near 27,000 flight hours as either a flight engineer, first officer or Captain. During all that time, including older propeller driven aircraft as well as jet aircraft, I can remember probably 10 "events" that may have caused anxiousness. These ranged from failed engines (no problem), to adverse weather (last time for that had to be 20 years ago) to irate passengers (worst problem).
The state of the art in weather predictions, radar depictions and, especially on-board communications is so far advanced that those aspects almost never present a problem. The dependability of the mechanical features of modern aircraft is a wonder to behold. In the "old days" a mechanical failure of some sort or another was experienced on a regular basis. Not any more. I don't recall a major component (read engine) failure in the past 15 years or so.
Training for all crew members is far superior to what it used to be. We trained in the actual aircraft "way back when" so the amount of simulated emergencies we could practice was very limited, due to the danger imposed on the crew and aircraft. Now, with the amazing full motion simulators, we can practice every imaginable (depending on the Check Airman, sometimes unimaginable) emergencies. At any rate, blue skies to you... go forth and enjoy. Remember, your 500 times more likely to be injured in your own bathroom than on a commercial airliner. (Be careful of the drive to airport, however!)
This website is quite good:
http://www.fearofflying.com/faq.shtml
I know other people like yourself who are worried about that feeling of being trapped. You can't just jump off the plane, yet on transport on the ground, you can get off. I think its all about a feeling of control. The less control we have, the more panicky we feel. I also think we can focus our anxiety on something of our choosing. For example, when I was recently due to fly home on a long haul flight, I was feeling under the weather and my anxiety was focusing on that as opposed to the flight. At that point, I couldn't care less about the flight home but had I been feeling physically well, I would have been worrying about the flight as a focus of my free floating anxiety.
You have to devise a 'tool kit' of ways you can overcome this when on board the plane. Like someone else has said, distraction is very good. You could chat to an air steward in private about any fears- I'm sure you wouldn't be the first! Why not write a list of things that YOU can do to make the whole experience better. For example, arrive in plenty of time at the airport - no stressing about missing the flight, have a good night's sleep the night before, avoid caffeine, eat properly, drink lots of water before and during the flight, take lots of things to do on the plane - books, soduko, magazines. Good luck xx
Hi the very first time I flew to America, flight was around 12 hours. I was just like you, panicky and scared before hand, I went to the docs thought he might be able to give me some tabs for the nerves. He never but gave me this advice, nearly everyone around you will be nervous, but look as though their not, all will look calm and relaxed and as though they do this kind of thing everyday! Take a couple of calms tablets (health stores) and when the trolley comes around have a stiff drink. What I looked at was how all the airline staff were cool and calm, they do this as a living. See how relaxed they are, everything must be safe or they would not be in the plane, and doing this as a job. Take some reading material, and sit on the outside. Bet when you come home, you will want the window seat. Good luck
i am exactly the same as you, i have flown twice before but the thought of flying again fills me with dread. even seeing a plane flying overhead makes me tremble with fear. last time i flew to spain i took 3 valium tablets, was amazing, i was so doped up i could have flown there without a plane! i was speaking to people but couldn't even hear my own voice. when i was on the plane i was so relaxed i was even looking out the window. on the way back i only took 2 tablets and was a bit more nervous but still handled it ok.
