I want to fly ....but

[BEOR999]

I want to go to Florida, some kind friend offered me their holiday home for 2 week's, all I gotta do is pay for the flight, and get on it....

I have flown lots, but that was a few years ago, I recently flew to Scotland from London, and that was not a good experience. There was no bumpy ride or anything odd, well except me http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

During that flight, all I could think about was getting on the ground again, I was convinced that planes cannot fly....Don't ask why, as I just don't have an answer to that one, that's your job !

So, with the prospect of an 8 hr flight, I just do not think I can get on the plane, even armed with the knowledge that flying is the safest way to travel, and the fact that load's of planes fly back and forth from the States, every day......I just cannot belive that they can stay up there and carry me safely to the other side.

BUT I WANT TO GO !

So, I need some helpfull advice on how to get over the fear, and hopefull go to Florida....

[welsh wizard]

Just do it, but find a line that still gives you good onboard service, if you want comfort a eco rate get a seat leval with the wing so you can't see out, also if there is turbs you can watch the ones behind you getting bumped around, while you are still reasonably comfy, make sure you can take your shoes off once on board, hot swollen feet only make you agitated,get a good sleep while on plane if you have one close to the middle bulk head you always get a bit more leg room,and you tend to be closer to the galley, so the steward ( I don't think I am allowed the female version in this politically correct world) can look after you better. first with food, first with drinks, first with coffee ect. and just think of the good time you will have Stateside. after all it's only a small pond now. Just go for it and enjoy. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif
WW

[OuTpaTienT]

Valium.

[RobFM]

I think Nike says it best:

"Just do it!"

[Donkey]

the best thing to do is wait till there has just been a plane crash, to the scale that you are worried about!
What is the chance of the same thing happenning twice????

[Glytzhkof]

Flights less than 9 hours are usually quite OK, the longest I've ever done was 13 hours, and that was too long.

1: Get yourself a window seat so that you can sleep without having to get up when other people go to the toilet.
2: Do take of your shoes, and have somebody wake you up before the plane starts decending (otherwise your ears will kill you).
3: Bring earplugs because the noise level is incredible and the "small talk" will keep you awake.
4: Make sure that you have clothes that allow you to store your money / passport / ticket safe even if you're asleep.
5: This might sound really silly, but if you bring something to cover your eyes with it is easier to sleep if you travel "with the light" (going west).
6: ?

[socalgal]

In addition to above, what about alternatives? Train ...

Perhaps research the available airlines to see which has the best safety rating will help calm your anxiety.

[BEOR999]

HEE HEE socalgal, I don't think the train will make it from London, but I will try if you assure me that it will make it http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

[socalgal]

Oops! duhhh... http://www.sysopt.com/forum/biggrin.gif

I better get another cup of coffee.

[seti]

Ha, BEOR999, I present to you the law of averages. When I was five I was in an airplane crash with my family (and everyone's still kick'n). The chances of two people on the same message board being in an airplane crash are unlikely at best. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

Ha, knock on wood...


[This message has been edited by seti (edited 01-13-2000).]

[tonym]

Take it from someone with MAJOR LEAGUE flight aniety...just get on the plane and go!

I used to travel considerably when I was younger...46 of the 50 states plus 12+ countries overseas. Loved it! The adventure...the new sights...nice hotels...different people...like Chistmas, except traveling!

Now its the spectre of the sweating hands...the rapid heart rate...the cabin anxiety (I'm trapped!!!)...the shortness of breath..."where's the cardio paddles??".

When I HAVE to travel, I just make the process very ritualistic...and I take two of my anxiety pills and get by!!!

[And don't ever let anyone tell you that the flying experience is like falling off a horse...you've got to get right back on it". Ha! Flying fear is a human hard-wired response to a threat -- fight or "flight" (no pun intended) and in the situation you're presented with in the plane you can't flee. You've got to fight. The Adrealine Rush! Oh what a feeling.]

Tony

[U-96]

dont be so sure of yourself seti http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif
I'm sure there are plenty at alt.disasters.aviation !

My girlfriend's family lives about a mile from where that Korean 747 came down at Stanstead. No-one hurt on the ground, but that 300kg of depleted uranium is a little worrying...

When my dad worked in the air force, he accidentally drove a tractor into a Shackleton ASW/AEW aircraft during an NBC drill. Does that count?

There, that put things in your favour http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

I think the fair citizens of London or Florida may prove far more hazardous to your health that the flight to get between the two. And you don't even want to think about the risks involved in driving to the airport!

U-96

[seti]

Ha, to be fair I had thought of that and forgot to mention. We're lucky (relatively) that we only talk about windows crashing. I'd take the arconymn BSOD over FUBAR anyday.

[Zotzmein]

Stay up for two or three days prior to departure. Choose a flight time that would coincide with your normal sleeping pattern. Acquire yourself some sleeping aids and follow the steps advised by Glytzhkof.

Hopefully you will be so thoroughly exhausted that by the time the plane takes to the air you’ll be sound a sleep. Either that or just drink your self silly drunk before, during and after the flight. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

Regards to All,

Zotz Mein

Don't forget you could take a boat, perhaps a one-month long cargo adventure. Maybe you'll get swamped by a hurricane or boarded by modern day pirates. Better yet find a cargo freighter that travels through the Bermuda Triangle. Yes, now where talking fun!

[narayan]

Contact the FAA and see which airline has the best safety history. when you are over the ocean and look out the window and don't see land for as for as the eye can see, oops sorry. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif Take advantage of the free drinks and "sleep" on your way over. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/biggrin.gif Have a good time, dont worry be http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

think of all the BEAUTIFUL girls!!!!! http://www.sysopt.com/forum/biggrin.gif http://www.sysopt.com/forum/biggrin.gif http://www.sysopt.com/forum/biggrin.gif http://www.sysopt.com/forum/biggrin.gif http://www.sysopt.com/forum/biggrin.gif http://www.sysopt.com/forum/biggrin.gif http://www.sysopt.com/forum/biggrin.gif http://www.sysopt.com/forum/biggrin.gif http://www.sysopt.com/forum/biggrin.gif http://www.sysopt.com/forum/biggrin.gif http://www.sysopt.com/forum/biggrin.gif http://www.sysopt.com/forum/biggrin.gif http://www.sysopt.com/forum/biggrin.gif

[This message has been edited by narayan (edited 01-13-2000).]

[SysOpt]

Some suggestions:

1.) Fly more often. You will become used to it and it won't be a big deal. To do that though:
2.) As OuTpaTienT suggested, try Valium or some other sedative (benzodiazepine) or even take a Benedryl (antihistimine that is a CNS depressant) before you leave for the airport.
3.) There are classes out there for people with flying fears, offered by airlines I believe. Basically they take the people all through the plane, let you meet the mechanics, pilots, learn all about the aircraft systems, safety, redundancy, meet the ATC people, etc. In this case, knowing more about it can make you trust it more.
4.) Lower the stress level in your life and exercise 30-60 minutes a day 5-7 days a week. It will lower your overall anxiety/stress level and improve your ability to tolerate unusual/stressful situations.

I am a pilot and yet I do have some trouble flying in airliners sometimes - nervousness, etc. Especially in bad weather w/ turbulance. It isn't rational though - airline travel is safe. We all have built in anxiety "fight or flight" reactions to situations that our minds think we should fear.

Scott

[This message has been edited by SysOpt (edited 01-13-2000).]

[alondra]

I say, make the trip. on our death bed we think of all the things we wish we had done.
you are fortunate to have some one in Florida to guide you, there is more danger there, on the ground, than any in the air, I took my first flying lesson at 60 and believe me it is more scary with a student pilot in a C150 than than in a "heavy" anything. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

[welsh wizard]

something I forgot, take some barley suger or boiled sweets with you and start crunching them as you start landing, its amazing how it helps make the ears pop to relieve that clogged up feeling in the ears.

Also if it helps I once spent 3 hours waiting for a plane that we could all see on the tarmac, about 6 mechs were having a good look at the engine ( we had been told we could board and then this was canceled so they could check the engine out)
when we got on board we found out what had happened turned out that some one had been having a quick smoke and a mech had not seen him but saw smoke rising up by engine so they went into major checks on the engine just to make sure all was alright with it, I think the smoker got fired, but IT Did prove a point, THEY DON'T LET IT UP THERE IF SOME THING LOOKS WRONG.

And I used to hate flying, still do with short hauls, much prefer 8hr plus flights, you tend to get the best pilots on international, longer the flight better the pilot, they always take more care with landing and decompressing the cabin at landing.
8 hrs is not a bad flight time as you will get one of the more experienced pilots.
So just go for it and enjoy yourself, try and arrange to stay for as long as poss,

One other thing when you arrive if its early in the morning force your self to stay awake all day when you get there, make it easier and quicker to adjust to new time zone.
WW

[Dave_H]

My wife is terrified of flying. She knows it is irrational, and how safe planes really are but it still bothers her a lot. She allways gets real nervous before hand and during the flight but when we land she is fine and is always glad we went. A couple things that seem to help her is taking a couple dramimine (she won't take drugs or alcohol) to help her sleep. She's usually pretty tired anyway because she was so worried the night before. I also found that if I can keep her occupied with doing something she won't find time to worry as much, and the time will go by so much faster. I'll bring a whole bunch of magazines and a load of junk food for her to munch on. Don't get on the plane with nothing to do, those silly in flight magazines are a waste of time.

Go for it, you will be glad you did, you won't get many chances like that very often, and you would regret missing the oppertunity.
Dave

[BEOR999]

Well there you go ! who would expect so much responce, and so funny http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif Maybe I should just print the thread and refer to it if I manage to get on that **** plane in March...

I wasn't sure about whether to go or not, in fact I am still un-decided, but what I will do is buy the ticket's and maybe the thought of losing so much money will force me to go. Another Very good reason to go is, this is a delayed honneymoon for my wife and I. Working in the hardware support IT industry, Y2K sorta stopped me taking any holiday, and will do so until 01 March.

I think my fear has grown with age, when I was younger (not that I'm an old git) I did fly a lot, and it never bothered me, but now it just seem's so impossible.....I just cannot rationalize the fear.

So thanx for the support, and I will commit to buying a ticket, then, well who knows http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

[bkehoe]

Take a laptop and GPS reciever along with you.

I find that my Gateway Solo 2500, and the Air/Car adapter makes a good laptop for flying. The adapter to allow it to run off a cars/aircrafts electrical system (90% of passenger aircraft have the port).This will ensure that you have something to distract you from the window (or everyone's screams as the plane goes down). The GPS reciever will tell you where you are, and if you get one with a RS-232 port & cable, you can plot where you are on the laptop, and work out if the pilot has gone off course e.t.c.

Overlay a recent satellite image over the map, and you'll know when to swallow the bottleful of pills before the bad weather. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif

Plotting position on the laptop makes flights go quickly for me anyway.

Brendan

[SysOpt]

Not very many planes that I've been on have the power port - might be a UK/Europe thing, Bkehoe. And although I've used a GPS, I don't think airlines allow them for some reason. Doesn't make any sense to me whatsoever sense they are passive devices (it's not like they communicate with the satellites http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif ). But anyway, I have to hold it against the window just right to get the signal - the plane's fuselage blocks it too much, so you must have a better antenna or something.

[bkehoe]

Well Aer Lingus ( Irish airline) in, I think an Airbus A330, and a Britannia (UK) 757 had the power port on the side of the armrest.


I did have problrma getting a GPS signal in the Airbus, but surprisingly it worked fine in the 757. I have a Magellan GPS-315.

I have read in some GPS newsgroups that most airlines allow them above 10,000 feet, and some any time. Aer Lingus & Britannia didn't mind it, but I hadn't got it before that when on other airlines.

Brendan

[BBA]

C'mon man...you only live once! Might as well die in an airplane!

Ok, so there's this jet, it's engines failed! Everyone knows it's just a matter of time before their going down...

A beautiful stewardess takes her clothes off and yells aloud "Is there anyone man enough to make me feel like a real woman before I die?"

A tall man stands up from amongst the crowd, and removes his shirt revealing his muscular build. In a forward gesture, he holds the shirt to her and says "Here, iron this!"

[Mntsnow]

http://www.sysopt.com/forum/biggrin.gif.....That was BADDDDD BBA.

Mntsnow