fear of flying

[Nords]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meadbh First, I got involved in the patient safety movement and realized that I was safer on a scheduled flight than I would be as a patient admitted to a hospital...

You say this as though it's a good thing!

[mf15]

Lets see over the past 30 years of occasional business travel. Two aborted takeoffs,
two aborted landings,what I would call an assault landing in Nashville, an icy runway landing,a total fog landing,takeoff in a blizzard not fun, landings in thunderstorms.
Do I fear flying, somewhat.
Old Mike

[CuppaJoe]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Martha ... Anyway, I want to work through this. Anyone overcome a fear of flying? Would taking a xanax or two get you through a flight?

I think understanding the reason for it would be my first concern.

Some years ago I was assaulted on a bus while seated in a window seat, surrounded by five or six large delinquents, one of whom sat next to me in the aisle seat and leaned against me. Long story but eventually he said, "I'm tired of leaning on you" and he and the others got off the bus. I've always had some claustrophobia but that event created a problem for many years.

I just kept trying to get back into window seats and gradually could do it, did it yesterday without a thought to it once being a problem. I still avoid the back seats of other people's car, and have had some embarrassing moments about that. Obviously, this is a control issue and I don't feel any panic in the driver's seat, even of a small car. During the worst of that time, I did fly a few times, and felt panicky but just toughed it out because once you are on board there is no choice. I've never taken any meds./booze or gone to a doctor for it but my friends knew about it and shared their experiences about behavioral changes.

[NW-Bound]

Quote:

Originally Posted by CuppaJoe Some years ago I was assaulted on a bus while seated in a window seat, surrounded by five or six large delinquents, one of whom sat next to me in the aisle seat and leaned against me. Long story but eventually he said, "I'm tired of leaning on you" and he and the others got off the bus. I've always had some claustrophobia but that event created a problem for many years.

Sorry to hear about this, CJ. Reminded me of the case of Bernhard Goetz. How I would love to be a juror in his case, just to do the same that the actual jury did: found him not guilty of all charges except an illegal firearms possession count.

[CuppaJoe]

Quote:

Originally Posted by NW-Bound Sorry to hear about this, CJ. Reminded me of the case of Bernhard Goetz. How I would love to be a juror in his case, just to do the same that the actual jury did: found him not guilty of all charges except an illegal firearms possession count.

Thanks, NW-B. In an unrelated incident SO and I were on a bus. Bunch of teens got on dressed like they just came from Sunday School. One of them stole a bag from SO, (bag contained mainly photos and some clothes). It was literally a rip-off, SO threw the bag handle in the gutter in disgust a few blocks later. One kid ran straight into a plain clothes cop who ran him down and made an example of him. Kid made a deal on the morning it was to go to trial so we didn't have to testify. After SO moved out of that neighborhood, we stopped riding those bus lines.

[Martha]

Thanks for your story CJ. I don't know how important the reasons are. Given that so many people fear flying or heights I think part of the problem is just in our wiring. The key for me is learning how to dial down the anxiety to a reasonable level. It sounds like the dvds and courses present ways to teach you how to do that.

[audreyh1]

I had no idea I had mild claustrophobia until I tried to sleep in the lower bunk of a tiny cramped boat cabin. I couldn't stay there the first night. I eventually got used to it. I was in my early 40s - so it took a long time to discover this phobia.

I still get a bit of that creepy feeling if I need to get under a low crawl space - like when I was trying to help my husband find that thing under the car.

Audrey

[Corporateburnout]

Quote:

Originally Posted by audreyh1 I had no idea I had mild claustrophobia until I tried to sleep in the lower bunk of a tiny cramped boat cabin. I couldn't stay there the first night. I eventually got used to it. I was in my early 40s - so it took a long time to discover this phobia. I still get a bit of that creepy feeling if I need to get under a low crawl space - like when I was trying to help my husband find that thing under the car. Audrey

I had no idea I was claustrophobic until I went for an MRI three weeks ago. I had difficulty breathing and I almost pushed the panic button they put in my hand but decided to overcome my fear and managed to get through it.

I'll go for the open MRI next time or close my eyes and go through my relaxation techniques earlier in the process.

BTW never had any fears of flying or being in a confined space.

[Meadbh]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Corporateburnout I had no idea I was claustrophobic until I went for an MRI three weeks ago. I had difficulty breathing and I almost pushed the panic button they put in my hand but decided to overcome my fear and managed to get through it.

FWIW, my patients (babies) just sleep like a baby and enjoy their MRIs. As I said to a baby's nervous mom last week: if he can have an MRI and enjoy it, you can!

[audreyh1]

Here is an idea - learn about lift.

Flying is based on the concept of lift. If you really understand how lift works (the Bernoulli Principle) and how wings work and how much maneuverability the pilot does indeed have with no power, it might help a great deal with the anxiety once you get past the takeoff which IMO is the scariest part.

Planes are not rocks.

That Minneapolis course sounds like the right medicine! I bet they don't make you do anything that you don't want to do, and I bet you can take the course more than once.

Audrey

[Martha]

Audrey, I do understand the physics of flying as I spent some time learning about it when I tried 10 years ago to get past this. But what is odd, and maybe peculiarly human, is that one part of my brain understands but another does not. I assume it is like those who are claustrophic. You know that the box isn't closing in on you but your body does not.

I am going to either:

1. Take the Minneapolis fear of flying class and go on the flight with the class. I favor this option. It seems to be the most structured and will get me on a plane not by myself; or

2. Get the SOAR program DVDs and phone support. http://www.fearofflying.com/ I will do this if there isn't a fear of flying class sometime this winter; or

3. Do the small plane lessons and flight. My original thought was to just go up on a flight but the lessons have some appeal, though I really can't see myself putting in the hours necessary to become a pilot and odds are it is like motorcycles, the risk of accidents is far higher if you are a beginner. The only reason I keep it on the list is that I enjoyed thoroughly learning to ride a motorcycle and I was an uncomfortable motorcycle passenger. Now I am fine doing both. I also have a small airport a couple miles away where they give lessons. But given that winter is here and this option does make me want to hyperventilate a bit I think I will go with number 1 or 2.

[cantlogin]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Martha I also have a small airport a couple miles away where they give lessons. But given that winter is here and this option does make me want to hyperventilate a bit I think I will go with number 1 or 2.

This isn't an attempt to change your list but sunny winter days are excellent for flying. Less turbulent than hot days and both engine and aerodynamic performance is far superior.

[Martha]

Quote:

Originally Posted by cantlogin This isn't an attempt to change your list but sunny winter days are excellent for flying. Less turbulent than hot days and both engine and aerodynamic performance is far superior.

And the air is "thicker" too.

[Nords]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Martha I think I will go with number 1 or 2.

Martha, have you seen this Virgin Atlantic program?

"Scared of flying? Press the fear iButton"

[F-One]

... I have the same fear of flying. I took the SOAR course (many years ago - it was on cassette tape ). It definitely helped. It is also good to schedule a couple of round trip flights within a couple of weeks of each other. One thing I found is the more often I fly the less anxiety I have. I do have aids, first is propanolol (it keeps the heart from racing and for me eliminates the butterflies in my stomach) and early on, a xanax, made it easier for me to stay relaxed. Also, DW is usually with me for moral support, as we are usually going on vacation.

There are a couple of tricks in the course that also help; practicing relaxation before the flight and pay attention to others on the plane for their reaction to turbulence, etc. Finally, I've noticed that on take-off I am more comfortable leaning slightly forward and lean opposite of turns so I stay closer to level (I'm sensitive to balance and have BPV).

I know it's tough to overcome but the enjoyment of going places that used to take over half a day of driving has really been worth the effort.

Let me know if I can help in anyway

[TromboneAl]

My fear of flying consists of fear of waiting around in airports, long lines, being cramped in the airplane seat for long periods, etc.

[Moemg]

Martha , This will not solve your fear of flying but I think it is pretty funny . My Mom who is 93 got invited to a big celebration in Pa. . She is afraid to fly alone but unfortunately both my sister and I had plans so we were not able to fly with her . I told her it would be easy . My sister would escort her right to the plane and my other sister would meet her at the landing in Pa.. My Mom loves a good party so she decided to go . Well flight to Pa. was okay . Flight home they had to make an emergency landing because they smelled smoke . I figured that would be it for flying for my Mom but no , I think she really enjoyed that adventure .Her life had become pretty boring now she has something to talk about in her card club.

[JOHNNIE36]

Funny I should happen across this thread and right below it find "2010, the year to travel". Trust me, get on a big plane, one where bumps and groans and grinds are mostly mutted. Find a window seat behind the wing and watch all the mechanical marvels that take place in flying. Watch the wing flaps go up and down, in and out. Experience the takeoff speed and lift, the wheels retracting and then the flaps as you accelerate. Then the reverse when you come in for a landing. Neat experience. You'll love it. After years of flying I took a fishing trip up in Canada where you fly into a lake on one of those pontoon planes. My first trip in one of those so the guys let me sit in the copilot seat. Had to wear ear mufflers to keep out the noise. That was an experience. I'll keep my flying to the big boys. To this day, when I fly, I always check the type of aircraft that is on the schedule. I love the MD88, Boeing 757, 767 and 777. Only been on a 747 one time from San Francisco to Okinawa. Eleven hours one way. Tough trip. Go get 'em!!

[Sue J]

I'm not afraid of flying, I just dislike it. Too many people, too close together. The pressurization feels strange. I don't like the constant loud noise. I've had takeoffs that were delayed for 2 hours and I was sitting with some creepy people. I've been on planes that circled the airport so long that I got nauseous and ended up using that handy bag. I don't look at it as a fun exciting way to travel, but I have to admit it's a great time saver.

I'll do it if I have to but it's more of an ordeal than a great adventure.

[Walt34]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sue J I'm not afraid of flying, I just dislike it. Too many people, too close together.

I'm that way also - I absolutely loathe airliner flying. To me it's nothing more than a bus with wings, and that nonsense of getting to the airport two hours before takeoff is ludicrous.

But owning one's own airplane gets you spoiled. Do the preflight, load it up, crank it up, and fifteen minutes after arrival at the airport you're climbing out. That's the way it should be.