So Close so much anixety

[neilod24]

Im due to fly from Raleigh to Inverness scotland on Monday and I am starting to feel the anxiety begin to build. I really just want a flight where I am not trembling and stressing over every bump and weird noise! I am flying US Airways a total of three flights. Raleigh to philly. Philly to Lodon Gatwick. Then BA Gatwick to inverness. Will you guys be able to track some of the way?

[Agne]

Hi Neilod24,
write your flight info on the Tracking Board. I will track you if I can, it depends on the time difference (if your flight is after 6 pm east time I'll find it more difficult because it will be night here).

[neilod24]

Thanks Guys,

I will post my flight details. I think my biggest concerin and always was is mechanical problems. I am always concerned that we will lose hydraulics, the rudder will fail or there will be a miscalulation of fuel. Or maybe a fire due to electrical malfunction. Or a bomb on board-especially international flights. I thought about it the other day and a terrorist or anyone could easly bring on plastic explosives or dynamite. It easily could be strapped to a leg and covered with baggy pants. I guess I am letting my mind wander to much, but those are the main concerns I always have. I really just want to have a normal thinking head when I am flying and not let my mind run wild. :(

[spleisher]

As a pilot who will be flyting this afternoon :happyguy: I have gotten used to enjoying the beauty of flight rather than worrying about the risk. To me, it is a risk worth taking, especially when you consider how small that risk really is. You're safer in that plane than you are on the way to the airport, by a LONG SHOT. I know that's a tired old statistic, but it's one that bears repeating. As folks with FoF, we tend to focus on the "what if's" instead of what is likely to happen, at least insofar as flying is concerned. I mean, while you're driving to the airport, do you worry you're going to blow a tire and go careening into the oncoming lane and run head on into a dump truck. Of course not! But guess what, that's m ore likely to happen than the rudder falling off of your plane. An here's a good one for you.... ivern if the rudder did fall off, the plane would still fly! :thumbsup: . ANyway, do your bes to have a good flight... you'll be fine!

[PositiveE]

http://www.healthyplace.com/Communities/Anxiety/anxieties/1panic/3-attitudes/attitud7.asp


It's a provides a pretty good understanding of uncertainty and the anxious mind...

[Unregistered]

Thanks Guys again!

Im starting to calm myself a little bit now. Its been over a year since my last flight, again it was international. I keep having these weird dreams this week that I am flying the plane and my wife is yelling at me for night flying straight and I had better do a good job because we have our sixtuplets on board! Sixtuplets?!?! I dont even have any children.... well one on the way. So, its been a reoccuring dream for like the last few nights. Does anyone else have weird dreams before flight?

[Passenger Mark]

I thought about it the other day and a terrorist or anyone could easly bring on plastic explosives or dynamite. It easily could be strapped to a leg and covered with baggy pants.


Howdy!

First off, Welcome Aboard Taking Flight!

:welcome2:

Great to have you hear!

Now to the quote above... Not as easy as you think!

If you look through the threads, you will see where I posted some photos of Ray landing. I was escorted out on the field by airport personal to take the photos.

And I can tell you from what I saw on those two days... Airport security is very good. There are people watching, and people out there, and technology used that you are not even aware of! I can't go into details, as this is a public forum, but I tell you, I was IMPRESSED!

In regards to all the issues you discussed, including security, there are backups to backups, to backups, and then some backups to those backups.

The commercial aviation industry is the most heavily watch, most intense regulated industries out there!

Not to worry... You will be fine! Have a great trip!

And again, Welcome!

[Agne]

Does anyone else have weird dreams before flight?

I was about to start a new thread about this when I saw your post.
I answer here.
I have always weird dreams before a flight. I will fly in more than a month and last night I had my first dream about planes. It is the sign that my trip is approaching, so on the one hand I am happy. Try to grasp the funny side of your dreams, and don't take them as premonition or similar. I always, always, always have weird dream before flying.

I tell you mine:

I was at the airport and it was time to board the plane. But instead of going to the gate, I went back home and called the travel agency to cancel the flight. I said "Sorry, but I want to cancel the flight". The girl at the phone replied "Why?" and I said "Because I don't want to evecuate the plane !!" and she answered "Ah ok, I understand". :confused:
Then the phone started ringing. It was Mark !! He said "Agne, I am very disappointed. You are not a member of taking flight anymore !! And forget the dinner in California !!". I said "Mark, sorry, but I just don't want to evacuate the plane".

And one time I dreamt that I was on a plane, and we passengers had to take off on foot like in Fred Flinstone's car.:tongue:

[Passenger Mark]

Then the phone started ringing. It was Mark !! He said "Agne, I am very disappointed. You are not a member of taking flight anymore !! And forget the dinner in California !!". I said "Mark, sorry, but I just don't want to evacuate the plane".

Agne... I will interpet this one!!! With all the recent discussion about earthquakes, there is no doubt why you had that dream.

AND... I know that I am a tough "taskmaster" as I know the best way to tackle FOF... is to just get on the plane!

Besides... we don't throw folks out because they "missed" a flight. If so this website would have never been started!

Don't put too much stock in dreams... they are just part of the brain going on a field trip!

[Agne]

Thank you Mark for the interpretation.

And what about the "Flintstone's plane" ? :tongue:

I am not worried about that kind of dreams anymore because I have them everytime before a flight. Sometimes I just find them funny.

But I noticed that now I am getting a little nervous, especially at night before going to bed. When I close my eyes I imagine myself on the plane and I think "No, I can't do it". But generally this feeling disappears when I wake up in the morning.

[Agne]

Thank you Monica, I am trying to replace the negative thoughts as you suggested. Planning the trip is a big help. Yesterday we looked at the itinerary on the map, and laughed a lot because the map is so big that we can use it as a tablecloth if necessary. :tongue:

[StPeteMark]

Thank you Monica, I am trying to replace the negative thoughts as you suggested. ...
To Agne and all...THIS IS KEY to managing your fear of flying!!! With the resources this board has, especially the feedback from Ray, Royd, FO4 and the other pilots, you can replace EVERY negative thought/perception/feeling with a POSITIVE ONE!!! Look at how much (free) time Ray/Royd/FO4 have used to provide input into board (THANKS!!!)...have faith...believe...read their posts over and over and you will get a positive perspective for upcoming flights! Remember, these guys are flying most days of the week...draw courage from them that you will have an enjoyable flying experience. And, if the unusual is encountered, the pilots and crew have the knowledge and experience to minimize adversity.

[aerobat]

http://www.healthyplace.com/Communities/Anxiety/anxieties/1panic/3-attitudes/attitud7.asp


It provides a pretty good understanding of uncertainty and the anxious mind...


This is a great site. We might want to ask Monica and Chelle if they would like to add it to our 'Resources' section. :)