Glad I found this website!

[Simon333]

I posted this message originally at the fear_of_flying Yahoo group, but I'll post it here as well to give you some idea of where I'm coming from:

I've made a New Year's resolution to overcome my fear of flying. This Summer I plan to go to America (Florida) to visit one of my penpals. I got my passport last Summer, so I have no excuses now! I've been on short flights to Europe in the past (nothing longer than 2 hours) but the thought of being airborne for so long scares me a bit. I'm not really claustrophobic, but I think part of the problem is that I know I will be in a confined space without being able to leave it.

I went flying several times in light aircraft as a teenager and all except one time was air-sick. The other guys who flew
in separate planes did aerobatics but I couldn't face it! The weird thing is that once I went up in an RAF Hercules during very bad weather. Most of the guys I was with were sick, but I was one of the few who were not. This may have been because somebody kept reassuring me. I hated the flight, every minute of it. There was no proper seating and being a propelled aircraft, it vibrated continually.

Has anyone got any tips on how I should prepare for the long-distance flight to America? Also, is the jet lag as bad as people say it is? What can I do to minimize the effects? What about if we hit bad turbulence too?

Simon

[Chelle]

Hi Simon,

Good for you on facing your fear! Where in America are you going? It sounds like a great opportunity/experience!

I think you'll find that the commercial jets they use on overseas flights are very comfortable and sturdy, compared to the lightweight aircraft you've flown in :D

I'm glad you found us, too :) My best advice is stick around here, read others' posts and ask a lot of questions.. everyone here has been through what you're feeling at some stage or another. Also check out Captain Ray's section (http://www.takingflight.us/captainray/), he's written a couple articles that may answer a lot of your questions, and you may want to pick up a copy of his book "This is Your Captain Speaking" (http://www.thisisyourcaptainspeaking.com/page/page/378254.htm)

You're going to be just fine, promise! :airplane

[Debbielevis2]

Simon --

Welcome! This is such a fun, warm place to be. If anyone can help you, it's the combination of caring, wit, humor, and compassion for each other!

You'll do just fine.

Oh, and (drumroll!!!) You are the 100th Registered on the Board. Congratulations!

I don't think you've won anything, though.

But we'll give you this :blowhorn

Debbie

[Chelle]

Oooh Deb.. I think he won the infamous Kahoona dance :D

Possy up Ken! :duck

[Passenger Mark]

Simon!

Welcome aboard, great to have you here!

:welcome

I saw, and responded to your message over on Yahoo, and was hoping you would find your way here.

Great group, with lots of information. Several from the :ukflag UK as well.

The aircraft you will be on going to Florida will be quite different than any light aircraft you have been on. The principal of flight is the same, but that is about it.

Do you know what airline you are looking at? What airport you will be departing from?

Again... great to have you here!

Mark

[beaugest]

Hi Simon, welcome. With the help of this board I just did a 12 hour flight.
Reading Ray's book was very helpful because it alleviated a lot of concerns that I had. If you understand things like turbulence it becomes a lot less frightening. I think posting your concerns here can have the same calming effect. There were so many things that concerned me that I realized I was just completely misinformed about. So, I was scaring myself for no reason.
Jet lag is a pain but there are things you can do to minimize it. The most important is to go into the flight as healthy and well rested as possible. Sometimes, people who get anxious don't sleep well and then are just completely wiped by the time they walk off the plane. So, if you address the anxiety before you go it can actually help with the jet lag as well.
Book your flight and then hang around here till you go. You'll have a good support system to get you through it.:welcome

[xiknal]

Hi, Simon,

I just wrote you a longish reply, decided to preview it, and EZ took that moment for a time-out. Poobah! :sigh

Several people here have, like beaugest above, done successful transatlantic flights recently (not me, but I'd be happy to) and can offer you a lot of detailed advice and suggestions about managing those looong ones. Lynda, one of the moderators, lives in the UK and has turned into a serious globetrotter; she often flies to Florida, too, and as a bonus she can tell you all about "The Big O". :mickey Turbulence has been one of her issues, but she is doing fine.

Please take the time to share your concerns in detail; there will always be someone here who can extend a virtual hand and help you.

Me, I yam an authority on management of the greenies
:barf

So if you have concerns about nausea, I'll be happy to help! I teach aerobatics (and am a former fearful flier[to the max]) so I have a unique perspective on that, yessiree... :)

Welcome! We get back to you same hour, same day guaranteed (isn't that in the fine print somewhere Mark?) ;)

Barb

[Simon333]

Thanks for all your kind replies! This is a great forum and very easy to use. It also has a lot of fun smileys to choose from!Yes, I intend to stick around.

Chelle advised me to check out Captain Ray's section and maybe read his book too, so I will do that. 100th member eh? I'm not sure what the Kahoona dance is (is that the one where people wear those grass skirts?) :\ I'd settle for a free airline ticket. Ho hum.

Mark has asked what airline I will be using. I'm not sure yet, but I'll have to compare prices soon. I have a friend who flies to America a lot so I will see what he suggests. I expect I will fly from Gatwick (I think this is the nearest major airport to where I live in Hastings).

Beauport is probably right about pre-flight anxiety. I usually sleep badly even before taking a coach journey to London so I'll have to work on that. I'm always afraid the alarm clock will malfunction and I'll oversleep! People say I'm a born worrier, which is probably true!

Barb's advice on nausea I'm sure will be helpful. Is there over-the-counter medication that can help? Or is it just better to do without it?

By the way, it might interest you to know that I've been in touch with a retired RAF Squadron Leader here in the UK (by email). One of the things he said in one of his replies is that flying is all a matter of 'acclimatisation.' (He used to fly Hawker Hunters in the 60's and is one of the few people to have flown under Tower Bridge!! He sent me an article about what prompted him to do it. I was a boy in the sixties and remember seeing him fly low over my school en route to the bridge along the River Thames!).

I go to Air Shows here sometimes. I'm always amazed at how the airmen cope with those g-forces! It must be very stressful on the body. The nearest show is held every year at Eastbourne and is free. The last one I went to was a few months ago at Biggin Hill, which was quite a treat, especially when the USAF decided to fly in at short notice (I think it was three F15's)!

I'm hoping when I fly to America, I might even enjoy it (the views from the plane etc.). I'll be staying in Tallahassee.

Best wishes...

Simon

[OnwardandUpward]

Simon

I am flying Transatlantic to Florida this weekend.

I will take notes as similar to yourself, I havent done any long-haul.

I am worried about feeling anxious for 10+ hours and also if the outbound flight doesn't go well, how will I get home:scratch

[Expatbrit]

Yes I thought you must be from the UK. Only us Brits talk about flights TO Europe as if we're not actually a part of the continent :lol

[Simon333]

GOOD LUCK with your flight this weekend UpwardandOutward! :bigplane . Let us know how you got on. Hopefully you'll be okay when you're airborne.

Hat's off to you! :tiphat

From Simon (the Brit)

:ukflag

[OnwardandUpward]

Thanks Simon. Actually looking forward to it

[spleisher]

Have fun on your light to Florida! The weather here has been AWESOME!!!!! I mean really nice!!! Hope it stays that way for you!

Scott