Do you guys get nervous when.... [Archive] - Taking Flight

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kkecu

01-13-2007, 02:20 AM

aerobat

01-13-2007, 03:32 AM

Hi, Kelly,

Sorry to hear you had a rough flight last time. But it's gonna happen once in a while, especially to those who fly often. I hope you are not thinking you were in danger, in spite of the turbulence. If you do think so, you might check in with Ray, Royd or John and give them the details. You said that you couldn't land for a while, so I am guessing you had bad weather associated with the rough air and you were in a holding pattern. That's part of 'normal' for frequent fliers and quite routine for pilots.

So is operating out of the busiest airports--New York, Newark, Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, San Francisco/Oakland and so on. Just because it's busy airspace does not make it less safe. They have more controllers on duty and divide the tasks accordingly.

When you have a relatively good flight, are you more comfortable with flying at the end of it than you were at the beginning? If so, that means that you are able to desensitize during the flight. This is important to know. If you are not desensitizing during your flights, that's also important to know. Can you tell us a bit about this?

Barb

Barb-SAN

01-13-2007, 03:59 PM

I was wondering...and I know that it may be silly...but my anxiety about my upcoming flight on monday is worse right now than last week at this time. (I fly every Monday). I think its because I am flying from Hartford, CT to Columbus, OH with a short layover in Philly. I get more nervous flying in or around NYC. Anybody else? Just one more thing to worry about, I guess.

My tummy feels icky when I think about it.

AND my last flight from IND to Albany was AWFUL...worst flight ever. Even the people on the flight who don't have a FoF...like my boyfriend...were white knuckled. Bad turbulance...couldn't land for awhile. Trying to forget that flight.

ANyhoo...I just want to feel relaxed when flying again...

UGH.

Kelly:cry:

Kelly, I was just looking through a few of your previous posts, and came across this one:

01-07-2007, 08:54 AM
kkecu (http://www.takingflight.us/forums/member.php?u=962) http://www.takingflight.us/forums/images/TFStyle/statusicon/user_offline.gif
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Join Date: Nov 2006
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http://www.takingflight.us/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif CNN Special Last Night- ARGH!
Ok CNN....so they did this special on TWA flight 800...that flight that "blew up" (sort of) outside of NYC with those French students on it in 1996. They were doing the special about a small town that lost 21 of its teenagers on that flight & all of the conspiracies attached to it.

Now I know I shouldn't be watching these things...but I turned it on right when they were showing the explosion on a computer...so I freaked a little...but decided it would better to watch it and wait for the "explanation" and to hear "this can't happen anymore due to these improvements"

BUT...they never really gave a reason for why the fuel holding tank under the belly of the plane just blew up! The plane broke in half and fell into the sea. They did say it wasn't terrorism. And the title was "No Survivors" "It could happen again." UMMMMMMM??????????

I like CNN...but you would think that they would at least TRY to comfort the minds of those hopping on and off planes these days.

Did any of you see this? How do you feel about it? I have to fly tomorrow and although...doing better than usual at this time before I fly...this makes me nauseous.:cry:

Kelly

Kelly, Do you think that the media coverage of air disasters (especially that one you just watched that happened near NYC) and 9/11 is contributing to your anxieties about flying? Since you are flying so frequently, would it be a worthwhile experiment to try avoiding these types of programs for awhile, to see if that was helpful? Have you considered trying to find some DVD's or movies that show flying in a positive light to give your brain some different images to mull over? Have you considered working with an anxiety therapist in person for a few sessions? Are you learning any relaxation or breathing techniques to help you calm down quickly when the plane encounters turbulence? You do have a great opportunity to desensitize since you have all these flights paid for already by your employer.

Reading the posts from Monica, Debbie, and Ken about flying on the East Coast (or living in New York) post 9/11 is a reminder to me that there are a lot of people in this country who were severely traumatized by 9/11, and continue to have difficulties. I have great admiration for all of you who continue to fly in spite of those anxieties.

I will no longer watch 9/11 footage myself...feeling traumatized long-distance. It's been many years since I was in NYC, but I can imagine what a difficult thing it could be for many to have trust in the subways, etc, now, and have confidence that nothing bad would happen again. And...I haven't looked for opportunities to travel to NYC now either. I suppose that would be another FF challenge.

Of course, San Diego is also a prime target due to all the military installations here...but since nothing has happened here yet, it's easier for us (at least the average citizen) to imagine that it won't, and not dwell on it.

It really is a challenge for all of us to do what we can to reduce our personal stress levels, and help to support others, and not add to their stress loads. It would be a wonderful thing if the media could be more helpful in this too. :cool: But...the media's goal is to stay in business, attract viewers, and sell advertising.

kkecu

01-13-2007, 09:56 PM

Hey Guys! Thanks for all the responses! I do think media coverage of air disasters does make me more nervous. I try really hard not to watch and when I do catch myself watching...I try to put in into perspective. We don't hear about all of the car crashes that happen...we don't even hear about the bad ones...we rarely are aware of how unsafe driving is...and how safe air travel is. I still get that feeling "my flight could be THE ONE."

And as for how I control my anxiety. I am VERY lucky. I have the best boyfriend in the world. We are lucky enough to work together...which means we travel together every Monday...so I really (at times) turn to him for strength. Other than that...I breathe. :) And I just try very hard not to think about it too much.

I am also trying to figure out if I actually have a FoF...or a fear of death. I hope that doesn't sound weird...but lately I have been feeling like maybe I am not so frightened of actually flying...but of the dying part that comes with a 'crash.' So I have been trying to work on that a bit.

I really think the problem with flying around NYC is the whole 9-11 and the trust that it won't happen again. Or that something LIKE that won't happen again.

I am just over this feeling. You know?

Kelly