Hello Everyone!

[CDB35]

Hello everyone. My name is Chris B. and I have a fear of flying. I noticed my phobia on my first flight...during take off of all things. I'll never forget the feeling that "I just have to get off of this plane." I did hang in there, white knuckles and all.

I have to fly periodically for my job. Although I only fly 3-4 times a year, each is a real trial for me. I have to fly again on December 12-14 and I am already starting to worry. I WILL TAKE ANY TECHNIQUE THAT MAY HELP! This seems like a great group and I have enjoyed reading so far.

Things that happen to me on flights include panic, difficulty breathing etc. I hang onto the arm rest on my seat very tightly, as if that will actually help. I have not been able to sleep on a plane to this point. Every bump tends to scare me. Take off scares me by far the most. But as I get closer to the flight date, even the sight of a plane tends to start me freaking out. By the way, I am afraid of heights!

I have completed 6 flights to date--survived them all! Most were connecting flights because I live in a tiny little community.

Well, better run. I am trying to "make friends" with flying. This is going to sound weird, but I'm feeling better than the last two times that I knew I had to fly. It seems the more I fly the better off I am. If a long period of time lapses between flights, I tend to obsess more.

Please send me advice...praying and breathing deeply have worked fairly well for me. Also, looking at the safety statistics have helped...what else?

Thanks in advance!

Chris B.

[xiknal]

Hi, Chris!!

Welcome,

:welcome

and please feel free to share whatever's going on in your mind about flying. No matter how idiosyncratic it may seem to you, you'll find that a lot of people here know exactly what you're going through. :nod

It is true, in general, that flying more frequently keeps the rust off and allows us to get used to it, but sometimes that isn't enough; there may be other things going on. By that I don't mean deep, unconscious cobweb-covered stuff :lol --just some fearful experiences that might need to be reconsidered or confronted in ways apart from info-gathering (which helps a lot). You can find a lot of info here, as well as people a few steps ahead on the path to help point the way. You might want to check out the links in our resources section and see what looks promising.

How did you find us, by the way? We're a pretty new site, so anybody's path to our gate is of interest!! :hamster


Barb

[StPeteMark]

Welcome, Chris!

You'll find a wealth of info here!!!!

:airplane

StPeteMark :fly

[MadScientist]

Welcome Chris,

Rest assured you are no different than the rest of us. We all hve either had or still have the same fears you do. I am a business traveller myself who is still working on beating the fear. I agree with you and Barb that it becomes easier the more times you fly. Heck, if I stay grounded for 2 - 3 weeks, I get really nervous all over again.

Read the trestimonials on the main site and you'll see some of the things some of us have overcome. Also, go read the trip reports pages and see how other members have done during their flights. Feel free to ask any questions you may have. You're amongst supportive people here. A word of warning though, you may need a dictionary at times because Barb uses some big words sometimes. Hey, just think of it as broadening our horizons.

I also want to know how you found us. It seems several have joined in recently and we'd like to know how you found us.

Welcome aboard.

MadSci

[xiknal]

...like 'idiosyncratic'? :dancers <--if you saw these three seated in one row on an airplane, you'd say they were idiosyncratic...there's just no better word!

:blowhorn

[Passenger Mark]

Time to get my dictionary back out :\ :eek

[JamieAllison]

Hi Chris,

Welcome to the board! :wave

You'll find lots of people here who share a lot of your feelings about flying. I have the same experience where I do better if I fly more often. If I let too much time go between flights, it gives my imagination too much time to go wild (definitely not a good thing!).

I recommend reading Captain Ray's book, "This is your Captain Speaking." I found it very helpful. Information/statistics in general have been helpful for me. I also find message boards incredibly helpful. The people here are incredibly supportive and I think it always helps to know you're not alone in my fears. Also, I find other people's experiences to be helpful, whether they are good or bad. One of the best pieces of advice I have gotten from everybody was to meet the Captain. I finally did that on some recent flights and I still can't believe what a difference it made for me.

Jamie

[Passenger Mark]

Ok... now that my brain had digested that!

Welcome aboard! Great to have you here!

:welcome

Ken has pointed you in the right direction for some good info, so I will not burden you with a huge post, and let you browse around a bit. When you have more questions... post away, and I am sure there will be answers!

Mark

[spleisher]

Chris,

Welcome aboard. I'm sure you'll find our little sandbox a very useful too as you attack your fears. Myself, I'm one of the aero-geek pilot types, so I'll be happy to try to help entertain any techie questions you may have, especially when Ray's out doing the major airline captain thing.

Again, Welcome aboard!

Scott

[photomonkey0]

Hi Chris,

:welcome

You're in the right place - explore to your heart's content and jump on into the conversation!

Eric

[Jeff California]

Hi there! Glad you found us!

Go through the old posts as there is a ton of info there.

Consider checking ones about flight tracking and audio ATC feeds.

Watch planes flying right now! www4.passur.com/las.html (http://www4.passur.com/las.html)

Listen to them in real time.

www.thetracon.com/links/linkLIVE.htm (http://www.thetracon.com/links/linkLIVE.htm)


Always meet your pilot.

Keep notes of the entire flight and post them here. It seems to help some pass the time and keep their emotion in check.

Take pictures for our website!


Or, do what I do... drink a 6 pack before you get on:cheers More or less depending on tolerance of course.. You dont want to be on that "airline" show insisting you arent drunk:lol Dont mix booze with meds if possible..

Some of us drink, some of us pop anxiety pills to help. ALL of us would like to fly without the need for any crutch. Thats why I am here.

You will be fine. Dont forget to post your tracking info on the tracking board!!!

Jeff

[JazzBelle04]

Welcome Chris!

I am a new poster on here as well. Have two Thanksgiving flights coming up in less than a week. A couple of days ago, I was full of anxiety. I did well during the day, but at night, the irrational thoughts would creep in. Everyone on here can understand what you're going through. We're all going through it, or have been through it. Trust that everyone here will be very encouraging and helpful. I have received some excellent suggestions. The one thing that has helped me is to track flights. Track a random flight or find a certain flight you'd like to track. After tracking several flights like I have, I have realized that there are soooo many flights being flown each and everyday. It makes everything seem so much more routine, and in that sense, the anxiety and fear of the unknown seems to go away.

Don't get me wrong, the fears still creep up now and then, and I know it will continue to when the day comes close, but embrace the thought of knowing that I can always come here and receive encouraging and supporting words. Buy the Captain's book; I have ordered it, and it seems to help lots of people here. Welcome!

Also, what airline are you flying with? I am sure someone can tell you their wonderful and positive experiences flying with the airline.

Jazz

[CDB35]

Wow, this is a great board. I have already taken strength from all of your kind words and encouragement--even if I don't understand some of the BIG WORDS! (Haha). There is a wealth of information of the board and I plant to use it to the fullest. All I can say is thanks!

I found the forum last night. I did a "Google" search using "fear of flying chat room." Here I am!

I have seen it said many times already how frustrating this phobia can be. I understand that it probably isn't rationale, thus making my fear of flying a phobia. I even dream about flying from time to time and even this is not pleasant.

I wonder if anyone else has noticed something when they fly. For me, it is the first connecting flight that kicks my butt. It is all of the worry, anxiety and nerves on the days up to the flight. It is the drive to the airport. The wait in the terminal. The power of the engines and the "prepare for take off" announcement. Ok, I'm getting worked up here...what I am trying to say is, after my first flight, I am HIGHLY motivated to get back home and this mind over matter seems to get me some courage to make the subsequent flights.

Well, I've got three weeks to prepare for my next flight. Still working on making the arrangements for flight. I will try to track some flights and I hope this helps. Sure it will.

Best regards, happy weekend. I'll be back later.

Chris B.

[Passenger Mark]

Hey Chris,

Glad you like the site. Feel free to participate all you want!

What you described is anticipatory anxiety, and it is a common foe among folks here. I, like you do much better once I have that first flight out of the way.

Thanks for letting us know how you found us! If you don't mind, where are you from? Nothing specific, just State and/or Country.

Thanks,

Mark

[beaugest]

A few months ago I had a flight that went beautifully. Very little anticipatory anxiety. Fairly calm during the flight even with some turbulence.
:coffee
Usually, the return flight is easier for me than the initial.I think for the reasons you mentioned. Highly motivated,etc. Since the initial went so well I thought the return would be a breeze. I was so wrong.
:wired
I was surprisingly jittery. So, when I got home I tried to figure out what I did differently. What triggered me looking like this:shocked
I realized that while I was away I didn't do anything to remind myself to be calm. We were rushing on the way to the airport, I didn't have time to eat and I was tired. Because I wasn't anxious while I was away I didn't do anything to make sure I stated calm.
So, I think if we really try a bunch of different things and really work on this fear we can kick it (mostly). You just have to figure out what contributes to your anxiety. From now, I'm really going to try and not rush, to eat, to touch base here and remember all the stuff I've learned before I fly.
Welcome.

[CDB35]

I am from Wisconsin. Everywhere I fly requires at least one connecting flight, unless I travel 200 miles or so.

I actually once seriously contemplated driving to Florida on business (yes, from Wisconsin)...rather than flying. That's how anxious I was...err...can be.

Have a good rest of the weekend. Be safe. Glad I found you!

Chris B.

[beaugest]

Chris, as someone who has made the trek from NewYork to Wis. with my husband,4 kids and the dog more times than I can count...let me say that avoiding those kinds of rides are good motivators to fly.
When my kids were younger they were very prone to ear infections so we weren't able to fly for a bit. When they finally grew out of them and we could get there in under 2 hours as opposed to 15--I was the first one on the plane.
:yippee