Who else is anxious about flying? How do you talk yourself down from it?

DH and I want to go overseas this summer. We are going to start TTC in the fall so this may be the last time we are able to take a 'big' trip for a while. And I am finding that I am more anxious than usual about the idea of flying. I've always been a nervous flyer, and until now, it's never prevented me from booking a trip.

Help

Re: Who else is anxious about flying? How do you talk yourself down from it?

I LOVE flying, but FH is a nervous flyer. He tries to distract himself, so airlines with Tv's are always good(although they usually shut off suring take off and landing, which is when you need them!), also he finds that just squeesing my hand is the way to go. Have you ever flown a long distance before? Have you done it with hubby? I'm sure just with him by your side it will be a great comfort to you. On my first flight ever (which was an 8 hour international flight..) I was nervous and I distracted myself by reading and writing letters to people. Also it was spring break so my frineds and I were keeping a journal and writing in that helped me focus on that and feel comforted in a familar activity rather than paying too much attention to what was going on around me (i.e flying)

Re: Who else is anxious about flying? How do you talk yourself down from it?

I didn't fly for almost 5 years from 2000 until April. I just tried to think calmly and tried to remember that you are safer in a plane then in a car.

Deep breathing also helped.

Re: Who else is anxious about flying? How do you talk yourself down from it?

I was never really nervous about flying, but then went on a few flights with DH - and now he's got me nervous too!

I just think about all of the flights that take off and land every day without incident. Also when it gets a little bumpy I always think, you wouldn't expect a ride in a car to be absolutely smooth - it's similar.

On my last flight I learned that I dont' really like to sit at the window anymore, so from now on I'll try to book a center aisle seat.

We usually have a drink before getting on the flight, that calms my nerves a bit and I always try to get on the plane tired so that I will fall asleep.

Re: Who else is anxious about flying? How do you talk yourself down from it?

I've been on a couple of international flights, and though I was nervous, I was ok. I know this is kind of sick, but there hasn't been a bad air crash since Flight 587, so I anxious and worry that we might be 'due' for one. Not that I want that to happen, regardless of whether or not I end up flying.

Plus, I read way too much about all those airline glitches and how planes are not as safe as we think...

Thanks for the tips. If we go, we will be flying to London, and the last two times I did that, I took big doses of Nyquil (to minimize jet lag). I've stayed away from alchohol because I've told myself that if something happens I want to have my wits about me.

Re: Who else is anxious about flying? How do you talk yourself down from it?

I have to fly a week from today, and I am TERRIFIED. I am CONVINCED we will not come back from our honeymoon, or even get there, because we are going to die on the plane. It's terrible. I am so upset about flying that I would easily go without a honeymoon. I wasn't nervous until this week. And we're not even leaving right away for our honeymoon, we have a day inbetween where I can PANICK. I have never flown with JT, and he has just never flown PERIOD, so I'm SO freaked out. I have not been on a plane in 5 years, and after my last BAD experience, I swore I would NEVER get on a plane again, but yet, here I am planning for this trip. I must be nuts.

Re: Who else is anxious about flying? How do you talk yourself down from it?

I am almost 27 and I have never been on a plane!! I don't plan on ever getting on one if I don't have too. I wish I just knew someone with a smaller plane just to try it out, so if i got scared we can always land.

Re: Who else is anxious about flying? How do you talk yourself down from it?

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Posted by jandt2006

I am almost 27 and I have never been on a plane!! I don't plan on ever getting on one if I don't have too. I wish I just knew someone with a smaller plane just to try it out, so if i got scared we can always land.

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It would be much worse on a small plane!!!

Tracy, four flights on Virgin Atlantic alone take off from London and land safely in New York every day!!!

Re: Who else is anxious about flying? How do you talk yourself down from it?

i know i have heard it would be worse on a smaller plane. just give me some cognac and i should be well.

Re: Who else is anxious about flying? How do you talk yourself down from it?

I wish I had some good advice for you. I too am terrified of flying. I cannot sleep on planes because I am nervous but I make myself go in order not to miss anything.

For my honeymoon my flight time was about 19-1/2 hours (not including smaller planes once in-country) and I was a wreck.

But I made it and had a wonderful experience. It's the wonderful experiences that make me get on planes over and over again. I'd hate to miss out on any good vacations so I go.

As a side note, I took a Simply Sleep by Tylenol pill before the first leg of the trip and I ended up being exhausted but unable to sleep That sucked!

Re: Who else is anxious about flying? How do you talk yourself down from it?

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Posted by prncssrachel
and after my last BAD experience, I swore I would NEVER get on a plane again, but yet, here I am planning for this trip. I must be nuts.

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What happened the last time?

Re: Who else is anxious about flying? How do you talk yourself down from it?

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Posted by usuk2004

Tracy, four flights on Virgin Atlantic alone take off from London and land safely in New York every day!!!

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Good to know, since Virgin Atlantic is the only airline I have ever flown to London, and the only one I ever intend to fly to the UK. (But mostly because I love the food and goody bags! )

to my fellow anxious flyers.

Re: Who else is anxious about flying? How do you talk yourself down from it?

I fly because i want to go on vacation, i dread the plane rides. I was an okay flier until a bad experience in 1994 with turbulance on a plane.....i didn't fly for another 7 years! Now i am pretty bad at the take offs but calm down a bit afterwards. I just think of all the celebrities and people who fly so much and how many planes are in the air a day and nothing bad happens.

I am leaving for California Sept 12th so that has me kind of nervous, but i am doing it so i can see California. I usually get a glass of the cheap wine on the plane (or two) and take a nap...that calms me down a bit.

Re: Who else is anxious about flying? How do you talk yourself down from it?

XANAX AND VODKA!!!! It's the only way to fly. I hate flying so I take 2 xanax and have a drink and pass out on the plane. And I always tell FI that if we're crashing don't wake me!!

Re: Who else is anxious about flying? How do you talk yourself down from it?

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Posted by TracyInQueens

I know this is kind of sick, but there hasn't been a bad air crash since Flight 587, so I anxious and worry that we might be 'due' for one. Not that I want that to happen, regardless of whether or not I end up flying.

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Oh my god, its so bad to say, but I totally think the same thing!!! Its terrible!! I usually don't get nervous until a day or two before the flight, but I find as I am getting older my fear is getting worse!!

Re: Who else is anxious about flying? How do you talk yourself down from it?

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Posted by nov04LIbride

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Posted by prncssrachel
and after my last BAD experience, I swore I would NEVER get on a plane again, but yet, here I am planning for this trip. I must be nuts.

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What happened the last time?

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As we were going down the runway to take off, full speed, the engines died mysteriously The plane came to a halt! I have never been so scared in my life! AND I STILL HAD TO FLY AFTER THAT! I had SUCH and anxiety attack during the flight that my sister smacked me clear across the face. The new plane was half-full because so many people decided not to fly after that!

Re: Who else is anxious about flying? How do you talk yourself down from it?

Honestly - Valium

Re: Who else is anxious about flying? How do you talk yourself down from it?

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Posted by AndreaES

XANAX AND VODKA!!!! It's the only way to fly. I hate flying so I take 2 xanax and have a drink and pass out on the plane. And I always tell FI that if we're crashing don't wake me!!

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For me it is valium. Valium solves so many of my post 911 flying issues

Re: Who else is anxious about flying? How do you talk yourself down from it?

Can't help ya-'cause I don't fly.