Anyone here an uneasy flier?

MauiBride2008 · October 2009

This may be a silly post, especially for the HI boards Embarrassed

We are leaving for Kauai 1 week from Friday and I'm so excited! But for some reason this time I am getting so much anxiety to fly out there. I never used to be a fearful flier until about 5 years ago (out of the blue) and now I dread flying anywhere. Granted I still do it because I'm not going to let that take away from a fun vaca to HI, but I hate every minute of it.

Does anyone else have these worries and if so how do you deal with it?

msmoore27 · October 2009

YES! I used to love flying when I was younger but then I started getting more and more scared.

Some strategies I use to cope:

--DH told me to think about the plane as a car when there is turbulence. Just picture that you are in a bus and the road is really bumpy--that that's all turbulence really is, a road with lots of potholes.

--Whenever I start feeling really nervous I look at the flight attendants, and they are always nonplussed. They are on airplanes ALL the time, so they know when something seems abnormal. And I have never seen a flight attendant look worried, so that always makes me feel better.

--I know you're supposed to stay hydrated while flying, but I always get a little wine bottle when the drink cart comes around. Totally calms me. Angel

--Bring one of your favorite all time movies on your laptop or portable DVD player in case things get really bad. I'm not talking a movie you like, I mean a movie you LOVE and that just makes you laugh/cry like hell every time (I have Hannah and Her Sisters on my laptop at all times). I usually don't even end up watching it, but just knowing it's there in case I need a distraction I know will work is very comforting.

Anyway, HTH! Rest assured, you are not the only flying nervous nellie out there!

Surfinbride · October 2009

I love flying, especially the takeoff... not a fan of landing. My sister, on the other hand, gets freaked out. She says she gets really nervous and her heart beats fast. She has had it so bad that she did not want to get on the second plane after a layover. She did not fly at all for about 10 years and missed out on special events. Finally, she got an Rx from the dr. I think it was xanax. She takes it before the flight and does really well. She even came to my wedding in HI. I was pleasantly surprised. You might want to ask your doctor what your options are.

jaysgirljulie · October 2009

I've been a flight attendant for 9 years now and believe it or not, I've developed a fear of flying in the past few years. Weird because nothing bad happened to cause this. There were times when it was so bad that I went into the lav after takeoff to cry. I was crying b/c I was so relieved that we made it up. This may not help you but what I remember is that most things happen during takeoff. Once I'm above 10,000ft (about 5 mintures) I can breathe MUCH easier during the rest of the flight, even during bad turbulance. Also statistically, most accidents happen when it's the captian & first officers first flight of flying together. I've started asking pilots if they have ever flown together before and it seems that many, many of them have. Even if it's been a few years, that counts! Last thing I remember is that you really are much more at risk driving to the airport than being on the plane.

Oh and try to stretch really well before you fly. A very senior flight attendant told me to try it b/c that is what worked for her and it really helps me too. GL!

MauiBride2008 · October 2009

Thanks ladies for your help and encourging words! I have never had a bad experience on planes before (knock on wood) to cause this fear either so I'm not sure why it's coming on so strong, so quick.

Thank you for your helpful tips, I will for sure keep those in mind for my flight next week Wink

And jaysgirljulie, I can't believe you have developed a fear when that's what you do for a living! How can you go to work everyday? I give you mad props for facing your fear everytime you go into work, that's amazing! Do you ever work PHX to LIH flights (you work for US Airways right)? Maybe I will be lucky to have you on my flight next week to keep me calm! Big Smile

jaysgirljulie · October 2009

Thanks MauiBride! Yep, I do work for US Airways but since we layed off people, I don't have my own route anymore so I never know what I'm doing until the day of. so you never know, I could be your flight attendant! For the longest time I did do the Hawaii flights, about 3-4 times a month. Oh those were the days! Travel

It's good you're flying US Airways b/c we have a smaller fleet of 757's and therefore a smaller group of 757 pilots and they mostly all know each other :-) I hope you have a great time in Kauai!!!

Anyone here an uneasy flier?

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