[Help] Fear of flying

[Weststander]

We had the most horrendous flight back from NY years ago right through a thunderstorm hand luggage flying everywhere in the plane turbulence was horrendous when the cabin crew looked shaken I did start to panic. Pilots must of worked hard to get us through that. Put me off for a bit and then I got back on the saddle and believe fear is nothing it doesn’t exist it’s only your mind playing tricks.

We had a similar experience in a winter flight in the dark from Denver to Gatwick, an hour or two of horrendous turbulence (roughly from the Labrador coast all the way to Iceland), it went on and on. But the flight crew seemed genuinely unperturbed throughout, which was one way I reassured myself.

 

[symyjym]

I wasn't bothered at all by flying until I started flying to Leeds Bradford, the plane gets battered all over the place every time.

On the way back from Greece a couple of months back I made the mistake of asking the pilot why it's always so bad - apparently it's not just the cross wind, the exposure, and the fact that it's the highest runway in the UK but also it's got such a slope on it that they have to make sure they hit the flat bit right at the start.

Probably not one for the OP to watch:

Pilots must love these challenging runways and it's probably only on ones like this that their skill is really put to the test.

 

[Lyndhurst 14]

As I live in the States I travel back to the UK or Europe 2 to 3 times a year plus internal flights in the US. Up until now I never gave it a second thought - I've always figured the pilot wants to get to the other end in one piece as well as all the passengers. But recently with all the publicity about the two Boeing 737 crashes I realized it's not just down to the pilot as the MCAS system on these planes could not be over ridden by experienced pilots. Watching some of the Congressional hearings where Boeing were grilled about this made you wonder if Boeing put profit above safety and why the FAA allowed Boeing to do their own safety checks instead of an independent body like the FAA. Boeing are now saying they have modified the software and it is safe - but all 737's remain grounded. I just wonder how happy people would be getting back on this plane with its history. At the end of the day it's a numbers game and all the stats still make it one of the safest means of transport and planes have multiple back up systems. Boeing and the FAA will have learned important lessons, albeit at the expense of the passengers who died, so I'm reassured that flying should now be safer than ever

 

[Notters]

Pilots must love these challenging runways and it's probably only on ones like this that their skill is really put to the test.

Yep. I'm told easy jet pilots fly here for training even though they don't operate from here.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

And as someone that used to work at the CAA SRG I can confirm that is the reason for the brace position. It's unlikely to save you.

This has been discussed this before; it is a very popular and well known urban myth; your colleagues were pulling your leg. There are plenty of research papers into this and it’s demonstrated it can reduce injury, severity of injury and in-turn save lives.

PS I used to work for the CAA Chief Scientist Division. I can assure you it’s bunkum.

 

[SK1NT]

I do find it comforting that there are so many people on NSC that hate flying.

As a kid i flew a lot and loved it. I would even laugh at my mum for being scared of flying, oh the irony. Now i can't stand it. I have flown a cpl of times in the last 10 years. I bit the bullet a cpl of years ago on a trip to Portugal. The flight out there was fine and i thought i had overcome my fear, but the way back was awful. It didn't help when two air stewards stood in the isle next to my chair saying how they didn't like this turbulence. Every cloud and all… the flight was so bad it put my misses off flying. Now I am grateful that I don’t have to fly to appease her as she hates it as much as me.

If you gave me a free round the world ticket now all expenses paid i genuinely would say no thanks. I know i am missing out on so much however for me it's not worth the stress and anxiety from the moment i book the holiday to the moment i get home. i can't even enjoy the holiday for fear of the flight back.

So last year we avoided flying and we drove through France and to Lake Annecy (beautiful) however there are few really high bridges that shit me up (I would never have thought I didn’t like heights, but apparently I do) . So now flying and anywhere that requires driving over high bridges is off my holiday list... hence why i spend most my time at home.

I know it is the safest way of travelling and my uncle is a pilot. Maybe one day i will tackle it again. Good look to everyone else overcoming there fear

 

[Bold Seagull]

I'm absolutely fine with the flying.





Its the taking off and landing parts that scare the sh*t out of me.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

I wasn't bothered at all by flying until I started flying to Leeds Bradford, the plane gets battered all over the place every time.

On the way back from Greece a couple of months back I made the mistake of asking the pilot why it's always so bad - apparently it's not just the cross wind, the exposure, and the fact that it's the highest runway in the UK but also it's got such a slope on it that they have to make sure they hit the flat bit right at the start.

Probably not one for the OP to watch:

There’s a hairy one up in the alps as well; Chambry? Anyway, the pilot explained before landing that the plane has to drop very quickly and steeply into the airport as it’s surrounded by mountains and break very hard as the runway is short. That was fun.

 

[Thunder Bolt]

There’s a hairy one up in the alps as well; Chambry? Anyway, the pilot explained before landing that the plane has to drop very quickly and steeply into the airport as it’s surrounded by mountains and break very hard as the runway is short. That was fun.

My other half has flown into Zurich a few times which apparently isn't very easy being surrounded by mountains and therefore has strange air currents.

 

[Return of the Rev]

Mrs ROTR tried this.

 

[Not Andy Naylor]

Before the Channel Tunnel opened I used to take jetfoils and ferries on even short trips into Europe, Belgium for instance, rather than fly. One single overnight ferry trip cured me of that. We were the first ferry from Ostend after a storm, and I soon got the feeling that the captain had really gone too early. Suffice it to say that it was a rough crossing and then when we got to Dover four hours later, we couldn't go into port because the sea was still too rough and no other ships had come out to leave a berth free. One eventually came out but had damaged the ramp on its way out. Eventually after a further three hours tossing on the waves outside Dover (oo-er), we made it into port and all 13 passengers disembarked. Customs had had nothing to do all night so made the most of having some bags to rummage through. Eventually we were bussed to the railway station to continue our onward journeys to London, only to find that the early train had left, completely empty because we were, of course, the first passengers of the day. The next one didn't leave for two hours.

After that I came to the conclusion that at least dying in an air crash would be quick.

Now I think of all the great trips I'd have missed if I hadn't flown.

 

[s5.bha]

Would love to offer some advice but I’m one of those people that loves turbulence.

What I do hate though is waiting around in airports........god the boredom will kill me !!!


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[arewethereyet?]

It is strange , humans seem to think nothing of tailgating another car at 70 mph when the stopping distance at that speed is ridiculously greater than the actual distance we're following is , and we do this knowing that it's impossible to stop and there's a chance of death or serious injury , so why would travelling on the safest form of transport known to man scare us ? it is indeed a tough one to work out , and i'd much rather drive somewhere than fly if at all possible , i sympathise with Rainman all the way on this subject .

Because in the car that YOU are driving you have control to some degree of your actions but up at 39000 feet in a tin can flying at 450mph (approx) you have NO control and are at the mercy of the pilots and the aircraft. Fear has no logic and I truly sympathise with all those that have this fear because they miss out on so much of the wide world that's there for us to enjoy, as for me, i love flying and am looking forward to my 2nd trip to New Zealand in February exploring the north and south islands.

 

[Mr Smggles]

I’m one of the 2 sat up the front, you’re welcome to send me a PM if I can help with anything.

 

[Arkwright]

Use to do business with a former BA pilot who published a book and runs a class near Alton, Hampshire. Try Keith Godfrey his business is called Fly Without Fear, the book is written in a light hearted fashion but I know he is very popular.
Also be is a smashing bloke.
Hope that helps.

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

I’ve never been a particularly anxious person, but I’ve completely lost my nerve when it comes to flying. I’m fully aware of the safety stats and read up on how a plane stays in the air and all that stuff, so I know the fear that’s left is irrational, but I just can’t shake it.

It has meant missing out on a trip I would’ve really enjoyed this weekend, and also previously meant having to drive a ludicrously long way for a family wedding rather than a fairly short flight.

Any advice or tips from people who have struggled with flight anxiety?

An ex girlfriend developed a fear of flying when we got together. Immediately after we split up it went away. I think that says something, but I'm not sure what.

 

[Mellotron]

Thanks so much for all the thoughtful and considered answers, and for others sharing their fears - helps to know I’m not alone in this.

Threads like this are NSC at its best.

 

[Icy Gull]

Thanks so much for all the thoughtful and considered answers, and for others sharing their fears - helps to know I’m not alone in this.

Threads like this are NSC at its best.

There seem to be experts on most matters on NSC, this thread has even thrown up a pilot willing to try and help you

 

[dazzer6666]

That'll have helped [emoji23][emoji23]

Stats are interesting.....extra from a US article :

Put it another way: Americans have a 1 in 114 chance of dying in a car crash, according to the*National Safety Council. The odds of dying in air and space transport incidents, which include private flights and*air taxis, are 1 in 9,821. That’s almost three times better chances than you meeting your fate by choking on food.


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[Chicken Run]

I was in exactly the same position. It got to the point where I took a flight to Switzerland and had to come back on the train/Eurostar. The problem grew and I then became frightened of the fear of flying, if that makes sense. I would do absolutely anything to avoid flying, missing out on holidays and seeing family. Luckily I now have a solution that works for me after seeing my GP.


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Valium?