Getting over fear of flying?

[lovinmyboys]

I am flying by myself in a couple weeks and am pretty nervous. Any tips on getting over it? I don't particularly think the plane will crash...I'm not sure exactly what worries me about it. I have flown about a dozen times in my life, but it has been over 3 yrs since the last time.

[PrairieSong]

I watched some youtube videos made by a pilot. He has a full program that costs $ but the free videos were enough for me. I also do things to distract myself. .knit, crochet, read, do puzzles. If the ride gets a little bumpy I close my eyes and think of some of the happiest memories of my life, when our children were born. I also watch the flight attendants walking around serving beverages and helping people.They seem calm and happy. All of these things combined really helped me.

[PrairieSong]

I just looked at Youtube to find the videos I watched. Search for fear of flying. They are the videos by CaptTomBunn.

[lovinmyboys]

Thanks. I will check them out

[datgh]

I watch the seasoned travelers on the plane.  If they don't look worried, then I am not worried. My mother's mantra is "the pilot wants to get home too". 

[gingersmom]

I hate hate flying and take several flights a year.

 

I have shared my fears with flight attendants and pilots and they are always happy to talk and reassure me.

 

I took a flight recently that had 3 pilots and 2 flight attendants as passengers. I felt very safe.

[Tiramisu]

Xanax. It doesn't erase the fear but makes it something you can deal with. If I took more than half of the lowest dose, I might have a better chance of erasing the fear, but I want to be functional. 

 

For me, it's PTSD and not rational. :)

 

 

[idnib]

I've never taken Xanax, but I do know that if you're going to take it on a flight, you should try it first on the ground. Some people react badly to it and you don't want experiment the first time while on a plane.

 

For turbulence, the one thing that really helps me is pushing my feet down firmly on the floor. It's just easier to take somehow. I guess it feels like I'm moving with the plane rather than being loosely jostled around.

[JennyD]

 

Patrick Smith's book, Cockpit Confidential, helped me a lot.  I always bring it with me when I fly now.  

[idnib]

You might like this demonstration of flights flying right now. You can see how many flights happen all the time and compare that to how often there's a problem. It's quite rare.

[lovinmyboys]

You might like this demonstration of flights flying right now. You can see how many flights happen all the time and compare that to how often there's a problem. It's quite rare.

That's really cool. Thanks!

[shage]

I repeat to myself: If this plane goes down, I will never have to clean a toilet again.

 

It's twisted and effective.

[HSmomof2]

Xanax. It doesn't erase the fear but makes it something you can deal with. If I took more than half of the lowest dose, I might have a better chance of erasing the fear, but I want to be functional.

 

For me, it's PTSD and not rational. :)

ITA......I don't have PTSD, but have an irrational fear of flying. I logically understand the physics of flight, the safety statistics, know that pilots are very well trained. Just doesn't matter.....I can't get over the fear. So, I take Xanax when I fly. I also take a half dose.....doesn't completely take the fear away but makes it manageable.