1st flight tomorrow

[rh71]

Originally posted by: clarkey01

Originally posted by: rh71

Originally posted by: TravisT
Really, i think once you are up in the air, you won't be to worried. It doesn't feel any different than being on the ground if you ask me. So just sit back and relax.

Minus the turbulence once in a while. I've been on about 15 flights and I still get worried for a sec if we dip for a split second. It's natural though... like the same feeling you have when a car suddently cuts you off...

Anyway, I must say the most worrysome part of a flight is the first minute or so after you are off the ground on a take-off. The plane tends to feel like it's loose as it climbs... yet another thing I guess you have to get used to.

If that doesnt calm you down, NOTHING will

I was trying to make the point that it's natural.

 

[KoolAidKid]

To get over the stress I usually just imagine myself sitting in a chair 6 miles off of the ground, sans airplane, travelling at 500 mph. This doesn't usually help to reduce the stress, but it's interesting, anyway.

 

[clarkey01]

Or down about 10 beers as your boarding thr flight, but put the beer in cola bottles.

 

[lancestorm]

Just relax dude and take it in stride.

I think the flight itself is very easy. I just think you might have a slight problem with takeoff and especially landing. Takeoff you get going really fast and it is fun to watch from a window. Landing is a bit crazy because of the braking and the wing flaps trying to resist the wind's flow over the wing.

But trust me, you will be safe. Relax. Bring gum (height changes will cause ears to pop, gum helps alleviate that). Bring a magazine. And just chill. Everyone else will be too. You will be fine. And you will tell us all about how cool it was when you post next week...

 

[Queasy]

Read a book, watch a movie, play a video game. Do something take your mind off it. I bought my wife a GameBoy Advance specifically for our honeymoon flight because she hates to fly and it worked great to get her mind on something other than the fact that she was flying in a giant tylenol with wings.

You're much more likely to get into a car accident in Atlanta than your plane crashing.

 

[ICXRa]

I'm with you on this! I am 38 myself and hate flying and have found nothing short of being totally hammered to help me not worry about it the entire time. Jack and coke works for me but it is hard to get any work done once you arrive.

 

[TallBill]

lol.. i guess i'll just never understand any fear in flying.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: TallBill
lol.. i guess i'll just never understand any fear in flying.

Hehehe, you've probably jumped out of airplanes huh?

 

[MiniDoom]

I always have a couple :beer: before I get on planes.

 

[y2kc]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
Don't worry about it.

Just out of curiosity, how have you managed to live 38 years and not ever have traveled anywhere by airplane? I will be 38 in a couple weeks and I've flown countless times. I'd much rather fly than drive. I enjoy it actually and it is quite safe.

You said it would take 3 hours to fly? It would take you probably 12 hours or more to drive it-that's like 800 miles one way!

I guess it's how I was raised, my parents weren't big on vacation. We'd drive to their home towns (in North carolina and Georgia). My teens were uneventful, i went to local schools. my wife and I were always too broke to go away. i drove to Orlando to take the kids to Disney.

I've been nowhere and I'm fine with that. if it takes longer than 30 minutes to get there, i don't have much interest in going.

I live in a bubble, never had a job that took longer than 25 minutes to drive to.

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

Call your MD and tell him about it. He will probably prescribe some Xanax or Ativan or a similar drug. They are like Valium, but won't screw you up.

Remember too that fear of heights is not the same as fear of flying. You can always request a seat without a window, or just shut it. If you do peek, it's more like looking out a tiny TV than peering down a ladder. It's not nearly as bad.

Your first take off will be the worst. It isn't bad in reality. Just like a car accelerating then you are off. With the meds, you should be fine.

 

[Kaieye]

Remember the movie "Twilight zone" ? Especiallly the last ten minutes of the film...

 

[y2kc]

Originally posted by: rdubbz420
I always have a couple :beer: before I get on planes.

i don't (can't) drink. i'd be horny and terrified at the same time. not a good combo.

 

[StageLeft]

Is my fear irrational? statistically speaking, of course, but for me, since the possibility exists of a crash, I can't see why my luck would be better than anyone else's of surviving tomorrow's flight.

Yes it's irrational, and such a fear can seriously interfere with somebody's life, as I'm sure you're quite aware.

 

[bootymac]

I've been on planes since I was a little kid, as well as cruise boats and that such. I loved it

I don't know why, but maybe it's because I knew it was the pilot's job to fly, so nothing would happen *shrugs*

 

[kranky]

Throwing in my 2c worth...

- Don't load up on beer. Getting to the bathroom on a big plane is a royal PITA unless you're sitting at the back.
- Don't wear giant belt buckles or other metal objects that will set off the metal detector. Wear sneakers without metal inserts if you can.
- Don't take anything sharp with you because they'll take it away from you and you don't get it back.
- Don't try to take a giant pile of stuff on the plane with you because there's precious little space to put it. You'd like to avoid having to put it below the seat in front of you because it obstructs your legroom.
- Know what to do at the airport. The routine is: check in, get boarding pass, check luggage (if necessary), go through security, head for the gate as noted on your boarding pass. Be at the gate at the time indicated on the boarding pass (the boarding time, not the departure time). They'll probably board by rows, starting at the back of the plane. If you don't want to get on until the last minute, that's fine, but you won't find any space to stow your carry-on bag.
- There's a small air vent above the seat, usually operated by turning. For some reason I like to have a moderate stream of air coming down while flying - it makes it seem less "stuffy". There's a light switch there as well if you want to use it. There will be a small button on the side of the armrest on one side which will allow you to recline your seat a bit.
- You probably will have the choice of a window, middle, or aisle seat. The middle is the least comfortable. I like the aisle because I have a bit of space next to me.
- If you've never flown, you'll be a bit startled at the noise and vibration during takeoff. But now that you know to expect that, don't let it bother you.
- Chances are overwhelmingly good that you'll have a very smooth flight. Once you're off the ground you won't even know you're flying. Take a music-generating device and some headphones and you can zone out the whole trip except for a short period at the start and just before landing when they will tell you to quit using your "personal electronic devices", keep your seat fully forward, and lock your tray table in the upright position.

Your flight will go very well, no worries!

 

[shekondar]

Just be sure to lube up good before getting to the security checkpoint...it makes the body cavity search much easier

 

[biostud]

Hypnosis. One of my parents friend (who is a doctor) has if not cured then lessened the fear of flying for lots of patients.

 

[rh71]

Originally posted by: kranky
Throwing in my 2c worth...

I'll just add to this that bringing your own headphones will come in handy when/if they play a movie onboard. Some shorter flights show 30 min sitcoms. The jack will be in the armrest. It's a great time-killer.

 

[y2kc]

Originally posted by: Skoorb

Is my fear irrational? statistically speaking, of course, but for me, since the possibility exists of a crash, I can't see why my luck would be better than anyone else's of surviving tomorrow's flight.

Yes it's irrational, and such a fear can seriously interfere with somebody's life, as I'm sure you're quite aware.

yes, but i could never justify what i percieved, as the risk vs reward factor when it came to flying... fly to vegas or live, i choose life.

in my mind i just don't think the plane is going to crash, i know it. when was the last plane crash? see? we're due.

i'm sure a vacation or two would have greatly enhanced my marriage but my fear of flying never inspired me to do what i had to do to make it happen.

i avoided this for a long time and now i'm almost forced to fly due to the circumstances and i'm really starting to dread it..

i have to get on a plane tomorrow and i am afraid, all the statistics in the world can't change that.

i guess my real fear is of death.. hmm.

 

[Hammer]

just force yourself to do it. you'll get over it once you've done. stop living in fear.

 

[y2kc]

Originally posted by: kranky
Throwing in my 2c worth...

- Don't load up on beer. Getting to the bathroom on a big plane is a royal PITA unless you're sitting at the back.
- Don't wear giant belt buckles or other metal objects that will set off the metal detector. Wear sneakers without metal inserts if you can.
- Don't take anything sharp with you because they'll take it away from you and you don't get it back.
- Don't try to take a giant pile of stuff on the plane with you because there's precious little space to put it. You'd like to avoid having to put it below the seat in front of you because it obstructs your legroom.
- Know what to do at the airport. The routine is: check in, get boarding pass, check luggage (if necessary), go through security, head for the gate as noted on your boarding pass. Be at the gate at the time indicated on the boarding pass (the boarding time, not the departure time). They'll probably board by rows, starting at the back of the plane. If you don't want to get on until the last minute, that's fine, but you won't find any space to stow your carry-on bag.
- There's a small air vent above the seat, usually operated by turning. For some reason I like to have a moderate stream of air coming down while flying - it makes it seem less "stuffy". There's a light switch there as well if you want to use it. There will be a small button on the side of the armrest on one side which will allow you to recline your seat a bit.
- You probably will have the choice of a window, middle, or aisle seat. The middle is the least comfortable. I like the aisle because I have a bit of space next to me.
- If you've never flown, you'll be a bit startled at the noise and vibration during takeoff. But now that you know to expect that, don't let it bother you.
- Chances are overwhelmingly good that you'll have a very smooth flight. Once you're off the ground you won't even know you're flying. Take a music-generating device and some headphones and you can zone out the whole trip except for a short period at the start and just before landing when they will tell you to quit using your "personal electronic devices", keep your seat fully forward, and lock your tray table in the upright position.

Your flight will go very well, no worries!

Thanks kranky. Good advice.

 

[Caminetto]

I was in the same boat as you about 10 years ago - avoided flying from an irrational fear. Then came the dreaded time I had to fly. Just take my word for it, you will adjust to, and overcome the fear during the flight. In fact I absolutely loved and enjoyed the flight home, and got the added benefit of feeling that I had overcome an irrational fear. BTW, knowing several pilots - they are among the best and brightest.

 

[cerebusPu]

i use to be okay with flying. i was never scared and i flew alot. At some point in the last three years i developed a fear for flying. I especially hate the takeoffs and landings, the high bank turns, and the turbulence. Anything that makes me feel any sort of G's i dont like.

Statistically speaking, theres a very low chance of anything happening, especially in the US.

Why do they bother to put floatation devices under the seats. There has never been a successful water landing on at sea.

 

[rh71]

To quote a pilot of a flight I was on... (after some light randomly came on in pre-flight checks)

"If I thought there was a safety issue, I wouldn't be spearheading this flight myself."