fear of flying

[goofgal]

I'm not that fond of flying, and am claustrophobic on top of that. To talk myself into it, I tell myself I would much rather spend 2 hours in the air flying than 16+ hours driving.

I always have my ipod on listening to a book by my favorite author (make sure you go to Walmart and get some noise-cancelling earphones - they make a world of difference). I close my eyes and don't take the earphones off until they make me. Then I pull out a paperback and read until they tell me I can put my earphones back on. My drug of choice is chocolate. Those endorphins Also, have some gummy bears or gummy worms handy. When the plane starts to pick up speed, start chewing one. It'll help your ears.

Seriously, just remind yourself of how few commercial plane accidents you hear about in the US, zone out to another world (in my case through books), and keep telling yourself that it's better than driving. When you get there, you'll be almost fresh as a daisy and raring to go rather than grumpy from driving all night.

[Polynesian Dweller]

I'm another who isn't that fond of flying but I do it because of the reward at the other end and keep the goal firmly in mind.

The fact is that everything in life has risk attached to it and flying is actually has one of the lowest levels of risk going. Driving has one of the highest and trains and buses have risks somewhere in the middle. When I fly, I know with certainity that I've actually chosen the least risky option short of never going anywhere.

[OleDoleDoffin]

I don't like flying, but I'm not afraid of it. However, I do have my own phobias. I'm relating my experience here more as a fellow phobic than as someone who dislikes flying.

To begin with, you have to understand that phobias aren't rational. I'm not saying that to be insulting, but because it points to how to deal with them. You cannot reason yourself out of an attitude you didn't reason yourself into. Neither can anyone else. Use reason to the extent that it helps, but don't expect it to work like a magic bullet.

Make sure all your companions know ahead of time that you are a fearful flyer. Make sure they know and grok that humor is unlikely to help, and teasing or ridicule are right out. Treating you like a child who needs encouragement is also likely to backfire by reinforcing the idea that flying is something to be afraid of. The best thing they can do is keep a calm, positive attitude.

Know what helps you calm yourself down. If you think an anti-anxiety drug is called for, speak with your doctor. (Personally I've never tried it.) Bring your favorite music or an audiobook. Maybe sunglasses or a sleeping mask will help you block out the fact that you're on a plane. Go ahead and take your lucky rabbit's foot or your teddy bear or one of those stress balls if it helps you. It doesn't matter if it isn't rational - see point one. Personally I like to have some gum to chew and something to do with my hands when I can't avoid facing my fears. It gives me a feeling that at least I am in control of something.

Hope that helps.....

[sagitarius]

I am probably the worst case scenario when it comes to a fear of flying. I have never, nor will I ever fly in a plane. My entire life I have either taken a car, train, or boat everywhere I've gone.
I know that the fear is only in my head but for me there is no facing it.

Of course, never knowing how it is to get 1000 miles in under 3 hours helps when planning a 32 train ride to N.Y. or a 7 day cruise across the Atlantic (yes, I've done both).

So if you feel like you're a wimp or you get all worked up, just think... you could be me.

Or, you can move an hour away from WDW like I did.

[rt207]

My first flight was last year. We were going to Guatemala so I didn't have much of a choice in whether I was flying, or not.

My fear was mostly of the unknown and I was worried about motion sickness. I took a motion sickness pill about a half hour before takeoff-just in case. I wound up dozing for most of the first leg of the flight. The first leg of the flight was in a small plane, the second leg was in a larger plane. You feel the turbulence much more in a small plane, but the odd thing for me was that feeling the turbulence actually made me feel better. I know I'm weird, but it wasn't terrible turbulence on the way down. I equated it with driving on a bumpy dirt road and I was OK with it. I was slightly more uneasy when it was smooth flying. I told you I was weird.

Another thing I did was look at a magazine during takeoff (I looked at the ones in the back of the plane's seat, but I don't know if they still supply those, or not). I brought a book, but was not comfortable enough to actually pay attention to what I was reading. After the first leg on the way down was over, most of my anxiety was gone and I had no anxiety, and actually enjoyed the flights, on the way back.

I hope this helps you in some way....