Girls, help! Anxiety about flying . . . (anyone else?) Posted on BHB

I have NEVER BEEN ON A PLANE! (Yeah, I know- PATHETIC.) I am terrified to fly but will definitely be flying for our honeymoon. I have started having nightmares about flying recently. I am just nervous that as it gets closer, I am going to get worse. I am actually afraid that we will be boarding the plane and I won't be able to get on!!!! I know many of you are probably saying 'this girl is a chicken! ' but I was just curious if any one has had similar experiences, or will be flying for the first time for their HM. Thanks Girls!!!

You can have a drink before you get on the plane to relax or if you are really scared, you can ask your dr to give you something to calm down before your flight.
I don't think you are being silly. Many people hate to fly. Usually its the anticipation of take-off and after that they are fine.

Curious question..

What part of flying scares you?

I used to be claustrophic.. so being in a plane was terrifying. Can't really get out. I had to get over my claustrophia first. If I could handle the elevators and closets then at least an airplane has more space.

Plus I had to tell myself that at least on an airplane people are there. I wasn't alone and trapped (which was my fear).

Then there's the fact that my Dad was military so I started to relate that most Commerical Airline pilots have military background and TONS of hours in the air. It's not their first flight, just mine.

Lets see.. oh and the fact that so MANY people fly. They all get there safely. Its more dangerous driving across country than flying. (seriously, look it up). So all these people fly, a lot of them almost weekly for business, and they all get there so it can't be that bad.

Then I started to try small trips. 45min rides to a close location. I was in Texas so flying from San Antonio to Dallas was 45mins.

After a few times, I got to know when my tummy felt funny, I understood it's ALWAYS so very loud taking off and there's always a moment that you hold your breathe when you land thinking it's gotta be hard, but it's just a small hop or nudge.

Until 9/11 I got the point I could sleep during take off and landing. I was so proud of myself.

After 9/11 I couldnt fly cause I had finance issues, but desperately wanted to get back in the air (back in the saddle, you could say). I finally flew 6months later. No less on a VERY bumpy ride. Lots of Air turbulance. Had to ask Jim (FH) if it was my nerves or seriously bumpy. But I made it.

Take small steps. Tear it apart, whatever your fear is. You can do it. If you do take a small flight try NOT to get on a propeller hopper, no first time flyer deserves that.

Good Luck!

Remember Millions of people fly everyday and it's safe. Also don't forget about a quarter of those millions flying are terrified of flying too. You're not alone.

My dad still won't fly. Is going to DRIVE to my wedding from IOWA!! *sigh*


ETA: my words got funny had to fix them.. now its a good post. hehe

since you have some time...I would try a NY-Boston flight....for practice...

there are a lot of therapists that use behavioral therapy for phobias...and it is quite effective...you start looking at pictures of airplanes until you feel comfortable with that...then you watch movies of airplanes until you are comfortable...then you go to the airport...then on a simulator...then finally an airplane....


theres a world out there to explore...

I think there are many things I am afraid of. First, the obvious is crashing.

2) Not being in Control

3) Being 'stuck'

4) Landing

5) Turbulence

6) Taking off


I think what scares me even more is that if I have a bad experience on the way, that I have no choice but to do it again to return.

I may have to go to a doctor for something, because I seriously am terrified. FH will NOT let me get away with not flying (he is a flyer) - he wants me to conquer the fear. I want to conquer it too, since I would like to travel once we are married. I grew up in a home where the biggest vacation we ever took was to Pennsylvania by car. My parents do not fly . . . Oh well, keep the experiences, suggestions coming . . .

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Posted by BriBri529

I think there are many things I am afraid of. First, the obvious is crashing.

2) Not being in Control

3) Being 'stuck'

4) Landing

5) Turbulence

6) Taking off


I think what scares me even more is that if I have a bad experience on the way, that I have no choice but to do it again to return.

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Yep those are all perfectly normal.

I think the best idea is just to do it. Get on the plane and try it. No one can swear every flight will be prefect, but at least you know you'll get there. Crashing isn't really something that happens that often when you figure out how many flights leave and land and factor in the number of 'incidents'. I was serious. You have a 100% more likely chance of dying in a car accident EASILY. Worse in a car accident it's slow and you or your may survive without the other. I refuse to leave my hubby behind. If im going out, I want it painless and quick and I want Jim there with me.

I hated flying alone. It added pressure to me. I'd call my dad before I left tell him what flight I was on and when I was expected to arrive. Even though we didnt live in together. Just so SOMEONE knew where I was in the air. Now I drag Jim EVERYWHERE with me. My biggest fear is flying INTO something not crashing. For that I just imagine me beating the living Hell out of anyone who dares to take over my plane. heh. I ain't going out like that.

The rest of your fears, I think everyone has experienced on their first flight. You can't just 'get over it' you have to learn to accept it as part of the flight.

Again, Good Luck!

I'm not crazy about flying either. The last time I flew I was PETRIFIED a few weeks beforehand (for my honeymoon, no less). I went to my doctor and he gave me two prescriptions, one for Xanax and the other for a drug that was supposed to calm down my heart rate (I have been flying before, and if I get afraid my heart beats like a jackrabbit). Well I got to the airport and I was cool as a cucumber... I have no idea why, but I was really OK! Maybe it was because I just got married. I still took the Xanax, but I didn't take the other pill for my heart. So maybe you will really be OK... you never know! I still don't like flying, turbulence is the worst, but I know that my doctor will prescribe something for me. I'm sure that your doctor will too, there are MANY people who are afraid to fly, so it's not uncommon. Try not to worry!

I absolutely sympathize. I am afraid to fly too. I think it's hard for you because you are afraid AND you have never flown before. I would suggest getting something from your doctor to help calm you. It will be comforting to know that you have it and that it will work. You DH will be with you !!

My dad worked for American Airlines while I was growing up...so I was never nervous on a plane...until I flew intercountry flights in China...and I was petrified...I was never so happy to be get back to an american airline...

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Posted by BriBri529

I think there are many things I am afraid of. First, the obvious is crashing.

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of course theres the old adage that more people die on the roads every day than do on planes every year...

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2) Not being in Control

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true...but the people who are controlling are extremely capable...the major airlines require something like 15000 airtime before becoming a pilot -- as X said...most are military and are used to flying high speed jets...

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3) Being 'stuck'

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I get this feeling in a car...train...boat and plane...something you have to deal with...start with short flights...as soon as you reach cruising altitude - you begin to descend again

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4) Landing

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you're landing...its over with!!!!

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5) Turbulence

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just like the bumps while driving...its completely normal

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6) Taking off

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again...its pretty quick....what my dad taught me was to stick my hand out a car window and see how just a little bit of air can lift it up so easily...planes take off at 100-150 mph...and the wings are very aerodynamic...

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I think what scares me even more is that if I have a bad experience on the way, that I have no choice but to do it again to return.

I may have to go to a doctor for something, because I seriously am terrified. FH will NOT let me get away with not flying (he is a flyer) - he wants me to conquer the fear. I want to conquer it too, since I would like to travel once we are married. I grew up in a home where the biggest vacation we ever took was to Pennsylvania by car. My parents do not fly . . . Oh well, keep the experiences, suggestions coming . . .

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try to look into behavior therapy...there are tons of people that use it to get over their fear...and think of all the places you can take your children...

try thissite

take some pm pills and got to bed.

Don't worry, you'll be fine.

Be sure to get some rest the day before

The flight will be over before you know it

Also talk to your doctor maybe he can give you a prescription

mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm pills.

Quick and easy solution.

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Posted by Xelindrya

mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm pills.

Quick and easy solution.

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Ahh, a girl after my own heart

Vicodin works much better than Xanax, btw...