Nervous flyer question

Sorry to ask such a banal question, but it's playing on my mind. I'm due to fly LHR-JFK on Sat Mar 17 and noticed that there is snowy/wintry weather due in NY today/tomorrow and then in London on Sunday/Monday (presumably because that weather is heading across the Atlantic).

Is this likely to imply a particularly bumpy flight? Are these the type of conditions that usually cause one? I'm a Gold card holder but touch wood have not had a bad experience in this way before (and am not in much of a mood to start!)

Thanks, Brad[n]

Bad weather can cause some bumpy condition on a flight, but remember for the most of it you do actual fly 'ABOVE' the weather.

I understand why you ask as I am a nervous flyer myself. I can tell you what I do to 'mentally' prepare for a flight. They may work for you, they may not. You need to find you own method that works best for you.

I never check the weather until the day. US weather changes so fast there is no point in looking at weather to see what the potential for a bumpy flight is.

On the day I check the following sites:
http://www.turbulenceforecast.com/ This is a good one as it is up to date and shows 'no turbulenece' reports as well as 'turbelence' - it also gives height that turbelence was experienced
http://www.weather.com/maps/activity/av ... large.html
This can look a little daunting, so I prefer the first one, plus it only shows you turbulence over mainlaind US and if you are flying to New York you don't really do much over mainland.
Also, once on this page check where the jetstream is and then as you track your flight across using the skymap you can expect a little bumping as you move in and out of the jetstream.
http://uk.weather.com/maps/lifestyles/i ... large.html
Check this to see the wind across the atlantic. In my experience you get bumps sometimes where the arrows cross the path (rather than going with it or against it). Low winds speeds don't normally cause to much problem.

By using these I can see where I can expect bumps. For me, just knowing potential when the bumps will end is comfort.

Lastly, remember that most people hurt in turbelunce are not strapped in. Planes are designed to take an amazing amount of bumping during a flight. Far more than you would imagine - So don't worry and picture yourself on a theme park ride somewhere.

Hope this help and good luck

Paul

Turbulence is good fun [^], see my trip report for VS045 last month when there was a lot of it. If you have a window seat you can see the wings flex as the plane is bashed about. The turbulence we experienced lasted a couple of hours so you have to learn to love it.

Originally posted by ZippyUK
Turbulence is good fun [^], see my trip report for VS045 last month when there was a lot of it. If you have a window seat you can see the wings flex as the plane is bashed about. The turbulence we experienced lasted a couple of hours so you have to learn to love it.

I've learned to love tolerate turbulance now but to some people what you're saying would be the worst thing they could imagine. I did one flight back from JFK in Y a few years back and the turbulance got so bad my legs were shaking violently from side to side without any help from me and even the crew had to sit down - it was easilly the most fightening experience of my life! If people don't like it I certainly wouldn't wish it on them.

There has been bad weather over the eastern seaboard these last few weeks (although its getting better now) and on my flights last week we were promised some turbulance but in the end experienced none, so hopefully mad_brad you'll be okay.

Cheers!

Dean

I hadnÕt flown for a while and so I was a little surprised, but I was more worried about missing the next round of food/refreshments as the crew had to strap themselves in their seats. Turn up your iPod and relax.

The last thing I wanted after that bout of turbulance was food.
I was just focussing on Sky news trying to forget about it...

Dean

If it's any consolation, I'm a nervous flyer myself, although it's mainly to do with turbulence. Those aircraft have had the most rigourous testing before they are used commercially, and they are put through some absolutely horrendous flying conditions. Those jets can stand up to anything, although that's of little comfort when you're being thrown around in the cabin! Have you tried Virgin's fear of flying course? I was filming one for Heathrow TV in 2005, and I thought it was very good. The two VS captains explained everything about it, and there's a 30-45 minute flight at the end. Worth the money, and it's not as expensive as some of the others. http://www.flyingwithoutfear.info

Aicraft can take quite a lot so I wouldn't worry unduly. HOwever, I do hate trying to get to sleep during turbulence.[xx(]

VS.

I'm a bit of a nervous flyer myself and don't enjoy turbulence. When choosing seats (obviously restricted somewhat by class you are flying in) try to pick seats towards the center (from tip to tail, not width) of the plane. When you are seated over the wing you will not feel the turbulence as much as if you were seated near the very front or back of the plane. This is not to say you won't feel any, but the effect will be lessened a bit.

Hope that helps a bit!

-stars

Aha, useful info there. Cheers for that!