Nervous Flyer?

I just replied to a thread about DVT and in stating the my nerves often keep my circulation strong made me think of whether I was the only one who was a nervous flyer?

How many people on here are totally relaxed and how many on here are like me and nervous as hell on any flight? My biggest worry is being trapped in a big tube for 7+ hours without the option to get out.

I have rituals that I follow to try and curb these nerves and I'd be interested, if there are nervous flyers, what people do to curb their fears.

Oh, and the confront your fear theory doesn't work! I fly approx 100k a year, transatlatic and US domestic and every flight is the same

Thanks,

JC.

[Decker]

Interesting question so I've added a poll!

Decker... thank you! This will make good reading.

It would also be interesting to see, of those who are nervous, what they do to combat this.

I can give my rituals.

1) never, unless forced by work, take morning flights. nervous indigestion is so bad that I'm very close to vomiting as my body has just woken up.

2) use travel calming pills, only on long haul, like Sudafed

3) use the 'bands' that are to stop disorientation

4) never fly in a propeller aeroplane (these move around so much in the air.

5) never eat rich or heavy foods the night before

6) try and fly in 1st class as the seat size means I'm not double trapped. If 1st isn't an option always a aisle seat so that I can get up quickly.

These are a few... I hope they don't make me sound like a nutter!

JC.

Ironically I prefer to fly long haul more than short. I think I slip into relaxation mode more when I know I'm "up there" for a few hours. To be perfectly honest and this is not the ideal sitaution - but alcohol works wonders. Probably why I hate flying home, because I have to drive so can't drink.
I do hate when the weather is really wet and windy, esp. if its dark.
Went through a phase of loving flying then it petrified me (i remember worrying for about 6 months before going to NY once). Now I enjoy it again (or for short work flights at least tolerate it).
Interested to know whether it is claustrophobia or fear of flying itself James ?

To be honest I think it's a bit of both... hate flying but am also frightened, slightly, about being totally at someone elses mercy.

I get the same in a coach or as a passenger in a car, however, I'm fine on a train???

JC.

[fozzyo]

Not really a nervous flyer myself, however was on a VS flight last year to SFO. There was one woman a few rows in front of us was, well i can only describe her as petrified of flying. The cabin crew were fantastic!! From boarding to cabin crew being sitted she always had one of them talking to her and comforting her, take off was a very emotional time for her. The flight was fine, landing a bit of a nightmare too. But she did it, not sure I could if I was that frightened.

But I did admire her for her sense of humour about it, her t-shirt had "Drama Queen" written across the chest.

Foz )

When I started flying charter flights, I was a really confident flier - then I went through this weird phase of being really nervous (of course, my "friends" travelling with me didn't help!). Strangely, what really helped me was when I went through a bout of depression some years ago - I didn't actually care whether I made it to the destination or not [:I][:0]

These days I'm fine with it all - once I decided that it was a case of accepting it's all out of my control and to trust the professionals at work

Even though I'm comfortable, I still like to time the first 5-10mins of a flight (so I know we're clear of any wake turbulence) and if there's heavy turbulence en route, I find it quite calming to watch SkyMap. Of course, alcohol is always a good friend

Cheers

Michael

No question for me its the dreaded TURBULENCE[:(, I hate it and you can bet your bottom dollar it always starts over the New York area, when the plane shakes so to I. The only thing that helps me is valuim, I don't like to take it but I couldn't get on without it. I only every fly PE, cant afford First[:(, as its feels much more relaxing and calm.

I only fly once a year, and only Virgin, they are by far the best at looking after nervous wrecks like me. I just phone special assistance and they are ready for me at check in. Just brilliant.

Boo

[buns]

Although I have had some experiences in my time (the names Dan-Air and Aeroflot - internal - come to mind;);)) I am generally not that nervous about flying itself.

I am always anxious before a flight and hastles at airports sometimes increase that tension, therefore I have found access to the Clubhouse a way to help me relax before the flight:D

The security issue is something I cannot put out of my mind, so always have a heightened state of awareness before boarding and will inform staff of any suspicious behaviour.

Buns

I'm always nervous about a few days before a flight, when i'm convinced they'll be a bomb on it or a faulty engine etc etc (all the cliches). Once I'm in the air after the initial climb I'm normally totally relaxed.

The fact that I'm in a pressurised metal tube high in the air over Ulan Bator doesn't normally worry me, or even hit home until bizzarly I'm in the toilet up there then I suddenly realise theres 35000 feet below me.

True, the skymap is always very calming, especially if its on v:port

Dean