Fear of international flying
Jun 13, 2019, 11:21 pm
#16
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 969
I fly all the time, but I do admit that I get a little uneasy feeling going from LAX to SYD. I mean, you’re overwater for 16 hours. There are stop over points within a certain distance in order for the plane to be certified, but there is definitely a loss of control. For me, the excitement always wins out though!
Jun 14, 2019, 4:16 am
#17
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2019
Posts: 4
Anxiety sucks! I LOVED flying as a child, but do get more nervous now, even though I love to travel. Pretty sure most of that is related to control issues. 😆
I’m doing my best to work with anxiety, as opposed to fighting against it. It seems to be more productive.
Have you tried meditation? I use an app called Calm. It’s quite helpful. It has loads of meditations on all sorts of topics. Even ones for flying. You can download them and use them offline.
I believe you can get a week free trial then either pay monthly or yearly.
The Calm app, and my Bose Quiet Comfort headphones, have made flying more enjoyable for me.
I’m doing my best to work with anxiety, as opposed to fighting against it. It seems to be more productive.
Have you tried meditation? I use an app called Calm. It’s quite helpful. It has loads of meditations on all sorts of topics. Even ones for flying. You can download them and use them offline.
I believe you can get a week free trial then either pay monthly or yearly.
The Calm app, and my Bose Quiet Comfort headphones, have made flying more enjoyable for me.
Thx for recommending that.
Jun 14, 2019, 6:22 am
#18
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Jun 15, 2019, 7:01 pm
#21
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 309
I, too, am anxious when flying. I have a prescription for Lorazepam, which I haven’t taken in a few years, but keep with me. Many years ago, I ordered the “SOAR” fear of flying course that Captain Tom Bunn produced. It helped a lot. It provides tools to help cope with anxiety. Have a great holiday!
Jun 15, 2019, 7:14 pm
#22
Join Date: Dec 2018
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Posts: 1,674
Hi and welcome to Flyertalk
I'm late to the party and you are probably up in the air right now, enjoying a smooth safe flight.
There are actually plenty of places to land while over the water. Your airplane is ETOPS certified to continue flying for 120~240 minutes should an engine failure occur, and thus the pilots will always make sure it's always within that range of an island airport.
Enjoy your holiday!
I'm late to the party and you are probably up in the air right now, enjoying a smooth safe flight.
There are actually plenty of places to land while over the water. Your airplane is ETOPS certified to continue flying for 120~240 minutes should an engine failure occur, and thus the pilots will always make sure it's always within that range of an island airport.
Enjoy your holiday!
Jun 16, 2019, 1:00 am
#23
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Hi and welcome to Flyertalk
I'm late to the party and you are probably up in the air right now, enjoying a smooth safe flight.
There are actually plenty of places to land while over the water. Your airplane is ETOPS certified to continue flying for 120~240 minutes should an engine failure occur, and thus the pilots will always make sure it's always within that range of an island airport.
Enjoy your holiday!
I'm late to the party and you are probably up in the air right now, enjoying a smooth safe flight.
There are actually plenty of places to land while over the water. Your airplane is ETOPS certified to continue flying for 120~240 minutes should an engine failure occur, and thus the pilots will always make sure it's always within that range of an island airport.
Enjoy your holiday!
Jun 17, 2019, 8:00 am
#24
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 92
Carry a shot of bourbon/vodka/gin in a little bottle labeled "Shampoo." Liquor is the quickest way to take the edge off in case of sudden turbulence or an event (nearby lightning strike, for instance) that sends your adrenalin level up. Even if you can rationally convince yourself that flying over water or over land is statistically safe, the sensation of anxiety is still very unpleasant. I think I overcame fear of flying simply by flying a lot and living with the sensation (which included using alcohol.) The main thing is not to let the anxiety keep you from flying where you want to go - use medication, alcohol, meditation, cognitive tools (conversation with a seat mate helps a lot, for instance) - but keep getting on planes and make that European trip: A long trans-oceanic flight generally leads you to forget you're in a plane; it's hard to for your brain to sustain the phobia that long.
Jun 18, 2019, 7:10 am
#25
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: DFW
Programs: Non-Affiliated
Posts: 7,430
Carry a shot of bourbon/vodka/gin in a little bottle labeled "Shampoo." Liquor is the quickest way to take the edge off in case of sudden turbulence or an event (nearby lightning strike, for instance) that sends your adrenalin level up. Even if you can rationally convince yourself that flying over water or over land is statistically safe, the sensation of anxiety is still very unpleasant. I think I overcame fear of flying simply by flying a lot and living with the sensation (which included using alcohol.) The main thing is not to let the anxiety keep you from flying where you want to go - use medication, alcohol, meditation, cognitive tools (conversation with a seat mate helps a lot, for instance) - but keep getting on planes and make that European trip: A long trans-oceanic flight generally leads you to forget you're in a plane; it's hard to for your brain to sustain the phobia that long.
Jun 18, 2019, 6:37 pm
#26
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: DSM
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Posts: 235
Just remind yourself your fear is real but the reality makes you out as a fool. Also, the BVI's are my favorite place in the entire planet. Snorkleling and vistas are amazing. You are a lucky person.
Relax, maybe get some meds, enjoy your trip. You are gonna love it.
Relax, maybe get some meds, enjoy your trip. You are gonna love it.
Jun 19, 2019, 11:25 am
#27
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Jun 20, 2019, 10:08 pm
#28
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Oxford, Mississippi
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So I have an upcoming trip to the British Virgin Islands this week and I love traveling.
My issue is that I HATE flying over large bodies of water so instead of looking forward to my trip, I am having major anxiety. Plus I saw online that the weather when I'm returning will be bad in my hometown (rain). I hate flying in bad weather.
But yeah flying over water makes me extremely nervous (tho it never bothered me in the past). I keep thinking the worst will happen. Also, what happens if there's an emergency? There's nowhere to land!
Can anyone relate to this? What has helped you?
My issue is that I HATE flying over large bodies of water so instead of looking forward to my trip, I am having major anxiety. Plus I saw online that the weather when I'm returning will be bad in my hometown (rain). I hate flying in bad weather.
But yeah flying over water makes me extremely nervous (tho it never bothered me in the past). I keep thinking the worst will happen. Also, what happens if there's an emergency? There's nowhere to land!
Can anyone relate to this? What has helped you?
Jun 21, 2019, 8:40 am
#29
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Jun 21, 2019, 8:55 am
#30
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I know the OP's trip is over at this point but I had a coworker for whom Xanax worked well. She said it didn't make her feel high or otherwise alter her mood- it just made her stop worrying about flying.