Hello FT,

I was just wondering if anyone on this forum was scared of flying? Maybe a former fear of flying?

I am scared of flying and i fly quite a bit. I was just wondering if anyone had some tips on stuff i can do to pass the time or just take my mind off the plane plunging into the ocean. I have to admit, SWU that i buy off Craigslist and 1P has definitely made my trips more enjoyable.

thanks for looking!

Since this is not only a UA issue, I am moving this to TravelBuzz!

Thanks for your understanding.

iluv2fly
Moderator, UA

no problem...sorry about that.

I was just wondering if anyone on this forum was scared of flying?

Only if it involves the coach cabin.

I'm not afraid of flying. I'm afraid of crashing. But they say you're safer on a commercial plane than you are driving. Funny.... I never encounter any unexpected turbulence when I'm driving. If I didn't have to return to my seat and could walk around the cabin during turbulence, it would help my mind some I think. The seatbelt thingy makes me claustrophobic. Crosswinds on landing don't make me too happy either. Good luck and don't worry.... You'll probably survive.

Did you never encountered an idiot who changed lanes without looking back or even signaling? Someone who blinks right but turns left? Someone who breaks on an empty street right in front of you without any reason?

I think driving has a lot of unexpected turbulence's. They happen so often that we don't care anymore.

Often fear of flying come either from a mild claustrophobia or a fear of the unknown. Unknown movements, unknown noises etc. That's why I think the best seminars against fear of flying always have a pilot who can explain the aircraft.

I'm afraid of flying..... with screaming, seat-kicking brats.

I agree on fear of the unknown, that's why I enjoy listening to channel 9 on UA, "United XXX, there will be some chop ahead..." and for the banter you'll sometimes hear, I even listen to ATC at the office. Also, watch a couple of the ITVV or videos they sell off flightmemory.com, you'll see the checks they do, safety precautions, as well as taking off w/ one engine (V1, VR, V2, etc), after that you'll prob be much more comfortable. Plus most of the pilots are former Air Force, etc pilots with thousands of hours, they do this for a job, so the experience they have is huge in comparison with experience I have flying E+.

I'm not afraid of "flying" (as an ex FA, I shouldn't be ) but I do feel tense on the tarmacs&runways ~ a wee bit worried about collisions at some airports. First thing onboard, I always familiarize myself with exits.

...only in Y.

one thing that I suggest considering -- on your plane, there will be hundreds of other people who are doing just fine, managing to not be afraid of what is a very safe mode of transportation. There are two highly skilled and trained pilots up front who put their own lives and trust in the machinery that you're traveling on -- they would be the ones most worried if it were unsafe. At least among first world safely regulated carriers, these facts should allow a rational person to at least put aside their fears for the duration of the flight (to save peace of mind and anxiety, and effort of worrying), and just enjoy the ride. Learn by example from others who are not afraid, and see that you too can put away your fears.

I agree that it is not so much a fear of flying but a fear of the unknown. I have read up on airline disasters in my fascination with the airline industry in general, which gives pretty interesting visuals while dreaming in flight.

Channel 9 really does help me out, I put it on before push back, and listen until cruising altitude (all the way if no IFE). To hear them talk about the chop coming up as we take off, puts my mind at ease. Doing 130 segments a year has me often a bit feeling weird by so many takes off / landings. I'm not a religious person, but have added a little bit of it in my life for the piece of mind of the "unknown" when traveling (plus other reasons). Plus talking with fellow PAX puts my mind at ease.

The answer I have found: Ativan. That, and upgrade as often as possible.

I'm actually going to take your question seriously...

Funny enough, I really do hate flying.

I dislike the "no control" feeling - being totally at someone else's mercy. The pilot might be great (as I know most are) or he might have had a fight with his wife, stayed up all night, lost his dog, etc and be not so good. Same for the FAs, GAs, ATC, etc. Anyone anywhere could totally ruin my day because of something I have no part of.

I dislike the massiveness of the air travel industry. It costs trillions of dollars to get me from Cleveland to Dallas, despite what my ticket receipt says. Those planes are up there day in, day out. Airports are massive building projects. Air travel produces tremendous amounts of pollution and waste. Everyone is shuttled around like cargo. It's a nightmare, when you think of it in these terms.

Especially when there is bad weather, I dislike the thought that no one is really in control. Flying is like skiing - you can't do it at all if you have to be ready to stop on a dime. Once the plane is up, it cannot come down safely without tremendous skill and planning, and that's sometimes not possible. Throw in some bad weather and unforseen circumstances, and you had better hope you've got Alfred Haynes or that DHL crew in command! And sometimes even they can't do anything - no one is to blame in lots of instances.

So yeah, I really hate flying. I just get in, hang on, shut up, and wait to get there.

just to be clear, I was being serious as well. The only way I can get on an airplane anymore is to make sure I've taken 1mg Ativan about 1 hour before boarding.