I love flying and heights. I'm a private pilot, a glider pilot, and I skydive. But does that help me when I'm getting on a big passenger jet? No. I, too, have an irrational fear on big planes. It has nothing to do with heights or flying, but everything to do with not being in control.

My advice, ric, would be to chew gum and listen to music. That's what I do. The music helps me keep my mind off of everything, and the gum helps equalize the pressure on your eardrums without you having to pop them every so often. Any time I take someone flying, I always offer them a piece of gum and chew one myself. It's small, but not having to consciously equalize can often help them get over it.