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Fear of Flying

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Just thought I could create this thread to find people who have the same problem I have.

I have a job in which I constantly have to travel, half of the time by flying. It is not as glamourous or cool as it sounds, as air travel is not that expensive and even small projects have the budget for hiring contractors and consultants from other places. My problem with the constant traveling are: 1- Knowing about it literally one day before, and second and most important - at least to this thread - is my fear of flying.

As I am talking to you right now, I have no fear or anxiety, at least not much. I am fully aware of how safe it is, and how I am more likely to die taking a shower than by a plane accident, but it dosen't matter, it's something beyond myself. As soon as I get to the airport I start to get anxious, and at the airplane I get absolutely tense. 99% of my air travels don't last more than 2 hours, but it feels like it takes DAYS for the plane to land. But as soon as I can see the city I'll be landing on the distance, down there, then I get relaxed and I know things will be ok.

And I don't actually fear death, I just have a thing with heights and falling. If the airplane simply exploded, I would be fine with it!

So i wanted to know, how many here have that problem? Were you able to overcome it? How?
“Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country.” — Nazi Reich Marshal Hermann Goering
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You know you won't die if you jump when the plane hits the ground .
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Originally posted by: sean wookie
You know you won't die if you jump when the plane hits the ground .


Actually I will.
“Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country.” — Nazi Reich Marshal Hermann Goering
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I can't help it, it sound fun to try though. Ever try taking relaxing pills?
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I hear you, Ric. I hate heights and flying and will only put myself into a situation like that if absolutely necessary.

I refuse to go on rides at amusement parks, and have actually threatened people who've tried to get me on them.

So, if you've flown before it's safe to say that you're not being desensitized to it? Not sure what to tell you, save I personally would NOT do the medication thing unless it's an absolute last resort and under a doctor's constant supervision.
Nemo me impune lacessit

http://ttrim.blogspot.com
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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.
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I understand how you feel, I think, ric. I hate flying. So far it hasn't actually kept me out of the air...in fact I have to fly in the morning. I'm not so scared today tho, I don't know why. I hope you are able to find a way to deal with it. I feel like I may just have to live with my feeling. Maybe next time I will get me some nice drugs for it, lol.
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My next flight is monday morning, and it's funny how you guys mentioned taking drugs, because for the first time, I'm gonna try that. Some colleagues of mine told me about this medication for sleeping and drousiness that could help me relax - even sleep. Moved by curiosity, I've tried some the other night, only half a pill, and I must say that I didn't feel anything different, I got a bit sleepy but it was almost midnight so I don't know how much was due to the medication.

I have flown dozens of times, and every single time I feel the same, so it's not like experience makes it better for me. Seems to get worse at every time! Maybe because that, with each flight, I feel that the odds of something happening increases! I don't know...
“Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country.” — Nazi Reich Marshal Hermann Goering
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I've only flown a few times in my life. Once in my uncle's small plane (little 4 seater) when I was really little (I barely remember it) and 4 times on actual airlines.

Once we were in the air, I was fine. It was takeoff and landing I was somewhat uncomfortable with.

Its strange, because I have a fairly strong fear of heights. Standing on the 8-9 foot roof of our shop, seeing the ground below, and I can feel it. Once, I had to help my dad put a new antenna on top of our roof (30 feet maybe)...oh, that was pretty bad.
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Ric, your fear of flying doesn't have anything to do with the possibily of SNAKES being on the plane, does it?



I absolutely loathe flying, and will only do it as a last resort. I'd much rather drive 800 miles than fly. I have a tiny bit of fear of it (basically due to you having no control if anything happens), but rather I hate it because it's just one huge pain in the ass. Lost luggage, waiting around crowded and dirty airports, brats kicking your seat, ect ect.
40,000 million notches away
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I knew this would eventually lead to a mention to Snakes on a Plane.
“Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country.” — Nazi Reich Marshal Hermann Goering
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I will be flying to Utah on tuesday, but I am not to worried about it.
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My only problem with flying is the shitty uncomfortable seats and the screaming kids. The flying itself is no problem. If I cpuld afford to fly business class there would be no issue.

War does not make one great.

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Please, please be cautious if you decide to go the medication route. Do only under a doc's supervision, and IMO DON'T take a Benzo based sedative if you can avoid it (Xanax, etc).

Personally, I'll drink a couple of glasses of wine prior to flying from now on...
Nemo me impune lacessit

http://ttrim.blogspot.com
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Sage is right, and that goes for ALL medication - try to avoid it if you can. You can get natural medicines to relax you/make you sleep. They probably wouldn't help somebody suffering from insomnia, but they would be enough to help someone who doesn't like flying.

War does not make one great.

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Hey everyone, I'm back from a flying marathon that will resume next wednesday, 4 more flights in 3 days.

But somehow the plane didn't crash and I survived.

I didn't take any drugs for these last flights. I thought about it, but decided not to. Although I had taken one at home, just to see the effects, I thought it wouldn't be a wise thing to do, to take an unprescribed drug on a plane. So, I face it completely sobber, which was hard. I was really tense on the last flight (which landed about 80 minutes ago).

So I'm back! Until wednesday.
“Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country.” — Nazi Reich Marshal Hermann Goering
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Well, I do have a fear of heights and falling, but it never seems to bug me when flying. I love being on jets and am at complete peace when I'm on board one. I have to help calm Katie down a bit. Funny since she's not afraid of heights or falling. Kinda works a bit backwards for us.
"You fell victim to one of the classic blunders, the most famous of which is 'Never get involved in a land war in Asia'."
--Vizzini (Wallace Shawn), The Princess Bride
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Kevin A
Webmaster/Primary Cynic
kapgar.typepad.com
kapgar.com
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I just found your thread, Ric, and the funny thing is that I immediately thought: the first thing on my "to do" list once I'm in Brazil would be.. to take a flight!
I saw the original theatrical release of the Old Trilogy on the big screen and I'm proud of it...
How did I accomplish that (considering my age) is my secret...
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Originally posted by: RRS-1980
I just found your thread, Ric, and the funny thing is that I immediately thought: the first thing on my "to do" list once I'm in Brazil would be.. to take a flight!


Well, you would need to fly to get here, so...

What happens if I get up in the middle of the flight and yell "There are muthaf**ing snakes on the plane!", will the disguized security officers shoot me??
“Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country.” — Nazi Reich Marshal Hermann Goering
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Originally posted by: ricarleite
Well, you would need to fly to get here, so...

No, I mean: once I'm already there I want to fly.
Simply because there's a certain vintage aircraft (in private collection) I'd like to "score".
I saw the original theatrical release of the Old Trilogy on the big screen and I'm proud of it...
How did I accomplish that (considering my age) is my secret...