O/T - Fear of Flying

[Triple X]

I have promised my Mrs that we will sort out her fear of flying once and for all.  She just about goes on a plane at the moment but really only short haul and only after having prescribed valium etc  Even then its not pretty!!

So has anyone here been cured?

Also do you think i am best off with a hypnotist or one of these courses in conjunction with an airline where they talk you through how a plane works etc...

Thanks for any advice and pointers in the right direction

[AndrewT]

I seem to remember reading about a scheme whereby an airline would run a day for scared flyers. They'd get a go in a flight simulator first, to get them used to the sensations they'd feel in an actual plane, before being taken up in a plane with a trained counsellor-type person sitting next to them to make them feel at ease. I can't remember any more details about it.

Whatever you do, do not, under any circumstances, explain to the person how a plane actually stays up in the air.

"So, you see, the top of the wing is curved, so the air moves quicker over the top of the wing, which makes the air pressure less than underneath the wing. That's what makes the plane fly."

"What? Air pressure - that's all that keeps us up?" *panics*

I was only trying to be helpful, but they really didn't believe that's all there was to it.

[Rod Paradise]

I told my mate to sit at the back of the plane, as no plane has been known to reverse into a mountain.... it didn't help 

[Royal Flush]

I told my mate to sit at the back of the plane, as no plane has been known to reverse into a mountain.... it didn't help 

 

Iactually know of one pilot who was scared of flying, he had hidden his fear whilst trainning, god knows how hard it must have been, but 1 day when flying an airliner he finally snapped. Pretty amazing what he must have gone through to get that far.

[matt674]

Just tell her that it isnt the flying that kills you - its hitting the ground at 250mph...............

Then she has a phobia of hitting the ground at 250mph and the fear of flying has been cured

My psychiatric fees are only 1 banana a session and the doctor is "in"..........

[matt674]

p.s. if that doesnt work you could always drug her drinks in true A-Team fashion........

"I pity dat foooool"...........

[TheJagster]

I told my mate to sit at the back of the plane, as no plane has been known to reverse into a mountain.... it didn't help 

Although if you remember the film 'Alive' its the back of the plane that gets it first as it hitts the mountain at the back!

Probably not the best film for Mrs Triple X to watch  though!

[Triple X]

Although if you remember the film 'Alive' its the back of the plane that gets it first as it hitts the mountain at the back!

Probably not the best film for Mrs Triple X to watch  though!
[/quote]

we saw it in the cinema years ago!! probably why she is so bad these days!!

Anyone been here and been sorted??

[Colchester Kev]

I am a big wuss when it comes to taking off, I hate it. when I get on a plane its always the same ritual, i put on a cap , sunglasses and bury my head in my hands, eyes screwed tightly shut.. I dont move until the hostesses start walking about and serving drinks..  Once in the air , I am fine and landing isnt a problem either.   

[portfolio]

I am a big wuss when it comes to taking off, I hate it. when I get on a plane its always the same ritual, i put on a cap , sunglasses and bury my head in my hands, eyes screwed tightly shut..



is this known as the   phil  laak       take-off   ?

[AndrewT]

I am a big wuss when it comes to taking off, I hate it. when I get on a plane its always the same ritual, i put on a cap , sunglasses and bury my head in my hands, eyes screwed tightly shut.. I dont move until the hostesses start walking about and serving drinks..  Once in the air , I am fine and landing isnt a problem either.   

You don't work as a pilot for Ryanair, do you Kev?

[Colchester Kev]

I am a big wuss when it comes to taking off, I hate it. when I get on a plane its always the same ritual, i put on a cap , sunglasses and bury my head in my hands, eyes screwed tightly shut.. I dont move until the hostesses start walking about and serving drinks..  Once in the air , I am fine and landing isnt a problem either.  

You don't work as a pilot for Ryanair, do you Kev?

LOL Channel 4 tonight mate            

[muhalo]

I'm not a great flyer either but have to every month or so. I tend to sit at the back where I can see the stewardesses. If they're still calm as the plane falls into a flat spin then I feel better.

On the other hand, if they drop to their knees and start praying, or start running down the isles yelling "what use are the life jackets now?!" then you can be pretty much sure that your days are numbered.

Or, travel with someone more nervous than you. That helps. And you can join the line of people with cricket bats telling her to calm down...

[peeveen]

Not too fond of flying either, but it's either that or spend days on buses and trains, probably stuck in the bogs spewing my guts out from motion sickness.

I'm fine so long as I don't think about how there's like 15 feet of metal below me, then several thousand feet of sweet eff all.

It's the noises that get me freaked out too ... a slight change in the engine whine, and I start thinking really bad things.

And you know how at the start of the flight, they tell you that if you hear the announcement "BRACE! BRACE!", you should basically put your head between your legs and kiss your ass goodbye? Well, of course, you dread that ever happening. One flight I was on ... it was a stewards birthday, and his workmates came on the intercom, loud as anything ... "HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, etc". I swear, I just about crapped my pants.

[Royal Flush]

I am a big wuss when it comes to taking off, I hate it. when I get on a plane its always the same ritual, i put on a cap , sunglasses and bury my head in my hands, eyes screwed tightly shut.. I dont move until the hostesses start walking about and serving drinks..  Once in the air , I am fine and landing isnt a problem either.   

Kev, you are far more likely to die when landing...