I am AFRAID of flying on airplanes... What would you say to try and convince me to fly ?

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Hassen

First off, try not to worry or be nervous. I know that seems hard not to, but the more you worry and the more nervous you are, the scarier it'll be. I believe that knowledge is key, so here is hopefully the key to help you overcome your nervousness:

When you taxi, you barely feel the plane move at all. At this point the cabin crew will tell you all you need to know about what to do in case of emergencies and such.

When the plane prepares for liftoff, it starts to go really fast down the runway, and then within 45 seconds you are up in the air. Things may seem a little wobbly at first, but that's just because of moving through the different altitudes. Your ears will pop as you climb through the altitudes also. (chewing gum, drinking something, swallowing, or yawning will alleviate the pressure.)

Once you are in the air, things will feel smooth. You will hear the humm of the engines, but that's normal, nothing to worry about. I actually find it relaxing. If there is turbulence, you might feel the plane wobble a little bit, but remember, planes are designed to withstand this, so take a deep breath and try not to think about it.

When you are approaching landing, your ears will pop as you descend through the altitudes (remember: chewing gum, drinking something, swallowing, or yawning will alleviate the pressure). You will feel the plane slow down and the cabin crew will prepare you for landing. When the plane touches down it kind of feels like a short jolt, and then you hear them cut the engines off and the plane slows down pretty fast.

From there, the plane will taxi to either the gate or the designation where a bus will pick you up. You wait for the plane to decompressurize a few moments before they start letting the passengers out. That was your flight.

To entertain yourself:
- Bring along a few book, magazines, puzzles (such as crosswords or Sodoku if you like those).
- Bring along an iPod, MP3 player, or CD player to listen to music.
- A laptop is good to have as you can play games on it, connect to the internet, and get any work done that you may have.
- Talk to your friends who are sitting close to you.
- Try talking to the people next to you. Sometime you will meet some really interesting people, and forge friendships.

If I can be of any more help or assistance, feel free to contact me.

eks_spurt

The only time I ever had a momentary problem in a plane was on a trip to Germany in the back of a military transport. We were told our altitude and my problem came when I realized we had 8 miles of empty space below us. I closed my eyes for a second and imagined that crash. I opened my eyes back up and thought, nothing I can do about it. Never had the problem again. One cool thing was looking out one of the windows in the plane and seeing the cliffs of Dover as we flew past England.
Flew into St. Louis onetime during a thunderstorm, in a 20 seater. The pilots had left the curtain to the pilots cabin opened during the flight. The wind in that thunderstorm was throwing that plane all around. I happened to lean forward and out into the aisle to talk to a friend in the seat ahead of me, while we were approaching the airport. That time I thought it was cool to look out and see the end of the runway all lit up and seeming to dance all across the windscreen. For some reason I thought of Richard Wagner's, Ride of the Valkryies. It was better than a roller coaster ride. The first thing my friend did, after we deplaned, was the funky chicken dance. That about summed up that flight.
I also know what you mean about losing equilibrium near the edge. I attribute my problem there to spacial vision. I think the reason I don't suffer in a plane is because I can see things near to me and the walls of the plane limit my spacial vision. In other words it is like a trick of the mind. When I am near the edge of an elevated platform of some kind I feel like I am being drawn over the edge. I have to look for limitations such as a railing to keep me from going over. The railing calms me and I am good to go.

Nightengale

Think about the end result of your flight. If your going on a vacation trip just think about how much fun you will have when you get there.
Take a couple of sleeping pills and after your seated try to fall asleep before they take off then you won't think of the height. DON'T TAKE A WINDOW SEAT. Pretend your in a theatre that moves.

george grohan mendal

well look on the brighter side on the plane you can feel you are on top of the world
you get to see the flying dragons and you are above all the millipedes

if really something scares you you can crouch by the aisle buut that wont happen because you can always fasten your seat belt instead

if you think the plane is going to crash look on the brighter side you are not the only one you have company (the rest of the passengers) there are many on the look out for a sky diving adventure ,,,,

consistently watch "lost" serial where they show you can actually live on the other side of the island

you actuallly need to see more films of arnold ,,,,jet li,,,, where they defy gravity

i think i have inspired you enough

miss_missippi

My grandfather was killed in a plane crash in Puerto Rico, but i know that there is so much to see out there and that is the best way to get anywhere. And this summer I flew for the first time to London and Bulgaria and had the time of my life! Now i am dying to fly somewhere else. There's a whole world out there- so go, fly, you'll make it back just fine and have a wonderful experience!

eudaemon

I feel for you Brat so you need not fear it, I'll be with you and not let anything hurt you! flying is like riding a Bus, its long and narrow and if you ask when you buy your ticket you can sit on the Isle. If your Flight Is a long one you may get to watch a movie!! you may feel a bump or two when you change air layers. but not even as bumpy as a Metro bus. If you can have a friend go with you, it helps. If there is a magazine or a book you are interested in bring it. My favorite is a crossword puzzle book. If you get stuck you can ask the good looking person next to you to help you out! Really Brat it can be fun if you master your fears. good luck!!!!1

jus_askin

well you'll get there faster for 1 and secondly u really dont have anything to worry about!!! You'll be fine...there's a first time for everything

ohmydrpepper

my bro flew the first time not long ago . hes 30 lol he was scared to death. i convinced him. first once u fly u have a whole new out look on life ,the earth and technology. it is incredibly beautiful, its totally different than a building . by bro is now a flight lover. oh and travel time is sooo much quicker!!!

lolobr06

My fear of heights is usually only in ladders or really high places that have only glass and it looks like there is no barrier between you and the ground, like the restaurant up at Stratosphere in Las Vegas. But every once in a while those darn little rails at the mall do give me chills, too, so I definitely know how you feel.

I have flown a lot, with most of my flights being over-12-hours-international ones so I definitely know what that's it's like and I have to say flying is nothing like elevators or the top floor at a mall. It is really not as bad as you might think it is; most of the time the flights are very smooth - it feels like riding a train or bus. Another plus is that you get in and out on the ground, which doesn't seem to be a problem for you.

My suggestions oif you are afraid of heights are:

* Get a seat in an aisle (or the middle section if it's a larger plane)
* Don't look out the windows - especially during takeoff and landing. It might help to fly at night, too, since it'll be dark if you do look out.
* Take a short flight the first time. That way if you do end up panicking it's not for hours. Plus it'll get you used to the feeling of the takeoff, landing and the flight itself.
* Make sure you take things that will make you calm if something like turbulation does happen. i-pod, laptop, magazines, books - whatever might keep you entertained if you can't fall asleep. Short flights are usually not going to have movies shown.
* Flying with a friend definitely doesn't hurt. :-)
* Don't obsess over the fact you are flying. And think of turbulation as pot holes in the road.
* The bigget the plane is the less you'll feel, so no little express planes (at least not at first).

Good luck. I hope you find the courage to try it out. I personally love to travel, so I can't imagine not flying. Plus my sister is also afraid of heights and she's done fine, although she doesn't enjoy it as much as I do.

And if you do decide to fly: Gum helps with the ear popping that can happen when the pressure changes during takeoff and landing. I always have some with me. Also - bring you own headphones and snacks. Most of the time you have to pay extra for those on the plane. :-)

satori1080

I don't like to fly at all but I've done it. I have taken aisle seats so it's easier to get in and get out. I take sips of clear soda pop to calm my stomach and also bring a bag of chips or something so that there is something in my stomach but not a full meal incase I'm not feeling too well. When the plane takes off I sit back and close my eyes and when it reaches the heigth it needs it feels like riding in a car. When it lands I do the same thing as it takes off... just sit back and try to relax.

Dee

You are far, far more likely to die in a car crash, so if you aren't afraid of driving, you REALLY shouldn't be afraid of flying.

Hope that helps.

smithy

Flying is safe, its the sudden stop when you hit the ground, thats the real problem.
In your case.... dont fly.

thebillthatknows

it wont hurt long

endity

im very afraid of heights and just last month for the first time i flew. Its nothing...looking out the window is like its a video game. And the feeling is easier than on an elevator...i guess cuz your sitting down.

i,m here if you need to talk.

there is pills you can have jest ask your doctor.yes i have the fear of heights,i look at the wall if i go to an out side elevator. you can sit from the window. i had a girl friend of plaines and she held my hand.till it was on the air.

YNS

the thing is you are not afraid of your death but you are afraid of height.

just don't think that you are flying by a plane think that you are playing a game on PS 2 with hi tech grapics.

HOPE

Yes I am so afraid of heights. I learned to deal with it. I still am very afraid and avoid that fear as much as I can. You have to learn to be strong mentally, take something like maybe a muscle relaxer or xanax that helps. I have flew on an airplane I will say five times already, and it's not that bad. The first time I had to have some drinks on the airplane, and that helped out a little, and that cute oxygen mask they give to you in case that panic kicks in, helps who cares what anyone thinks you get that mask and place it over your face and relax, you have to learn to calm yourself down, and relax as much as possible as you can, breath as calm as you can, take small breaths inhale exhales softly, because if you don't you will make yourself very ill. Like I ended up in the emergency with a panic attack, I confused thinking it was a heart attack, so relax and have some peace in your life and don't live in fear, try to find a good book to read to help you learn to cope with the fear you have...You don't to harm yourself by making yourself ill, I did and learned to not do this to myself, fear, panic, anxiety, pressure, worries, will bring complications to your health...

Farani P

Get hitmatized and you think you are controlling a rocket on the moon.

Good luck with the phobia issue.

Seoul Brother

I would say "did you hear about the two 747's that collided on the runway in the Canary Islands in the 70's and everyone survived the crash but burned to death in the fire.

sunspotter2002

Try walking on water. Planes are great!!! Fear of heights or fear of falling? stop being soft, suck it up and quit moaning. You only limit yourself by these things you fear.

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