One in eight Americans is afraid of flying. But flying can be 29 times safer than driving and most of us don't think twice before getting in a car. It is possible to overcome your fear and learn to live with flying.
I will be the first to admit that I think being 38,000 feet off the ground is unnatural. It gives me the heebie-jeebies just looking up at a plane flying over and realizing I have been that high up in the air. Fear of flying is one of the most common phobias. But, if I can do it, anyone can do it.
My fear of flying goes way back to second grade. I was a young child from a Chicago suburb on a field trip to O’Hare. I remember my class getting on the plane and being afraid it was going to take off and take me away from my family. Of course, it didn’t but I suppose the fear somehow embedded itself into my mind. I also dislike carnival rides as the feeling of suddenly falling makes me ill. Combined with the fear of heights, flying was just completely out of the question. I almost flew once for a work seminar, but chickened out at the last minute, much to the dismay of my boss, who scrambled to find a replacement for the already purchased ticket. I was perfectly content to spend the rest of my life earth bound until I fell in love. My boyfriend of two years was moving to the west coast and driving out to see him was not a possibility. So, I decided if I loved him, I needed to bit the bullet and get on a plane.
If you are going to get over the fear, or at least learn to live with it, information is probably your best defense. The more you know about checking in and what to expect while flying, the less likely you will be frightened.
Be Prepared Before You Leave
Gathering safety information about planes can give you peace of mind and there are tons of web sites to educate you. Certain records indicate that your chances of dying in a plane crash are over a million to one. You probably have a better chance of winning the lottery! One thing that helped me was a story I read on the Internet. It was about a guy who was afraid of flying until he lived near an airport. He said everyday he saw or heard planes take-off and land, take-off and land like clockwork. It was then that he realized how safe flying was and that he really didn’t need to fear it.
You can learn which planes have a better safety record, the advances made to avoid wind shear, and learn what causes turbulence. For your first flight, I would not recommend taking what is known in the industry as a “puddle jumper.” The smaller planes tend to be more bouncy, so do the research online to see what type of plane the flight is offering. Southwest only flies 737s, which are fairly large planes. Most other major airlines will use 747s, Airbuses and the occasional DC-9, all large planes. If you are not sure what type of plane will be taken on the flight, don’t be afraid to call the airlines to find out.
If you bought your ticket on the Internet, print out any information you received when ordering. You can have a carryon bag, but don’t try to pack everything you own in it. It can only be of a certain size and you may have to sit with it under your feet the entire flight. While the airline seating on television looks spacious, it is rarely that way in real life. You can pack shaving items and nail clippers in your carryon bag, but you cannot have matches, lighters, straight razors, scissors, knives, or large sporting equipment (like ski poles, golf clubs, hockey sticks, etc.).
Once You Arrive at the Airport
It helps reduce flying stress if you know what to have and what to do before you leave. That way, you can have a comfortable, confident attitude going in. If you aren’t traveling with a baby or oversized cargo, you can check your luggage outside the doors of the airport. This is usually quicker than checking your luggage inside. Be sure to have a picture ID ready. This is required when checking in and when going through security. Resist the urge to nervously joke when they ask if anyone else packed your suitcase. While joking may have merely annoyed employees before September 11, it is now serious business and can land you in a lot of unnecessary trouble. When you reach security, be prepared to take everything out of your pockets and lay any carryon luggage on the conveyor belt. You may be asked to take your shoes off at certain airports. Don’t be offended if security wants to go through your suitcase – they are only doing their job to help keep you and all the other passengers safe! Finally, turn off your cell phone before the plane takes-off and keep it turned off during flight.
Know Bumps and Sounds
When you fly for the first time, you may get nervous every time you hear a noise or feel a bump. But noises and bumps on a plane are normal. You don’t panic in the car every time you hear a noise or feel a bump and there is no need to panic in the plane either! Here is a list of a few things you can watch for:
Before you take off, the lights will flicker and the cabin pressure will change. The change in cabin pressure may cause your ears to hurt slightly. Ears may also hurt during take-off and landing because of the pressure change.
You may hear a banging when the crew is shutting the luggage doors.
If it is cold, you may sense a funny smell. This is the heat coming on, not the plane burning.
You may hear a “bing” sound. This is the pilot’s way of alerting the crew that something is going to happen, like take-off.
You will hear the motors as you take-off.
Once you take-off, the landing gear will have to retract. This will make a bumping noise.
Once the pilot is at the desired elevation, you may get a lightheaded feeling and hear the engines reducing power. This is just the plane leveling off.
Turbulence will cause the plane to shake. But remember, it is okay for the plane to shake. Just like trees in a storm, those that sway with winds survive better than those that remain rigid and break.
If there is going to be turbulence, the pilot will announce it on the loud speaker. Air traffic controllers notify him of all possible turbulence.
When landing, you may sense a slight falling feeling. This is the descent and perfectly normal.
You will hear the landing gear as you descend.
After landing, you will feel a pull as the pilot puts on the brakes to stop the plane.
If something happens and you are not sure what is going on, ask the stewardess. They are seasoned flyers and will be happy to calm your nerves with answers.
Have Something to Take Your Mind Off Flying
When I fly, I like to have something to do that keeps my overactive imagination busy. I do word searches and crossword puzzles because they require my attention and concentration. I also take magazines and books to read. It’s also fun to watch movies, but many flights don’t have them. Take a portable DVD player, CD player or an MP3 player. Just remember not to turn them on until the stewardess says you can.
If you can, take a friend or relative with you the first time you fly. If they have flown before, they can reassure you when certain things happen. And if they haven’t, you at least have some moral support in your anxiety.
Eat something if you feel comfortable enough. Most flights, even short ones, serve soft drinks and a snack, such as pretzels. Don’t try to drink alcohol or take medication to help you overcome your fear. This may only enhance the problem.
Classes and Online Seminars
Many advances in safety, such as Doppler radar, have made flying today safer than ever. But, if you still aren’t comfortable, you can take a fear of flying class. These are usually available through the airlines and last over several days, working you up to actually taking a short flight. There are some free online seminars that are available as well to help you rationalize your fear.
While you may never learn to love flying, you can learn to do it with as little stress as possible.
External Links:
Fear of Flying Help - Free online course to help ease your anxiety of flying
Fear of Flying - One on one couseling plus tips, pilot column and message board
Fearless Flight - Learn the in and outs of flying like what causes turbulence