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NS1976
My princess!
Member since 5/05 6548 total posts
Name:
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What to do to calm my fears? Petrified of flying!
Ok..I have NEVER been on a plane.
I may have a chance to take my first short trip. Only to Buffalo, which I think is perfect because its only about an hour..a perfect way to get my feet wet.
But I am scared to death!!!!!!! First of all, I am claustrophobic so I am afraid I am going to freak being stuck in a plane I cant get out of. Secondly, I am of course afraid of a crash.
Anyone else deathly afraid to fly? What do you do? How do you control it? A drink or two before the trip will help but I dont want to have to be in the bathroom the whole time either. LOL ANy advice?
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Posted 1/20/09 11:26 AM  |
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Long Island Weddings
Long Island's Largest Bridal Resource |
KPtoys
I'm getting old
Member since 5/05 8688 total posts
Name:
Karen
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Re: What to do to calm my fears? Petrified of flying!
xanax! Go get something to relax you from the doctor.
I don't have a fear of flying persay. I don't really love it. I am a control freak. I would get a prescript for something.
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| Posted 1/20/09 12:10 PM |
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DaniJude
You're My Home <3
Member since 11/06 14815 total posts
Name:
Danielle
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Re: What to do to calm my fears? Petrified of flying!
Definitely get something from your doc.
OR, what I do a lot is I take dramamine -- it makes me SO tired and out of it that I don't get AS worked up as normal.
Another thing that I got from here because I posted about how scared I was --- when you are on the plane and start to get upset/nervous just look around at everyone else. Most people are sleeping, reading, listening to music -- but all are calm. If there was something to really worry about - they'd notice and be upset too. That is when I tell myself I'm the ONLY one nervous and to stop. That tip helped me a lot. I'll do it several times during the trip - especially on take-off.
I've gotten MUCH better with flying and that came from flying often -- the more I avoided it, the more my fear grew but if I just "flooded" myself with the idea then I am better... I flew SO much on my HM (Hawaii - interisland) and then when I came home we took a trip with my whole family to Disney and then DH and I went to Jamaica about a year later so I was flying often. By the time Jamaica came I was much better going and coming back - was like NOTHING! Amazing coming from the girl who used to cry on take-off LOL!
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| Posted 1/20/09 12:49 PM |
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Re: What to do to calm my fears? Petrified of flying!
I am extremely afraid to fly. Despite the fact that I nearly cry on every flight lift-off and landing, my fear does not stop me from getting on a plane. When it comes down to it, realistically the odds of being in a plane crash is extremely low. I take benadryl and drink on the plane as much as possible. As previously mentioned, it also helps me a lot to watch how calm the other passengers and flight attendants are during the flight. I figure if the attendants are still handing out potato chips, the turbulence cant be all that bad.
It also helps me to eye the pilots before I get on the plane. Usually it calms me to see how professional and experienced they look. Of course sometimes this can be bad if one of them is a young pilot...
I literally had to fly the day after the recent Hudson River plane crash. If i could get on the plane after that, anyone can. The risk of flying if well worth the pay off of where you can go and what you can see. You will be fine.
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| Posted 1/20/09 2:34 PM |
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yankinmanc
Happy Days!
Member since 8/05 18208 total posts
Name:
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Re: What to do to calm my fears? Petrified of flying!
My MIL took a fear of flying course and that has helped her greatly. I am not a nervous flyer, but I always listen to the staff on the plane talking about their plans for that night, or just making small talk and I think about how this is just another day at the office for them. If they don't think we are going to crash, I surely believe we aren't.
good luck!
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| Posted 1/20/09 2:44 PM |
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Geraldine
Lovin Life........
Member since 5/07 2388 total posts
Name:
Geraldine
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Re: What to do to calm my fears? Petrified of flying!
If you are that nervous about it def. ask your doctor for something....Also, if your flying to Buffalo, use JetBlue......they have TV's in every seat, it will help distract you.....I take that flight 6-7 times a year.....it's really quick....perfect for a first flight.....GL!!!
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| Posted 1/21/09 9:25 AM |
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melbalalala
Little Lady
Member since 5/07 5014 total posts
Name:
Melissa
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Re: What to do to calm my fears? Petrified of flying!
I am more scared of driving than flying. Your chances of being in a horrible car accident are MUCH hire than getting a scratch on an airplane.
I like what Racheee said, it's so true, the flight attendants are almost BORED at it all, they fly hundreds of times a year and don't even notice, it's calming to know that they have faith in everything going on.
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| Posted 1/21/09 9:48 AM |
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4ForMe
:)
Member since 11/05 5666 total posts
Name:
Barbara
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Re: What to do to calm my fears? Petrified of flying!
Oh I feel your pain. We are going to Florida in March and I'm already having anxiety over it. It's getting worse the older I get.
I take Xanax but that doesn't even always do it for me. I wish I could take 2 but it wouldn't be fair to my husband because then he would have to take care of all of the kids by himself LOL.
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| Posted 1/21/09 3:05 PM |
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RocPin
Life's Beachy <3
Member since 2/08 6765 total posts
Name:
Heather
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Re: What to do to calm my fears? Petrified of flying!
I always go to the doctor and get a small prescription of Xanax prior to a trip.
Im not deathly afraid but it seems the older I get, the more scared I am. My palms get SO clammy every single lift off and landing even with a Xanax but it helps tremendously.
As others said, when I start to feel scared or over analyze every bump, I just look at the stewardess and how calm their faces look. I figure if anyone knew something was wrong, it would be them.
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| Posted 1/22/09 11:50 AM |
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KGools
Happy
Member since 9/06 9532 total posts
Name:
Kim
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Re: What to do to calm my fears? Petrified of flying!
I hate to fly so I feel your pain. A PP mentioned taking dramamine prior to getting on the plane... seriously, it works like a charm. When we went on our honeymoon, I took ONE dramamine and I could barely keep my eyes open on the plane and even in the airport during our layover. If you can't get to the dr. to get a Rx, definitely go the dramamine route.
good luck!
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| Posted 1/22/09 12:02 PM |
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CaMacho
Sisters :)
Member since 7/06 15112 total posts
Name:
Jess
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Re: What to do to calm my fears? Petrified of flying!
I'm terrified, but know I have to do it so I do it.
It's leading up to the flight, sitting in the airport and actually taking off that makes me crazy. I can't eat really for a few days before I fly and esp. not the day of... but honestly I don't like taking anything like xanax or any medication so I just deal with it. It's HARD, but it's nice when I fly with DH b/c he actually likes to fly so he comforts me.
Once we're in the air i'm a little better and the feeling once we land is unbelievable!
Good luck on your first flight!! 
ETA: I usually try to fly JetBlue so I can have the TV to watch. I have the earphones on the whole time to drown out the plane noises and I try to keep my eyes on the stewards b/c they are SO calm.
Message edited 1/22/2009 2:02:58 PM.
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| Posted 1/22/09 2:02 PM |
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MarisaK
HELLO Manolo !!
Member since 5/06 14562 total posts
Name:
Marisa
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Re: What to do to calm my fears? Petrified of flying!
xanex
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| Posted 1/23/09 11:58 AM |
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LINewbie
Tigger the the Rescue!
Member since 8/08 5647 total posts
Name:
LB
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Re: What to do to calm my fears? Petrified of flying!
I am not afraid to fly, but I know a few people who find this site helpful: http://www.fearofflying.com/index.html
They have a message board and everyone there is really nice! I used to read it to hlep dupport a friend who was scared to fly  Good luck.
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| Posted 1/23/09 5:46 PM |
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PaddysGirl
Little princess is here!
Member since 4/07 5923 total posts
Name:
Crystal
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Re: What to do to calm my fears? Petrified of flying!
Posted by DaniRella
when you are on the plane and start to get upset/nervous just look around at everyone else. Most people are sleeping, reading, listening to music -- but all are calm. If there was something to really worry about - they'd notice and be upset too. That is when I tell myself I'm the ONLY one nervous and to stop. That tip helped me a lot. I'll do it several times during the trip - especially on take-off.
That is excellent advice. I do the same thing. My first real flight was an international flight and I was traveling alone. talk about panic attack, I cried before I left for the airport!
I do this when my nevers get me for fear of flying (I have gotten a lot better and just hate take offs & landings now) and for turbulance. Other passangers and crew aren't stressed, then I realize it's OK.
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| Posted 1/26/09 12:24 PM |
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LINewbie
Tigger the the Rescue!
Member since 8/08 5647 total posts
Name:
LB
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Re: What to do to calm my fears? Petrified of flying!
And keep in mind that turbulence is GOOD - t means he plane is responding the way it should be. It means everything is working right! 
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| Posted 1/26/09 2:20 PM |
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