Fear of Flying

[Paris2]

For most of my life I have been absolutely fine with flying, at most I was just bored on long flights.

However since a particularly bumpy flight a couple of years ago I am now a mess if I have to go on a plane. I will even worry for the weeks leading up to it.
Since that flight I have done a handful, but needed a bit of medication to get me through the last two. I will continue down this route if necessary, but would rather get over it than mask the problem.

I know my fear is mainly turbulence, takeoff and landing is fine. And I am fully aware of what turbulence is, and how little affect it actually has on the plane/flight. From this I can only assume my fear is irrational

It seems to me I am getting worse, to the point where I am actively avoiding going on holiday if it means I need to fly there.
And with an upcoming wedding and subsequent honeymoon, I don't think the missus is going to let me get away with it.
(and she's already shot down a cruise sailing from Southampton )

I have looked in to quite a few ways to get over this. I have done extensive reading on how planes work, likely situations etc which has helped a bit.
I have also read a bit online about "fear of flying courses" you can do with various airlines, has anyone done one of these?
My latest thought has been to see if I can get a couple of lessons in a small prop plane, and see if I can face my fear head on, any pilots out there that would think this would be helpful?

I assume I'm not alone in this fear, and know it is mostly psychological but can't seem to shake it.

Any advice, stories, mockery welcome
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Current Ride: Daytona 600

[lihp]

[MCN]

Turbulence is what grounds planes for major NDT inspections from time to time.

Most are Pre-Arranged Scheduled Groundings.
It' s the Un-Planned Groundings that are most problematic though.
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Disclaimer: The comments above may be predicted text and not necessarily the opinion of MCN.

[Ste]

Fly with Malaysian Airlines and you won't be worrying about turbulence.

[Tracey Suntan-King]

Find a Neuro Linguistic Programming practitioner.

There is a technique NLP practitioners use which can "reset" you by referencing the times you flew without fear. This is the Timeline Technique. Google now.....

An NLP practitioner can also help you develop a personal technique for managing any unwelcome (stop sniggering at the back) feelings when you fly.

I've seen and used the Timeline Technique (yes, you guessed I'm an NLP practitioner) very successfully in helping people with fears, both irrational and irrational ones.
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Whether you think you can, or think you can't, you're probably right

[kawakid]

For nearly 25 years I was frightened of ladders, even though I am quite good a DIY I would always pay for someone to go up to work on the roof.

I eventually realised I was being dxck and just man'd up, bought a ladder and went up it. Now I'm not fussed.

When I'd been in car crashes, my father forced me out straight away.

I remembered his advice when I binned my Z, the following day I went out on the ER.
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I've a twin and a 4.

[Old Git Racing]

Been flying for work many years and hate take off/landing. Play 'when the levee breaks' by led zep as loud as possible on repeat on an I pod until we are up/down. Works for me.

OGR
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2022 Tiger Sport 660 2019 Street Twin 2003 K3 gixxer 1000 1998 Srad 600 track hack

[techathy]

[RhynoCZ]

[stinkwheel]

Meh. Just avoid flying wherever possible. Find places to go where you don't need to fly.

I fucking hate flying anywhere and only do it if it's unavoidable *. In my case it has nothing to do with the act of flying and everything to do with the "airport experience".

*"unavoidable" may include earache from the Mrs about going somewhere hot, although sometimes not. She's away in Greece without me just now.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[CaNsA]

[temeluchus]

You're probs more likely to die commuting or on a short trip on your bike than flying looking at the numbers.

The good ol brain isnt a logical thing and what you have is your ancestral tetropod brain going nopenopenope. If you try and justify the fear on a rational basis youll probably end up getting good at it and then turning even more neurotic or taking up other batty things like religion.

When it comes to such things the effectiveness of crybaby talk therapy is debatable, the only one that has worked on my own neuroses is repeated exposure and desensitisation.

Ymmv, I'm not a qualified quack etc etc disclaimer etc.
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Some shite cruiser. Now with guns and FREEDOM!

[andyscooter]

go for a flight in a small single prop plane

then the big one will seem like its fine
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[Paris2]

Thanks for the replies guys.

I can't avoid flying unfortunately, I would if I could. The missus must have a sun holiday every year, which I can't talk her out of.
And with the occasional business trip I need to get over it rather than avoid it.

I'm aware of the statistics too, and the rational part of me says I'll be fine. Regardless of this I am much happier riding around Europe on my bike for two weeks than I am getting on a flight for two hours. I guess it's a control thing?

[eifion]

[MarJay]

I've flown in a few light aircraft and you don't get turbulence the same way that you do in airliners. Not that I've experienced anyway.

I've never been a fan of commercial flying to be honest, but I always figure I'll never have worse turbulence than that one flight to Rome on Alitalia. I wasn't concerned for my life, but I did think it was possible to be injured. I have flown a lot with work and I've never had anything like it before or since. I can be fairly confident that it won't happen again and I'm actually happier flying now than I've ever been.

I think NLP is the best way forward for you, being that there was a stage where you weren't worried about it. I'm pretty sure this should be relatively simple to resolve.
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[.Bishbash.]

[Paris2]

I have heard advice before along the lines of "look at the stewards, even in bad turbulence they will just look bored".

It didn't help that on one of my recent flights to Doha, a stewardess kept rushing to her chair and buckling up. She looked just as terrified as me

But for the most part this is good advice, and it does help to see them just getting on with it.
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Current Ride: Daytona 600

[Motorhate]

Anybody else find it odd that you can be scared of flying but not bat an eyelid when getting on a motorcycle?
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GONE - Honda CB500 Ratbike | Yamaha FZ750 | Yamaha XVS1100 | Kawasaki VN2000 | Kawasaki ER-6 F | Harley Davidson XL883L Sportster

[owl10]

Injuries from turbulence are usually people who aren't strapped in, or items not stowed flying around the cabin. If you aren't walking to the toilet then seatbelt on, regardless of the light being turned off.

Take off and landing are the most dangerous bits
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DanceLikeAMonkey says: "An infinte amount of web pages available
Yet I still end up reading crap like that"

[ferrisio]

[Paris2]

[grr666]

I see it like this - 'What can I actually do to stop this thing smashing into the sea at 500mph?'
Don't fret stuff you can't change.
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