I'm flying to CA tomorrow and I'm scared.

[Bertha Venation]

I'm not afraid of being in the air. I'm afraid of taking off -- until we're at "cruising altitude" -- and landing -- when we start to descend.

I also anticipate my fear so that now, about 18 hours before my flight, I am afraid.

Somebody help me. :scared:

[applegrove]

1. Belly breath Birtha to reduce the anxiety. You can always ask the stewarts if they

have any medication. Have a great trip.

[Bertha Venation]

16. thank you, applegrove

:hi:

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

2. Call your doctor and see if you can get a couple xanax

[Bertha Venation]

17. I have some

:hi:

[Call Me Wesley]

3. Do you have any Xanax?

I know that my doctor, who's terrified not of flying but being very anxious about being trapped, mellows himself out with it. :hi:

It'll be all fine, of course.

[Bertha Venation]

18. Yep

Thanks, Wesley :hug:

[Haole Girl]

4. Take off is my favorite part of flying!!

You'll be ok. I promise. :hug:

[Roon]

7. Landing is my favorite part

I like the reverse thrust and seeing the spoilers deployed.

[av8rdave]

15. As long as the number of takeoffs and landings are the same, you'll be fine!

[Bertha Venation]

19. thank you

I appreciate it :hug:

[NJmaverick]

5. I could tell you how safe air travel is, but I am sure you have heard all that

I guess the best thing you can do is just try not to think about it. Try to convince yourself you are just taking a train or bus trip.

[Bertha Venation]

20. I'll try that.

I'll pull the window shade down, that might help. Thanks

[NJmaverick]

34. Good luck and enjoy your destination

:hi:

[insanity]

6. Make a mental list of some of the usual procedures durring TOAL

I used to be nervous about flying, but because I fly so much I just started to follow the procedures in my head which gives me the assurance that all is fine.

T/O:
Depending on the plane, it will 'rotate' (lift off) somewhere around 120kts and once the rate of climb gets positive the gear will go up and the flaps will be retracted. Then the plane will be vectored along to clear the airspace and get en-route (it makes some turns). At 10,000 ft the engines will spool up to increase speed above 250kts (this is usually signaled by a single ding from the cockpit). In a few minutes the plane will level off and gain speed for the cruise. Seatbelt sings off and drink service started.

Landing:
The initial phase of the descent will be shallow with the thrust being backed off a bit (remember that in an airplane thrust can control altitude and pitch can control speed). As the plane drops through 10,000 ft the landing lights will come on and the speed will be reduced under 250kts. The plane will be vectored in and as it gets closer the pilot will deploy the flaps to help control the sink rate. As the plane is lined up the final the gear will drop and (sometimes) the airbrakes will be armed. A few feet from the runway and the pitch will go up just a smidge to put the back wheels down. As the back wheels settle on the runway gravity will make the nose follow and the brakes (both wheel and air) are deployed. When the speed is under 15kts, the plane will turn off the active.

A word of advice, if you're really nervous take some nyquil when you board. The g's acting on your body during takeoff will put you right to sleep.

[Bertha Venation]

21. that is some great information - thank you!

I'll be listening for that ding for 250kts (knots, right?)

Thanks. I bet this will help. :hi:

[insanity]

32. Yep. kts is knots.

In the United States planes are not to exceed 250kts under 10,000 ft. This point is also usually the transition between inbound/outbound controllers and the en-route control centers. When you hear the ding you know that the plane is crossing 10,000 and that it will begin to accelerate. A typical commercial airplane can cruise in excess of 400kts at 30,000ft (460+ mph).

The ding sound lets the flight crew that they can start getting ready for the drink service and that electronic devices are now safe to use per FAA requirements.

Some cool stuff to think about while you're in the air:
Not only is the plane moving through the air but the Earth is also rotating around the sun at a constant rate of 700+ mph so the airplane that you are traveling in is moving in excess of 1,000mph through space but only 460+mph relative to the Earth.

The four main forces (lift, gravity, thrust, and drag) that act on an airplane are constantly being changed to achieve desired speeds and altitudes. When the plan stops climbing and accelerating the four forces are equalized.

Air is a fluid, and when something moves through the fluid with an angle-of-attack it generates lift. Airfoils (wings) are so good at this because of how they maximize lift by exploiting the change in pressure thrust produces through this fluid.

A flight from Singapore to Los Angeles is only 30 minutes shorter than one from Singapore to New York because of the curved surface of the Earth.

Just remember that people have figured all of this (and more!) stuff out to the point where something amazing as flight happens safely thousands of times a day.

[buzzycrumbhunger]

8. My daughter has that same fear

When she has to fly, I make her a strong travel mug full of St. John's wort tea to drink on the way to the airport. She says it definitely takes the edge off.

Otherwise, you can use her alternate method of coping and just pull your jacket over your head and cry like a baby until things mellow the hell out. :hug:

[Bertha Venation]

22. I'm not above crying like a baby

:)

[CreekDog]

9. you should focus on the car ride to the airport

that's many times more dangerous. when you leave the car for the airplane, you've made yourself safer.

so get on the plane, exhale and say, "whew! i'm glad i made it"

get scared after you land. :scared:

(i'm not a good flyer either) :hug:

[Bertha Venation]

23. excellent advice

thanks, CreekDog :hug:

[CreekDog]

27. Oh, and a valium was somewhat helpful

made me sleep the whole way. :hi:

[mnhtnbb]

10. When you get to the airport, ask if any pilots or flight attendants are deadheading on your flight.

Tell them the reason you are asking is because of your fear and request that you be seated next to
a professional. That person can help you remain calm during take off and landing.

[Bertha Venation]

24. I actually did that once

That was someone's advice the very first time I flew. No such person was on the flight. :eyes:

[kiva]

11. My sympathy to you, Bertha.

I'm better now, but had a couple of years when flying made me absolutely miserable--and what was worse, I had to fly once a month when I felt that way. Some things that helped me:

1. Drugs...if you can get something, do it.

2. As someone said above, getting familiar with what was happening. My brother worked for an airline, and he was really helpful in talking about what sounds I would hear, and that they were normal--the first time I flew on an Airbus, for example, he warned me that the sounds would be different, and that it was OK.

3. Knowing my weakest moments, and focusing on something else. Even now the worst time for me is when I'm seated and they're boarding the plane. Seeing all those people standing, taking up too much room, convinces me that there can't possible be enough oxygen for all of us. Now I keep my head down and read, or talk with a seatmate if I'm traveling with someone.

4. If you are a reader, go out and buy the most engrossing book you can find (just NOT anything with airplane crashes) and save it for your flight.

5. A drink or two can be helpful...I always favored coffee with Irish Creme. Just make sure you don't overdo it, and that you drink plenty of water also so that you don't get dehydrated.

6. I prefer an aisle seat, makes the claustrophobia thing easier (though I don't know if you have that problem). Window seats aren't good for me, seeing the ground move away doesn't give me the warm fuzzies, though some people find it a pleasant distraction.

Hope some of that helps, and that you have a very uneventful flight.

[Bertha Venation]

25. kiva, these are all good points of advice

thanks very much :hi:

[marzipanni]

12. I usually think of a flight attendant friend of my family

She's been flying for 40 years, from age 22 to 62. I'll have to ask her if she knows how many flights that is!

Bon Voyage, and think of how much fun you'll have with your nephew, and the rest of your family and friends in California! :)

[Bertha Venation]

26. 40 years of flying - that puts it in perspective

helpful perspective

thank you, marzipanni :hi:

[KitchenWitch]

13. I am a very nervous airline traveler.

I pretty much have to pretend it is fun for my daughter, so she does not pick up that it is scary to me.

[Bertha Venation]

28. how did you do on this trip?

[KitchenWitch]

30. Heading out I was pretty good.

We did a few things around Irvine before we had to be at the airport (took my mind off of things).

Coming back I was a nervous wreck, because the MSP to DEN flight was delayed (what started as a 1 hour 6 minute layover ended up being a run from one gate to the next). Then the plane could not leave DEN in time because of thunderstorms. We were told that we may have to divert to another airport because of the OC noise ordinance. So I had to call home to tell M that he may have to pick me up from a different airport.

At one point on the MSP to DEN flight I was crying about the possible missed connection.

The flight attendants made sure those of us on the plane going to Orange County were the first off the plane. They were AWESOME.

[Bertha Venation]

31. Let's hear it for the Crew!

I did miss a connection once and I cried right there in the airport. It meant I was going to be late to see my sisters. :cry:

[KitchenWitch]

33. Seriously the crew on both planes were fantastic.

I had kind of hoped the plane in Minneapolis had been overbooked, so I could have spent one more night. I will take free vouchers for one more night in MN!

[av8rdave]

14. Sorry it has you worried

I know you've heard all the statistics, so won't waste your time with them. You'll be fine...trust me!

[Bertha Venation]

29. I'm glad to hear from you, especially, in this thread.

Thank you.

Not surprisingly, I've been more afraid to fly since my dad's plane crashed last year. But still I try to think of the thousands and thousands of flights each day, and I'm somewhat calmed.

[KamaAina]

35. What time?

I've been practicing the intuitive-type stuff lately. If I'm up, maybe I'll practice on you! :loveya:

[blueknight]

36. take a real good book

get totally immersed in it before take off and dont even think about it! you will be fine, i promise

[Bertha Venation]

38. I have one, I always read on the plane.

:hi: Thanks!

[Bertha Venation]

37. Departs at 8:55 AM ET

I doubt you'll be up, but I thank you...

Speaking of thanking you . . . thank you. :loveya: Better thanks to follow. :hug:

[WinkyDink]

39. Those are the times I enjoyed! When at altitude, I kept thinking of falling!