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The Kitchen Table

Fear of Flying.....

16 years ago

Hi everyone!!

I am trying to see if I can offer my cousin some advise. She has a SEVERE fear of flying. She is scheduled to fly out for a family reunion this week.

If anyone here has the fear, I would love it if you could offer me some words to tell her. She doesn't even want to talk about it. She has some valium from her dr. just for this purpose.

Luckily, it's a pretty short flight, just a couple of hours.

TIA!!

Rita

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Comments (14)

gmom74
16 years ago
Rita, one of our daughters has a terrible fear of flying. Her doctor prescribed Atavan, I think it is. Now she uses that and has been able to fly to Spain, Italy (a couple of times) back East to visit us several times, Mexico, Puerto Rico and I can't remember where else. She says it relaxes her and gives her peace of mind. It has done wonders for her. Before the doctor prescribed it she would have nightmares for weeks and literally be sick when she knew she would have to fly. Maybe this would help your cousin.
PS- I'm not much better about flying myself.
lydia1959
16 years ago
I take Xanax, choose an aisle seat towards the front (easy exit...if she is claustrophobic at all). Bring a book or whatever will keep her occupied and not thinking about the flight.
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marilyn_c
16 years ago
I hate flying. But, I just do it.
liz
16 years ago
Tell her to directly to the back of the airplane as soon as she boards, that's where the flight attendants are and let them know she has a terrible fear of flying and anything they can do to help her would be most appreciated. (and I pray she has good flight attendants...some can be wenchy at best)

eat a light breakfast the morning of the flight...no heavy GREASY stuff before hand or she'll be blowing chunks if there is the least bit of bumpy air.

Pick out a favorite book, or a couple of magazines (i recommend the rag trades...good light reading and it helps passes the time quickly)!!

or if she wants to sleep, have her pick up one of those blow up neck pillows at Walmart, Target, K-mart, etc...their back by the luggage at Walmart..

While alcohol might make her think she will feel better...it wont...the cabin atmosphere is usually about 5,000 above sea level...so one drink in the air is like two on the ground and if she's not a drinker, she's gonna feel it later...however, if that's her cup of tea...and she feels like it's gonna calm the nerves, by all means...a martini (ONE!) might just fit the bill..

She'll do fine...She is NOT alone and certainly doesn't need to be embarrassed by her fear...

liz...who's logged 30 years keepin the friendly skies friendly!
grammahony
16 years ago
I HATE flying too. I take Atavan myself. If the flight is only 2 hours, she'll no more than get up to the flying altitude, and they'll be coming down again. They'll pass drinks, and pick up the trash and she'll be landing. Hopefully the weather will be nice, and she'll have a smooth flight.
Leslie
mary_c_gw
16 years ago
I don't have a problem once in the air, but I do fear both take-offs and landings.

Deep yoga breathing during both helps. I do the same in the dentist's chair, LOL.
pkguy
16 years ago
I take Ativan also for flying only. I take one the night before and another a couple of hours before the flight otherwise I'd never get on a plane again.
kacram
16 years ago
so, am I the only one that thought she was asking about a book? lol

sorry, I don't have any suggestions.. lots of good ones here though... I hope she is okay though.
intherain
16 years ago
I developed a fear of flying 26 years ago when our plane went through many, many thunderstorms and then we severely dropped in altitude not once, but a few times. I've flown many times since then, but with great fear.

When I last flew, over 3 years ago, I found a great website that really helped. I am posting it below.

Sheryl

Here is a link that might be useful: Fear of Flying
orie
16 years ago
Sorry, no suggestions but I'm also a scaredy-cat up in the air. Nothing helps, no matter how short a flight. It usually starts with a bad experience and mine did, but, of course, I know it's an irrational fear but then most fears are! I'm going to California for a family reunion in June and I've been sweating it for months! My daughter is 12. We've promised a trip to Hawaii for her HS graduation and I'm already fearing it! We have flown to Hawaii before and know how long that flight is. Took 1/2 a valium for that one but it didn't make a dent! A book does distract me for a bit. I'm just a white-knuckle flyer!
nancylouise5me
16 years ago
I use to be a fearful flyer. I would not sit next to the window if I had a choice, and if that was my assigned seat the shade was always pulled down. My seatbelt was always buckled and I never left the seat unless it was to go to the bathroom. I would spend the hour before leaving the house to go to the airport in the bathroom. It was pretty bad.
I finally got tired of it all and scheduled an appointment with a hypnotherapist. She is a R.N. and a massage therapist also. Her relaxation techniques and replacing the bad images in my mind with good images did the trick. It took just 2 sessions. She gave me a tape of the sessions and relaxation music and words to listen to when I did fly. My doctor not to be out done when he heard of this wrote me a prescription for Alprazolam tabs. 2 little pills an hour before lift off and I'm fine. Good luck to your cousin, she is certainly not alone in her fear. NancyLouise
ritamay91710
Original Author
16 years ago
Oh I know she is not alone. I feel so bad for her. I don't love to fly, but I can manage pretty good. I have to, I have a hubby who likes to go far away places!! LOL!! Landing and taking off at the airport in St. Maarten is not for the weak of heart!!! Ha Ha! (long story)

I have told her to tell the flight attendants, but don't know if she will. Also, that she will be up and back down before she can finish a drink. Easy for me to say.

When she was young, her family used to fly to Europe every year. I don't remember her having problems then. But when we are younger, I guess we don't think about what could happen!!

I know she can do it... thanks for the tips!!
Rita
angela_nor_calif
16 years ago
Another one here that hates flying. I'm flying to Southern Calif in September. It's only 1 1/2 hour flight. I just made the reservations and when I saw ExpressJet I panicked. I went online to make sure it wasn't some two-seater plane. lol It's not. My mom also hates flying and never hesitated to say so. Hence one of the reasons I'm afraid of flying - I'm sure. My DD (15) is coming with me in September and I will suck it up and not show how nervous I am because I don't want her to be scared. I pray the entire flight.
vannie
16 years ago
I used to be afraid of flying and now I just dislike it. DH told me if I ever went anywhere I needed to learn to fly. My first trip was to Hawaii and I prayed if I got killed, let it be on the way home! I have flown a lot since then and have been to some places we sure wouldn't have driven to! Nova Scotia, BC, some places in Mexico. I just keep in mind that I don't know anyone killed in a plane crash, but I do know people killed in car wrecks. kinda puts it in perspective!!

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