I’m afraid of flying because I get terrible motion sickness. I haven’t flown since 2003. I’m in a wedding next March in Hawaii and just thinking about having to go there makes me almost have an anxiety attack.
Thanks Sarah, Misty… all you guys.
Sarah, the problem is ha relinquishing control. I know all about the more car accidents per year (my dh keeps telling me that one) but the ol’ ego says, oh I could grab the wheel and avert the accident or some such gibberish. So, basically it’s putting trust in another person. The pilots. I’d give anything to have a long conversation with a few pilots. That would help.
I think about John Travolta!!! (I used to live in Bay Ridge when he made Being Alive) he’s flying his private jets all over the place all the time.
Some people love flying, some the water… I love the couch. :happydance: Knitting, gardening. Not flying. But Misty you are so right, about facing fears.
Sorry about the motion sickness Jodi. My mum had that too. She had a couple drinks before take off but I don’t like to drink in the morning. Let me tell you one good thing: Hawaii is so worth it. We went years ago and I still remember how beautiful it is.
And Jeremy!!! I live on the upper west side! Just give those taxi drivers a … well something, but don’t wait for them, make them wait for you. (when crossing walks etc.) You have to show them who’s in charge that’s all!!!
I grew up in Hawaii, and flew several times a year (interisland as well as mainland and international) between the ages of 4 and 32. but now I’m afraid. hopefully I can with with my doctor to find some kind of drug to prevent sickness/calm me down.
The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.
The brave person isn’t less afraid, they simply act despite the fear.
I completly understand your fear of flying. I myself am not afraid but I have been flying since I was four years old. It is not irrational. The one time I was afraid of flying was about two weeks after 9/11. We were flying to the Newark Airport I think. Anyway, the gate where we landed and took off from was the same one that the terriosts took off from. It was incredibly scary and I almost didn’t get on the plane. But my mom said either you get on the plane or we are leaving you here. I didn’t want to be left behind so I swallowed my fear and got on. The only place I really hate flying to is Hawaii but that’s because you almost land on water. Just take your knitting, calming music, and remember to breath and you will do fine.
Brook
Well, I can finally step up and give you my “advice”.
I turned 60 in Feb and my DH 65 in Mar. 2 weeks ago, we made our first flight to AZ to visit the DD. Maybe it’s our age, or maybe it’s our “what will be will be” attitude, or a basic fatalism, but it was a “snap” My son (30) is also a-feared of flying (sounds like Erica Jung), but I’m determined that the next time we make the trip, he’s coming too. We always took the kids on road trips and thoroughly enjoyed them. Flying is boring and noisy and my mobility issues makes it really hard for me to get in and out of the teensy tiny seats; but I’m not going to let some irrational fear stop me from living what life I have left. (Sorry if that sounds weird.) We have horrendous traffic accidents every day in our area (Metro Detroit has NO convenient public transit; everybody drives their own cars, sober or drunk). But there hasn’t been a major airline crash is several years.
My hubby and I always talked about touring Europe and didn’t. Now I have muscle problems we can’t. All because we were nervous about flying. Shame on us. We’ve missed so much.
I said a few prayers and put myself in God’s hands. I can’t say it was enjoyable. (As I said, BOR-ING!) I didn’t get a chance to “sing” my way 'cross country (Wabash Cannonball, Missouri Walz, Oklahoma, etc; the kids used to hate that), but if flying is the only way I’ll get to see my little girl, then I’m up for it.
Telling you to “get over it” is too simplistic, but take heart, we will survive and undoubtedly die in our beds.
And as FDR and Knitting Guy put it, Nothing to fear but fear itself.
Good luck!
gladys
I am terrified - I am the sort of person who can understand people trying to open the door to get off midair :ick:
To someone who isn’t frightened of flying, it does seem a completely irrational fear! And when I don’t have a trip booked and know I don’t have to get on a plane, I can rationally accept it is the safest form of transport and all the rest of it. But, book me a flight and all the rational thoughts go out the window!
However, we now live in Singapore, and it is impossible to NOT fly here. To get anywhere, I have to fly. So am now flying probably 6 or 7 trips a year, which keeps me awake at night sometimes :pout:
I have to take a form of valium, otherwise I just wouldn’t be able to get on the plane. I even get nervous when I take my husband to the airport for one of his many business trips… just the smell of jet fuel and sound of the engines makes me go weak at the knees.
Anyway, the point of this long reply is, once I get anywhere, I have a fantastic time. OK, so the last day is a bit overshadowed by the flight back for me, but at least I have been and had a great holiday, visit to family etc.
I would go and see your doctor and get him to prescribe something for you… it doesn’t take the fear away completely, but it does help. And of course makes you less annoying to other travellers haha!! (I once clung to my husband so hard on a flight he got so hot he was actually sick, lucky he is extremely patient and understanding with me. And he LOVES flying)
Good luck with your trip, trust me, once you have got off the plane the other end and see your mother in law it will be worth it 
Whew!!! Brook, Gladys, Nora… and Mason, thanks for the replies and telling me all about your experiences. That’s DARN right about fear of fear. I lit a candle in my church this past sunday for me of all people, because I am getting on that flight on Thursday!
Funny thing, we couldn’t get someone to take care of our cats until Thursday so my husband flew today alone. He will get to spend a couple days alone with his mum then I show up on Thursday for a couple nights then off to Naples Grand Resort. (we haven’t had a vacation for years, even though this is business it will be holiday-like also). So I will be flying ALONE ha ha but at least there will be someone to take care of the cats if… oh never mind! positive thoughts positive thoughts
Gladys… I’m from Michigan but left a long time ago. I have many relatives there (up near Flint) who have never and never will get on a plane. It’s amazing. (good for you!) I am glad I was so fearless when I was younger and went all over Europe including Czechoslovakia where my grandparents came from. And Mexico, Puerto Rico, many places that were so worth flying to. So.
I’m not taking any valium. I’m just taking my KNITTING!!! And praying a lot. It is God’s will after all isn’t it, whenever I’m to be pulled off this grand ol’ place. oh boy. Think I’ll stop talking about it and go knit a bit. Thanks again!
I’m so glad you’re going on your trip! Have a wonderful time! You’re going to be fine…I know it!
It’s strange, isn’t it? The older and more experienced we get, the more aware of our mortality we become. Anyway, these days 'm less afraid of flying than my white knuckle days (I vaguely remember clutching some poor seatmate on a flight home to Halifax because we kept hitting potholes up there). I think I’m a little more fatalistic thinking ‘if it happens, it happens. Can’t stop living because you’re afraid to die’.
Don’t let this fear strangle you!
Jane http://www.janethornley.com/blog/index.php/site/KnittersCorner/
VictoiseC,
In one of your posts you mentioned that you’d like to talk to a pilot about this. I’m a pilot. You can PM me or we could set up a phone call or whatever.
I’ll try my best to answer whatever questions you or anyone else here has.
you will be so happy you conquered your fear once u do fly again, and like said above, check into those airline courses. they might make u feel more secure. you will have a great time in fl. :lol:
So… do you knit while you pilot?
:shifty: