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Original poster

Flying in 6 hours -terrified

37 replies

linksonvabe · 16/08/2023 07:02

I don't like flying at all but push myself to do it
Going on holiday to France today so it's a short flight but still scared
Not of crashing just of taking off and landing and feeling dizzy on board (I have vertigo )
I must have only got 4-5 hours sleep as I woke up terrified and couldn't get back to sleep.
Is anyone else the same of any reassuring words ?

OP posts:
LadyWithLapdog · 16/08/2023 07:08

You’ve done it before so you know you will be fine eventually. Hopefully you’ll be so tired by then you’ll fall asleep during the flight.

maudesvagina · 16/08/2023 07:09

You could try this simple exercise that calms the nervous system. Interlace fingers behind neck , lie on floor if at home but can be done sitting. Keep head straight but look as far over to one side as you can and hold. What usually happens is within a minute or so your body will sigh or yawn. Repeat other direction with the eyes.

Maybe let steward know you're worried and they can reassure you. Remember take off and landing are over quickly, you got this

Summer2424 · 16/08/2023 07:12

Hi @linksonvabe
Keep thinking about what you'll be doing once you get to France. It will be ok honestly don't worry xx

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Flying Holidays
Original poster
linksonvabe · 16/08/2023 07:16

Weirdly I'm not tired but probably will be knackered by 8pm
Ha ha
Normally before flying I can't sleep at all so I'm grateful for anything
I've got the window seat and I'm with my partner too so I'm safe

OP posts:
FrenchFancie · 16/08/2023 07:20

I’m also flying to France today, and feeling frightened. It’s just take off that I hate. I tell myself that it will be over in 5 minutes and I won’t have to do it tomorrow.

also had a bad nights sleep and spent some time wishing we’d booked Eurostar instead!!

GerardWay123 · 16/08/2023 07:23

My DH hated flying but learned to do EFT (emational freedom technique). It's just tapping points on your body and saying reaffirming things. Paul Macenna also teaches it. You can download the technique online and do it at home. My DH loves going on aeroplanes now. Good Luck and have a wonderful holiday.

GerardWay123 · 16/08/2023 07:24

Sorry for the typos. I"m still in bed and don't have my glasses on.

Coronationstation · 16/08/2023 07:29

Rescue remedy! Find some on the way to the airport, it’s small enough to go through security as a liquid.

Original poster
linksonvabe · 16/08/2023 07:36

@FrenchFancie oh I thought the same too but it would of been such a long drive
Good luck on the flight

OP posts:
crossstitchingnana · 16/08/2023 07:42

FrenchFancie · 16/08/2023 07:20

I’m also flying to France today, and feeling frightened. It’s just take off that I hate. I tell myself that it will be over in 5 minutes and I won’t have to do it tomorrow.

also had a bad nights sleep and spent some time wishing we’d booked Eurostar instead!!

Hahaha I am going on Eurotunnel in a couple of weeks and I am terrified. I would rather be flying, can we swap?

FeelingPrickly · 16/08/2023 07:57

@linksonvabe your pilots will want to get there and back as much as you do, they don’t mess around with safety. Lots of self hypnosis for fear of flying online. Download one, put your headphones on and close your eyes. You’ll be there before you know it.

OnTheRunWithMannyMontana · 16/08/2023 08:07

I'm the same - I find a large glass of Pinot and some kalms helps! I'm ok once it's up at cruising height but take off is my absolute fear. My stomach drops out of the plane when it leaves the ground.

In all seriousness though I do headphones with loud music so I can't hear plane noises and make sure I have something to read because if I look straight forward and see the angle I freak.

Original poster
linksonvabe · 16/08/2023 08:18

@OnTheRunWithMannyMontana this is exactly me! As soon as I'm cruising I'm fine it's just getting up there that's the issue ha ha

OP posts:
FrenchFancie · 16/08/2023 08:42

I’m fine once we are in the air - and my Dad used to be a pilot for one of the budget airlines so it’s silly that I’m so scared, I just hate the sensation of take off!!

Ozgirl75 · 16/08/2023 09:21

Would it help to have a look a plane finder app? Seeing so many aeroplanes in the sky and multiplying that by days and realising how rarely you hear of crashes. I think you would have to fly daily for 35,000 years before you would be in a crash (according to statistics) and even then, it’s likely that this would be a non fatal crash.

Triangle breathing helps with calming down. You breathe in for 3, hold for 3, out for three while picturing your breath running along the outside of a triangle.

And finally - I like to think, nothing I do can affect the plane one way or another so I may as well just sit back and read my book because we WILL get there.

HelloSquire · 16/08/2023 09:37

Try to think of it as an adventure. The minute you get on the plane your holiday has started
By the time you get up it will be nearly time to come down
I'm am in England but close to France and people can charter a very small plane to pop over for lunch if they have the money

It's very very safe

Dbank · 16/08/2023 09:39

Well done for making the commitment, it's perfectly understandable that you might be anxious, as flying in an aeroplane isn't really a very natural thing to do.

However, it really is ridiculously safe these days.
As a human we're very much influenced by the behaviours we see arounds us, so I suggest look at everyone else on the plane, they will be calm and no doubt tucking into their G&Ts etc. This should help you stay in perspective.

I also recommend getting some proper noise cancelling head or earphones, they are great on flights, but be aware you may need a cable to connect to the in flight systems. (as they don't use bluetooth).

I hope you enjoy your flight and hope you update us on your return.

Worldgonecrazy · 16/08/2023 09:43

I’m also terrified of flying and gave a routine I do to maximise safety.

Dress sensibly, natural materials, and closed row shoes or trainers, in case there is a need to evacuate.
Be aware of where emergency exits are and count rows.
Secure seatbelt and release several times so your brain and muscle remember how to do it. S lot of people’s try and undo it like a car seatbelt when panicking.
Keep feet tucked in behind you during take off and landing.
Listen for the landing gears being used. The pilot won’t bring them up until he is happy. Same with the bell that signals to cabin crew that they can leave their seats.

I also follow Flight Radar on Twitter. The tiny number of issues compared to the massive number of flights is quite something to behold.

Have a wonderful holiday.

ChevyCamaro · 16/08/2023 09:44

Just sneaking in to lurk..I'm also flying in a couple of weeks and am petrified. I keep thinking that my budget airline plane will be badly maintained and I should have paid for a better company! ( Sorry not helping)

narniabusiness · 16/08/2023 09:45

On take off I close my eyes and do box breathing. Breathe in for a count of 4, hold for 4, breath out for a count of 4. Do not look out of the window. I do the same on landing. Last one I went on the landing was so smooth that at first I wasn’t aware we had touched down. At least it’s only a short flight. I’ve got a long haul to get through later this year.

squashyhat · 16/08/2023 09:50

@ChevyCamaro budget airlines are held to the same safety standards as all the others. The planes are the same makes, their pilots have the same training, the ground staff have the same skills and checklists, and the compulsory maintenance follow the same schedule. They are cheaper because they cut back on things like catering, luggage allowances and passenger space, not because they skimp on safety.

DiscoBeat · 16/08/2023 09:59

I get you! We've just had a lovely family holiday but it involves 6 flights, two of them long haul, and I had been dreading it all year. Of course all was fine, my lovely husband kept me topped up with G and T and we're now home safe and sound. I stay away from the windows, keep my eyes closed and my headphones on, watch Netflix and pretend I'm on a train (I don't like the heights aspect). Have a lovely holiday.

rainbowstardrops · 16/08/2023 10:13

I'm absolutely terrified of flying. So much so, that I haven't flown for about 25 years. I'm seriously considering a nervous flyer course. I wish I loved it.

ChevyCamaro · 16/08/2023 10:22

squashyhat · 16/08/2023 09:50

@ChevyCamaro budget airlines are held to the same safety standards as all the others. The planes are the same makes, their pilots have the same training, the ground staff have the same skills and checklists, and the compulsory maintenance follow the same schedule. They are cheaper because they cut back on things like catering, luggage allowances and passenger space, not because they skimp on safety.

Thank you. I think I know this would logically be true. Still don't trust easyJet though 😂 Flying shouldn't be orange and casual. Its a serious busines!

notimagain · 16/08/2023 10:27

@Worldgonecrazy

Some good advce in your post but:

Keep feet tucked in behind you during take off and landing.

Hate to be picky but be careful of offering that as generic advice, especially if you are thinking it might help with the brace position.

There are still some Long Haul types with rear facing seats and for those seats it's feet ahead of you ..if you want a general foot rule it's feet towards the aircraft tail..

Listen for the landing gears being used. The pilot won’t bring them up until he is happy.

Without going into detail but for info the gear is going to selected up as soon as the aircraft has a rate of climb and regardless of the flight crews happiness, or lack thereof.

The pilots might be very unhappy they've had an engine failure on lift-off but it's absolutely essential the gear comes up to reduce drag in the climb.