Fear of flying

[Hi1985]

Hello, I’m wondering if anyone has tried the easyJet feat of flying online course before and if they found it in the least bit helpful??? I am petrified of flying, but after losing my mum very suddenly, I’ve realised that my family need a break away together and we’ve booked a holiday to Venice. I realise it’s a very short flight but the idea of turbulence makes me feel sick and panicky! I have only flown a handful of time in all my life due to the fear.
can anyone help?!

I did a Virgin fear of flying course a few years ago. It really changed my mindset. I genuinely don't mind flying anymore - this was after nearly 15 years of avoiding it. Make sure the course includes a practice flight. Good luck!

Editing to say I see you say it's an online course. Worth a go but if you need more, def look for an in person course with flight.

No experience of the course, but some years ago a friend of mine did some sessions with a hypnotherapist. She was scared and didn't want to pass the fear on to her children. That worked for her.

Tell the flight attendant when you board. They’re really good and know exactly what to say to made you feel calmer.

But I would also say that if you can’t get over it after a few attempts and the fear is going to ruin your holiday each time, it’s ok to take a train.

I did and it really helped

Was Howard Cooper doing that one? He's a brilliant hypnotist!

Really? Was yours the online course? I don’t have the experience flight but do have a flight booked for a weeks time.
do you fly now with reduced anxiety. I hate the media stories all about plane disasters of late!

I used to be terrified.
I would either not travel or get so drunk / drowsy just to board

i did the Paul McKenna fear of flying download and it helped me so much

now after 35 years of being scared I actually enjoy it. It’s become part of the holiday to look forward to.
i still use some grounding techniques if there’s turbulence but normally I’m not bothered

now I fly anywhere & everywhere, about 7-8 times a year

Mine was in person and we did a short flight to Newquay! I’d imagine the online course will be good too because they are very experienced at running these courses, using psychology and psychotherapy techniques. The thing that also really helped was knowing what was happening during the flight and what all the noises mean. We also discussed turbulence. It was years ago, but at the time, you could buy an audio recording that had the explanation of the noises and relaxation techniques on it which I used for my first couple of flights on my own. I hope it goes well for you and you can just enjoy your holiday.

Thank you.
does turbulence bother you now and how much does the download cost?

Sometimes depending on my mood and how bad it is but I can recover quickly without screaming & crying

I don’t know how much the download is, it was about 10 years aho

I also did the Virgin Flying without Fear course about 10 years ago - life changer! Literally used to cry hysterically during take off, and sat gripping the arm rests with fear for the rest of the flight. A one-day course at Gatwick for about £250, and I now really enjoy flying!

i can only do the online course so hoping it will help. I sit like a statue so tense during the whole flight and am petrified of the plane moves even a fraction! The online course has covered turbulence and other things so far, so having the knowledge about turbulence helps…..I think

How do you cope if you have horrid turbulence now? I panic even if it’s a tiny amount

What techniques do you use during turbulence

I was exactly the same - freaked out at the slightest bump! The pilot who spoke at my course said to think of it as the same as driving down a road with lots of pot holes - it’s annoying and uncomfortable but not inherently dangerous, and in fact it’s better on a plane because it can’t burst your tyres! That really stuck with me so I just ignore the turbulence now.