I travel a lot for work flying long-haul (at least twice a month) and I am lucky that flying has never bothered me at all, but I know some poor folks who really don't like it.
The trick really is to see flying long-haul as an opportunity to have 12/13 hours totally to yourself, you can read the books you want to read, watch the movies you have missed or - if you are able to - just put your head back and relax and have a kip.
I love flying in some ways because you can't be contacted (although sadly that may not be for much longer) and you can just escape from the world for a while.
I hate flying too mistrollingin, I'd be the same. Not just the flying, the whole airport experience, with numerous queues and hanging around adding to the anxiety. My wife views the check in as the beginning of the holiday, but I can't relax and enjoy it until I touch down!
But, as others have said, practically speaking it's pretty irrational thinking as it's the safest form of transport. I worked at Heathrow for two and half years and I'd see long queues of planes just like a taxi rank, wheeling up to the start of the runway and given the go ahead to take off, literally one after the other, every two minutes, all day, every day. Considering this is just one airport and just commercial flights, it puts the whole thing in perspective. So take with you whatever you can absorb yourself in, crosswords, books, films, cards and have a beer or two (definitely takes the edge off for me!). Take your own headphones though if you intend to watch the films on the planes, as the ones provided are rubbish. Also being a long haul flight you're likely to have a channel on the screen that shows how far the plane has progressed through the journey, which adds interest I find.
Dear Worried of Bexley. As a young man I was a very nervous flyer, but a 22-hour flight to Australia to visit a girlfriend conquered my fears. I'm sure you know that such angst is quite irrational: you will be perfectly safe and comfortable. Very wise not to get legless, but a few tinctures will soothe you; take a travel sickness pill a couple of hours before the flight, and a Nytol as you suggest, for slumber. Very important: bring a couple of absorbing books. You are a lucky man, taking your wife to Mauritius - Enjoy!
No need to be scared of flying. It's crashing thats gets you.
Sorry, doesnt help !!!
I presume the worst part is take off and landing?
Get a book, magazine etc anything to help take your mind off of what is happening at that time.
Take a few deep breaths, make sure you have a bottle of water to cool you down, if you start getting hot and bothered whilst taxiing.
When nervous I find sucking on some boiled sweets or munching on some Haribo type sweet helps negate the sicky nervous feeling you might have.
Or take pen and paper and try to list all the teams in premier division, then championship etc. Anything that gets you thinking of anything apart from what is going on around you.
Once up in the air, watch a few films and go for regular walks.
All that is brilliant advice. Yes, water and sweets are essential. And I like the pen and paper to make diversionary lists! There are 59 race courses in the UK - name them! Plumpton, Brighton, Fontwell, Lingfield...
Ah the old Dennis Bergkamp syndrome! My mate caught this a few years ago,
He went to a hypnotist in the end. He was all singing and dancing until 20mins into the flight they were caught in turbulence that went on for 2 hours. It was like the big dipper he said. Up and Down,Up and Down!!
He started to freak out about it. Tried to climb out the bog window...
He can't fly anywhere now without being sedated. Ask at the reception about this option. Just explain you are scared of flying and is a sedation possible on this flight......Your be fine then....
Other than that just don't look down when your flying over the Indian ocean.
You'll be fine my friend. By the time you've taken off, watched a film, had a bite to eat etc, you'll be halfway through and then you'll be on countdown. Manage to get a bit of sleep and you're laughing.
Hope you and the good lady have a great time. Please give her my regards.
Too late for the OP now, but BA actually do a course on this which you can attend before flying if you are freaked out by the idea. flyingwithconfidence.com/
You'll be fine my friend. By the time you've taken off, watched a film, had a bite to eat etc, you'll be halfway through and then you'll be on countdown. Manage to get a bit of sleep and you're laughing.
Hope you and the good lady have a great time. Please give her my regards.
My mate has a fear of flying and whenever we needed to jet off somewhere to right some wrongs in the world we just just give him a glass of milk laced with tranquilisers and dragged him onto the plane.
My uncle suffered with claustrophobia and he couldn't fly. But he went to the doctors who prescribed Valium and it worked a treat.
I suffer from the same sort of thing. I know flying is safe and the mechanics of it all don't scare me at all. It's the thought of the door closing and not being able to get off it again for me.
I've got to try Valium as I really do want to visit more places.
Lots of honeymoon couples there, including a lovely lad who was a dyed in the wool Sheffield Wednesday fan. First thing he said when I told him I was Charlton was that everyone from the directors down never even considered that we could actually beat them when we played them in the cup.
12 hours on a plane is bloody tedious to say the least. On the way back I watched The Wolf of Wall Street twice, Las Vegas and Saving Mr Banks plus plenty of the journey thingy which shows where you are and how many miles to go.
Thanks to my wonderful wife for organising it all. 40th wedding anniversary was certainly celebrated in style.
Comments
Still nervous, but considerably less so than when I posted yesterday.
If anyone's interested I'll let you know how I get on on my return.
Thanks Smudge, Mandy sends her love to you and your family.
Tally Ho!
The trick really is to see flying long-haul as an opportunity to have 12/13 hours totally to yourself, you can read the books you want to read, watch the movies you have missed or - if you are able to - just put your head back and relax and have a kip.
I love flying in some ways because you can't be contacted (although sadly that may not be for much longer) and you can just escape from the world for a while.
But, as others have said, practically speaking it's pretty irrational thinking as it's the safest form of transport. I worked at Heathrow for two and half years and I'd see long queues of planes just like a taxi rank, wheeling up to the start of the runway and given the go ahead to take off, literally one after the other, every two minutes, all day, every day. Considering this is just one airport and just commercial flights, it puts the whole thing in perspective. So take with you whatever you can absorb yourself in, crosswords, books, films, cards and have a beer or two (definitely takes the edge off for me!). Take your own headphones though if you intend to watch the films on the planes, as the ones provided are rubbish. Also being a long haul flight you're likely to have a channel on the screen that shows how far the plane has progressed through the journey, which adds interest I find.
Have a great holiday.
My suggestion eat before you fly, you can then sleep better, keep hydrated and walk around if on a long haul flight.
:-)
Cheers Smudge, just when I was feeling a bit more confident :-)
I'm now gonna make sure I find you at the Welling friendly and bore you senseless for 90 minutes about my experiences at 35,000 feet!
He went to a hypnotist in the end. He was all singing and dancing until 20mins into the flight they were caught in turbulence that went on for 2 hours. It was like the big dipper he said. Up and Down,Up and Down!!
He started to freak out about it. Tried to climb out the bog window...
He can't fly anywhere now without being sedated. Ask at the reception about this option. Just explain you are scared of flying and is a sedation possible on this flight......Your be fine then....
Other than that just don't look down when your flying over the Indian ocean.
I have heard Viagra can help
I've got to try Valium as I really do want to visit more places.
Thanks again for all your advice two weeks ago.
www.maritim.com
Absolutely wonderful holiday, superb food, service, people, weather, pools and beach.
Lots of honeymoon couples there, including a lovely lad who was a dyed in the wool Sheffield Wednesday fan. First thing he said when I told him I was Charlton was that everyone from the directors down never even considered that we could actually beat them when we played them in the cup.
12 hours on a plane is bloody tedious to say the least. On the way back I watched The Wolf of Wall Street twice, Las Vegas and Saving Mr Banks plus plenty of the journey thingy which shows where you are and how many miles to go.
Thanks to my wonderful wife for organising it all. 40th wedding anniversary was certainly celebrated in style.
Good Stuff
I have his medal and number so should be able to find where he was.
He was gassed in the trenches, invalided back to England and by the time he was fit again the war was over.
He lived the rest of his life in Grove Park and worked as a coach-builder at Bexleyheath Bus garage.
I hate flying too!!