<p>Since I assume many of you parents on this board are frequent fliers, I figured this might be a great place to come for some quick advice. I’m an extremely nervous flyer–something about the lack of control so high freaks me out. Even a minor bump and i’m clutching the armrests like there’s no tomorrow. I’m better when flying with my BF, as I can bury my face in his shoulder and act like I’m sleeping, but I’m flying alone from DC to Chicago (home) in about 2 hours and because of the storm, I have a feeling it’s going to be bumpy. I probably should get a Xanax prescription (or something similar), but that’s of no use to me now. Any quick tips for keeping myself calm?</p>
<p>Yes. Practice deep breathing. </p>
<p>Alternatively, go read some articles about how flight works and licensing requirements for commercial. They really do know what they’re doing and have lots of training in how to do it.</p>
<p>I have a very dear friend who NEVER flew because of this anxiety. She mentioned it to her doctor who prescribed something that she starts taking a day before she flies. She says it is wonderful and she is sorry she waited all these many years to do this.</p>
<p>On short notice, you could try something OTC that will make you sleepy such as Benadryl. Another possibility is a glass or two of wine.</p>
<p>I was going to only half-jokingly say “alcohol”. I know some males that can’t fly without about 3 drinks in them. I am a frequent flyer, but still get nervous when it is bumpy. (as well as airsick) I tell myself that the pilot wants to live, too, and that he is well-trained. That’s what I tell myself anyway…</p>
<p>Are you comfortable on a boat? I close my eyes and tell myself the air is like water–the bumps are like waves. Yes, sometimes I still clutch the armrests but this definitely helps.</p>
<p>Xanax, a half hour before flight takeoff, works for me.</p>
<p>I would drink a glass of wine before going on, and a glass or two once on there (as long as that will just make you happy, not drunk). If there’s any way to get into first class, that is much more comfortable, and if you can watch movies it will really distract you.
But I see you’re going soon, so too late with that.</p>
<p>Turbulence is generally not dangerous, at all. Even if it’s really bumpy. The airplanes are stressed to handle the most severe turbulence. I’m not sure if an airplane has EVER gone down because of turbulence. The dangerous thing about turbulence is if you’re walking around and get injured, so if it starts getting rough, just strap in.</p>
<p>I’ve been a military or airline pilot for about 30 years, and I guarantee you that turbulence is the last thing to worry about. It really is not a threat, even though I know it is uncomfortable.</p>
<p>I have a feeling this is too late but my mom is afraid to fly, although it’s never kept her off planes. She’s tried everything, including Valium from her doctor. Another <more recent=""> doctor told her alcohol’s as good as anything. I have a precious memory of being in a stall in the ladies room next to her at Dulles before a transatlantic flight and she was drinking from her flask. </more></p>
<p>Anyway–Benadryl is a good idea but I also have one kid who tends toward car- and airsickness so he always takes Dramamine when he flies. Helps with the nausea but also knocks him out.</p>
<p>xanax…God’s gift for the anxiety.</p>
<p>My kids made fun of me when they were little about how I almost took off Mr. Ellebud’s hand…now, not a problem. We fly for vacations at least four times a year. In addition to xanax I am ALWAYS on the aisle. If things were to get dicey with turbulence I just say to myself that we are in a bus with a rough road.</p>
<p>My kids’ favorite moment? When the woman across the aisle started to freak out? I held her hand and talked to her. No worries…</p>
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<p>You scared me, busdriver. I thought this is what YOU do before you fly! :)</p>
<p>I have a male business associate who was seated next to a woman who became so fearful that she grabbed his thigh hard enough to leave a bruise! He had to explain THAT to his wife!</p>
<p>^^Funny, MOWC. I can’t drink a drop of alcohol 8 hours prior to my show time. I don’t push that by a minute, I don’t want to get fired. But apparently Air France pilots get served wine while they are flying (or that’s the rumor)…I guess if you’ve been drinking it since you were five, it wouldn’t affect you. I do drink wine when I’m a passenger, but it’s not because I’m afraid (I would be in the wrong job if so), but because I like wine. Especially free wine.</p>
<p>Another suggestion is to play some pleasant to you tunes that would soothe any anxieties in addition to what others suggest as well as some motion sickness OTC meds. </p>
<p>That experience served me well when aboard ships, especially small craft like yachts where it’s easy to get seasick. </p>
<p>Never had to worry about that riding aircraft as I enjoy flying to the point if a nervous passenger assigned to a window/emergency exit seat wants to exchange my non-window seat with him/her, I’d do it in a heartbeat. </p>
<p>Even enjoyed a nice bumpy ride on a smaller cessna once while going from Oahu to Maui. :)</p>
<p>I used to take two benadryl right before boarding the plane. By the time I’m in my seat it’s starting to kick in, and if I’m lucky I’ll fall asleep before the airplane even takes off. The trick is not to fight the drowsiness, just do your best to fall asleep ASAP.</p>
<p>After flying cross-country a few times a year for a few years now I’ve pretty much gotten over my fear of flying. Instead of fighting for the aisle seat, so I can keep my mind ignorant of what’s going on outside I try to get a window to watch the beautiful countryside below. Shorelines and southern Utah have to be my favorite things to watch whiz by.</p>
<p>I have flight anxiety, and have found that when I have a window seat I am much better because I am distracted.</p>
<p>Fly an airline like Virgin America or Jet Blue. They have tv’s so that is a great distraction. I had to fly with my sister-in-law to a medical appointment. She is paranoid anyway, but the flight was seriously worse for me than her. I kept having to calm her down, let her squeeze my arm, explain that turbulence was just the air version of bumps on a road etc.
I was never so happy to land!
Good luck…and try all the above suggestions. </p>
<p>Know the reality of your chances of injury or death in your kitchen is worse than on that plane! And you probably don’t freak out in your kitchen! :)</p>
<p>Its not about the risk of death for me, its about the claustrophobia.
Don’t get that in a kitchen.</p>
<p>En route to home, but I did go for the alcohol advice. It did help a little, so I may have to try that again. I’ve tried Benedryl before when I’ve had to fly on puddle jumpers, but my mind was so active it never knocked me out. My anxiety has never stopped me from flying, but it does kick in so bad that I barely eat prior. Caffeine makes it worse so I avoid coffee, but then end up with a caffeine headache. Sometimes you can’t win!</p>
<p>Thanks for all of the advice! With how common air travel is now, I feel like I’m the only terrified one!</p>
<p>I think flying anxiety is common. I’ve flown hundreds of times on a corporate jet and many times commercial and even when I KNOW the people flying the plane I really dislike take-offs. Don’t mind bumps, don’t mind landing don’t mind much, but I am always anxious on take-offs. I try to keep my face calm and my upper body loose so no one knows unless they look down at my hands clamped to the arms of the seat…the knuckles will I guarantee you be white. And uhm yeah, wine is good…but can only drink that on the way “home”, not so good at 7 in the morning.</p>
<p>I used to be terrified to fly. I would try and get an aisle seat where I could see the flight attendants. As long as they looked calm, I figured everything was ok.</p>