V-Flyer

Hello everyone, it's been a very long time since I last posted here, but thought best for my musings.

So tomorrow's the first time on a plane for 2 years and I have a terrible fear of flying. I can get on it and I will always go but not without tears, panic and pretty much the need to breath in and out of the sick bag!
I've been listening to hypnosis, watching youtube videos and I'm sure I'll have at least 1 glass of wine before I get on board!
But does anyone have any other tips? Anything I can take that won't knock me out but might calm me down?
Better still if anyone knows of a pilot who can sherper me tomorrow that'd be great

I'm going via Brussels to Vienna, it's an airbus to Vienna but an rj85 to Brussels, now I keep thinking what a good little reliable plane it is but I just can't! I hate small planes! Well I hate big planes too but I hate small planes more!

Seriously, any calming words would be very appreciated right now!

Lizz wrote:Hello everyone, it's been a very long time since I last posted here, but thought best for my musings.

So tomorrow's the first time on a plane for 2 years and I have a terrible fear of flying. I can get on it and I will always go but not without tears, panic and pretty much the need to breath in and out of the sick bag!
I've been listening to hypnosis, watching youtube videos and I'm sure I'll have at least 1 glass of wine before I get on board!
But does anyone have any other tips? Anything I can take that won't knock me out but might calm me down?
Better still if anyone knows of a pilot who can sherper me tomorrow that'd be great

I'm going via Brussels to Vienna, it's an airbus to Vienna but an rj85 to Brussels, now I keep thinking what a good little reliable plane it is but I just can't! I hate small planes! Well I hate big planes too but I hate small planes more!

Seriously, any calming words would be very appreciated right now!

In my own personal experience the more you experience the things you don't like the easier it is to deal with them. You have flown before; build on that achievement.

You will be fine!

Good luck, keep thinking about the destination rather than getting there! Enjoy your holiday!

Try and walk around rather than sitting and dwelling on the flight, browse duty free etc.
Keep thinking about what you're going to do when you arrive.
At first opportunity headphones on, music or movie to distract. Keep it fairly loud.
Make sure you eat and hydrate fully before hand..if nothing else eat well the night before.
Set milestones in the flight..I.e "....done 1/2 hr yeah!.... 1/2 hr to go... Etc"
If you get bothered.. Get up and walk the plane , again distraction...
Treat your self to a celebration drink/ meal on arrival !!
You'll be fine...

NH

Well done for getting on and doing it for a start.

I had a crippling fear of flying from the age of 14, I'm 32 now and this time round (next week) is the first time that I am actually looking forward to a flight.

The major turning point for me was doing a Virgin Flying without Fear course. I can't tell you how good it was. It was a full day, including a flight at Heathrow. Cabin crew and a Captain did a presentation as well as an NLP specialist. The thing that helped me the most was listening to the captain explain the physics of flight. Virgin have a special assistance channel that you can listen to onboard their flights which reiterates the course and I also bought the book which accompanied the course so when I am flying on non Virgin flights I can read the book instead.

I also take a small Valium tablet, one the night before I travel and one on the morning, I don't drink alcohol but it gives you a calming feeling which is apparently similar to a few drinks.

I would reiterate the advice above, stay hydrated. Control your breathing, use positive thoughts. Tell the cabin crew you are a nervous flier. Most of all book the flying without fear course it is FANTASTIC.

Well done on persevering and have a great flight!

I also recommend Virgins Flying Without Fear course. I did it 4 years ago and I can't tell you how much it's changed my life. I'll never love flying or want to apply for cabin crew but it's allowed me to visit places I never thought I could. I can't recommend it enough

Hi Lizz. I remember your previous posts here. WELL DONE for booking. I am a nervous flyer too (also a Virgin course grad who flew to Orlando last year - lucky to have V-Flyer veteran Roxy-Popsy on the same flight, who really helped me). Things that I found helpful were to get checked in early, then go to a bit of the airport where I could watch lots of planes taking off and landing, and remind myself how very normal and boring itbwas for them, then I also reminded myself of how many thousands of airports had this going on, with millions of people in the air without incident at any given moment. This helped me put my fear in context! When it came to boarding, I hummed 'Something Inside So Strong' to myself (recommended by the FwF course!). Onbaord I used my own mantra of, 'Feels weird, but it's perfectly safe' whenever I felt flying sensations I didn't like. I had also downloaded videos onto myiPhone that I really wanted to see, and managed most of one film. It was so very fine.

I am flying to Spain at the end of this month, and I am very happy that flying is now a part of my life, and my horizons are so much broader. Yours will be too! Short of hiring out the frankly magnificent Roxy-Popsy to help, do try Virgin's course (and their book, which is on Amazon) if you are still nervous.

Hi - just to show it's not 'uncool' to throw up in flying (sorry to be so basic), but I've flown 2 Million miles plus, over 200 transatlantic crossings, but still occasionally throw up.

Last time this happened was earlier this year, on the LAS flight, where I threw up unexpectedly on take off. This is one of the worst times, as you're not allowed toilet access

But as usual the nice Virgin staff helped me, and although I was only in premium, provided me with a clean top in the form of an upper class pyjyama top

I think the point I'm trying to make is that it's not a 'newbie' syndrome to dislike flying/ be worried / be travel sick - it happens to all sorts of people

Peter

Hi Lizz

I recall your previous ability to meet and overcome your fear.

You showed remarkable courage then and you have demonstrated the strength to overcome this once again

Think positive thoughts and of the support you have fro V Flyer and you will be fine

buns

Hi Lizz, welcome back, long time no hear.

Come on girl, you've done it once - get back in that saddle.