Dear everyone,

I'm taking a trip soon and flying. I love to travel, be in new places, but it's embarrassing panicing on the plane and crying. If I am tired, I sob during the whole take off. I don't like the noise of the plane. At any new noise my heart starts to race. In my mind, I think I have a good chance of dying. I get on the plane in a fog, and I know where the emergency exits are, have gone through how to evacuate the plane safety in my mind, then the safety video is played.. and it is the last thing I need. Isn't it possible that they could send this information ahead of time for those who don't plan for disaster. It really upsets me that they will point out emergency exits but really!! there is no information on how to open the energency exits. I have taken the time to read the doors. There is no information on a plan, like everyone is the stay calm and follow each other and help each other in a certain, non-choatic way. Yes, we know where the doors are, but if people do not have a plan to work together less people will make it off the plane. The dumbness of this upsets me, and I think how can I trust these people to fly the plane. And, the pilot, he or she is seen after the flight, but where are they during boarding. Couldn't they come out, show the passengers whose driving in person, say that they have safely flown 1,001 flights on this same route; or, are they half asleep locked in the front. Doesn't it seem like trust should be earned. Why doesn't the airline give a profile of the pilots with information on boarding? If someone was driving the car, I'd want to see and know a bit about them first.
I want to have a good flight, and to never think or fear, dread air flights again. I want to have fun traveling. Help? Does anyone have ideas of how to relax?
thanks,
Kris

Hi Kris:

I can relate to this. On the plane ride down to my father's funeral, which was in the California Bay Area (and I'm in Oregon), I started to cry. It was mostly because of my father's death, in fact, it was all because of my father's death and that I was afraid of facing it. But my heightened sensitivity made the plane ride almost unbearable - and this was only an hour and a half plane ride! Every little tiny bump felt like the plane was going to crash, every little noise I heard felt like the plane was about to fall apart. As I look back I can see that it is true what Lucinda says, that the real fear is not being in control. I had just lost my father, I wasn't in control of that or anything to do with his funeral arrangements (and things had gotten really ugly with my family), and I wasn't in control of the flight or the plane, so I used the worry about the plane crashing as a way to distract myself from my feelings of powerlessness.

Yeah, plane rides can be difficult, especially if our defenses are already down. May I suggest that you make sure you get enough sleep before you go on the flight, remind yourself that flying is one of the safest modes of transportation, and that the chances that your flight will have trouble is almost nill. Also, the Center has a tape called "Achieving Comfortable Flight." Maybe you could think about getting this tape.

Sincerely,

Aesculapius (Andrew)


[This message has been edited by Aesculapius (edited 06-24-2001).]

Hi Aesculapius (Andrew!),

Thank you for replying. What does Aesculapius mean? You have chosen an interesting name.

I'm wish I could have been on the flight from Oregon to California with you, we could have cried together! I'm sorry you had to take a flight and go to your father's funeral.
I think it's mostly to unfamilar noise does start me crying. My imagination is too great.
Sobbing like it's going to crash, at least, when it lands; it is as if you've cried enough to let all the emotions out for the day. Sometimes, I wish I could cry and can't. Flying could be seen as good to be able to cry.
Sleep is a good idea, thanks. I might get the help tapes on flying too. I want to see and travel to many places. I guess excepting that if I am feeling sensitive, it won't be the greatest experience, and that is how it will be, is good, I can try to prepare for that.
Last time, I didn't have tissues. I think tissues would be good to pack. Maybe, other panic supplies.
Take care,
Kris