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Flying out tomorrow..just a tinge of anxiety

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terrymill826	Flying out tomorrow..just a tinge of anxiety	Lead	[-]
Posts: 79 (08/02/08 18:27:42) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Tags : None Hi everyone, I am flying out tomorrow with my family. I posted just now on the tracking board with flight information. Surprisingly I am rather calm tonight which has not been my M.O for many many years. Usually the night before a flight is when the bad movies start churning in my head and all kinds of negative panic thoughts start making me shake. Not so this time. Ironically, I think a lot of of it had to do with (believe it or not) the death of Tim Russert. Here was a guy who lived life to the fullest....when reflecting on him a politician said "a day without enthusiasm is a sadly missed opportunity." Because I can never relax on a flight I have never recorded my fun on camera, never take pictures of my family excitedly boarding the plane etc....and I think I am missing an opportunity to capture some really cherished family memories because of my fears! So I have the camcorder out and I plan on conquering this thing by actually :::gasp:::: videotaping and taking photos of us going to the airport, getting on the plane, when we arrive, and the overall good time we will have as a family. I am working hard on trying to remain positive and anxiety-free tonight. It is definitely a challenge. Any helpful thoughts are definitely welcome to me at this time.
MeghansNerves		#1	[-]
Posts: 137 (08/02/08 18:36:14) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Hi Terrymill826, You are doing everything right. I just flew round trip, and while the nerves did spike a little at the airport, I felt pretty OK the nights before. I think staying distracted and getting excited helps, so whatever you can do to nurture that, do it. I also think documenting the trip is a great idea. I took photos during both of my flights, and it helped me both appreciate the beauty of flying as well as remember the trip. (I also took lots of photos in Boston, where I was.) And I totally get little moments like Tim Russert's death helping. Sometimes just little things like that help, and even help permanently! My mom used to be terrified of flying until a priest she was close with died. To this day she will say that she hasn't been scared since Fr. Palmer died. Although that's different than the Russert situation, sometimes I just think there's this awakening that can happen. Maybe it's happening for you! If nothing else, tell yourself that "just a tinge of anxiety" is better than it used to be for you. You will get through this just fine, and you will have a wonderful trip with your family. I haven't peeked over at your flight info yet, but I will track you if I can! Stay positive and have fun! Meghan

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Note from Capt. Tom

I know everyone worries about weather, but pilots really do not worry about it. We simply - instead of worrying about it - completely prepare for it. Before going to the plane, we review the weather at the destination. If it is not 100% sure to be within legal limits when we arrive at the destination, we must specify an alternate airport in our planning documents, and load on plenty of fuel for going to the destination airport, and then if need be, diverting to the alternate airport.

The legal limits are conservative. Even when weather is slightly outside the legal limits, any airline pilot could still land safely. You can rely on the captain never to land when the weather is not legal, and legality limits are reached prior to safety limits.

If you are still anxious, call me and we can talk it over. I'm at 877 332-7359 from 10 AM until 7 PM Eastern time.

For effective help, even if you are flying in a day or two, sign up now at www.fearofflying.com/fasttrack and call me when you finish Clip 9 so I can make sure you are all set.

Using Weather Information

If you enter your ZIP Code or City at the top of the weather presentation, it will give you weather for your area. Or, you can enter your destination ZIP Code or City.

Click on the "LOCAL RADAR" button to see whether or not there are thunder-
storms. Keep in mind, however, that we can either fly above the storms when cruising or fly through gaps between storms. During landing, we cannot fly above them, but fly through gaps, or through the area of the storms where the turbulence is least.

Turbulence, though it may cause anxiety, does not mean anything is wrong. Turbulence does not mean danger. The plane can handle far more turbulence than Mother Nature can dish out.

Though flying in turbulence is safe, it doesn't feel safe. And here is where the SOAR programs come in. We can help you feel as safe when you fly as you actually are.

You can see these programs at www.fearofflying.com/store.

For questions on aviation or the psychology of aerophobia, click here to e-mail Capt. Tom Bunn, MSW, LCSW.

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