I fly frequently (every month) over land. But, this Saturday I'm flying to Rome for vacation and I am totally freaked out. I can't sleep. I'm
irritable. And, all I can think about is how scared I am to fly for 8 to 10 hours over the ocean! As a result, I'm risking turing my romantic wedding
anniversary (9 years) trip to Rome into a complete disaster. Even if I survive the trip there on Saturday (i.e. the plane does not plummet into the icy
Atlantic), I still have to get back to the United States a week later. My husband will surely have had ENOUGH of me by February 28th! I need some
encouragement....
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I Fly A Lot, But a Hop Over the Pond Has Me Spooked
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 UndueBurden |
I Fly A Lot, But a Hop Over the Pond Has Me Spooked |
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Posts: 68 (02/17/09 09:59:17) |
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Capt Tom Bunn MSW LCSW |
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Posts: 2507 (02/17/09 11:16:31) |
Well, sure. It is not impossible for you to worry about plummeting into the Atlantic, but isn't this kind of non-science fiction? We have been flying jets
for fifty years across the Atlantic and have no even once needed to put on into the water. Surely that are more useful things to worry about, things that
really might happen, instead of this. If you need some help with it, call me.
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flier |
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Posts: 8 (02/18/09 09:20:13) |
Hey, UndueBurden.
For some reason--some non-reason!--I share this fear. Why? As the Captain says, not once has such an event ever happened! Isn't that odd that we've invented this fear? In situations like yours, when I am concerned about two flights, I find that the only way to not torture the people around me and ruin everything while on the trip is to act "as if." Even when I do have anxiety flare-ups, I pretend that I am not. Eventually in this process the lunacy of my fear becomes somewhat apparent to me. And then I become convinced that I am brave. You're brave too! Eventually I start laughing at myself by the time I realize that if my plane suddenly does break into a million tiny pieces, well, I'll be dead! And then I won't care! So what am I so worried about? Look: we're all gonna go sometime. If we become obsessed with controlling our own death, we might as well get it over with right now. Or, you know--we should never jaywalk again! Also, don't drive anywhere! Too dangerous! The good news: your flight to Rome will reassure you regarding your flight back. The return flight is almost always easier--because the more we fly, the more we understand the experience is safe. The real story is: you're going to have an awesome trip! Just like all the MILLIONS of people who fly across the ocean every week. |
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OneAnt |
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Posts: 761 (02/21/09 14:16:24) |
My thing is heights. Don't like 'em. I face the doors in glass elevators. I'm almost always ok looking out the window when I fly. But,
occasionally, I'll get a twinge of vertigo. Recently, it was a flight from ORD-DFW. We passed over the St Louis arch and it just reaffirmed how high I was.
It made something I think is really tall--something I wouldn't really like going up in--look small.
But over the ocean, it's just water, sky, and clouds. There's something about flying over the ocean that I find truly serene and comforting. On our last trip over, as soon as the video screen showed us passing the edge of land over Newfoundland into the N. Atlantic, I remember turning to my wife and smiling. Of course, she was already asleep, so I just looked like a grinning idiot. UndueBurden- I'm excited for you, going to Rome!! Congrats on the anniversary. If you decide NOT to go, though, I'll take your seat. Won't be as romantic with two guys, but them's the breaks. 
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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. |
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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- 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. |
