I have not flown for nine years and have an extreme fear of falling. To me a roller coaster is more like a torture device. When people describe their flight
as "like a roller coaster" I think that I can't get in an airplane. Is the fear of falling instinctual or a learned fear? If it is instinctual
is it possible to counteract an extreme fear? I have booked a flight for mid-September and am having anticipatory anxiety. I know from the SOAR program that
this is normal but I wonder at this point if I will be able to get on that plane.
 |
 |
0 Kudos
Fear of Falling
| Author | Comment | ||
|---|---|---|---|
 SarahRose |
Fear of Falling |
Lead | |
|
Posts: 1 (08/11/09 09:52:41) |
|
||
|
Capt Tom Bunn MSW LCSW |
|||
|
Posts: 2669 (08/11/09 15:11:24) |
I've never thought of airline flying as like a roller coaster ride in any way. I don't know why anyone would suggest at similarity. As to acceleration,
it is no greater than in a car. And as to the up-down feeling, less than in many elevators.
|
||
|
Capn Steve |
|||
|
Posts: 617 (08/11/09 17:34:33) |
Hi Sarah --
Like Capt. Tom, I was an airline pilot for many years. And I've never thought of flying as being like a roller coaster, either. I've never had an airplane flight that even remotely resembled a roller coaster. (Anyone who describes their airline flight that way has a very active -- overactive, really -- imagination.) In fact, truth be told, I don't like roller coasters myself. It's been years since I've ridden one. (One thing that surprised me, a number of years ago. I flew with a First Officer who had been a military fighter pilot. That is, he'd been very familiar with abrupt high-g maneuvers, aerobatics, unusual attitudes, the whole works. And -- he said that he didn't like roller coasters, or any other amusement park rides, either.) Fear of falling is also another entirely different matter. A lot of pilots that I know (including myself) don't even like to get onto a 12-foot ladder. In fact, I farmed out roof maintenance on my house (leaf, twig, and snow removal, for example) quite a few years ago. I've read too many stories about guys falling off their roofs and ending up with substantial injuries -- or worse. But -- being on a ladder, or other ground-based device, and flying in an airplane are very different things. The sensations don't even begin to resemble each other. Being 100 feet high in a Ferris wheel, it seems like one is unspeakably -- and frighteningly -- high, especially if the wheel has stopped. On the other hand, being 100 feet high when landing an arplane, just about to cross the runway threshold (normally done at 50 feet) seems like you're just about to touch the earth. (Which, in fact, you are.) If you're going to fly next month, there is plenty of time to work on this. Cheers. Cap'n Steve |
||
|
SarahRose |
|||
|
Posts: 2 (08/12/09 10:02:54) |
Thank you for your encouragement. It is good to get the perspective of experienced pilots.
SarahRose |
||
|
Stefan |
|||
|
Posts: 35 (08/13/09 18:31:05) |
I'm a recovering FF and SOAR "graduate".
There is good news out there, Sarah: 1. You will be able to get on that plane and take flight mid September, even in comfort, provided you take action now. I suggest you to contact Capt. Tom to review your personal situation. You have time to prepare. You do nothing, probably your anxiety will snowball out of control by mid September. I've been there... 2. Some SOAR "teachings" spilled over to other aspects in my life. It can correlate to bridges, tunnels, elevators, MRI-scans,... I became more aware and learned to stay in reality. As a consequence I really observed physical motion when driving a car, riding a train/subway, biking and taking flight. Guess what... nothing more smooth than a commercial airline flight! Although subjective scaling, no doubt about the results! So, forget about those people discribing taking flight as a "roller-coaster ride". 3. Living close to an airport since 5 years, I never saw any roller-coasting in the air... |
||
|
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- 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. |
