Current Events > Who else is scared of flying?

(+) Yeah! (+)

This has been troubling me more lately than it ever used to, and I'm not entirely sure why.

Basically, I've been flying internationally ever since I was 0. I was on more flights by the age of 10 than most people will ever go in in their lifetime. I don't say that out of hubris, but I think it's part of the reason I'm becoming scared of it. I start thinking, "You're playing russian roulette now, but you're messing with the odds at this point. This will be the one that kills you. It's only safe for people who don't do it very often". I know that's irrational but that's what my brain does.

It's all fine until the turbulence hits. At that point, I seize up, clench the seat and start sweating profusely. Every big bump feels like the one that will bring down the plane, and I start visualising how horrible and inevitable that would be to die like that.

blogfaqs.


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My dad has it pretty bad - though it's not necessarily the plane crashing itself but he has claustrophobia so it's the idea he is somewhere he cannot escape for several hours - he needs to balance having enough drinks to be relaxed but not enough that they think he's drunk!

What got you flying so much, tc?

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I'm afraid of heights but i love flying. I don't understand it myself.

Only thing Im not a fan of is taking off and landing tbh.

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Guide posted...

What got you flying so much, tc?

Father was a diplomat so that was childhood, and now it's work + I like to go places

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Yeah basically the same thing.

I fly between 10-15 times per year for work or to visit family.

Basically I bring enough distractions but if the turbulence is bad it's tough to not think about it.

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theAteam posted...

Yeah basically the same thing.

I fly between 10-15 times per year for work or to visit family.

Basically I bring enough distractions but if the turbulence is bad it's tough to not think about it.

I've been reading articles lately that explain how turbulence is basically a non issue, which helps I guess

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There's really nothing to worry about. i'm sure you're all aware that it's safer to be in a plane than a car. Think about it like this. Look at all these popular athletes who have had 20 year careers and how many flights they've been on without a problem. The chances are 0.00000000000000001 that something would happen. And even if it did, it'll be over with before you even know what happened.

Used to be. Doesnt bother me anymore. The odds of a crash are low and turbulence really isnt that bad at all. Its honestly kinda relaxing to me now as long as the people next to me arent unpleasant.

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Flying since you were 0?? How, like while still in the nut?

linid0t posted...

Flying since you were 0?? How, like while still in the nut?

Given that your age is counted from when you are born, during the nine months in his mother's womb? That's... not uncommon.

greater chance of being eaten by a shark or winning the lotto than your plane going down.

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Turbulence still really gets me going for some reason even though I know the stats and everything.

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My other tactic for dealing with turbulence is to watch the flight crew. The turbulence can be terrible and the only look on their face is mild annoyance at having to serve food in these conditions.

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Maybe car crash statistics might help? Compared to cars, you're flying in the vigilant, downy wings of a seraph.

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Guide posted...

Maybe car crash statistics might help? Compared to cars, you're flying in the vigilant, downy wings of a seraph.

The lack of personal control fucks with me. There's nothing I can do but just hope the pilot has his shit together. I realise cars are more dangerous but it's nice to know that if I panic I can press a pedal and pull over myself.

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i dont like to fly because my ears feel like theyre going to explode on descents...

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Turbulence is pretty scary tbh but if you chug one of those like half pints of booze (6 shots worth) in an airport bathroom shortly before boarding you'll be fine

BuckVanHammer posted...

i dont like to fly because my ears feel like theyre going to explode on descents...

You just have to pop them my guy

linid0t posted...

You just have to pop them my guy

i have fucked sinus/ inner ears. ive tried all the tricks without luck. the last time was the worst. just pain for 10 minutes and couldnt even hear my wife speaking next to me.

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Total opposite for me. Since I dont get to travel much (odd since its the only practical way off this god-forsaken island), I think it made me appreciate the times I get to leave. Maybe its that Im happy to be away from the crude locals, but I love being on planes, and even like waiting to board lol

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I'm definitely not a fan. If I'm going somewhere and driving is an option, I'll drive. Even at the expense of added travel time.

Plus, I think road trips are cool. You get to discover those weird little hole in the wall places that you'd fly right over otherwise.

SauI_Goodman posted...

I'm afraid of heights but i love flying. I don't understand it myself.

I feel this. After my first time flying, I went to NYC and explored and kinda learned that it wasn't truly heights I was afraid of, but falling. Hence me shaking like a mess whenever a landing happen.

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I rarely fly, and I used to get really nervous whenever I did, but as a way of coping, I "take in the feel" of those around me.

so, if everyone else is calm, I feel calm, for the most part.

but yea, I still tense up from turbulence.

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One other tip is to always watch the flight crew. If they look worried or they're ordered to sit down by the captain (or they cancel in flight service entirely) then you have reason to worry as well. If they're still serving drinks and snacks, then everything is cool.

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I think my biggest fear is from reading about those few times where a plane dropped like 100 feet without warning. I know it's almost a virtual certainty it won't happen but you never know for sure.

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I get nervous occasionally. Typically I just block it out with video games or something I've downloaded from Netflix

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Travis Barker

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I've only been on a plane twice. I dont care what the statistics say, I feel no sense of security whatsoever being trapped 30k feet in the air.