I've got a vacation coming up in less than a month, and I'm dreading getting back on a plane. I mean, I'll fucking do it; I'm not some mangina or something...but damn I don't look forward to it.....

After my honeymoon this past summer, I swore it would have to be years and years and years until I flew again. Now, the clock is ticking. I only flew a few times as a child, and didn't do it again for almost 15 years or so (until my honeymoon). On that last trip, we experienced some fucking god-awful turbulence. For a few minutes, I seriously thought I was going to die. Literally, I was thinking, "Well, fuck." A flight attendant said it was the absolute worst turbulence she had experienced in 20+ years of that job....I was afraid of flying before that, but it's been a million times worse.

It isn't to the point where I'm waking up in cold sweats or some shit, but it's really getting to me at times. If anyone else here is afraid of flying, how do you deal with it? How do you calm yourself down when you're sitting in a giant metal tube cruising at 30,000 fucking feet in the air, one slip-up away from a fiery, premature, terrible death?

And if anyone is afraid of pirates or bees, that's a different conversation entirely...

Bring a walkman with some really intense dramatic Prince songs like God,NC2U and The Ladder. Also close the window shade unless ya dont mind looking at the sights. Personally I love to fly and there is very little to fear. Look out the window and try spot landmarks etc. make it fun!!!!!

I so feel you.

I say prayers, I take Lorazapam... And pray that I sleep.

This weekend I read about a plane that left New York for Los Angeles, and the turbulence was so bad it knocked the stewardesses around, and had to emergency land in Chicago..

I am never in a hurry to travel. Not by plane.

MinneapolisFunk said:

I wish I could bring some music or something...but I just can't concentrate on planes...can't even read! I feel like I need to hear & see everything that's going on, so I don't miss shit. To be honest, I'd much rather fly the damn plane myself (if I knew how)! The thought of slipping on some headphones and just "tuning out" is terrifying...which sucks ass, because that should help me....

Vicoden + Alcohol =

MinneapolisFunk said:

Make sure it's not "Live for Love"!

Good luck, my friend. I really enjoy flying, so I have no words of wisdom. What irks the hell out of me is the hassle of airports.

It's not the flying that I fear, it is the crashing. Once we get in the air, I'm fine.....

BobGeorge67 said:

Well put....

Big scaredy-cat right here...

Will be taking my 4th flight in a few months...and yes, I'm scared to death, but I try to stay relaxed by reading or listening to music

The 1st three times I was forced to fly by a 'helpful' manager who wanted to learn me about the ways of the world (well, Boston really).

This next flight will be landing in a very special place ... and hopefully I'll have a bit more fun


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[This message was edited Fri Apr 16 13:27:43 2004 by summerdawn]

sinisterpentatonic said:

That's what I'm saying! And that's what I'm doing tonight!

Not me, whenever I fly I always request a window seat so I can watch the world pass under my feet.

PhilG said:

See, that's another weird part of it....I'm usually a somewhat delusional megalomaniac; watching the world pass under my feet should feed that part of my brain! But, it just scares the piss outta me...

(It didn't help that we accidentally ended up in Biloxi, Mississippi or whatever instead of New Orleans last time...fucking Air Tran Airlines...)


My only motivations this time are:

a) The tickets were an amazingly kind gift

b) I've never been to San Francisco

c) I NEED a vacation; grad school is fucking killing me

d) I might get to meet some people I've wanted to meet for a looooong time

CarrieLee said:

I wish...I'm just too afraid to be inattentive at all....god how I wish I could just drink myself to sleep!!!

i've flown a lot and it used to scare and thrill me. still does, but i've learned to embrace the concept of death as part of life so now i just enjoy the ride


hope this helps

and one more cheery insight: the number of times i've nearly been sideswiped by IDIOTS on the freeway who simply drift into my lane without looking or signaling their intent by far surpasses the number of times i've felt endangered in planes. flying is much safer than driving because of the sheer number of incompetent fools on the road with you and their unpredictable behavior, so remember that next time you're on 35W/494/694
[This message was edited Fri Apr 16 16:08:25 2004 by XxAxX]

I am



Me too

Well, shit, if Mr. T ain't scared of no planes, then, well, shit....

I love flying. I had a fun trip through a lightning storm coming back from the Bahamas.

Get shit faced before getting on and you'll be fine.

You might find some comfort in knowing that they have developed parachutes for airplanes. I kid you not. It seems like such an incredibly obvious idea when you hear it that it makes you wonder why they didn't do it years ago.

Apparently it's only used for smaller airplanes right now, but it's been tested with extremely good results and according to an article that I read they're currently working on bigger versions for normal-sized passenger planes too. I truly believe that they'll get it to work and that it will completely revolutionize airline safety.

But in response to your question of how we deal with it I have to say that thinking about the statistics makes me calmer. It's weird, because thinking that the risk of catching hiv during unprotected sex with a random person is close to nothing doesn't help me one bit. I still get worried like hell. But to think that it's actually a lot safer to fly than to drive a car (according to statistics) makes me feel better. Don't ask me why. But maybe you can try it.

PANDURITO said:

Here at Northlandz, we even have a plane crash, but fear not, not a single person was injured when the plane tried to land at the Northlandz Airport.

XxAxX said:

This is so true. It is far more dangerous to drive your car than fly in a plane. Way more dangerous in fact. I try to remember this fact when I fly.

I fear flying too but just talk myself into it plus I have the luxury of having to look after my turdy kids which usually takes my mind off it somewhat.

I think it's the loss of control you feel in a plane that sets off the fear. As you say, if YOU could fly the plane yourself you would feel much better.

I don't deal w/ flying very well either (I have a flight in a few weeks). I comfort myself by remembering what my old boss used to say (he managed an airport) - how much safer air travel is than car travel (& I'm in my car for at least an hour almost everyday ) & how many flights take off & land safely every day of the week around the world. The ratio brings me peace of mind

Sounds morbid but I say a prayer, make peace w/ my destiny (whatever it turns out to be) & hope like everything to step off that plane...

nope...

LOVE flying!

I was scared to fly to California, but it was fine. I slept most of both flights. You will be fine!

Sweeny79 said:

I hope so!

Sweeny79 said:

How long was the flight Sweeny? And Happy Birthday!

I've been afraid of flying all my life. but I have a few times