Fear of flying?

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Anyone else afraid of flying like I am?

I'm taking a trip soon and it's been freaking me out just thinking about it. I was on a plane for the first time in like 10 years earlier this year when I went down to Florida and wasn't an enjoyable experience. I didn't really remember how it was like and didn't remember having any problems when I younger. I think that might of worked in my favor a bit not knowing what I was getting into because the trip back was tough.

There was some turbulence which I've been told "wasn't that bad" that put me into a near panic attack. After the first flight(the longer of the two) I just spent an extra $25 and caught a bus in Chicago back home rather than the short 20 or so minute flight. Luckily this time it's nonstop so I don't have to deal with taking off, landing, making my way through the airport x2.

You guys have advice? I think I'm heading to the self-medicating option which normally I would be really against but I don't want to nearly tear up like baby on the plane again. Last time I flew it was United which has little televisions and that helped a bit to take my mind of it. This time it's AirTran which I'm assuming does not have that option so I'm going to have to find something to make the time fly.

I don't know if this is good or bad advice, but the last time (3 years ago) that I needed to go on a plane, I made an appt with my family Dr. first, and told him I thought I needed some ativan for the flight. The idea of a panic attack on a plane makes me feel ill, so I opted for the medicinal route. Maybe next time, I'll be able to go it without. Good luck!

My advice as a pilot myself is to just remember that turbulence, no matter how bad it is, is just rough air much like a dirt or gravel road is a rough and bumpy surface to drive on, it really won't do anything more than wake you up from your sleep. Turbulence has no inherrent danger in of itself.
I think that the best cure for any fear of flying, better than any drug is to just do a bit of research on the science of flight and learn how and why an airplane behaves as it does.

Wow Sira, that made me feel a bit better.
I've never been on a plane before but in December I may be going to America for Christmas, so I'm a bit nervous about it.

Afraid of flying? Au contraire, I LOVE flying! Just this last spring before we moved to Wyoming, I got to fly by myself on an airliner for the first time. My mom checked me out of school early so we could catch the flight, and after double checking my luggage she left me before the security line... getting though TSA checkpoint is the only thing I really don't care for, mainly because of my mistrust of the government. However, once I'm on at the gate/on the plane I love just staring out the window at the surrounding tarmac. I'll usually watch out the window during takeoff and ascent, then depending on the view and the cloud formations I either keep watching the window or play my handheld game or read a book. Then when we start the approach it's back to staring out the window

I never really get scared during a flight. Even if we're flying through heavy turbulence to me its like being on a roller coaster: scary, but fun.

for shure. jacoby

You'll never get me on an airbus. I couldn't think of a worst way to die.

Now, a single-seat fighter with a lovely eject lever between your legs, and I'll fly it.

It really would be the worst way to die. I've thought quite a bit about it. I know how safe flying is and the chances of anything happening are extremely slim. I guess that's why it's an irrational fear. On the other hand though, you know every plane that has ever went down people were reassuring themselves with very notion and worse yet there was somebody thinking it was going to crash over and over again the the whole time. I can't even imagine the horror for the few seconds or whatever they had left. You're just completely helpless, no control at all.

Maybe I'm starting to over think it.

I loathe flying. I have only been on very short flights. The last time made me feel very ill and anxious, and it's because I think a plane crash would be a terrifying way to go. I am also scared of planes when they fly overhead because I worry about them crashing down on me. It would take a great deal to get me on one again. Anything more than an hour's flight and I would see my doctor first.

Terrified! Ironically, we flew to Hawaii back in 2000 and I was perfectly fine, but then we flew again in 2004 and I was absolutely terrified. So now I refuse to go on an airplane. Take-off is the worst.

in ONE trip i was on a plane that:

1. had to circle for 2 hours dumping fuel to avoid explosion by landing w no landing gear. luckily they got the gear out.

2. had to be evacuated due to a possible bomb threat

still fine w flying

I've never had a fear of flying, though I used to be afraid of being in small boats because of fear that they might sink. I think learning to swim properly might have helped me some there.

Statistically, flying is extremely safe. Modern passenger jets go through numerous safety checks, and there are numerous safety systems. Now if you want to do something dangerous, consider taking up driving

I've given though to learning to fly myself. I went flying with someone I work with at the university who owns a small four-seater propeller aircraft. I got a chance to actually fly the plane and it was quite relaxing.

Alternatively, just fly Qantas, except that they don't fly to LA out of Cincinnati

I don't have a problem with flying per se. I used to take flying lessons when I was in the air cadets, back in my secondary school days.
What I have a problem with is commercial flights, because they make me incredibly claustrophobic. But I tend to grit my teeth, and try to avoid having an aisle seat so I'm not continually having to either stand up to let people in/out or getting whacked in the shoulder by trolleys.

Nah, I love flying. Getting through the airport can be kind of stressful at times but the actual flight is great

Turbulence rules! Seriously, though, I think it's great fun. I was in some decent turbulence once and my mom and sister were having panic attacks and I was like "Yeah!! ! This is awesome!!"