I am due to fly on Saturday with my husband and son. All of the anxieties & nerves are kicking in. It is very frustrating to me, as I want nothing more than to be able to get on an airplane and enjoy it. My husband is a pilot (he flies the Lear 31, 35 & 45), I have worked previously for an air ambulance (as a dispatcher). So, it is not the lack of understanding aviation. I always meet the pilots, I have toured a control tower, it does help to listen to the radio when flying United. But, despite all of this ... I still am a nervous wreck. It definitely has gotten worse since the birth of my son. There is such a feeling of responsibility. I feel like if something were to happen it is all my fault. I do not want him to see me like this, nor do I want for him to grow up with such a fear. I have read many books and tried all of the self-soothing techniques ... nothing seems to help. So, for the very first time I asked the dr for something to help me. He prescribed me Xanax. So, I will see if this helps at all. However, I would like to be able to conquer the fear than take med's when I fly. I have already been checking the weather for Saturday at both our dep & arrival airports. There is a 60% chance of t-storms from the dep airport, clear at arr airport. I have checked the "safety" records of all the regionals that we'll be flying on. Not sure if that helped or hindered. I do feel as if my "fear" of flying is not a just a "fear" ... I feel as if it may be linked to PTSD. I do not like non-stop flights, I actually like a couple shorter legs so that I can get off the airplane & catch my breath. I prefer the regional jets over the big ones (esp MD80 - my least fav). Well, I know that is a lot to take in .... but anyone have any suggestions? I want to enjoy this ... Especially, since my husband is looking at joining a flying club so that we would have access to fly ourselves on some trips. Which in theory certainly is more appealing than spending 10- 12 hours in a car with a one & a half year old. Thank you in advance for all comments.
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Anxiety kicking in
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 resquemom |
Anxiety kicking in |
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Posts: 1 (08/13/08 12:03:58) |
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Capt Tom Bunn MSW LCSW |
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Posts: 2343 (08/13/08 17:43:46) |
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PaulDub |
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Posts: 3 (08/15/08 09:41:25) |
Have you taken the SOAR course?
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resquemom |
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Posts: 2 (08/15/08 11:41:49) |
No, I haven't taken the course as of yet. I did join in on the phone Wednesday evening & heard from some that have taken the course. It sounds like it
is very promising. I hope that I can do the course and it will help me in my future flights. However, I am suppose to fly out tomorrow morning and am a nervous
wreck.
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PaulDub |
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Posts: 4 (08/15/08 12:29:03) |
Try calling Capt. Tom. anyway. He does counseling sessions that might help.
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Quick Reply
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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. |
