nervous traveller help

kulareggae

I have been a nervous traveller since i was small and i want to brave a plane again im looking a very short flight was thinkin uk and what should i expect has been 10 yrs since i flew

BuffyBot

Expect in what way? The more info you give, the better answers folks can provide you

coylemj

OP, I think I know what you're asking but I'd say do not go for a really short flight like Manchester or Liverpool because the majority of the flight will be climbing and descending when there is an increased chance of a few bumps as you pass through different layers of the atmosphere - I won't mention the 'T' word.

Do a flight to London or Edinburgh and buy a pair of travel ear plugs, they will slow down the process of pressure equalization in your ears and you won't need to worry about that uncomfortable aspect of flight which I find can cause a little bit of stress when taking off and landing. For a short cross-channel flight you can leave the ear plugs in for the whole flight.

Doing a flight that lasts at least 45 minutes means that you will have a period of stable level flight in the middle when you can try to relax and get used to the experience. Drink a glass of water, look out the window and enjoy the flight!

stevek93

Spotted this on the home page thought you were part of the travelling community :P

coylemj

stevek93 wrote: »

Spotted this on the home page thought you were part of the travelling community :P

I have travelled all over the world but would consider myself a slightly nervous flyer.

mickgotsick

I'm a nervous flyer. I used to get panic attacks in lots of places but because I don't fly that often, I guess that's why I still get a bit panicky when flying.

Anyhow, I find going through the airport a bit stressful, going through the security checks etc. so I usually give myself plenty of time to get through and relax before boarding, maybe even have a drink or two. The earplug thing sounds like good advice and I think I'll try that myself.

ProudDUB

mickgotsick wrote: »

I'm a nervous flyer.

Anyhow, I find going through the airport a bit stressful, going through the security checks etc. so I usually give myself plenty of time to get through and relax before boarding, maybe even have a drink or two. The earplug thing sounds like good advice and I think I'll try that myself.

I don't think that advising a nervous traveler to hit the bar before flying is a wise thing to do. I am all for having a calming drink to steady the nerves in stressful situations, but only when you are planning on staying on solid ground. Alcohol hits your system much quicker at altitude. When you are strapped into your seat, you may not realise the effect that it has on your body until you go to stand up. The last thing the OP needs to be doing is navigating the airport at his final destination pissed.

coylemj

ProudDUB wrote: »

I don't think that advising a nervous traveler to hit the bar before flying is a wise thing to do. I am all for having a calming drink to steady the nerves in stressful situations, but only when you are planning on staying on solid ground. Alcohol hits your system much quicker at altitude. When you are strapped into your seat, you may not realise the effect that it has on your body until you go to stand up. The last thing the OP needs to be doing is navigating the airport at his final destination pissed.

In fairness the advice was to have 'a drink or two' but I agree that you should not tank up beforehand to conquer a fear of flying because there have been lots of cases where the drunk nervous flyer flipped when on board and it can lead to some nasty situations with serious repercussions, including a welcoming committee of the local constabulary at the other end.

I normally don't drink on short flights but on a flight longer than two hours I typically would have a couple of drinks when the plane has levelled off and the flight crew switch off the seat belt sign. While the seat belt sign is lit I just sit there keeping an eye on it, I find it very reassuring when it's switched off though I always keep the seat belt buckled for the entire flight.

kulareggae

thanks for advice guys but i dont drink lol doc gave me tabs tho x

mickgotsick

ProudDUB wrote: »

I don't think that advising a nervous traveler to hit the bar before flying is a wise thing to do. I am all for having a calming drink to steady the nerves in stressful situations, but only when you are planning on staying on solid ground. Alcohol hits your system much quicker at altitude. When you are strapped into your seat, you may not realise the effect that it has on your body until you go to stand up. The last thing the OP needs to be doing is navigating the airport at his final destination pissed.

In fairness, I said maybe and as coylemj pointed out, I said a drink or two. I have been prescribed Xanax (low dosage) before for flying and while looking for an alternative that didn't require a prescription, alcohol was recommended as it hits the same receptors. I tried it and it had a similar effect. As with any drug, you have to be aware of the dosage.

halcyon4

my girlfriend is extremely afraid of flying, but is gradually getting better at it. Even when driving up to the airport her legs would be shaking just seeing the airplanes. She would then cry on the plane and start panicking. She tried valium for a few flights, and this worked quite well. After a few flights on valium, she found it easier to fly without valium and it seems the more flights she takes the better she gets at it. Maybe talk to your doctor and ask him what he suggests. it also helps if a friend or partner travels with you and sits beside you, to calm you down a little. Also if you are taking valium/xanex etc.., your friend can look after your things(money, carry on bag etc..) and make sure you dont forget them on the plane.