matt770 Posted March 8, 2010 Share Posted March 8, 2010 My wife has to fly this week and is deathly afraid. Whenever I fly with her she digs her nails into my arms during takeoff and landing and I try to comfort her, but when she flies alone it's worse. If there is any turbulence she starts to tremble and sweat. Once we spent a weekend in Milwaukee and as we took off over Lake Michigan the plane hit turbulence and the captain banked the plane hard to the left while we were still ascending, and the sensation was pretty rough even for me -- for April it was one of the most terrifying experiences of her life. I thought she was going to start screaming. She's tried cocktails on the plane, even Ativan and Valium a couple times but says they don't help, and anyway she'll have to drive a rental car when she arrives. I've suggested breathing exercises and positive thoughts but she says that's all new-age crap. I tell her flying is the safest mode of transport there is, but logic doesn't help with phobias. Anyone have this issue or know of any effective remedies? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delicious_bass Posted March 8, 2010 Share Posted March 8, 2010 My wife has to fly this week and is deathly afraid. Whenever I fly with her she digs her nails into my arms during takeoff and landing and I try to comfort her, but when she flies alone it's worse. If there is any turbulence she starts to tremble and sweat. Once we spent a weekend in Milwaukee and as we took off over Lake Michigan the plane hit turbulence and the captain banked the plane hard to the left while we were still ascending, and the sensation was pretty rough even for me -- for April it was one of the most terrifying experiences of her life. I thought she was going to start screaming. She's tried cocktails on the plane, even Ativan and Valium a couple times but says they don't help, and anyway she'll have to drive a rental car when she arrives. I've suggested breathing exercises and positive thoughts but she says that's all new-age crap. I tell her flying is the safest mode of transport there is, but logic doesn't help with phobias. Anyone have this issue or know of any effective remedies? Maybe some favoite and/or soothing music on the iPod? Unfortunately, I dont think there is any silver-bullet remedy. I have a buddy who is terribly uncomfortable flying. When we all went out to Vegas for a bachelor party, he looked like he was going to die. He's tried just about everything and ends up just having to deal with it as best he can Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perchoutofwater Posted March 8, 2010 Share Posted March 8, 2010 Keg definitely has a fear of flying, and a fear of other people flying too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmarc117 Posted March 8, 2010 Share Posted March 8, 2010 i feel your wife's pain. i too hate flying. my current remedy is drinking before the flight, but that is getting old. really dont enjoy being drunk or hungover the rest of the day. the fear is so great that i would probably need to be asleep or passed out to have a good flight. i have to put up a tough image for my son so he doesnt get the fear. we have to get to the airport hours beforehand so i can cocktail. when making tix, i need to look at the type of plane. seat location, etc. i know the statistics are on my side, but planes are made and flown by humans. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jackass Posted March 8, 2010 Share Posted March 8, 2010 see a doctor. i believe there's medication she can take. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matt770 Posted March 8, 2010 Author Share Posted March 8, 2010 Funny story, we were at April's niece's basketball game and struck up a conversation with a dad who is an airline pilot. April mentioned her fear of flying and the pilot immediately leaned forward, started to explain why aviation is so safe, all the safety checks, etc. He asked what she's so afraid of, and she said, "I just don't understand how the plane stays up in the air. I feel like I shouldn't be up there. I'm afraid it's going to fall out of the sky." The look on his face was priceless. He realized there wasn't much he could say at that point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmarc117 Posted March 8, 2010 Share Posted March 8, 2010 Funny story, we were at April's niece's basketball game and struck up a conversation with a dad who is an airline pilot. April mentioned her fear of flying and the pilot immediately leaned forward, started to explain why aviation is so safe, all the safety checks, etc. He asked what she's so afraid of, and she said, "I just don't understand how the plane stays up in the air. I feel like I shouldn't be up there. I'm afraid it's going to fall out of the sky." The look on his face was priceless. He realized there wasn't much he could say at that point. too funny, same thing happened to me at a buddy's wedding. his bro-n-law is a pilot for alaska air. said its so safe up there, especially when cruising and the autopilot is on. said so much automation and duplication of safety systems. i was still like, f that!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ursa Majoris Posted March 8, 2010 Share Posted March 8, 2010 This looks like it might help, especially as it branches off to other resources Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Missoula Griz Posted March 8, 2010 Share Posted March 8, 2010 My parents died in a plane crash in 1975. I was 10 years old at the time. I have been scared to fly since. I actually turned jobs down when I got out of college because of the airline travel associated with them. I did fly last March to Maui with my family. I was prescribed Xanex. I ate them sombeetches like tic tacks. They did help some. I mixed a few cocktails as well. I dont think I will ever not fear flying. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmarc117 Posted March 8, 2010 Share Posted March 8, 2010 My parents died in a plane crash in 1975. I was 10 years old at the time. I have been scared to fly since. I actually turned jobs down when I got out of college because of the airline travel associated with them. I did fly last March to Maui with my family. I was prescribed Xanex. I ate them sombeetches like tic tacks. They did help some. I mixed a few cocktails as well. I dont think I will ever not fear flying. i think thats the real thing here. those of us that are afraid will never not be afraid. there will always be that doubt. and we can only try to cloud our minds with drugs or booze. good times. the xanex, do they wear off or are u toast for the rest of the day? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jetsfan Posted March 8, 2010 Share Posted March 8, 2010 I have no fear of flying, but for longer flights I take Tylenol PM and it knocks me right out. Sleeping through the flight would seem to be her best ticket. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cunning Runt Posted March 8, 2010 Share Posted March 8, 2010 Maybe some favoite and/or soothing music on the iPod? Unfortunately, I dont think there is any silver-bullet remedy. I have a buddy who is terribly uncomfortable flying. When we all went out to Vegas for a bachelor party, he looked like he was going to die. He's tried just about everything and ends up just having to deal with it as best he can 'cept you're not allowed to listen to it during takeoffs/landing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Missoula Griz Posted March 8, 2010 Share Posted March 8, 2010 ithe xanex, do they wear off or are u toast for the rest of the day? They wore off. Thats why I was eating so many. I took like 3X what was prescribed and had several beers. On our flight back from Maui, we changed planes in San Fran at 4am. My wife said I was acting a little goofy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cunning Runt Posted March 8, 2010 Share Posted March 8, 2010 I have no fear of flying, but for longer flights I take Tylenol PM and it knocks me right out. Sleeping through the flight would seem to be her best ticket. Wurd. I take 2 Unisom when I have a longer flight and they knock me out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yo mama Posted March 8, 2010 Share Posted March 8, 2010 My wife has to fly this week and is deathly afraid. Whenever I fly with her she digs her nails into my arms during takeoff and landing and I try to comfort her, but when she flies alone it's worse. If there is any turbulence she starts to tremble and sweat. Once we spent a weekend in Milwaukee and as we took off over Lake Michigan the plane hit turbulence and the captain banked the plane hard to the left while we were still ascending, and the sensation was pretty rough even for me -- for April it was one of the most terrifying experiences of her life. I thought she was going to start screaming. She's tried cocktails on the plane, even Ativan and Valium a couple times but says they don't help, and anyway she'll have to drive a rental car when she arrives. I've suggested breathing exercises and positive thoughts but she says that's all new-age crap. I tell her flying is the safest mode of transport there is, but logic doesn't help with phobias. Anyone have this issue or know of any effective remedies? The Mile High Club has a cure for what ails your wife. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big John Posted March 8, 2010 Share Posted March 8, 2010 The Mile High Club has a cure for what ails your wife. As in vitamins. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big John Posted March 8, 2010 Share Posted March 8, 2010 My parents died in a plane crash in 1975. I was 10 years old at the time. I have been scared to fly since. I actually turned jobs down when I got out of college because of the airline travel associated with them. I did fly last March to Maui with my family. I was prescribed Xanex. I ate them sombeetches like tic tacks. They did help some. I mixed a few cocktails as well. I dont think I will ever not fear flying. Detailed here Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yo mama Posted March 8, 2010 Share Posted March 8, 2010 As in vitamins. Not really what I was referring to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Savage Beatings Posted March 8, 2010 Share Posted March 8, 2010 You might try to find a reputable local hypnotist... might be worth a shot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big John Posted March 8, 2010 Share Posted March 8, 2010 Not really what I was referring to. Why the vitamins would help Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yo mama Posted March 8, 2010 Share Posted March 8, 2010 Why the vitamins would help That might distract just her for the duration of the flight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big F'n Dave Posted March 9, 2010 Share Posted March 9, 2010 Not a fan of flying myself. Xanax and a couple cocktails work wonders. Get her a scrip and have her take a taxi from the airport. When she sobers up, she can take a cab to pick up her rental car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matt770 Posted March 9, 2010 Author Share Posted March 9, 2010 Not a fan of flying myself. Xanax and a couple cocktails work wonders. Get her a scrip and have her take a taxi from the airport. When she sobers up, she can take a cab to pick up her rental car. We're getting her some Xanax, hopefully it takes some of the edge off. Her flight is tomorrow. Two days of porn, pizza, and Grand Theft Auto baby!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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