Nervous flyer

H

heeha

New Member
I am fascinated by aviation and planes, but I just hate flying on long flights. I can handle about two hours or less on a plane.

In about two weeks I am going on a trip overseas and I have a 15 hr plane ride from Toronto to Hong Kong.

What should I do in order to prevent myself from freaking out on that flight?
 
Read, watch movies, listen to music, anything to keep your mind distracted. It's no different then any other form of transportation. Your not going on a space shuttle for 12 hours. Think about it that way. I would sure be nervous going on a space shuttle then an airplane. Aviation has come a long way from since the early days. So sit back relax, and enjoy the flight. :beer:
 
What's makes you so much more apprehensive about a 15 hour flight as opposed to a two hour flight? If anything I'd think you'd get acclimated after a while. Just try to relax and keep your mind occupied.
 
JordanD said:
What's makes you so much more apprehensive about a 15 hour flight as opposed to a two hour flight? If anything I'd think you'd get acclimated after a while. Just try to relax and keep your mind occupied.
Click to expand...

Deep Vein Thrombosis is what I'm scared of... But yeah, take a good book and read.
 
I'm curious as to why you're taking such a long flight if you're nervous about it?
Some FAs take Excedrin PM or Nyquil to help them sleep while deadheading on commercial flights. I'm as bored and antsy as anyone on a flight I'm not working, but haven't resorted to that yet. I just had my longest commercial flight ever (KWI-JFK) which was a little over 12 hours the other day. It wasn't that bad, believe it or not.
 
I want to go to China, but most of the flights from North America to China, with the exception of maybe Alaska, are at least 12-13 hours.

Does anyone know if airlines have wireless internet during flights?
 
Some good ideas so far. I'd bring a laptop with my favorite movies/TV shows, a book, maybe some sleeping pills.

Oh... and DRINK.
 
Actually, drinking is the last thing you should do, especially if you're a nervous flyer. Not only does the lower atmospheric pressure intensify the effects of alcohol, but combined with whatever OTC relaxant the person took usually causes that person to end up involved in some sort of unruly passenger situation.

Every unruly or air rage episode I've had to deal with, (four to be exact,) had alcohol play a role in it.

I'll let Dr Forred talk to the negative health consequences of alcohol and altitude.
 
Cptnchia said:
Actually, drinking is the last thing you should do, especially if you're a nervous flyer. Not only does the lower atmospheric pressure intensify the effects of alcohol, but combined with whatever OTC relaxant the person took usually causes that person to end up involved in some sort of unruly passenger situation.

Every unruly or air rage episode I've had to deal with, (four to be exact,) had alcohol play a role in it.

I'll let Dr Forred talk to the negative health consequences of alcohol and altitude.
Click to expand...


Agreed! I don't think I've ever seen a "happy drunk" airplane passenger. It always seems to turn them horribly nasty and obnoxious.
 
Adding to the not drinking - the dehydration sets in faster. Makes the headache worse.
 
Start on aspirin, 1 pill a day about a week before the flight. That will help with DVT. Order the Kosher meals before the flight, they are usually better and fresher than the mass produced coach slop. Just drink water on the flight, alcohol will increase the headache from dehydration and the sodium in the sodas will swell you up. Get up and walk every 2 hours, try to keep feet elevated while sitting. Try to sleep at the same time you will be sleeping at your destination, this will help with jetlag. Talk to the chick sitting next to you.
 
Truthfully, if a passenger expresses to me they are nervous, i'll say to them "you're in luck! because i'm the most selfish pilot you will ever meet, and as long as I keep myself safe, you, being at most a couple feet behind me, will also remain safe". That usually gets a chuckle out of them, and calms the nerves.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top