10 tips for the fearful flier

4. Keep distracted. Watch the movie even if it’s bad or you have seen it already. Read a book or do a crossword puzzle. Do anything that keeps your mind occupied and not dwelling on morbid possibilities.

5. There are various classes for those who are afraid to fly. In some cases the final test is an actual airplane flight. The courses used to be quite expensive, but now with fares being at an all-time low, I am sure the classes are less expensive as well.

6. Avoid coffee or other caffeine products as an overly hyper state of mind will only exacerbate your anxiety. But drink other liquids, as dehydration only contributes to the fear process. Some people recommend a glass of wine to calm the nerves, but don’t overdo it.

7. Listen to peaceful and calming music. Your mind tends to wander and hear sounds that either don’t exist or are perfectly normal flight noises.

8. The rubber band technique. Wear a rubber band around your wrist and if you feel yourself becoming agitated, snap the rubber band against your skin. Apparently, the pain is a reality bite, and takes the mind off the turbulence.

9. Avoid gory details. When an air disaster does occur, avoid the graphic details and overplay in the news media. It is important to be informed, but too much is too much.

10. Breathe deeply as often as you can, and remember that the sick bag in front of you can be used as an anti-hyperventilating device as well.

There is a free self-help audio assistance program that can be purchased and taken onboard with you. I have not heard it myself, but quite a few passengers I know swear by its effectiveness. For more information go to www.fearofflyinghelp.com.

For obvious reasons, there are quite a few more fearful fliers in America now than there were before 9/11. I have seen and dealt with some of the major cases onboard ranging from crying, screaming, loss of bladder and bowel control, tremors, pulled muscles from tension, to broken fingers and fingernails from gripping the armrest too tightly.

The inspiration to write on this subject came while flying in extreme turbulence. A female passenger started screaming at the top of her lungs, “We’re all going to die, make it stop, make it stop.” This set off two other fearful fliers, where a man broke out in hysterical tears and another female yelled back, “No we’re not, no we’re not, somebody kill her now!”

Fear is the number one enemy.

Kind of like during a heart attack, the fear of dying only makes the situation worse. I guess the saying is true, “You have nothing to fear, but fear itself.” So accept the fear, treat it with common sense, and please, leave your parachutes at home.

If you know of others who are afraid to fly, please forward this article to them. If it helps, or if they need further information or have any comments, I would love to hear from them.

James Wysong has worked as a flight attendant with two major international carriers during the past fifteen years. He is the author of the "The Plane Truth: Shift Happens at 35,000 Feet" and "The Air Traveler's Survival Guide." For more information about James or his books, see his web site or e-mail him. Want to sound off about one of his columns? Try visiting Wysong's forum.

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