A Milestone (OK, it would have to be a floating milestone, up at 35,000 feet, but you know what I mean...)
I've just flown from Birmingham to Krakow and back, on my own, my first flights alone in a few years. I was feeling anxious about the flight out, but I did prepare myself (reading the book, listening the the CDs). Even though it is not a long flight (2 hours 30 min) I was anxious, particularly about how I would feel during take off, and about there being no-one there I knew to 'hold my hand'.
I would say this trip has been a significant milestone for me, because
1) I realised when on the plane that, in fact, i just did not feel as frightened as I used to. I found myself curling up with a book when we were in the cruise, not feeling unsafe at all. I used to sit there throughout the flight with my nerves on edge, flinching at every sound and movement. I now frequently find myself feeling as relaxed as on a train. The worst stress by far came at the airport in Birmingham, waiting around and being full of unpleasant anticipation.
2) The take off was my worst fear. However, knowing why the engines changed sound, knowing why the plane might appear to level or sink at different times, meant I had something positive and reassuring to think about, and that when my mind threw questions at me as we were taking off: 'Why's it doing that?? What's that noise?' I actually had answers for it. And you know what? Flying really wasn't that bad at all. OK, I bit my nails to shreds as we took off, but given I was afraid I was going to start crying or screaming... bitten nails are no big deal.
3) Having a good funny book helped. I took the new Terry Pratchett.
4) On the way back (sort of over the wide bit of the channel near East Anglia - very interesting view, with a wind farm and sand banks and lots of ships) the stewardess spoke those dreaded words 'We are now approaching an area of turbulence, please fasten your seatbelts'. My internal reaction: 'Oh, *censored*' . Yes, the plane went up and down quite sharply and unpleasantly - but you know what, it wasn't that bad, and it didn't last that long, and saying 'Turbulence is uncomfortable but not dangerous' over and over to yourself really does help.
5) I realised that in fact, having someone to fly with didn't make any difference at all to how confident I felt. In previous flights, when my boyfriend was sitting next to me, it didn't stop me feeling scared. In fact, flying alone was possibly easier for me, because I did not look at a friend's reactions and try to analyse them, to see if they were frightened and if I should be too, but just looked at what I myself was feeling.
6) When I got off the plane in Krakow I was brimming with confidence. I thought I'd never be as afraid of flying again. However, when we took off from Krakow, I was actually more nervous than I thought I'd be. But it was fine. Even the turbulence. So I guess things just take time to improve.
I really think this trip has been a huge milestone for me. Before I left I had no idea how I'd cope, flying alone. Now I know I can cope, and I can relax. For me, this is an immense step towards flying without fear. So very many thanks to the team for the great book and the CDS!
Leila
I would say this trip has been a significant milestone for me, because
1) I realised when on the plane that, in fact, i just did not feel as frightened as I used to. I found myself curling up with a book when we were in the cruise, not feeling unsafe at all. I used to sit there throughout the flight with my nerves on edge, flinching at every sound and movement. I now frequently find myself feeling as relaxed as on a train. The worst stress by far came at the airport in Birmingham, waiting around and being full of unpleasant anticipation.
2) The take off was my worst fear. However, knowing why the engines changed sound, knowing why the plane might appear to level or sink at different times, meant I had something positive and reassuring to think about, and that when my mind threw questions at me as we were taking off: 'Why's it doing that?? What's that noise?' I actually had answers for it. And you know what? Flying really wasn't that bad at all. OK, I bit my nails to shreds as we took off, but given I was afraid I was going to start crying or screaming... bitten nails are no big deal.
3) Having a good funny book helped. I took the new Terry Pratchett.
4) On the way back (sort of over the wide bit of the channel near East Anglia - very interesting view, with a wind farm and sand banks and lots of ships) the stewardess spoke those dreaded words 'We are now approaching an area of turbulence, please fasten your seatbelts'. My internal reaction: 'Oh, *censored*' . Yes, the plane went up and down quite sharply and unpleasantly - but you know what, it wasn't that bad, and it didn't last that long, and saying 'Turbulence is uncomfortable but not dangerous' over and over to yourself really does help.
5) I realised that in fact, having someone to fly with didn't make any difference at all to how confident I felt. In previous flights, when my boyfriend was sitting next to me, it didn't stop me feeling scared. In fact, flying alone was possibly easier for me, because I did not look at a friend's reactions and try to analyse them, to see if they were frightened and if I should be too, but just looked at what I myself was feeling.
6) When I got off the plane in Krakow I was brimming with confidence. I thought I'd never be as afraid of flying again. However, when we took off from Krakow, I was actually more nervous than I thought I'd be. But it was fine. Even the turbulence. So I guess things just take time to improve.
I really think this trip has been a huge milestone for me. Before I left I had no idea how I'd cope, flying alone. Now I know I can cope, and I can relax. For me, this is an immense step towards flying without fear. So very many thanks to the team for the great book and the CDS!
Leila
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by June on -
Hi Leila
What a great flight report! I know what you mean about flying alone, I've flown by myself a few times and to be honest in a strange way it did feel different in as much as I could just withdraw into myself and wholly concentrate on getting used to everything instead of wondering if my son is ok, is my husband in sympathy mode or is he going to get cross with me for being scared (he loves flying and really doesn't understand what there is to be scared about! Lucky him eh?)
I can relate to nearly everything you talked about and its great to read another successful flight story in the run up to my own upcoming flight to the USA.
Thank you for sharing and helping to keep my gremlins at bay :-)
June
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Permalink Reply by Daria on -
When I fly alone I have to discipline myself and I am more mature. When I have companion I feel and behave like a child. I have never escaped for the airport when I was flying alone, but few times when I was going with somebody else (hmmmm, my poor friends).
Daria
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Permalink Reply by Elizabeth on -
Hi Leila,
Reading through your flight report I can agree with everything you write especially the sentence -the worse stress was the waiting around at Birmingham airport, anticipating the flight.
Knowing about the changes in engine noise, what turbulence is etc really does help to alleviate fears and that is why Keith's courses, the main web site and C Ds are so helpful.
Congratulations for your achievements and I hope your report will inspire other fearful fliers that "Flying is not as bad as anticipated "
Elizabeth.
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Permalink Reply by Leila Rasheed on -
I'm glad you liked the report ! :) Leila
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