A Fear of Flying?

[NCR600]

It has come to my notice that I may have developed a phobia, namely that of flying in commercial aircraft (more on why I added commercial to aircraft in a bit)

My girlfriend has booked herself a NZ trip in January by herself because I didn't want to go. I told her that it was because I've already been to NZ, and couldn't afford the time off work (or the trip itself) but in reality it was because I find commercial air travel extremely unpleasant. All other considerations aside, a flight to Melbourne on a 737 cripples me even if I get an emergency exit seat.

It's not an outright fear of flying, because I've gone out of my way to fly on interesting aircraft, I've done aerobatics in a Tiger Moth, flown in a DC3, actually flown Piper Cherokees and Cessna 182's, and I'd be the first to line up for a go in any of the piston engined warbirds flying around Australia right now.

I've had a good think about it, and I've realised that I'm not afraid to fly, I just don't trust the people who work on commercial aircraft (I went to tech with a bunch of Qantas apprentices and they were crap) I won't cop the seat pitch (I avoid busses for the same reason) and if I'm going to die in an aeroplane prang it might as well be in something interesting rather than the airborne equivalent of a government bus.

Is this entirely rational?

[robmundall]

no,
see a shrink.
http://www.nsc.org/lrs/statinfo/odds_dying.jpg

[S.]

If it makes you feel any better, you're just a pussy.

[ajay]

Get over it and fly in the damn plane. Make sure the pilot has grey hair too;)

[djdom]

harden the fuck up:p

[bazza]

check out whats going down in perth atm.

[PINT of Stella, mate!]

Stop being such a fanny!

Okay, commercial jets can be cramped and downright hellish if you're stuck next to some screaming brat that really just wants it's head shoved down the vacuum toilet with the flush applied, but there are both arguments for safety and ,shit, even some positive outcomes.

I shan't bore you with the statistics of dying in a plane crash compared with being struck by lightning, hit by a bus or moving to South Australia.

I will say this,

1: Free Booze

2: Planes take you places that are a lot harder to get to by car. For instance, a plane can take you to get shit-faced in a Munich Bierhalle or stoned on a Thai beach, or blown off in an Ibizan nightclub toilet cubicle by a checkout chick from Leeds.

3: Free Booze

4: Planes don't require any exercise whatsoever and you're guaranteed your seat. The chances of a schizophrenic wino grabbing the seat next to you are a lot slimmer than on public transport.

5: Free Booze

6: (Depending on the airline) Cabin staff tend to be a lot easier on the eye than your average tram or train ticket inspector. Not to mention friendlier!

7: Did I mention free booze?

[Drizz]

1: Free Booze
3: Free Booze
5: Free Booze
7: Did I mention free booze?

How do people not become a Homicidal maniac on budget airline is beyond me.

Oh, you reckon thats bad, wait till the snakes start coming out of the cargo hold.....

[NCR600]

1: Free Booze.

Can't argue with that

2: Planes take you places that are a lot harder to get to by car. For instance, a plane can take you to get shit-faced in a Munich Bierhalle or stoned on a Thai beach, or blown off in an Ibizan nightclub toilet cubicle by a checkout chick from Leeds.

You can get blown off by a slapper from Leeds in a toilet cubicle in any inner city pub in Sydney. I'd reccomend the beach road hotel in Bondi

3: Free Booze

Arrgh y' me best mate

4: Planes don't require any exercise whatsoever and you're guaranteed your seat. The chances of a schizophrenic wino grabbing the seat next to you are a lot slimmer than on public transport.

I am normally the schizophrenic wino on public transport

5: Free Booze

Giz a dollar fark cavva kovvi. Sinna fuggin WAR!

6: (Depending on the airline) Cabin staff tend to be a lot easier on the eye than your average tram or train ticket inspector. Not to mention friendlier!

I've never yet had a SRA guard try to sell me a copy of Richard Branson's Biography (which conveniently leaves out the bit about him making his money out of a clap clinic, Virgin, geddit?* and the bit about him being circumcised at 40 then bursting the stitches while watching Barbarella*

7: Did I mention free booze?

Cha fuggalooginatchafahnCAHN! sin a fuggin WAR! Giz a dollar fark kavva kovvi, cunnox!


*true according to Viz comic

[PINT of Stella, mate!]

Cha fuggalooginatchafahnCAHN! sin a fuggin WAR! Giz a dollar fark kavva kovvi, cunnox!




Ja cahl mer a cahn? Ja cahl mer a cahn? aarl farkhin 'ave yer! c'mere, c'mere! ahh shit ah've 'st pished me'sel.

farkhin tellin me farkihn shi-hic-t...

[Hamsta]

Drop a sleeping tablet , (nitrazepan or 'Mogadon' should do the trick). Explain to GP and they'll prescribe some. By the time your seated and the hosties have finished their mime antics you'll be fast asleep. If not, have a few beverages and you soon will be. Guarenteed, the best way to fly unless you think you will miss the food..........

[nsr077]

I don't think you have a fear of flying..sounds like your scared of crashing..

Thats not irrational.. Everytime you get on a plane there's a chance you will crash. Only a slight chance granted.. But a chance nonetheless.

And with that 'slight chance' comes an ever slighter chance of survival if it all goes pear shaped..

Just book the ticket and go anyway. Life is for learning and overcoming personal fears is a huge accomplishment. If you give in to the anxiety its power in your life will increase.

Bon Voyage

[toodles]

If you don't like planes, buses, etc, there's a chance it could be more a case of slight agoraphobia rather than aviphobia. This is especially the case if you don't mind flying solo or in less crowded confines. Regardless of the distinguishing characteristics of the particular phobia, short-term relief can be found in relaxants (alcohol, Valium, etc), hypnosis or distraction techniques. Long term cures usually involve cog behavioural therapy from a psychologist, usually combined with some aversion/exposure therapy.

[bazza]

Your Obviously Going To Die.

[S.]

Cha fuggalooginatchafahnCAHN! sin a fuggin WAR! Giz a dollar fark kavva kovvi, cunnox!

hahaha, can't half tell that you're involved with motorbikes..

[Mo]

i've never had any form of fear in an aircraft, i actually quite enjoyed, but since shows like, Seconds from disaster started showing up, it makes me quite anxious...it's just not good...

[R33F]

Drop a sleeping tablet , (nitrazepan or 'Mogadon' should do the trick). Explain to GP and they'll prescribe some. By the time your seated and the hosties have finished their mime antics you'll be fast asleep. If not, have a few beverages and you soon will be. Guarenteed, the best way to fly unless you think you will miss the food..........

The only way to fly.

I love travelling. I hate flying.

I hate the lack of space. I hate the smell. I hate other peoples smell. I hate sitting next to some punter for 15 hours and having to be polite, and move every time they want to piss or walk around.

Get your doctor to prescribe you something to sleep.

Have a few bevvies at the airport.

Pop the tablet just before boarding.

Wake up at destination.

Presto.

ps: fly JAL, they have the most esthetically pleasing flight attendants, so when you have to be awake, it is pleasant.

[MasterOfReality]

The only way to fly.

I love travelling. I hate flying.

I hate the lack of space. I hate the smell. I hate other peoples smell. I hate sitting next to some punter for 15 hours and having to be polite, and move every time they want to piss or walk around.

Get your doctor to prescribe you something to sleep.

Have a few bevvies at the airport.

Pop the tablet just before boarding.

Wake up at destination.

Presto.

ps: fly JAL, they have the most esthetically pleasing flight attendants, so when you have to be awake, it is pleasant.

The solution to most of those problems is called Business Class.

Not worth it if only flying in Australia or NZ, but worth every cent when going to Europe!

[Mo]

The solution to most of those problems is called Business Class.

Not worth it if only flying in Australia or NZ, but worth every cent when going to Europe!

the solution has a problem...
most people can only afford a trip to europe and asia only every few years..flying business would mean less money for spending...

[murrum]

Or the poor mans business class - a couple of stillnox, mogadon etc (as mentioned). While you have cashed out an extra 1.5K, I have dropped 2 sleeping pills and had the same nights rest as you fat cats up front for an extra $5!!!

me jelous?:p

[Binaural]

Bah, I fly OS all the time for work and have yet to experience business class. The reality is that business class can nearly double the cost of the flight, and many managers are reluctant to drop that extra coin just so you can stretch your legs out a bit more. So if I want to be more comfortable and get some sleep, I just make sure I get there early and get an emergency aisle seat and take earplugs and a boring book.

[johnny]

Fly a C130 for an extended period of time. All your fears of commercial transport will evaporate for the rest of your life, trust me.

[Some Guy]

I've never really been afraid of flying (it's safer than driving after all) but circling syndey airport for about 20 minutes in heavy fog before finally hitting the runway hard enough to active the oxygen masks gave me a bit of a fright.

[NCR600]

Fly a C130 for an extended period of time. All your fears of commercial transport will evaporate for the rest of your life, trust me.

That is the kind of flying I'd go out of my way to do (err, short of actually joining the services)

I suspect it is a 'once in a lifetime' experience, i.e once in a lifetime is plenty often enough!

I'm surprised at the number of people seriously suggesting combining downers with booze. No wonder there are so many air rage incidents!