In Reply to: Flying!!!!!!! posted by midge on Friday, 30. April 2004 at 20:41 Bali Time:
Anyone can tell you "don't worry about it" "relax" etc etc. You can also look at the facts e.g. how many planes crashed in the past month, so what are you chances of being in a plane when it crashes? And then you could look at the stats on how many planes crashes v's how many people survived? And IF a plane you were flying on crashed what are your chances of surviving?
Yep its a fear alright and no amount of "facts" seem to help. I have been on some really hairy flights...one out of LAX where it seemed that the plane was slipping backwards after take off and not flying forward due to every seat being occupied! I've flown Air Zimbabwe on an old prop plane where the pilot couldn't get the wheels down for landing. I've flown in a helicopter in Bouganville to reach the airport rather than taking a car as it was too dangerous due to shootings.
The thing is I'm still here to tell the story and so are you and the chances of either of us being in a plane when it goes down are millions to one (yeah I know facts again!). Fears comes from thoughts. All actions and beliefs come from thoughts. Think about the other times you have flown and have "made it in one piece", think about the lovely holiday that you enjoyed and when you feel anxious think about what has caused this, ask yourself, what was I just thinking about that maked me feels this way? That gives you something else to think about! Read a book, watch a movie and this will take your mind off what you are thinking (the negative stuff that makes you feels anxious)...this is what I do anyway :)
Have a FANTASTIC flight and holiday and I look forward to your JBR.