fearfull flyer, as an ex cabin crew (recently changed careers) , may I give you these tips:
- Please DO let the cabin crew know about your fear of flying; they might not sit you down and reassure you straight after you stepped into the aircraft, but they will get back to you with reassurance and a smile on their face on the ground, usually after they have finished their head count.
- Ask as many questions as you can, including "if the aircraft is 20 years old, will everything be OK" - I bet the answer is going to be "YES!". You see, all aircrafts have to be checked thoroughly by the engineers, and if there's something wrong with one that will require say, 3 weeks waiting for a part, that aircraft WILL be grounded until it's fixed and signed off by an engineer.
- Safety is the first and prime concern to all airlines; look at a(ny) airline as a business that's based on safety. Without SAFETY, it cannot exist as a business. Thus an airline will not operate a(ny) route with a faulty aircraft (by that I mean something that could endanger the safety of it's passengers and crew, not a, say, faulty toilet ).
- The pilots are very well trained and will fly you safely; it's their job to do so, and that's why they undergo checks in the simulator every six months and various examinations (called "annual line checks"), so they keep current and in date with all emergency procedures.
- The Cabin Crew are also checked every year, on line (in the air), and on the ground, where their knowledge of all safety procedures is tested and made sure is accurate and up to date.
- Try and focus on anything else but the fact that you're in an aircraft; in my experience, most of the passengers that had fear of flying were not scared of the flying issue itself or of heights, but they were scared of not being
in control.
- MJV from the UK is usually a (scheduled) 2hrs and 30mins flight; usually it is less than that so think about the fact that you're flight is not that long after all (sometimes it could land in MJV up to 30 mins ahead of the scheduled time)
- Again, interact with the crew; most of them won't mind. Have a giggle with them, they love that.
- Even if it's an early flight, have a Bloody Mary or two. But only if you know you can control your alcohol and are VERY sure it won't get you that drunk that you could be off loaded (we are very, VERY serious when it comes to intoxicated passengers). Just make sure you don't have a pint of lager or two. It makes you need to go to the toilet, in the terminal as well as on board. If you can't use the toilet on board, you'll get aggravated and that's not good for your fear of flying.
- I noticed the flight is a bit too early for when you can (wish to) have an alcoholic drink so I suggest you go and see your GP, I think they could prescribe you mild anti anxiety/depressant pills.
- If this is of any help to you, I am terrified of driving. Absolutely terrified! I don't mind being 38000 ft above the sea level, but driving about with so many idiots on the road... gives me nightmares. I only drive when I'm forced to (i.e. there are no friends available to drive me around, other half is at work, no taxis available/ buses time tables don't work for me). Hell, I'm even scared when I'm just a passenger in a car!
But i learned how to overcome this; you have to take control of the situation. I use music to get me through a painful drive (or what my mind perceives as painful) to Tesco's and back, and it helps. So find something that relaxes you (reading a book, playing a game on your phone/PSP/iPad, whatever else they invented these days). I do hope you're not thinking a "relaxing bath" tho, it would be a bit tricky to have one during your flight
More importantly, think about the fun you're going to have "at the other end". The flight might be just over 2 hrs, but your holiday is 7 days! Enjoy it!