Why are there so little cockpit announcements?
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None of you have even a thought for the poor pilot on this one. It's out ragous.
What if I want a little nap? Or am hammering the FO at Cribbage? Or have managed to get the Test Match commentry? Have you ever thought about how difficult a game of Jenga is in turbulance?
Totally inconsiderate.
The last thing I want to do is point out that that's the Siciliean Desalination plant under us to a bunch of burberry wearing chavs.
(all in jest dear PAX).
What if I want a little nap? Or am hammering the FO at Cribbage? Or have managed to get the Test Match commentry? Have you ever thought about how difficult a game of Jenga is in turbulance?
Totally inconsiderate.
The last thing I want to do is point out that that's the Siciliean Desalination plant under us to a bunch of burberry wearing chavs.
(all in jest dear PAX).
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Personally I'd prefer few or little announcements. Yes, sometimes it is nice to have something on the ground pointed out - however I might equally be trying to sleep and then it's not so good. As at least half of the passengers will fall into each category, so silence is better.
Brought home to me by recent - first and hopefully last - flight on Ryanair. Announcements galore, giftshop, lottery, &^%%ing scratchcards!
Amusing thing was that when landing back at Stanstead the passengers started clapping twice - once when the lottery winner was announced, once when the pilot landed successfully - i can only presume the latter is a hit and miss affair
Brought home to me by recent - first and hopefully last - flight on Ryanair. Announcements galore, giftshop, lottery, &^%%ing scratchcards!
Amusing thing was that when landing back at Stanstead the passengers started clapping twice - once when the lottery winner was announced, once when the pilot landed successfully - i can only presume the latter is a hit and miss affair
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I'm always grateful (in daylight, if the weather's fine) for points of interest (cities, rivers, mountains, ...) being pointed out from the cockpit. I appreciate that (particularly on short-haul flights) the folks up at the pointy end are pretty busy, but if the opportunity arises ...
I still remember a flight back from Munich by BA Trident (that dates me!) on a lovely clear day, when the pilot announced that we were passing directly overhead Brussels and then did a gentle bank left and right to give us all a better view. Happier days!
I still remember a flight back from Munich by BA Trident (that dates me!) on a lovely clear day, when the pilot announced that we were passing directly overhead Brussels and then did a gentle bank left and right to give us all a better view. Happier days!
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Vendetta,
Let me know the message bord for fearful flyers. I used to run from departure gate, but overcame my fears - various techniques - including becoming a ppl. I'd love to help others with this debilitating fear if I can.
I sympathise entirely with the feeling that some reassurance is gained by the occasional message from the flight deck. There are several reasons for this. First, the sound of a calm voice - no matter what the message - from someone in the front of the aircraft impacts on the subconscious with the message - calm = all is well (but remember, a good captain could make you feel safe even if the plane is falling apart). Secondly, a little commentary - routing after take-off, cruise position (on a longer flight and where no map is available so passengers can see where they are) and a warning before the engines are pulled back for descent (with est time to landing) can be very reassuring. This needn't be disturbingly long - just a succinct message. I find I want more information on aircraft without the map/flight information screens.
Whilst airlines feel the need to give business travellers peace and quiet, I have come across many regular business travellers who also suffer from nervousness about flying. Most would be reassured by short messages. Research has shown that some 80% of people suffer from fear of flying to some extent. Airlines should remember that 80% of the population = a lot of potential customers. One especially fearful fight without any reassurance from the flight deck can put a customer off for life.
I flew back from GLA a few weeks ago with BA, on a particuarly stormy day. The captain was excellent - especially after the cabin crew folded the map screens up - telling us where the next bout of turb was expected and so on. Sometimes, the all important business traveller must put up with some reassurance for the common herd - in the interests of the industry.
If you want to cut the disturbance on flights, get rid of some of the pointless sales messages that the cabin crew are now required to spout.
HH
Let me know the message bord for fearful flyers. I used to run from departure gate, but overcame my fears - various techniques - including becoming a ppl. I'd love to help others with this debilitating fear if I can.
I sympathise entirely with the feeling that some reassurance is gained by the occasional message from the flight deck. There are several reasons for this. First, the sound of a calm voice - no matter what the message - from someone in the front of the aircraft impacts on the subconscious with the message - calm = all is well (but remember, a good captain could make you feel safe even if the plane is falling apart). Secondly, a little commentary - routing after take-off, cruise position (on a longer flight and where no map is available so passengers can see where they are) and a warning before the engines are pulled back for descent (with est time to landing) can be very reassuring. This needn't be disturbingly long - just a succinct message. I find I want more information on aircraft without the map/flight information screens.
Whilst airlines feel the need to give business travellers peace and quiet, I have come across many regular business travellers who also suffer from nervousness about flying. Most would be reassured by short messages. Research has shown that some 80% of people suffer from fear of flying to some extent. Airlines should remember that 80% of the population = a lot of potential customers. One especially fearful fight without any reassurance from the flight deck can put a customer off for life.
I flew back from GLA a few weeks ago with BA, on a particuarly stormy day. The captain was excellent - especially after the cabin crew folded the map screens up - telling us where the next bout of turb was expected and so on. Sometimes, the all important business traveller must put up with some reassurance for the common herd - in the interests of the industry.
If you want to cut the disturbance on flights, get rid of some of the pointless sales messages that the cabin crew are now required to spout.
HH
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I recall one announcement, from a TV sketch show (Not the Nine O'Clock News?), where the Captain and FO were chatting in the cockpit and the Captain said, "Ah yes, here's one I love doing", whereupon he cleared his throat and switched on the PA, "Ladies and gentlemen, there is absolutely NO cause to panic"....
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Hampshire Hog - I admire you!!
Conquering your fear of flying and becoming a pilot as well. Well done to you! I suppose its a case of 'in at the deep end' 
and facing your fears head on. Its obviously worked for you. I would love to know some of the techniques that you have used. Watched something on tv recently (think it was last week) where a group of terrified non flyers were guided through various group therapy sessions to firstly get them in a crane to certain heights, and then to finally boarding an aircraft and flying. Interesting. Only a couple I think failed to board the aircraft but on the whole it worked for the others and they are now (supposedly) frequent flyers. Great to hear about you though.
Ps We work in similar sectors so I am especially interested to hear of your success with the controls!!
It must beat reading 'briefs' any day!
Happy flying!
Gorgeous
Conquering your fear of flying and becoming a pilot as well. Well done to you! I suppose its a case of 'in at the deep end' and facing your fears head on. Its obviously worked for you. I would love to know some of the techniques that you have used. Watched something on tv recently (think it was last week) where a group of terrified non flyers were guided through various group therapy sessions to firstly get them in a crane to certain heights, and then to finally boarding an aircraft and flying. Interesting. Only a couple I think failed to board the aircraft but on the whole it worked for the others and they are now (supposedly) frequent flyers. Great to hear about you though.Ps We work in similar sectors so I am especially interested to hear of your success with the controls!!
It must beat reading 'briefs' any day!Happy flying!
Gorgeous
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Gorgeous....
for what is worth I used to be so terrified of flying that I once even bit an AZ cabin crew's arm while we were going through some severe turbulence... I was so scared that as a teenager I used to cheat and listen to music on full volume during take off because just the increase of the noise of the engines would make me feel faint!!
However I still felt that something was attracting me to flying and I needed to kill that fear.
So one day, when I was particularly bored and probably brave, I applied for a cabin crew job. Guess what....I got it! (of course didn't tell them I was terrified - women are pretty good liers sometimes
)
For the first year and a half in the job, everytime I had a flight I was really thinking that that was going to be the last day of my life(I flew LongHaul). However, getting familiar and more experienced with the noises, smells, with the technical aspects of the aeroplane and the laws of physics that cover flying, as well as getting to know more experienced pilots and cabin crew made me relax a little bit more. My confidence increased and so the fun!
Now, I couldn't live without my job. It took me a few years to feel completely at ease though, and taking care of scared passengers helped me a lot because I had to be convincing in reassuring them!
I still get the odd irrational fear when I fly as a passenger, but usually is brought by something else and the flying becmes just an excuse. I am not a pilot, although feeling that I had some kind of role in the success of the flight was really what made me turn that corner.
I learnt the "hard" way but even if sometimes people think that I am weird/crazy person etc, I can only say that I am not the only one who started like this, I know lots of crew who started flying to beat the fear of flying!!
I would say to all the nervous pax to remember that the cabin crew know how to handle a situation like this, so if you feel a bit anxious/scared it might be worth telling them!!! The worst that can happen is you get spoilt a little bit during the flight
Ciao
FBW
for what is worth I used to be so terrified of flying that I once even bit an AZ cabin crew's arm while we were going through some severe turbulence... I was so scared that as a teenager I used to cheat and listen to music on full volume during take off because just the increase of the noise of the engines would make me feel faint!!
However I still felt that something was attracting me to flying and I needed to kill that fear.
So one day, when I was particularly bored and probably brave, I applied for a cabin crew job. Guess what....I got it! (of course didn't tell them I was terrified - women are pretty good liers sometimes
)For the first year and a half in the job, everytime I had a flight I was really thinking that that was going to be the last day of my life(I flew LongHaul). However, getting familiar and more experienced with the noises, smells, with the technical aspects of the aeroplane and the laws of physics that cover flying, as well as getting to know more experienced pilots and cabin crew made me relax a little bit more. My confidence increased and so the fun!
Now, I couldn't live without my job. It took me a few years to feel completely at ease though, and taking care of scared passengers helped me a lot because I had to be convincing in reassuring them!
I still get the odd irrational fear when I fly as a passenger, but usually is brought by something else and the flying becmes just an excuse. I am not a pilot, although feeling that I had some kind of role in the success of the flight was really what made me turn that corner.
I learnt the "hard" way but even if sometimes people think that I am weird/crazy person etc, I can only say that I am not the only one who started like this, I know lots of crew who started flying to beat the fear of flying!!
I would say to all the nervous pax to remember that the cabin crew know how to handle a situation like this, so if you feel a bit anxious/scared it might be worth telling them!!! The worst that can happen is you get spoilt a little bit during the flight
Ciao
FBW
Riding the Euro Gravy Plane
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I recall one announcement, from a TV sketch show (Not the Nine O'Clock News?), where the Captain and FO were chatting in the cockpit and the Captain said, "Ah yes, here's one I love doing", whereupon he cleared his throat and switched on the PA, "Ladies and gentlemen, there is absolutely NO cause to panic"....
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Flybywire - Thanks!
Flybywire, firstly thanks for the reply; its so good to hear that its not only us pax who get the jitters! When I flew with GB in June I did tell the purser that I was scared in-flight; going out over Bay of Biscay was terrible. Aircraft was really shuddering. Flight deck did acknowledge this though and seat belt signs were on for a while. My husband was laughing (typical male) but I was terrified. The only good thing though was the Bucks Fizz that kept me brave; ridiculous I know at breakfast time, but we all like a bit of Vit C with our bacon and eggs don't we?!! I do think its great though to hear stories of crew like yourself and pilots who have conquered their fears and are up there doing it for a living. Great achievement; and it was obviously your calling.
Gorgeous
When I flew with GB in June I did tell the purser that I was scared in-flight; going out over Bay of Biscay was terrible. Aircraft was really shuddering. Flight deck did acknowledge this though and seat belt signs were on for a while. My husband was laughing (typical male) but I was terrified. The only good thing though was the Bucks Fizz that kept me brave; ridiculous I know at breakfast time, but we all like a bit of Vit C with our bacon and eggs don't we?!! I do think its great though to hear stories of crew like yourself and pilots who have conquered their fears and are up there doing it for a living. Great achievement; and it was obviously your calling. Gorgeous
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Well, I have to say flybywire, your approach to self-treatment beats my meagre efforts! Becoming cabin crew really was brave. Don't think it would have worked for me, I'm not that good looking
Gorgeous, I do, indeed, try to get out from work to go flying as often as I can! I think the treatment for aerophobia depends on the individual specific symptoms and their causes. For some it's fear of heights, for others it's claustrophobia, for many type A personalities it's not being in control ... For all though, I think regular exposure to the flying environment helps, especially in circumstances where the individual is fully aware of what is going on - which is where doing a ppl can help. Flying is not an intuitively natural activity - either as pilot or passenger - it takes some getting used to. Learn as much as you can about what happens - watch some of the anorak videos available - they are great exposure treatment.
Noting what you say about your GB Airways flight, learning where to expect turbulence will help - mostly it won't be as bad as you expect. If it's any consolation, I have a friend who is a captain with GB airways who recently described herself as 'rather tense' sat in the back as a passenger. Her airline captain husband had to tell her to relax! The point here is not about GB Airways, who I understand are actually a rather good airline, but that even professionals sometimes dislike the sensations and lack of control associated with sitting in the passenger cabin.
I took my father-in-law flying yesterday and spent the whole time trying to get him to relax. Trouble was he told me that was what his dentist always says too
Happy to talk more if you want to learn about how I (mostly) got over it.
HH
Gorgeous, I do, indeed, try to get out from work to go flying as often as I can! I think the treatment for aerophobia depends on the individual specific symptoms and their causes. For some it's fear of heights, for others it's claustrophobia, for many type A personalities it's not being in control ... For all though, I think regular exposure to the flying environment helps, especially in circumstances where the individual is fully aware of what is going on - which is where doing a ppl can help. Flying is not an intuitively natural activity - either as pilot or passenger - it takes some getting used to. Learn as much as you can about what happens - watch some of the anorak videos available - they are great exposure treatment.
Noting what you say about your GB Airways flight, learning where to expect turbulence will help - mostly it won't be as bad as you expect. If it's any consolation, I have a friend who is a captain with GB airways who recently described herself as 'rather tense' sat in the back as a passenger. Her airline captain husband had to tell her to relax! The point here is not about GB Airways, who I understand are actually a rather good airline, but that even professionals sometimes dislike the sensations and lack of control associated with sitting in the passenger cabin.
I took my father-in-law flying yesterday and spent the whole time trying to get him to relax. Trouble was he told me that was what his dentist always says too
Happy to talk more if you want to learn about how I (mostly) got over it.
HH
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Well, I have to say flybywire, your approach to self-treatment beats my meagre efforts! Becoming cabin crew really was brave. Don't think it would have worked for me, I'm not that good looking
Gorgeous, I do, indeed, try to get out from work to go flying as often as I can! I think the treatment for aerophobia depends on the individual specific symptoms and their causes. For some it's fear of heights, for others it's claustrophobia, for many type A personalities it's not being in control ... For all though, I think regular exposure to the flying environment helps, especially in circumstances where the individual is fully aware of what is going on - which is where doing a ppl can help. Flying is not an intuitively natural activity - either as pilot or passenger - it takes some getting used to. Learn as much as you can about what happens - watch some of the anorak videos available - they are great exposure treatment.
Noting what you say about your GB Airways flight, learning where to expect turbulence will help - mostly it won't be as bad as you expect. If it's any consolation, I have a friend who is a captain with GB airways who recently described herself as 'rather tense' sat in the back as a passenger. Her airline captain husband had to tell her to relax! The point here is not about GB Airways, who I understand are actually a rather good airline, but that even professionals sometimes dislike the sensations and lack of control associated with sitting in the passenger cabin.
I took my father-in-law flying yesterday and spent the whole time trying to get him to relax. Trouble was he told me that was what his dentist always says too
Happy to talk more if you want to learn about how I (mostly) got over it.
HH
Gorgeous, I do, indeed, try to get out from work to go flying as often as I can! I think the treatment for aerophobia depends on the individual specific symptoms and their causes. For some it's fear of heights, for others it's claustrophobia, for many type A personalities it's not being in control ... For all though, I think regular exposure to the flying environment helps, especially in circumstances where the individual is fully aware of what is going on - which is where doing a ppl can help. Flying is not an intuitively natural activity - either as pilot or passenger - it takes some getting used to. Learn as much as you can about what happens - watch some of the anorak videos available - they are great exposure treatment.
Noting what you say about your GB Airways flight, learning where to expect turbulence will help - mostly it won't be as bad as you expect. If it's any consolation, I have a friend who is a captain with GB airways who recently described herself as 'rather tense' sat in the back as a passenger. Her airline captain husband had to tell her to relax! The point here is not about GB Airways, who I understand are actually a rather good airline, but that even professionals sometimes dislike the sensations and lack of control associated with sitting in the passenger cabin.
I took my father-in-law flying yesterday and spent the whole time trying to get him to relax. Trouble was he told me that was what his dentist always says too
Happy to talk more if you want to learn about how I (mostly) got over it.
HH
Yes, I am definitely interested in hearing some more of how you conquered your fears; I should think most people who read this thread of Vendettas' will be. Even if pilots are a little afraid in the passenger seats and not up front at the pointy end then theres not a great deal of hope for the rest of us!
Alcohol, although I know should not really be taken, needs to be taken a little in my case to help me relax. The type A personalities thing is totally right; so I must have one of those! Thanks once again for the reply and look forward to hearing more of how you overcame your fears, if you don't mind telling us!!
Gorgeous
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Thanks to everyone for their points on passanger jitters!!! As a terrible flier at the best of time it is nice to hear that I am not the only one and every bit of advice helps.
I used to be ok many years ago, but following a particularly stressfull event, I had a panic attack during a really bumpy flight and unfortunatly ever since it seems like it wont get any better (although I havn't had another attack, I have come close a few times!!).
I am flying tomorrow (long haul again dammit) and just reading your kind words has calmed me down a bit so thanks again everyone.
On the point of announcements from the flight deck, I must admit that I am definatly reassured and gratefull when the pilot takes a few moments to tell everyone that all is ok, we are at xxx altitude, xxx position, xxx speed and eta is in xxx.
Pointing out interesting features is great aswell because, as I think about other things I tend to calm down. I have thought for ages that this would be a great safety point, simply because calm passangers are unlikely to give anyone grief, but someone who is panicking can (I've seen it happen) start off an almighty row, disturbing everyone else and the CC above all. Something tokeep in mind perhaps pilots?
I used to be ok many years ago, but following a particularly stressfull event, I had a panic attack during a really bumpy flight and unfortunatly ever since it seems like it wont get any better (although I havn't had another attack, I have come close a few times!!).
I am flying tomorrow (long haul again dammit) and just reading your kind words has calmed me down a bit so thanks again everyone.
On the point of announcements from the flight deck, I must admit that I am definatly reassured and gratefull when the pilot takes a few moments to tell everyone that all is ok, we are at xxx altitude, xxx position, xxx speed and eta is in xxx.
Pointing out interesting features is great aswell because, as I think about other things I tend to calm down. I have thought for ages that this would be a great safety point, simply because calm passangers are unlikely to give anyone grief, but someone who is panicking can (I've seen it happen) start off an almighty row, disturbing everyone else and the CC above all. Something tokeep in mind perhaps pilots?
Last edited by fearfullflyer; 5th Sep 2006 at 21:25. Reason: Added a bit
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Maybe this is not a workable idea, but if the pax can listen to the pilots talking to ATC on the headset, why can't the pilot also talk to the pax via the headset? Pax who want peace don't have to listen, and the people who like the chatty pilots can listen on the headset. Everyone's happy.
"Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain. Everyone else is asleep.... quick... hide!!!"
Okay, maybe not.
"Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain. Everyone else is asleep.... quick... hide!!!"
Okay, maybe not.
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Gorgeous and all,
You asked if I could post more tips for getting over aerophobia. I though I would try to post one or two a day and see how we get on.
Please note, I am a manager, not a psychologist. This advice is based on my research of numerous sources on fear of flying, on my own experiences, and on my limited knowledge gained through doing my ppl (and other aviation activities). If there are any professional pilots/psychologists out there - please feel free to contradict and/or chip in.
I propose to work through several aspects:
- you/your fears/motivation to get over it
- Aviation knowledge: how planes fly/the aviation environment(weather/ATC/Collision Avoidance/Engineering/Safety Regulation etc)
- Physiology affected by flying - why your senses cannot always be trusted - what are those strange noises - 'Is my head going to explode during descent?!'
- Getting exposure - gradually - being around planes - airports - strategies for getting back into flying ...
Let's see where we go from there.
Here's today's offering:
1) Ask yourself what you are afraid of. Is it 'not being in control', enclosed spaces, busy places, heights, the noise, something else? Many would say all of the above and more, but try to narrow it down. That gives something manageable to work on. A really common one is fear of being afraid. That's more complex and generally relates to fear of panicking or losing control. You cannot work on too many fears at once.
2) Be tough with yourself on the above. Set aside some time to really think about it. Some of the tips I will offer later apply more to some types of fear than others.
3) Ask what has happened to trigger your fears. Was it a 'bad flight'? If so, review what happened and ask whether you were really in danger. If so, why? How many good flights have you had? Why do you think your next flight will be bad/end in disaster? How can you know?
4) Don't just believe the press articles about an air incident. A good amount of what they say are made up by journalists who don't know what they are talking about. If you want to read about aircraft incidents - read the NTSB or AAIB accident reports - but remember, serious incidents involving commercial air travel are few and far between. For private flying, the risk is about the same as driving your private car.
5) The above is tough, but feel free to post answers here. Let's talk about them.
More tomorrow!
HH
You asked if I could post more tips for getting over aerophobia. I though I would try to post one or two a day and see how we get on.
Please note, I am a manager, not a psychologist. This advice is based on my research of numerous sources on fear of flying, on my own experiences, and on my limited knowledge gained through doing my ppl (and other aviation activities). If there are any professional pilots/psychologists out there - please feel free to contradict and/or chip in.
I propose to work through several aspects:
- you/your fears/motivation to get over it
- Aviation knowledge: how planes fly/the aviation environment(weather/ATC/Collision Avoidance/Engineering/Safety Regulation etc)
- Physiology affected by flying - why your senses cannot always be trusted - what are those strange noises - 'Is my head going to explode during descent?!'
- Getting exposure - gradually - being around planes - airports - strategies for getting back into flying ...
Let's see where we go from there.
Here's today's offering:
1) Ask yourself what you are afraid of. Is it 'not being in control', enclosed spaces, busy places, heights, the noise, something else? Many would say all of the above and more, but try to narrow it down. That gives something manageable to work on. A really common one is fear of being afraid. That's more complex and generally relates to fear of panicking or losing control. You cannot work on too many fears at once.
2) Be tough with yourself on the above. Set aside some time to really think about it. Some of the tips I will offer later apply more to some types of fear than others.
3) Ask what has happened to trigger your fears. Was it a 'bad flight'? If so, review what happened and ask whether you were really in danger. If so, why? How many good flights have you had? Why do you think your next flight will be bad/end in disaster? How can you know?
4) Don't just believe the press articles about an air incident. A good amount of what they say are made up by journalists who don't know what they are talking about. If you want to read about aircraft incidents - read the NTSB or AAIB accident reports - but remember, serious incidents involving commercial air travel are few and far between. For private flying, the risk is about the same as driving your private car.
5) The above is tough, but feel free to post answers here. Let's talk about them.
More tomorrow!
HH
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Great post Hampshire Hog!!
For me, (and I hope others post you their replies); its the number 1), fear of not being in control; think that another aircraft is going to slam into us. So not just relying on the pilots, its air traffic control as well!!
Maybe I don't fly enough (i.e. every month) in order to calm down a little more; i.e if you are on a motorway in the fast lane everyday, then you are used to it. If you drive B roads all of the time and rarely use the motorway; the fast lane may be a bit scary. Just an example. (The guys in JB will hate me for saying that but its true!! ) Find your thread fascinating and keep posting and telling us more. Never read press articles any more; if I want the truth about any airline incident now I read Rumours and News on here. Trouble is, you get so absorbed!!!
Gorgeous
For me, (and I hope others post you their replies); its the number 1), fear of not being in control; think that another aircraft is going to slam into us. So not just relying on the pilots, its air traffic control as well!!
Maybe I don't fly enough (i.e. every month) in order to calm down a little more; i.e if you are on a motorway in the fast lane everyday, then you are used to it. If you drive B roads all of the time and rarely use the motorway; the fast lane may be a bit scary. Just an example. (The guys in JB will hate me for saying that but its true!! ) Find your thread fascinating and keep posting and telling us more. Never read press articles any more; if I want the truth about any airline incident now I read Rumours and News on here. Trouble is, you get so absorbed!!! Gorgeous
Last edited by TightSlot; 7th Sep 2006 at 20:40. Reason: Deleted quote of previous post to save space/time
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Well Gorgeous, you mentioned the control issue before, so I guess that's a big one for you - was for me too. You also mentioned insufficient exposure - not flying enough to get used to it. That plays a substantial part in any phobia and, apart from drugs/alcohol etc, is also the principal method of treatment. I'll come back to why aircraft shouldn't collide in a later post, but suffice it to say for now that both ATC and TCAS (Traffic Collision Avoidance System) carried on all passenger airliners should prevent that - the Lake Constance incident involved a pilot ignoring TCAS coupled with poor ATC practice - it was almost a freak accident, BUT lessons will have been learned from it and applied worldwide. The industry is like that.
I'll talk about exposure to your set of issues in a moment, but let's just look at motivation.
1) Why do you want to conquer your fears? What are you missing? Does it affect others - your friends, family? Is your fear of flying hindering your career? Does it leave you with low self-esteem?
All these things are common. You think you can do a flight, get more and more worked up about it as the time approaches, find a rationalised excuse not to do it on the day, then feel relief - followed by guilt - followed by depression at your failure. I know, it's horrible. Not nice if you think you're letting others down either. Imagine if you didn't have these worries! If you could fly confidently - you don't have to like it!
2) What if you took a flight? Did you get to where you wanted to go and back again? How did you feel after? You might have felt relief to be back on the ground - and you might have said 'Thank goodness, never again!', but I'll bet you were a little proud of yourself too. Was the flight really as bad as you were expecting? (Maybe yes - flying hasn't become any easier of late!)
3) You can spend a lifetime making excuses not to fly. It's too dangerous, too uncomfortable, too expensive, don't need to go there anyway, could take the train and enjoy a more relaxed journey ... MY POINT: YOU HAVE TO WANT TO GET OVER THE FEAR OF FLYING - TO BE ABLE TO FLY WHERE YOU WANT, WHEN YOU WANT, TO SUCCEED IN GETTING OVER IT.
4) Claustrophobics - start getting used to whatever you consider claustrophobic spaces outside of the aviation environment. Sit in a crowded room, visit some caves, take the lift (try glass walled ones first - unless you're also scared of heights!). FIND A LOCAL AVIATION MUSEUM WITH AN AIRLINER YOU CAN SIT IN. GO THERE OFTEN AND SIT IN IT UNTIL YOU FEEL CALM. Go slowly, don't move to something more challenging until you're comfortable with the previous stage. Little and often is the key here. Push yourself just a little more each time you begin to feel comfortable. If you have a real panic, take a step back to the previous stage and try again. DONT give up!
5) Control freaks - again, exposure is the key. Do you like to drive the car, or sit as a passenger? I'll bet you prefer driving - you're in control of your own destiny then! Start deliberately asking someone else to drive for short - then longer trips. If it's a reasonable driver - all the better. The aim is to get used to trusting others - not to test your nerves to destruction! When you're comfortable with that, try having a snooze whilst they're driving. If trains make you nervous for the same reason, take the train somewhere. If they don't, ask yourself why you trust a train driver, but not a pilot. Do you think you can drive a train better? Why do you think you can fly the plane better? (This is where my arguments about doing a PPL fall apart - then you think you can fly the plane better )) GO TO THE LOCAL ANORAK'S GALLERY AND ASK IF SOMEONE WILL LET YOU LISTEN TO ATC. THERE IS ALSO A WEBSITE WHERE YOU CAN LISTEN ONLINE TO SOME LIVE FEEDS, MAINLY FROM THE STATES. NOTE HOW CALM EVERYONE SOUNDS. IT'S NOT AN ACT - MOSTLY THEY ARE CALM. Again, little and often is the key.
6) Fear of heights - again, gradually build up exposure - go the the upper floors of gradually taller buildings. Walk up a hill ... One thing here though. When flying, you usually lose any height perspective. My flying instructor, an ex 747 captain, told me he was scared of heights! So, you might get used to heights more, but I would doubt this is the cause of aerophobia on its own.
7) I have mentioned the 'little and often' approach and, as Gorgeous says, the same goes for the flying itself. If you feel able to get straight to the flying bit of treating yourself, start finding nice places to go for a day trip/weekend treat. Make sure you want to see something there - make it worthwhile. Promise yourself a reward for doing it. Go regularly. Once a month is probably about right (I know the environmentalists will be after me now). The risk of getting in the car on the motorway is certainly greater - but you do it so often you don't think about it, do you!
If anyone has different fears/perspectives, please do post them.
If we carry on here we'll be going somewhat off thread and covering a subject many more might want to read. Any advice from the MODERATOR?
Thanks, more on Monday - something to do at work
HH
I'll talk about exposure to your set of issues in a moment, but let's just look at motivation.
1) Why do you want to conquer your fears? What are you missing? Does it affect others - your friends, family? Is your fear of flying hindering your career? Does it leave you with low self-esteem?
All these things are common. You think you can do a flight, get more and more worked up about it as the time approaches, find a rationalised excuse not to do it on the day, then feel relief - followed by guilt - followed by depression at your failure. I know, it's horrible. Not nice if you think you're letting others down either. Imagine if you didn't have these worries! If you could fly confidently - you don't have to like it!
2) What if you took a flight? Did you get to where you wanted to go and back again? How did you feel after? You might have felt relief to be back on the ground - and you might have said 'Thank goodness, never again!', but I'll bet you were a little proud of yourself too. Was the flight really as bad as you were expecting? (Maybe yes - flying hasn't become any easier of late!)
3) You can spend a lifetime making excuses not to fly. It's too dangerous, too uncomfortable, too expensive, don't need to go there anyway, could take the train and enjoy a more relaxed journey ... MY POINT: YOU HAVE TO WANT TO GET OVER THE FEAR OF FLYING - TO BE ABLE TO FLY WHERE YOU WANT, WHEN YOU WANT, TO SUCCEED IN GETTING OVER IT.
4) Claustrophobics - start getting used to whatever you consider claustrophobic spaces outside of the aviation environment. Sit in a crowded room, visit some caves, take the lift (try glass walled ones first - unless you're also scared of heights!). FIND A LOCAL AVIATION MUSEUM WITH AN AIRLINER YOU CAN SIT IN. GO THERE OFTEN AND SIT IN IT UNTIL YOU FEEL CALM. Go slowly, don't move to something more challenging until you're comfortable with the previous stage. Little and often is the key here. Push yourself just a little more each time you begin to feel comfortable. If you have a real panic, take a step back to the previous stage and try again. DONT give up!
5) Control freaks - again, exposure is the key. Do you like to drive the car, or sit as a passenger? I'll bet you prefer driving - you're in control of your own destiny then! Start deliberately asking someone else to drive for short - then longer trips. If it's a reasonable driver - all the better. The aim is to get used to trusting others - not to test your nerves to destruction! When you're comfortable with that, try having a snooze whilst they're driving. If trains make you nervous for the same reason, take the train somewhere. If they don't, ask yourself why you trust a train driver, but not a pilot. Do you think you can drive a train better? Why do you think you can fly the plane better? (This is where my arguments about doing a PPL fall apart - then you think you can fly the plane better
)) GO TO THE LOCAL ANORAK'S GALLERY AND ASK IF SOMEONE WILL LET YOU LISTEN TO ATC. THERE IS ALSO A WEBSITE WHERE YOU CAN LISTEN ONLINE TO SOME LIVE FEEDS, MAINLY FROM THE STATES. NOTE HOW CALM EVERYONE SOUNDS. IT'S NOT AN ACT - MOSTLY THEY ARE CALM. Again, little and often is the key.6) Fear of heights - again, gradually build up exposure - go the the upper floors of gradually taller buildings. Walk up a hill ... One thing here though. When flying, you usually lose any height perspective. My flying instructor, an ex 747 captain, told me he was scared of heights! So, you might get used to heights more, but I would doubt this is the cause of aerophobia on its own.
7) I have mentioned the 'little and often' approach and, as Gorgeous says, the same goes for the flying itself. If you feel able to get straight to the flying bit of treating yourself, start finding nice places to go for a day trip/weekend treat. Make sure you want to see something there - make it worthwhile. Promise yourself a reward for doing it. Go regularly. Once a month is probably about right (I know the environmentalists will be after me now). The risk of getting in the car on the motorway is certainly greater - but you do it so often you don't think about it, do you!
If anyone has different fears/perspectives, please do post them.
If we carry on here we'll be going somewhat off thread and covering a subject many more might want to read. Any advice from the MODERATOR?
Thanks, more on Monday - something to do at work
HH