jayJ78,
I can understand your fears but there is really nothing to worry about. The crew will do everything they can to ensure your flight is as smooth, uneventful and enjoyable as possible. Remember, the crews lives are at risk just as much as the passengers so it's in there own interest to ensure the aircraft is 100% servicable, and they do. Just think of your flights as a fast bus ride, there's no difference really unless you look out of the window. Turbulance isn't anything to worry about. The aircraft can handle way more than nature can throw at it and the flight crew will always try and minimise the efects of turbulance by avoiding it or if thats not possible, giving you warning. Clear air turbulance can be encountered at any time so it's not always possible to give warning, but you're in safe hands.
Many people see the flight as a part of the holiday, an adventure so just try and relax and enjoy it. Long haul flights are more pleasant these days with better equiped aircraft and more room for passengers than you'll be used to on shorter flights. I've been to Puerto Vallarta (Pacific Coast of Mexico) which is 14 hours outbound and Mauritious which is 12 hours this year so if I can cope with those flights, I'm sure you can make Cancun (presumably?) no problem.
A useful website is Fear of flying DVD, it might be worth a look. I provided some of the video footage and photography for the DVD (the cover photo!!). It was developed by Capt Stacy Chance who's an airline Captain in America. It might help put you at easy (you don't need to buy the DVD, there's an online section with plenty of info).
Darren
Hi Darren
Two weeks ago i was offer a cheap upgrade on a first choice flight to Cuba next summer which I took.
I have since read seats are allocated before you fly on a first book bases ....WE actually booked the HOLIDAY last june so if they go from that date we should not have a problem but if they take the upgrade date november me and my husband could be separated ( I would not of upgraded if I had reliased this,,, though we never pre book seats we always arrive at the airport really really early to get seats together)
My problem is i am absolutely terrified off the take off. closed eyes grabbing his hand .. I squeze it worst than when I was in labour and he has the bruises to show for it
I need loads of reassurance from him feel sick etc. etc. Once we are up after about 10/15 mins I am fine still prefer to be sat next to hubby but I could probably cope...
Is there anyway I could make first choice aware of the problem and would they take it into consideration when allocating the seats And if so when would be the best time to contact them now or a few weeks before when they sort out the premier cabins seats out.
Two weeks ago i was offer a cheap upgrade on a first choice flight to Cuba next summer which I took.
I have since read seats are allocated before you fly on a first book bases ....WE actually booked the HOLIDAY last june so if they go from that date we should not have a problem but if they take the upgrade date november me and my husband could be separated ( I would not of upgraded if I had reliased this,,, though we never pre book seats we always arrive at the airport really really early to get seats together)
My problem is i am absolutely terrified off the take off. closed eyes grabbing his hand .. I squeze it worst than when I was in labour and he has the bruises to show for it
I need loads of reassurance from him feel sick etc. etc. Once we are up after about 10/15 mins I am fine still prefer to be sat next to hubby but I could probably cope... Is there anyway I could make first choice aware of the problem and would they take it into consideration when allocating the seats And if so when would be the best time to contact them now or a few weeks before when they sort out the premier cabins seats out.
knitter46,
I would give FCA a call sooner rather than later to request a pair of seats (the cabin is configured 2-3-2) and explain your fear of flying. I'm sure they'll accommodate your request. Although the cabin is pre-assigned, they still try and accomodate couples best they can. If you do get split up, it'll be across an isle rather than a row or two normally. You'll still be able to bruise his hand!!
Darren
I would give FCA a call sooner rather than later to request a pair of seats (the cabin is configured 2-3-2) and explain your fear of flying. I'm sure they'll accommodate your request. Although the cabin is pre-assigned, they still try and accomodate couples best they can. If you do get split up, it'll be across an isle rather than a row or two normally. You'll still be able to bruise his hand!!
Darren
Thanks Darren
Just contacted FCA. We are on the last few booking upgrades (the last 10 places they can not note any requests) My fear off flying would have to be backed up by a doctors note!!!!!!!. He said the cabins not full there are still 4 seats avaible so there is a good chance we could be sat together though maybe across the aisle or maybe behind each other
.
We could conntact admin and possible take the upgrade option off he was not sure but probably get charged if it was possible
.
Will chat to husband when he gets home but if they give us the option to remove the upgrade might do that.
How many are seats are in premier cabin? and with 4 seats still avaible do you think think we stand much of a chance of being together Separated by aisle seats would not be to bad maybe someone would swopjust for the 10mins off take off (funny thing I am fine for landing) but do not want to be sat behind each other.
Just contacted FCA. We are on the last few booking upgrades (the last 10 places they can not note any requests) My fear off flying would have to be backed up by a doctors note!!!!!!!. He said the cabins not full there are still 4 seats avaible so there is a good chance we could be sat together though maybe across the aisle or maybe behind each other
. We could conntact admin and possible take the upgrade option off he was not sure but probably get charged if it was possible
. Will chat to husband when he gets home but if they give us the option to remove the upgrade might do that.
How many are seats are in premier cabin? and with 4 seats still avaible do you think think we stand much of a chance of being together Separated by aisle seats would not be to bad maybe someone would swopjust for the 10mins off take off (funny thing I am fine for landing) but do not want to be sat behind each other.
knitter46,
That's not very good customer service considering it's a premium product. I know they pre-assign seating, but considering some passengers have paid up to £200 for the privallidge, you'd think they'd take request such as this on board. I can't understand why they assign seating like this anyway, they should be able to give you seat numbers like other airlines do as part of the package.
The premium cabin has 63 seats arranged in 9 rows of 2-3-2 (rows 1-9).
Darren
That's not very good customer service considering it's a premium product. I know they pre-assign seating, but considering some passengers have paid up to £200 for the privallidge, you'd think they'd take request such as this on board. I can't understand why they assign seating like this anyway, they should be able to give you seat numbers like other airlines do as part of the package.
The premium cabin has 63 seats arranged in 9 rows of 2-3-2 (rows 1-9).
Darren
Not so much fear of flying but this is related. Hubby has in the last couple of months started showing signs that he may have developed Irritable Bowel Syndrome, he's had tests for nasties which have come back clear. My parents booked for us to join them in Portugal for a week next February. Hubby is concerned about how he's going to cope if his stomach is playing him up when we fly. 3 hours on a plane with IBS sounds like 
. Apart from avoiding food/drinks which he knows are likely to set him off, does anyone have any tips as to how to avoid IBS flaring up?
. Apart from avoiding food/drinks which he knows are likely to set him off, does anyone have any tips as to how to avoid IBS flaring up?
Hi cate ... I appreciate that this is not a pleasant condition, but as you say, it is not directly related to a fear of flying. There are several health related organisations and websites which have considerable expertise on IBS, and I think it may be better if you took their specialist advice on the subject. However it may be best to have the diagnosis confirmed by your GP or hospital first, otherwise any advice may be inappropriate.
David
David
Thanks david, thought this was the best thread to put the question in. IBS is only diagnosed after everything else has been ruled out. The symptoms hubby has do point to IBS from research I've done on the net and from hubby talking to friends who've noticed him looking unwell or tired.
The part of the flight which terrifies me is when the aircraft s tearing along the runway ready to take off. Well, I think I might be cured now after my flight on Wednesday. We were racing along the runway, me with eyes tight shut, when I heard a bump and the plane instead of getting airborne turned back. The pilot told us that a seagull had flown into the propeller so had to be checked out by engineers. After ckecking that and then the engines which took nearly an hour, we got the ok to fly. Eyes tighter shut than ever we were hurtling down the runway and again instead of getting off the ground we turned back. The pilot then told us a light came on to tell him the cargo door had opened. Well, it was caused by a bit of string! Finally third time lucky we got away but I now know that if anything goes wrong at speed that the plane can slow down safely and gently!
digby,
That sounds like a bit of an ordeal!! It just shows though, the pilots are highly trained and are able to handle anything that is thrown at them. You're in safe hands. That would have been a Flybe Dash-8 you were on?
Darren
That sounds like a bit of an ordeal!! It just shows though, the pilots are highly trained and are able to handle anything that is thrown at them. You're in safe hands. That would have been a Flybe Dash-8 you were on?
Darren
Dazbo 5. As a mere woman I'm not very clued up on planes but I am almost sure that the plane was a Saab turbo-prop. Now that might sound ridiculous to someone who knows about aircraft so forgive me if I've made a blunder here 
They are good solid aircraft and rest assured if anything goes wrong, you're in safe hands.
Dazbo 5. no, not Eastern Airways. This one is a British Airways. Must say I do like your make of car 
digby,
We'll get there eventually! Loganair (British Airways franchise airline) Saab 340.
Darren
We'll get there eventually! Loganair (British Airways franchise airline) Saab 340.
Darren
Dazbo 5. Now, why could I not have told you that in the first place? Just thought I'd test you! Well, it sounds right to me this time anyway.
Aviation has been an interest of mine for many years now,a, few years ago however I went though a stage not quite the fear of flying but certainly questioning what happens if scenarios.I also started to watch and still do from time to time the "Air Crash Investigation " series on Sky TV.Perhaps not the best thing to be watching but the program is very well put together explaining everything.
I find it absolutely fascinating when you sit in the departure gate waiting area and see several or more hundred people all about to board the same plane.
When you think how much power the aircraft engines have to produce to get the plane,along with all the passengers and cargo off the ground is quite staggering.
Perhaps someone in the know could relate engine thrust into horse power,just to get an idea what it all means.
Will be flying in 6 weeks for a 10 hour flight and then have to take a sea plane at the other end.The sea plane also very exciting but I do get a tad nervous at first.The plane is a Twin Otter by the way.
I find it absolutely fascinating when you sit in the departure gate waiting area and see several or more hundred people all about to board the same plane.
When you think how much power the aircraft engines have to produce to get the plane,along with all the passengers and cargo off the ground is quite staggering.
Perhaps someone in the know could relate engine thrust into horse power,just to get an idea what it all means.
Will be flying in 6 weeks for a 10 hour flight and then have to take a sea plane at the other end.The sea plane also very exciting but I do get a tad nervous at first.The plane is a Twin Otter by the way.
Beach Lover,
It's not really possible to convert thrust in to horsepower because they are two different forces. However, someone once tried to work it out (take these figures with a pinch of salt), a Boeing 747-400 has something like 250,000 hp at full thrust (~220,000lb).
I love the Air Crash Investigation series as well as Seconds From Dissaster, fascinating. Althought not directly involved, I have stock photo's of the helicopter which crashed in the Morcambe Bay incident on 27th December 2006 with the loss of 2 crew and 5 passengers while flying between the gas rigs. My photo's were used extensively, including the AAIB so you sort of feel involved. The final report hasn't been released from that incident yet, it'll be interesting to find out what happened that evening.
The Maldives are on my list of places to visit simpley becasuse I want to have a ride in the Twotter and land on the sea, you lucky thing!!
Darren
It's not really possible to convert thrust in to horsepower because they are two different forces. However, someone once tried to work it out (take these figures with a pinch of salt), a Boeing 747-400 has something like 250,000 hp at full thrust (~220,000lb).
I love the Air Crash Investigation series as well as Seconds From Dissaster, fascinating. Althought not directly involved, I have stock photo's of the helicopter which crashed in the Morcambe Bay incident on 27th December 2006 with the loss of 2 crew and 5 passengers while flying between the gas rigs. My photo's were used extensively, including the AAIB so you sort of feel involved. The final report hasn't been released from that incident yet, it'll be interesting to find out what happened that evening.
The Maldives are on my list of places to visit simpley becasuse I want to have a ride in the Twotter and land on the sea, you lucky thing!!
Darren
Dazbo5 - Thank you for the reply. The sea plane transfer from Male to the resort is quite spectacular.Its funny to see some pilots operate the foot pedals in bear feet,we sat just behind the cock pit with a full view of what they were doing.
I love Air Crash Investigation and Seconds from Disaster as well. We did have a thread about ACI but it got locked for some reason. There's a special report series starting next week, I think it's Monday or Tuesday on National Geographic channel on Sky.
No doubt today's aircraft crash landing at Heathrow airport will be featured in a future series of air crash investigation.
The pilots did a brilliant job.Reports are saying the plane loss power during the landing procedure.
The pilots did a brilliant job.Reports are saying the plane loss power during the landing procedure.
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