That's stunning Still nervous about flying, but than I would be, it's my first like flight. I never flew as a child, went on boats loads, but never flew so it's all new. xx

I'm thinking about doing the BA fear of flying course. Has anyone done it?

At the moment in time, the day I fly out strong winds with gusts are forecasted, oh dear

A short trip is always a good start. Don't worry about gusts, if they're behind you then you'll get there quicker! Try to avoid alcohol before each flight, that can play havoc with your mind. If you can see the plane before you board, watch what's going on around it, seeing the activity can help you relax. Mention your fear to the cabin crew, if it's BA you are flying with then they are usually very helpful. Let us know how you get on and don't forget to award yourself a treat when journey completed.

Tarry,

I wouldn't worry, the aircraft and flight crew can handle a lot more than the current forecast. In anycase, if the conditions were too extreme for the aircraft and flight crew, the flight would either divert to an alternate or would be cancelled. Aircraft have certified maximum winds they can operate in. If they are exceeded, the pilots wouldn't go their. There's nothing to worry about, it just might be a little bumpier than normal but still perfectly safe. This is excellent footage of crosswind landing from Dusseldorf to give you an idea of how well designed aircraft are to cope with windy conditions, and the skill level of pilots. The Boeing 737-400 you're flying on is smaller than those in the video, but just as capable in windy weather. When is it you're travelling? Gatwick and the Channel Islands are looking pretty calm for the rest of the week with pretty good flying conditions other than some fog.

Darren

Have to say Im not the best flyer around when it comes to worrying.

What bugs me most is the technical side of things,stuff like how often do they service a plane,or more to the point, is the one we are flying on due for its next service ect. We are on a long haul next to Mexico,again I always worry about flying over the ocean, or in our case half the Atlantic I would imagine. I use to have a couple of stiff drinks,but found this made me worse at times, I even tried following the planes route with the back of the seat map,I think the bigger planes now have small TVs on them so that could make a difference.

Always glad when we land,just dont like the thought of 11 hours over water !

Mustafaholiday,

One thing you don't need to worry about is servicing. Aircraft get a walk-around and systems check by flight crew prior to every flight and aircraft recieve checks and some level of maintenance daily. They obviously don't have a service every day, but aircraft have very detailed and descriptive maintenance schedules that they much adhere to. They aren't like cars that have a service and MOT once a year! It's ongoing with aircraft. The flight you're flying to Mexico on will be operating under even stricter maintenance regulations (ETOPS rules) so there's nothing to worry about. Aircraft also have two and often three redundant systems so if the primary fails, there's always a back-up.

Darren

I fly on the 11 March, but thank you

Just wondered whether anyone out there could help me please!

I am a very nervous flyer, but manage okay with Diazapam prescribed by the Nurse at my GP surgery. However, I rang this morning to order my tablets and she advised me that she wouldn't risk taking them as we are changing at Dubai. We are visiting friends in HK and to be honest, if I had realised how strict Dubai airport is, I would have chosen another route or a direct flight. I have read on various sites where people have said you are fine taking prescribed drugs as long as you have a copy of the prescription or a letter from your GP. I have also read some horror stories about people being arrested and sent to prison for failing urine tests.....one person who had traces of Coedine in her urine.

Does anyone know the actual ruling please? I'm getting pretty panicky thinking of flying without them!

Many thanks and Kind Regards

Elaine

I would suggest copying your post to our Africa and Middle East forum as this has been discussed there previously.

luci

Anyone any idea how common aborted landings or 'pull ups' are? We had one flying into Holguin on the 1st May, and as a fearful flyer I can tell you it was a hairy moment.

Mdollar,

What you are referring to is commonly known as a go-around. It's not a common procedure, although major international airports probably have an aircraft go around once or twice a day. Most passengers will never experience a go-around though. It's a routine procedure and is often caused by an aircraft not exiting the runway in time in front, or something else on the runway, gusting winds leading to an unstable approach, etc. Go-around happen for a whole host of reasons but is nothing to be alarmed about although a little un-nerving if you don't know what's going on.

Darren

Thanks for the reply Darren. Yes it was pretty scary as no one knew what was going on and you could hear a pin drop in the cabin. I've not flown a lot so I guess we were lucky or unlucky however you choose to look at it to experience something quite rare. At least we're still here to tell the tale though and that's the main thing.

A tip I was given once was - if you have a glass of water on the dashboard or in your hand, went down a country lane, how much water would spill?

So, on a plane - when you have a few bumps and you have a glass of water (or something ) how much spills? Try and translate the bumps in the air to the size of the bumps in the road. Far more would probably spill in the car - but you don't mind those bumps.

The other one is - shut your eyes and pretend you are on a train - again - the bumps will not be as much as when you are on the tube in London!!!

These two just help me put the 'turbulence' in to perspective - the bumps are never as bad as the car or the train (thank goodness so far in 40 years of flying anyway!!!)

Dazbo ... that link to the planes landing in crosswinds is brilliant....

I used to be a very nervous flyer to the point where i would be crying just driving up to the airport, and by the time I got to boarding i would be inconsolable stopped flying for about 6 years and then decided i had to cure the problem as holidaying in England is just not the same... I bought a fear of flying hypnotism CD and listened to a fair few times and now I am much better, I have just booked my third longhaul for next year to Mexico (10.5 hours) and I really cant wait to go... i cannot believe I lost so many years of nice holidays and now feel as though the plane journey is a real nice part of the holiday... so anyone that is nervous about flying if I can do it you can also ... good luck to all of you

A colleague had an interesting experience the other day on a flight from Birmingham to Glasgow with Flybe. The plane was struck by lightning. That's also a very rare occurrence, but a storm was passing through Birmingham at the time and they couldn't avoid it as plane was climbing. There was the usual large bang that accompanies this and a nervous hush descended. The Captain quickly announced that they were carrying out the routine checks required in this situation and would come back to them in 5-10 minutes with decision but reassured everyone not to worry. Ater about 7 minutes he reported that everything was fine and they would continue to Glasgow. However, on landing the plane was grounded so that thorough checks could be carried out. Given the number of flights in the sky at any one time/number of people on those flights this is also very rare and he's the first person I know to have had this experience.

One thing I never ever do during turbulence is close my eyes, it seems to exagerate it.

I had mild turbulence coming back from Jersey, it was like been in a car going up cobbles, but it wasn't for long though.

I have been a nervous flyer for the past 4 years. Im 24 and I have travelled by air since i was younger and it never bothered me until one flight i had a panic attack and my fear has been there ever since.

Its never stopped me from flying and i've been to america so i managed long haul and i must say this seemed easier with the seatback tv's being a huge distraction and a nice modern plane with friendly cabin crew.

I have tried everything you can think of, diazepam, herbal remedies, expensive hypnotherapy, self help books, website such as this...... and i hate to admit it but for the first time this year i was flying to Nice and decided i would give alcohol a go, and it worked. I had 3 double G&T's before i flew and it seemed like the most un-nervous i've ever been. Topped up with a few mini bottles of wine and my boyfriend thought i was a different person. Landing in Nice is beautiful as you get a great view of the coast i had my head glued to the window which i usually cant even glance at.

I know some people may say alcohol is not the option and some people are irresponsible and get stupidly drunk but i know my limits and it really helped to take the edge off.

I was also taught the tapping technique as part of my hypnosis and i do think that offers some benefits. Have a look on the internet and it tells you enough about tapping to do it yourself.

How old are some of these planes ? Last time we went on a plane I got really stressed out when after a few minutes the engines make a strange sound after we left the ground. Also don't like seeing the wings move up and down. My daughter suggested a few stiff drinks but I get told alcohol is not the best thing for you in the air. We fly across the Atlantic all the way to Cancun in a couple of days and I'm already starting to stress out.