Alcohol and Flying
 

Hello everyone!

Bayliss here.
Just wanted to do a little venting.
It's very early in the morning and I am on my way to the airport with my boyfriend to go on a well deserved vacation to see my parents.
Only problem is; I'm not a big fan of flying.
The last few times I went, I drank as much as possible so that I wouldn't panic while on the plane.
I know that flying is one of the safest ways of transportation but I especially hate take off and just about down as many drinks as I possibly can.
But, alas, not only are we flying in the AM buy this is day 4 of my sobriety.
Anyone have any tips on how to deal? I'll be flying out in three hours. AND I have a layover so I have to takeoff and land twice!
Thanks in advance everyone. :)
I don't plan on drinking!

Big hugs.
-Bayliss+

inhale, exhale,

and dont forget to breath

take a little humor, instead of a drink bay

Do you have any relaxation music/meditation type stuff on your ipod?

May help a little?

1. Turbulence may feel uncomfortable, but it is normal.
People often misunderstand turbulence. When encountering turbulence, nervous passengers feel the plane is "falling" out of the sky. It is natural for them to only feel the "down" bumps. But for every "down" there is an "up" bump. The "downs" are just more easily noticed. Next time you are driving on a bumpy road, imagine you are a passenger on a plane and how you would consider it to be "bad" turbulence. Now take a look at the road. How big are the bumps on the roadway to create the rough ride? The air is usually very smooth. But sometimes some small ripples can make it feel like "bad" turbulence!

2. The plane is strong, stable, reliable, and well maintained.
The FAA mandates that modern jet aircraft are designed and built with large safety margins. All aircraft and their equipment are built from FAA approved designs and manufactured under FAA approved systems. Coming out of the factory, the planes are thoroughly flight tested before certification by the FAA. Structurally, these aircraft can withstand many times the stresses and forces which can be imposed upon them in flight. Remember, airplanes are MEANT to be in the air. That’s where they’re happiest!

3. Trust the well trained and experienced crew.
When you board the plane mention to the flight attendants that sometimes you get a little nervous about flying, and ask if you may visit with the pilots. This is very important! The pilots are happy to have visitors, the flight attendants know this. You might be surprised at how receptive the pilots will be. Ask questions and mention your nervousness, they will understand and reassure you. The pilot's confidence is contagious. Now you have a friend up front who knows and cares about you! But remember, visits to the cockpit can ONLY be made on the ground, not during taxi or in flight. From FAA Personnel, to Air Traffic Controllers, to Aircraft Mechanics, to the Flight Crew, there is no industry in the world with better trained, tested, skilled, and motivated professionals than the people in the airline industry.

4. Trust the airline industry.
The FAA insures your safe and secure flying experience by monitoring, inspecting, drug testing, and certifying the people who work in safety related areas of aviation. Aviation is "black and white". There are no "maybes". Either it is 100% safe, or we don't do it. You may have heard the saying, "Safety is no accident". Each worker takes pride in his or her own work and keeps an eye on others. Because we understand the importance of our work on the safety of others, we will not tolerate anything less than perfection!

5. Flying is routine, here's proof.
Many people take comfort in going to the local airport to watch all the planes takeoff and land. After a while you begin to see that the flight operations are indeed routine. Others like to study the ARRIVAL and DEPARTURE monitors in the airport terminal to see just how many flights operate safely. Did you know that worldwide nearly 3 million passengers fly every day?

6. Positive Thinking.
Always try to keep your thoughts in the present. Keep your thoughts positive. When you catch yourself thinking negatively, stop, and concentrate on the positive. Many people dwell on what might happen instead of what is happening. It can be easy to play a "disaster movie" in your mind and you are the in the starring role! When you catch yourself starting the production of one of these imaginary "disaster movies" turn off the projector. Try to occupy your mind with something more constructive. Read, do a puzzle, strike up a conversation.

7. Tense Your Muscles.
Be aware of your body. When you feel muscles that are tense or tight, you can relax them. Instead of fighting the tightness, show your muscles whose boss! You tense your muscles! You take control! Go ahead and tighten your stomach muscles or your leg muscles. Then pause and let go. You will be surprised at how your muscles feel warm and relaxed, and you once again feel in control.

8. Overactive Imagination.
Quite often people who have a fear of flying also have a strong or overactive imagination. For example, they might hear an unfamiliar noise during the flight, and begin imagining what might be wrong with the plane to cause this noise. Or, they may believe in "signs" or "premonitions" that their plane will crash. For example, they might have a dream, or hear a song on the radio about a plane crash. Odds are, you are not psychic! Remind yourself of this fact, and focus on reality.

9. How to deal with nervous feelings.
When you feel afraid, your breathing quickens and your heart races. To calm yourself, first push your stomach outward. Take a slow, deep breath through your nose. Try to fill your lungs from the bottom up. Pause, and then exhale slowly. Do this a couple of times and you'll feel much better. Practice your controlled breathing whenever you can. Try it whenever you feel tense. Slow, deep breathing is the easiest and most effective method for calming yourself.

10. Even if you feel panicky, it cannot hurt you or cause you to lose control.
Remember that fear is a normal reaction to a perceived threat. Once you learn the threat really isn't dangerous, the fear naturally goes away. Fear itself is not harmful, it is meant to protect us. A panic attack will not make you have a heart attack, faint, or lose control. That is how we are programmed. Fear acts as our defense mechanism. It prepares us to fight or flee.

Thanks everyone! About to board on the plane and feel a little better but still a little jittery. Will message when at my destination!
Thanks again!

How long is your flight?

Crazy Bayliss, we may have been on the same flight! I left for the airport this am around the time u posted and have since landed...I hope you had a safe, sober flight!!! I would recommend getting something really tasty to drink on the plane like bloody Mary mix on ice (no alc)...and try to listen to your fsvorite songs! I fly jet blue whenever I can because the tvs really help me zone out. Best of luck :)

Oof I'm terrified of flying! Now that I'm sober I don't think I'll ever fly again. I'll stick with driving, thank you. ;)

Oh, and good luck Bayliss. I'm sure you'll be fine as long as you mentally prepare. Have a safe trip!

I hope that you had a good flight, Bayliss!

I find your post to be very helpful - thanks! But, I do find these few points to be somewhat debatable. hehe....

Best tip I got is when they tell you to get on the plane, get in it instead. Oh, and dont drink...

Hope all went well Bayliss :)

D

Coffeespoons - where did you fly from? I flew from Toronto this morning.

Act1onpack - it was probably a total of 6.5 hours of flying....but your tips did help.

Just got to my destination and would just like to say that incredibly it was a smooth ride! I thought that I would be crawling from my skin and on the verge of massive panic but in the end it was alright.
Act1onpack - your advice did help a great day...when I got into the plane, I sat down, waited until everyone was seated and prepared for take-off...at that time I knew that what was meant to be will be and I won't get getting off that plane...
So upon taking off, when I did get a little bit nervous I thought to myself that 3 million people fly each day so I began counting: 1000, 2000, 3000, by the time I got to 120,000 we were already reaching our cruising altitude.

Thanks everyone for your great advice and encouraging words. It helped a lot. :) I thought of all my wonderful friends at SR and didn't touch a drop of booze...as much as I sorta wanted to the second flight around...but didn't.
I am glad I didn't...day five for me tomorrow now.

Thank you!!!