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Fear of Flying (3)
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Can you make the flight safer?
Is there anything you can do to make your journey safer? In
essence, no. But if you’re statistically inclined, you
may want to play the percentages. With that in mind, here are
some things to consider:
- Statistically, accidents happen most during take-off and
landing. If you’re going on a long journey therefore,
it would be better to go the most direct route and fly non-stop
where possible.
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On the hijacking front, there has probably never been a better
time to fly. There is more security at airports now than ever
before, and the tactic of a hijacking no longer has the element
of surprise that it did some years ago.
- Choose an airline with a good safety record. Some airlines have
an appalling record of safety, while others have an exemplary
record. Obviously you’d want to go with an airline that
has a better safety record.
- Do your bit. Pay attention during the safety announcements,
and keep your seatbelt fastened at all times. Even if you just
have the belt loosely fastened, it could prevent injury in the
event of severe turbulence.
- Request an emergency exit seat. To do so you need to be physically
able to operate the door in the event of an emergency, so it
is up to the discretion of the check-in staff at the airport
to decide if you can be allocated such a seat and such seats
normally cannot be reserved ahead of time.
- Let the airline staff know that you are a nervous flyer. It’s
certainly nothing to be ashamed about, and they will go out
of their way to make sure that you are comfortable and relaxed
during your flight.
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Tips for nervous flyers:
Get some good music to listen to. Choose music
that really moves you and listen to it particularly during take-off.
It can really help to take your mind off what’s happening
around you.
Sit as far forward in the aircraft as you can.
While this won’t make your journey any safer, it should
provide for a smoother ride. Turbulence is more noticeable at
the back of the aircraft so if you’re a nervous flyer, you
might want to keep this in mind.
Think carefully about the use of alcohol or sleeping
tablets and the like. This is purely a judgment call on the passenger’s
part. On the one hand, sleeping through the whole flight might
be a blessing and the only way to overcome the anxiety that the
flyer faces. On the other hand, you might be more inclined to
want to keep your wits about you for the duration of the flight.
The length of the flight will have a large part to play in that
decision, buy do try to stay away from natural stimulants (such
as coffee, chocolate, etc.) or inhibitors (such as alcohol and
sleeping tablets). For some people however, those products are
a necessary evil.
Wear comfortable clothes. It might not help your
nerves, but the more relaxed you are the better chance you’ll
have of sleeping on the flight. There’s nothing better than
sleeping half the flight away.
Bring something to occupy your mind. Your mind
is your biggest enemy when it comes to perceived dangers on an
aircraft. Try to keep your mind focused on a good book, a video
game or something similar.
Remember that there is absolutely nothing to
be ashamed about if you are afraid to fly. Fear of flying is a
very common phobia, and an entirely understandable one and if
you’re in that position you’re certainly not alone.
If you think that the problem you have is such that you can’t
deal with it alone, don’t be afraid to ask for help. In
the first instance contact your airline and see what they can
do for you.
Have a safe trip!
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