Fear of Flying

If there would be a price for people defying their fear of flying I would be a candidate. I have even accepted jobs that require me to fly several times a week. Over the years I have developed a bag of trick to fight my fears. On an intellectual level I know that we can do little to affect flight safety but since fears has nothing to do with logic it works for me.

Trick #1: Choose a safe airline

Here is a list of airlines with very few incidents in relation to numbers of flights. The safest starting from the top.

- Al Nippon (Japan)
- Delta Air (USA)
- British Airways (UK)
- Lufthansa (Germany)
- Northwest Airlines/Airlink (USA)
- Aloha Airlines (USA)
- United Airlines/Express (USA)
- Mexicana Airlines (Mexico)
- US Airways/Express (USA)
- American Airlines/Eagle (USA)

Trick #2: Choose a safe aircraft

In the following list you'll find the aircrafts with the least number of incidents in relation to number of flights. In addition to this list, I would choose any of the newer aircrafts from Airbus, Boeing and McDonnell Douglas.

- Saab 340
- McDonnell Douglas MD-80
- Boeing 767
- Boeing 757
- Boeing 737
- Boeing 727
- Airbus A319/320/321
- Fokker F-70/F-100
- Embraer 120 Brasilia
- McDonnell Douglas DC-9

Trick #3: Avoid stops in the schedule

The fact is for every stop you have in your schedule the more times you will need to face your fear of flying. It might not always be possible with direct flights but most destinations can be reached with only one stop.

Trick #4: Sit close to emergency exits

Statistics show that people close to emergency exits have a better chance to save themselves in case of an evacuation.

Trick #5: Sit close to the wings

The area over the wings is the most stable in the aircraft and you will therefore experience less sensation from turbulence and vibrations. However, sitting over the wings is not safer than any other place in the aircraft as shown by statistics.

Trick #6: Use affirmations or prayers

Create a routine of affirmations or prayers that you apply every time you fly, especially during take off, turbulence and landing. The more you stick to the routine the safer you will feel. I am not very religious in my everyday life but I do have my church at 30,000 feet.

Trick #7: Drink something relaxing

Being tense will only make the flight worse. Have ONE glass of wine or beer before you enter the plane or if you prefer a non-alcoholic beverage, a cup of chamomile Tea. Never fight nervousness by overconsumption of any food or beverage, as you risk worsening the situation with digestive problems.

Trick #8: Keep your brain busy or sleep

By doing nothing you will listen to your fears, therefore keep yourself occupied during the flight. Read a book, listen to music, watch a movie (on your ipod, etc), solve a cross word, read a magazine, talk to a fellow passenger, or simply sleep if that is possible. In my travel kit you will always find at least noise reducing headphones and an ipod.

Trick #9: Don’t hide your fears

The more casual and open you are about your fears the easier it will be to deal with them. Let the flight attendant and your fellow passenger know about your fears. Ask about the things that makes you nervous. Joke about it.

Trick #10: Visit URL: http://www.fearofflyingmusic.com/

Well not seriously but I found a band called fear of flying and thought it were appropriate to add them as the last trick. Listen at your own risk