Fear of flying

Halcyon · 23-11-2006, 15:10

I'm going away to Paris for my birthday and my girlfriend is petrified of flying.
We've booked the flights and when we did book them, she didnt really think too much about it. Now the day is nearing, it is on her mind.
She has flown before but it is more the fact that she has a little son and the thought of the plane going down and him having no one scares her totally.

Can anyone reccomend ways of getting over the fear or something to take to calm her nerves as she doesnt want it to ruin the holiday.

It is really getting her down and she was shaking this morning thinking about it all.

Many thanks for your suggestions,

Halcyon.

punky · 23-11-2006, 15:19

If she's scared for the reason only, then tell her your much more likely to die in a car crash on the way to the airport than the flight itself. People don't realise how low the risk of plane crashes each. Its the lowest of all forms of transport. Car, bus, train and walking.

Who is the kid staying with? Is she worried they won't look after him if the worst did happen? Speaking to them might help put her mind at rest.

Bit late to suggest the Eurostar now. Its really nice actually. Definitely recommend it for future.

Halcyon · 23-11-2006, 15:28

Thanks Punky, she is considering the Eurostar but the prices are lot's at the moment and we got our flights back in September so they were quite cheap.

The kid is staying with my girlfriend's Mum and they get along fine. That isnt the issue, it is more that she thinks that she is going to die and he will have no mum anymore.

I'm trying to get her to think positively.....just got some bach's rescue remedy so will see if that helps.
I'll keep on teling her how safe it is compared to other forms of transport.

Thankyou

Aragorn · 23-11-2006, 15:34

Try getting her to focus on the rewards of going on the flight - ie romantic weekend in Paris - rather than the negatives.
My wife (Arwen

) doesn't like flying but came with us to Florida in March to reap the rewards.

Halcyon · 23-11-2006, 15:36

I'll give it a go.
Thanks.

Aragorn · 23-11-2006, 15:39

Failing that, and some might consider it a bit drastic, but I think her GP might be able prescribe some anxiety tablets as a one off.

Jules · 23-11-2006, 15:44

Tell her to go to her GP he/she will be able to give her something

Have a good time

TheDaddy · 23-11-2006, 15:44

They say that people who are afraid of flying are actually scared of crashing, I have often found this statement strange when you consider that flying is the safest form of transport ever, the planes are maintained to the highest standard, the piolts are highly trained and have thousands of hours experience, so there is really nothing to be scared of, I suspect that the real cause of people being scared of flying comes more from a control point of view rather than fear and whilst we all like to be in control, it is a more apparent trait in certain individuals.

pedantic · 23-11-2006, 15:47

Or you could always ask Hannibal Smith for one of his milk "mixtures* he used to always be able to get BA on a plane............."hey sucker"

punky · 23-11-2006, 16:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Halcyon

The kid is staying with my girlfriend's Mum and they get along fine. That isnt the issue, it is more that she thinks that she is going to die and he will have no mum anymore.

I'd repeatly reassure your girlfriend that her mum will make sure her kid is looked after well. She'll be a grandmum and a mum, and her kid will be properly looked after.

Because a kid doesn't have a mother, its not the end of the world. He won't be shoved into care and neglected if the worst did happen. He'll come to terms with it and will be very well cared for by your girlfriend's mum.

Hopefully that will reassure her somewhat.

Halcyon · 23-11-2006, 16:43

Yeah, I hope it does. We are flying tommorow and so I need to work hard at cheering her up and making her feel better for the flight.
I know once we are there she will be OK, it's just getting past the flight.

Thanks.

Jules · 23-11-2006, 16:56

Happy Birthday as well

Halcyon · 23-11-2006, 17:01

Thankyou

I'll be 25 this week so having a nice little birthday weekend. I'm hoping the weather isn't too bad.

punky · 23-11-2006, 17:24

Oh yeah, missed that... Happy birthday mate

Hope you have a great birthday/trip

Virgin Mary · 23-11-2006, 17:53

I have fear of flying too, it is completely irrational, it comes and goes. Few stiff drinks, does the trick.