Fear Of Flying.

[ConservativeMan55]

Does anyone have any ideas for me. I'm supposed to fly to Denver soon, and I'm afraid of flying. I've flown before, but its been 7-8 years. I really don't want to, but I'm planning on being a reporter for my career, and I'm gonna have to fly a ton with that career.

[College Repub]

Amtrak or GreyHound?

[Chad Fairbanks]

Just imagine the rest of the passengers naked...

(well, it always works for me)

[College Repub]

You don't need to be afraid of flying to do that. But try to avoid the fat ppl taking up 2 seats while imagining :)

[spycatcher]

good stuff here

[cajungirl]

Take a milligram of xanax {alprazalam} 45 minutess prior to the flight and keep another mgm. to put under your tongue if you start getting panicky. Dont drink with this and don't drive when you get there. You can safely take this several times during the flight if you don't have lung disease and aren't prone to addiction. Any one can fly with enough of this iin your system!! And pray.

[Chad Fairbanks]

Who said I was afraid of flying? ;0)

[mhking]

And this is breaking news because...

[ThePythonicCow]

There seem to be several web sites dedicated to coping with fear of flying. Try this Google search for "fear of flying" to find some of them.

[RedBloodedAmerican]

Just pretend you are strapped inside a hollow aluminum tube, hurtling through space at 600mph only seven miles abouve earth, being propelled by something not much more than a fire breathing coffee grinder while supported by two skinny pieces of aluminum. Which are attached to the aluminum tube by 4 bolts as big around as your thumb.

That should help.

[inflorida]

I also have a fear of flying even so I do it a lot.
Check out www.fearofflying.com. I never bought the program but the message boards helped me a lot.
BTW - don't be surprised when this gets pulled from Breaking News. It should be in the General Interest section.

[ThePythonicCow]

You never flew with Janet Reno, did you ... LOL

[Mulder]

I don't fly either, but for a different reason.

You could always drive, as I belive it's about a day's drive from Oklahoma to Denver. It will take you almost that long to fly, given the new "security" procedures and the general inefficieny of the quasi-gov't subsidized airlines.

If your employer gripes about you driving, explain to them that you are saving them money by not having to buy a plane ticket.

If they still give you a hard time by insisting that you can drive, but "on your own time", do that, but make sure that you eventually take it out of their hide.

[Chad Fairbanks]

I try to avoid flying with prominent liberals... ;0)

[inflorida]

Above post should have said:
www.fearofflying.com

[poindexter]

They serve alcohol on airplanes for a reason, you know. And you can get started in the airport lounge...

[livius]

You'll be okay. For one thing, you'll be so irritated by the time you get through security, you'll probably just be glad to get on the plane!

The other thing: don't think about it. If you really consider the possibility of thousands of tons of metal being able to go up and fly around thousands of feet above the ground, you'll freak out. So don't really think about it.

Either get there early and have a beer, or get there at the last minute and have to run through security and hustle onto the plane so fast you won't have time to worry. Then talk to the person next to you, or read the in-flight magazine with its many offers for bizarre things you can buy, or start reading some trashy and totally time-wasting novel you have saved for the trip.

Or do what I do: bring eyeshades and pull them down and go to sleep as soon as the plane takes off. Wake up only when the drinks cart comes around.

[RedBloodedAmerican]

He's not a pilot, you know.

[Mr. Mojo]

Easy solution. Start by drinking a lot of alcohol at the airport bar, and continue on board if you so desire. As your fear lessens with experience, you decrease the amount consumed. After 10 flights or so, you'll be ready for flying sober ;-)

[cubreporter]

Hey, just get on the plane and have faith. Read a magazine, listen to music, eat your meal and sleep. It'll be fine. Have a safe trip and good luck on your career as a reporter. :)