Flight Buddy

I saw this press release today, and I have to say that I am quite curious:
http://www.pr.com/press-release/305670

I have tried many other programs, and for programs that you have to pay for, this seems quite reasonable. I am tempted to try it (especially since it is guaranteed). I'll keep you posted.

Funny...I tried another program that was guaranteed to work, and I never was able to get on a plane.  My sister said that I was going to cause the company to go bankrupt.

More suggestions

Even though the suggestions here are pretty basic, at least the article mentions trying to get professional help (oh wait, I've tried that) : 
http://roswell.patch.com/articles/what-to-do-about-your-phobia

Connections

I could go on and on here about not liking flight connections, but what I actually wanted to talk about was connections made over the internet.

Where else can you go and quickly get help from someone else who you didn't even know existed? I recently heard from someone who said they got over their fear of flying with hypnosis and that they also have a book to share (thank you stranger!). I look forward to hearing more from our internet connection, and I'll keep the rest of you to posted.

Japan

This is less about flying and more about putting things into perspective.

I may have horrible fear of flying, but that's all it is...a fear. I may have nightmares, but they are not real.

With the situation in Japan, the worst has happened, and the nightmare is a reality.  I have a lot of things in my life that are not going as planned or are stressful, but they are nothing compared to the situation in Japan.  For everyone affected by the earthquake/tsunami catastrophe, the world is collectively praying for you today. 

Speaking of Overactive Imagination

Right after I submitted my last post, I saw this:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/57-pilots-found-drunk-on-duty-in-09-10-11-lost-jobs/articleshow/7676480.cms

I'm in the mood to say that my overactive imagination is now justified!

Overdrive

If you have a fear of flying, you probably know what I am referring to with the post title.  Your mind on overdrive. Life with an overactive imagination.

My mind is on overdrive lately with work, and it reminds me of what happens when I attempt to fly.  I think of every little thing, it freaks me out, and I go through various stages of anxiety, depression, and guilt.

Anxiety - You are first anxious about you are going to do or need to do.
Depression - You are depressed when you don't think you can do it or end up not doing it.
Guilt - A wave of guilt comes washing over you as soon as you realize you didn't do it.

I have to start with the self talk:

Is anyone perfect?  No. 
Is anyone analyzing what I do as much as I am?  No.
Do we all make mistakes? Yes.
Should I chill out?  Yes.

Fear of Flying Articles

I honestly think that articles like this one are written by people who don't have a fear of flying: http://www.responsesource.com/releases/rel_display.php?relid=63253

I think I've read a million articles like this one, and seriously, if it were that easy....no one would be afraid to fly. 

When you are as anxious as I am:

• Eating a decent meal will not happen, I am just way too nervous.
• How can you think positively when you are trying to do the thing that you hate most in the world?
• Inform the cabin crew....I can barely talk without breaking down or crying.
• I already tried meds, and they didn't work.

Where are the articles written by people who really have gotten over their SEVERE fears?  

Looking for Pilots

I've decided that I need to make some pilot friends. 

Are you a pilot and love to talk about flying?  I'd love to hear from you.  I think that the more you know about something the less afraid you become. I want to know the gory details about flying. This is your chance to talk a lot about something that you love. :)

More Humor

This is a classic airplane safety video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDepABf9JOg


WHEN I get on a plane again, I will try to think of this so that it becomes more of an amusing event instead of being so serious.

Living Near an Airport

I knew it would freak me out initially, but I kind of did it on purpose. I chose to live a few miles from an airport.  I am right near the landing path for planes, and I hope that the constant exposure to planes will help me accept them. I can't say that it has been life changing, however, it does appear to be helping a little bit. It is a little neat to watch the planes land.  Kind of amazing actually.

The thing that still freaks me out a bit is that the Air Force does a lot of practice flights around here.  When they start doing their drills, it can get quite loud, and my mind starts imagining all sorts of crash scenarios. Multiple planes crashing into my apartment, multiple planes crashing onto roads, people screaming, etc.  When this starts to happen, I try to say,"STOP!  What is happening at this moment?"  Usually I'm just hearing loud noises, which is to be expected.  That's it.  No biggie.  I'm trying not to worry when I don't have to.

Wind! Not a Reason to be Scared

It was super windy while driving today, and it reminded me of one flight where the plane got completely tossed around in the air. 

A few thoughts:

• Other people on that flight threw up, I did not (the throwing up part just means it was "that" bad)
• The plane landed safely
• I don't think it's one of the flights that caused me to get scared

I certainly don't like the idea of getting tossed around in the air, but I'm here to talk about it, and it didn't scar me for life. Therefore, wind isn't one of the reasons why I don't get on a plane.  I'll call it one of my non-reasons.

What is your non-reason?

Turning Up the Heat

Shifting gears, I'm going to move from ice cold to boiling hot thoughts. How can you turn up the heat, when you know there is something that you should do but you just can't seem to do it?  Ease in; don't jump in.

If you tried to jump into a boiling tub of water, you'd jump right out.  If the water started out as room temperature and was slowly heated, you might end up getting cooked. Now we probably shouldn't strive to turn ourselves into stew, but it can be a technique for getting us used to something that we don't like.



Start watching planes take off or land.
Watch a ton of plane youtube videos.
Read about planes.
Learn about planes.

Immerse yourself and before you know it, you'll be flying and won't even realize it. Now if I could only take my own advice.