[Billy]

Hello folks

I jet off to NZ tomorrow for a recce, and the thing is, I dont like flying.

Any last-minute tips for me to calm my nerves?

Cheers
Billy

[Danpoll]

1/2 bottle of jack daniels,
:yes

just be cool, thousands of people fly there evrey day, and its only a few hours, the entertainment the food and sleep and before you know it youll be touching down.


Dan

[MB]

Billy - I don't know if that old psychological 'snapshot' diagnosis about people who fear flying not liking to relinquish control is at all true of you.

But if so, what always occurs to me a bit when I hear that reason being given is "Okay, if it's to do with nervousness about someone else being at the controls, well, who would you rather be flying the 'plane? You? Or someone who has made it their life's work to fly planes and be at the controls?"

In other words, I'm delighted to give control to the crew because they know what the (expletive) they're doing. And I don't!

Also, I was brought up not to drink before or during the thing I'm worried about - dentist, etc. - but to drink afterwards if I like. Even so, especially perhaps if the achievement for you is getting on the plane at all and 'surviving' the take-off, I really don't think there's harm or 'weakness' in having a couple of beers in the air. Or, unless you make it a determined personal goal to endure the flight sober, to have a drink before or during anyway. Might help you relax and even sleep. I drink a bit on flights, but that may not be your thing anyway. :cheers

Just enjoy the flight. It's nice to be waited on and have no meetings, phones going off, etc.!

Cheers,
Matt.

[MB]

But if so, what always occurs to me a bit when I hear that reason being given is "Okay, if it's to do with nervousness about someone else being at the controls, well, who would you rather be flying the 'plane? You? Or someone who has made it their life's work to fly planes and be at the controls?"

Blimey, that sounded more snotty that I intended :oops: . I don't mean "You?" as in Billy, I mean "You?" as in me, you, anyone - a generic everyman who might be thinking this way.

Hope that was obvious...and anyway, I'm aware that this logical rebuttal might be seen to be missing the psychological point. But I think it's a signifcant line of reasoning, and possibly a solid enough shift of perspective for anyone who sort of somehow thinks they should be sitting in the cockpit rather than the crew. No insensitivity intended. :nice1

Cheers,
Matt.

[Billy]

Thanks for the advice. I fly quite a lot, mainly Glasgow/Southampton/Bristol, but it doesn't make it any easier. It never used to bother me.

A couple of drinks always calms me down, but never enough to get some sleep.

I'll try and think positive and about these tips.

Cheers
Billy

[MB]

Great. It didn't bother you once, and soon you'll probably find you get to that state of mind again.
You'll be fine, I reckon. Enjoy the flight! :nice1

Matt.

[Billy]

Cheers, I'll give it a go.

[Jules]

Hi Billy

I hate flying aswell and I got here OK :nice1 I just took some tablets called Calms a week before we flew and I was OK. Just try and relax and keep thinking where you are going, thats what I did. I was very proud of myself when we touched down in Auckland and I could say "I have flown half way round the world" :nice1

Good luck and I am sure you will be fine

Jules

[veronica]

the other thing you could try is something like the travel pills that say' caution these pills may cause drowsiness etc. or something that has similar effects. I always take a piriton tablet on the flight as thats just enough to make me sleep a bit.

[Billy]

Excellent, thanks for these. I'll give the travel pills a go.

Cheers
Billy

[kiwidollie]

Billy I hate flying as well but I found that the longer the flight was - the better I felt.

Flying to Spain which is only a couple of hours was awful I was anxious the whole time, sweaty palms, visions of disaster, feeling sick etc.

Flying to New Zealand last year was completely different. Because the plane is so much bigger and you have more room I didn't feel so closed in. Also the flight is so much longer that you cannot actually physically maintain that state of high anxiety. It was quite weird. After a while I began to feel much calmer - just watching the cabin crew going about their business made it seem so much more routine. I decided that if they were'nt worried then I shouldn't be. There was plenty of entertainment and lots of food to take your mind off things.

Hope that all made sense!

I'll keep my fingers crossed for you and hope you have a good trip.

I can't wait to get back on a plane taking me to New Zealand :yes :yes :yes :yes :yes

P.S. A friend of mine also recommends something called 'Rescue Remedy'. It's a herbal type liquid you can get from Holland and Barrett. You just take a few drops when you need to. She swears by it! x

[KD17]

A very late reply as Billy will be having a good time in Auckland just now. But for any others that don't like flying - me very much included - try some complementary treatments like an aromatherapy massage or reflexology the day before, that can calm you down for days.

I always try to remember the (alleged) fact that more people are killed by donkeys that flying in an aeroplane !! :laugh :laugh

Hope it went well Billy.

[Billy]

Hello from Wanganui!

Made it across with no problems. The flights were quite smooth, and lots of empty seats. Used the transit hotel at Changi for a few hours kip - well worth it.

Done about 1200 kms driving already. Just been to a small town called Shannon, just south of Palmy. It is lookinng a likely place to move to.

Onwards to Taranaki tomorrow, before heading back up to Auckland and then Northland.

Great weather.

Cheers for now
Billy

[MB]

Great, mate. All the best as you travel!

Cheers,
Matt.

[Rammer]

Billy,

Great to here you made it there OK I have been following your posts. Hope you enjoy your trip. ;)

I am off to welli soon after I get my passports back for a 2-3 week recki trip.

Ian & Madge :nice1

[Billy]

Cheers

It's been 3 years since I was last here, and it feels as good or better than then.

Good luck.

Cheers
Billy