My Fear of Flying
I was recently reading The Long Ride Home by Nathan Millward and at one point in the book he talks about having to get on a plane, and his fear of flying:
This was something I would have loved to have avoided [getting on a plane], my fear of flying (I think) born out of the absence of control you have up there.
Everything in the hands of someone else, just sit there, hoping nothing bad happens because if it does I couldn't imagine anything worse than in that moment of free-fall thinking of all the things you should and could have done in life, as now it's too late to put things right or learn from your mistakes. Your time has come, and now it's gone. Though I suppose this is a fear of regret, as much as it is of flying.
This really resonated me, and for someone who flies semi-regularly for work, it often surprises people when I tell them I have a fear of flying.
I dunno, maybe fear is too strong of a word, but it definitely makes me feel very uncomfortable. Especially if there's turbulence.
Like Nathan, I think it's a loss of control. Yes yes, I know, I'm far more likely to hurt myself on my motorbikes, or in a car crash. But the difference is, if I have an accident in the car, or on a bike, I'm somewhat in control and there's a fair chance (especially in the car) that I will come out of it with only minor injuries.
On the other hand, if I'm in a plane crash, I'm very likely to die in the most horrific way possible, and that absolutely terrifies me. This is often compounded by the fact that a lot of the travel I do is transatlantic, so I'm over a huge body of water. Brilliant.
Overcoming it?
God knows I've tried! I've done the British Airways flying with confidence course, which gave me more knowledge, but hasn't really helped with my anxiety.
I've tried sleeping pills, but all the over-the-counter ones in the UK are shite and do absolutely nothing for me. They don't even make me drowsy. A couple of people have recommended sedatives, but that gives me the ick. Not only would it be illegal, I have no idea what they would do to me. No thanks.
I think I'm destined to be an uneasy flyer and just have to get on with it.
I'm due to go to the States again in a few weeks, and as per usual, the anxiety is starting to bubble in my gut.
If any of you have tips, I'd love to hear them!
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