nervous, need a little hand holding...

[kickballpro]

Why kid? I would imagine the odds of either of those happening are much higher than, say, turbulence just ripping apart an aircraft. None of them have very high odds, but a bird strike is probably the highest of odds. However, 9.8 times out of 10, a bird strikes has little to no impact on the flight and passengers wouldn't even know it happened unless it had the unfortunate odds (again with the odds) of hitting an engine.

 

Kidding because I am giving the traveler another reason to panic. I have actually been on a plane that had a bird strike and we were forced to land in Gander, New Foundland. It was in an Air Force C-130. We were 8 planes going to Bosnia and had to cram into 7 and the plane with a hole in it went back home. But you're right, against the odds.

[travelplus]

I fly overseas to visit family and have no issues whatsoever. In fact studies show that you are safer flying that getting into the car to the airport. I love flying on the Airbus 380, 747s with Personal Entertainment Systems and music.

 

If flying is hard for you I suggest you arrive early at the airport (3 hours is good if not a little more) to go through the checkin process and security process. If you can get access to the Airline Club its worth it to be away from the hustle and bustle of the airport and the agent can get you better seats. Have a drink or two and relax.

 

Think of us here at Cruise Critic and how much fun you will have on the cruise. You couldn't get on the cruise without flying.

 

Another option is to see if you can hold out and go on a Trans Atlantic cruise at least one way to avoid flying both ways.

 

I find the stress of flying is mostly in part due to the stress at the airport. 99.9 percent of the time I am at the ticket counter 4 hours before the overseas flight when there are no lines. When I get to the ticket counter 4 hours before I am at the gate within 30 minutes from when I was dropped off . I like flying on Tuesdays or Saturdays when the airports are less crowded.

 

With PriorityPass Lounge Access I can use a great number of lounges if they are present in the terminal/airport or will splurge for a $50 day pass if it means less stress and a nice shower. I take a shower during my layovers as this is what pilots do and it helps them with the jetlag. It really works.

 

Be sure not to drink a lot of caffeine before the flight as this can make you stressed and uneasy and can cause panic attacks. A little is ok for Jetlag but not too much. Drink lots of water onboard.

 

Eat a high protein meal for lunch and then a carbohydrate meal for dinner before the flight( I like pasta). For international flights I go to bed at 8 PM the night before wake up at 4AM the next morning and stay up all day and go to sleep just after dinner when it quiets down with my eyeshade,airline socks and earplugs. The next morning I wakeup and stay up all day with no naps and am fine with no jetlag. I take a 5 minute(as warm as you can handle shower or bath ) for every time zone crossed and try to fast for the dinner on the plane and start up with breakfast on the plane with coffee as this resets the body clock. I take a nice brisk walk when I arrive .If I need to nap I will take a 45 minute nap(setting my alarm clock)

 

On the return flight I sleep for 3-4 hours after lunch and also go to bed at 8 PM the night before and get up early(as most flights leave in the morning). Then when I arrive at my home I take another 5 minute per time zone bath/shower followed by a 45 minute walk and stay up until my bed time around 10 PM and wake up early the next morning(without eating dinner the night before) and have a high protein fiber breakfast and take a walk.

 

My plan works and I have not suffered jetlag. Also I find that having a few drinks on board along with some coffee helps me with my jetlag symptoms as long as I drink enough water so I won't get dehydrated and I take frequent walks on the plane and stand and talk with the flight attendants.

[FlyerTalker]

Kidding because I am giving the traveler another reason to panic. I have actually been on a plane that had a bird strike and we were forced to land in Gander, New Foundland.

How about this photo:

 

[kickballpro]

How about this photo:

 

 

Wow that is crazy. That's a great photo thanks for sharing.

[KirkWN737]

Kidding because I am giving the traveler another reason to panic. I have actually been on a plane that had a bird strike and we were forced to land in Gander, New Foundland.

 

I was flying out of Baltimore a couple weeks ago and our #1 engine inhaled a bird during takeoff. There was a high amount of vibration and a couple other malfunctions but the engine stayed operational. I was forced to return back to the airport. Not my first encounter with a bird, but the first one that required an emergency landing.

[FlyerTalker]

To follow up on Kirk.....it is quite amazing what an aircraft can endure and still keep flying. Think back to some of the photos of B-17s from WWII and how much punishment they took. Or the Aloha Airlines "convertible".

 

I've had a blown tire, a lightning strike, engine shutdowns, wind shear and more. Still keep flying. It's safer than the car ride to the airport and I have a highly trained professional at the wheel. Plus, I get to have a cocktail along the way.

 

Back to Kirk: I'm picturing the WN powerplant mechanic cleaning out that CFM56...."Hey Harry, I got some cooked gizzard here".

[Zach1213]

To follow up on Kirk.....it is quite amazing what an aircraft can endure and still keep flying. Think back to some of the photos of B-17s from WWII and how much punishment they took. Or the Aloha Airlines "convertible".

 

I've had a blown tire, a lightning strike, engine shutdowns, wind shear and more. Still keep flying. It's safer than the car ride to the airport and I have a highly trained professional at the wheel. Plus, I get to have a cocktail along the way.

 

Back to Kirk: I'm picturing the WN powerplant mechanic cleaning out that CFM56...."Hey Harry, I got some cooked gizzard here".

 

Lightning is already the amazing thing to me. I've worked with several HIRF and Lightning engineers and sat through 5-day lectures on the effects of lightning and how to design an aircraft around lightning protection. Absolutely amazing that an aircraft can survive and direct lightning strike and keep on going safely.

[SnowshoeCat]

To the OP: I also work in aviation (I'm the air traffic controller getting the pilots out of bumpy conditions ;)) and I'm off to work right now. I just have one more quick word of info and I'll try to be back later.

 

Flights to Europe are mostly overnight. I strongly suggest you go to SLEEP! You don't need to be "alert for your family" in case of emergency. Waste of energy. The best thing to do for your kids in an emergency is to be calm. Get you and the kids to sleep as much as possible. This will do to things: get you to your destination better-rested than if you had been up all night, and it's hard to be stressed when you're asleep. Okay - gotta go!

[kickballpro]

I was flying out of Baltimore a couple weeks ago and our #1 engine inhaled a bird during takeoff. There was a high amount of vibration and a couple other malfunctions but the engine stayed operational. I was forced to return back to the airport. Not my first encounter with a bird, but the first one that required an emergency landing.

 

That's scary, I think Bird Strikes took down that US Air flight in New York.

[Zach1213]

That's scary, I think Bird Strikes took down that US Air flight in New York.

Those were multiple massive geese that happened to take out both engines. The statistical chance of that is so incredibly low that I cannot even guess what it is.

[KirkWN737]

To follow up on Kirk.....it is quite amazing what an aircraft can endure and still keep flying. Think back to some of the photos of B-17s from WWII and how much punishment they took. Or the Aloha Airlines "convertible".

 

I've had a blown tire, a lightning strike, engine shutdowns, wind shear and more. Still keep flying. It's safer than the car ride to the airport and I have a highly trained professional at the wheel. Plus, I get to have a cocktail along the way.

 

Back to Kirk: I'm picturing the WN powerplant mechanic cleaning out that CFM56...."Hey Harry, I got some cooked gizzard here".

 

It truly is amazing how much of a beating these airplanes can take. Every time I see pictures of the "Aloha Convertible" it amazes me that more didn't happen to the plane. It must have been so scary for the passengers. You probably know this, but after every bird strike, they are required to take samples of the bird before they can clean it up. Mainly for statistical data and prevention. But after we had landed and returned to the gate, I took a look at the engine and only a few fan blades were bent. And the funny thing is that it actually didn't smell too bad. It smelled like cooked poultry. The plane actually just returned to service because it was scheduled for a c-check starting that night.

 

Lightning is already the amazing thing to me. I've worked with several HIRF and Lightning engineers and sat through 5-day lectures on the effects of lightning and how to design an aircraft around lightning protection. Absolutely amazing that an aircraft can survive and direct lightning strike and keep on going safely.

 

I was struck multiple times today. I was on a flight to Dallas (Love) (from STL) this afternoon and you know what happened there. We were put into a holding pattern but had to divert to Austin after getting close to BINGO and with no end in sight with this storm. The FO saw a couple of the strikes hit the plane. But as you said, it doesn't do anything to the plane really. We diverted, returned to Dallas a little over an hour later, flew to MSY and find myself in a hotel there now. We were struck again on the way down too. The storm messed up my schedule, but now I only have one flight tomorrow to FLL, get home 7 hours earlier and I don't have to commute home from BWI. I was supposed to be in Nashville right now.

[KirkWN737]

I just checked my email, we inhaled a European starling. In case anyone was wondering. :)

[kenish]

I just checked my email, we inhaled a European starling. In case anyone was wondering. :)

 

Fortunately, you knew it was European:

 

[scottbee]

Back to Kirk: I'm picturing the WN powerplant mechanic cleaning out that CFM56...."Hey Harry, I got some cooked gizzard here".

 

There's standard operating procedure for that; they just call the catering department.

[scottbee]

Those were multiple massive geese that happened to take out both engines. The statistical chance of that is so incredibly low that I cannot even guess what it is.

 

And then everyone survived....

[Zach1213]

I was struck multiple times today. I was on a flight to Dallas (Love) (from STL) this afternoon and you know what happened there. We were put into a holding pattern but had to divert to Austin after getting close to BINGO and with no end in sight with this storm. The FO saw a couple of the strikes hit the plane. But as you said, it doesn't do anything to the plane really. We diverted, returned to Dallas a little over an hour later, flew to MSY and find myself in a hotel there now. We were struck again on the way down too. The storm messed up my schedule, but now I only have one flight tomorrow to FLL, get home 7 hours earlier and I don't have to commute home from BWI. I was supposed to be in Nashville right now.

Wow, crazy day. I often fly through Dallas (on an unnamed airline that uses a different airport ;)), and I am counting my blessings that I didn't have to travel yesterday! I don't envy anyone who had to deal with that yesterday, be it passengers, crew, ground staff...bad day all around! I can't imagine the IROPS folks have had a wink of sleep in the last 18 hours!

[kickballpro]

@ Captain Kirk

 

Have you ever had any run ins with Microbursts?

 

Love that a thread about a nervous flyer is turning into "stuff that can go wrong."

[SnowshoeCat]

 

 

Love that a thread about a nervous flyer is turning into "stuff that can go wrong."

 

But with happy endings :D

 

When we have a microburst alert at our airport, it can essentially stop traffic for 15 minutes until after the alert passes - and the alert itself can last for a while (I think some of that is airline regulations. If someone wants to go, that's up to them). If it's off the field, they just fly around them.

 

(I'm obviously not Capt Kirk and I hope I'm not intruding. I just wanted to give you the ATC perspective)

[KirkWN737]

Fortunately, you knew it was European:

 

 

You have to know these things when you're a pilot, you know. :D

One of my favorite scenes. If you ask Siri on the iPhone "What is the airspeed velocity of an unladen swallow?" she answers with "The last person who asked me that ended up in a crevasse." or with "An African or European swallow?"

[SnowshoeCat]

Fortunately, you knew it was European:

 

 

You have to know these things when you're a pilot, you know. :D

One of my favorite scenes. If you ask Siri on the iPhone "What is the airspeed velocity of an unladen swallow?" she answers with "The last person who asked me that ended up in a crevasse." or with "An African or European swallow?"

 

Hysterical - what would we do without the internet?

[KirkWN737]

@ Captain Kirk

 

Have you ever had any run ins with Microbursts?

 

Love that a thread about a nervous flyer is turning into "stuff that can go wrong."

 

Yes. Only once though. It happened while were on approach to LAX just after intercepting the localizer some years ago. The plane landing ahead us reported about a 15 knot gain in its airspeed at around 50-70 feet AGL. Then at about 200 AGL we experienced about a 15 knot gain in airspeed and lost 30 feet in altitude. We announced go around and aborted. Went into a holding pattern and landed about 30 minutes later. We reported it to the tower and two minutes later the they announced microburst alert with a 35 knot loss on the runway threshold. It was very scary but we knew what to do.

Luckily, we have come a long way in understanding and detecting this phenomenon in the past few decades. The crash of Eastern Airlines flight 66 in the mid 1970's was the watershed accident after which many specialists started to study microbursts and windshear more closely. Since then, unsafe conditions have become fairly easy to forecast and avoid. Most major airports are now equipped with windshear detection technology, as are cockpits. (The planes I fly have two different windshear warning systems.) We are trained in escape maneuvers, and can recognize weather conditions that might be hazardous.

[lrn2cruise]

I will give you a hand hold<3

 

I do agree with the lack of control. Knowledge is power.

 

Just think of turbulance as a bumpy road in a car.

 

I know you say that you dont want to do meds. Have you ever tried just maybe a half or a quarter of a Xanex. Drs can be pretty picky about perscribing it but I am not sure if they can just give you a few pills. A whole one put me to sleep and that is no way to live. a quarter or a half was best for me.

 

Another naturel anxiety relief that I recommend is a product called Hylands. If you goggle Hylands, you can see their various products. I have used Calms Forte, Nerve Tonic, I use Restful Legs for restless legs and it works well. Hylands is a homopathic product which is all natural

 

I wish you the best on your trip. Anziety and fear robs us of our peace and joy in life and can be bruttle. The big picture is that you are really ok and you and your family will be safe

[marcb71a]

Been afraid to fly my whole adult life. Didn't fly for about 3 years but with

marrying my second husband he is an avid traveler. Just accept you will be unconfortable. I read a book. Get out of your Mind and into your Life

that was recommended by Oprah for people like me (control freaks)

It has workbook exercises. It really helped

[pkt1976]

I am flying to Europe in the fall for a cruise and I hope you have a wonderful time OP. Thank you everyone who provided the great info to help the OP feel better. I had cancer a few years ago and couldn't fly for 1 year after finishing treatment. I decided to take a short "practice" flight to see if I would have an issue and to feel more confident in the airport since I hadn't flown in years. I was very nervous but didn't want to take the pain pills until I knew if I would need them. I didn't say anything to the flight crew but I know they could see my anxiety. They were very nice and made a point to ask me how I was a few times during the flight. Happily, I had only very minor discomfort on the flight and I feel a lot better about my upcoming overseas flight now. If you can, maybe take a short flight somewhere to build your confidence.

 

Have a wonderful time!

[IndyDenise]

I just wanted to tell Capt. Kirk thank you for all of your insight on this thread.

I am a bad flyer...very bad and take meds to help me from doing a " freak out"

I have been nervous about my upcoming trip to Rome in May, but I feel better with the info you gave.

Also, I love Southwest. It is my favorite airline. Great, happy, fun employees! I just wish they went to Europe!

Denise