Fear of flying is more common than some people realize, and it’s not an easy feeling to Overcome. They have irrational fears about what could go wrong when they board a Plane, and it causes extreme anxiety. The Fear of flying is usually based on situations that aren’t likely to happen. These are the factors that cause most people to have a fear of getting on a plane:
- People don’t trust the pilots and ground control
- They don’t think the plane is safe
- They fear the unknown
Some people feel safer in a car because they’re in control. However, they don’t consider that other drivers aren’t always as careful because they’re texting, driving too fast, or driving while intoxicated. FAA statistics show that between 2002 and 2007, 109 people died as a result of plane crashes; while during those years, nearly 200,000 people were killed in car accidents.
Airplane Safety
Safety procedures are in planes for airlines and planes routinely undergo maintenance and repairs. For every hour they’re in the air, airplanes undergo 11 hours of maintenance. Some people worry about turbulence or severe weather causing a crash. Turbulence occurs when the plane flies through high or low-pressure systems, but pilots intentionally navigate their planes away from these conditions. Radar is designed to detect storms more than 150 miles away. If the weather is severe enough, the pilot will fly around it or land at another airport. Learning the facts about airline safety can help to calm your fears.
Strategies To Cope
Phobias are hard to overcome, but there are ways to cope. Finding a coping mechanism is an effective way to overcome your fear. Use the strategy that makes you feel the most relaxed and confident about flying.
- Listening to music is soothing and calming, especially during stressful times.
- Listening to an audio book by one of your favorite authors can relieve anxiety. When you immerse yourself in the story, you won’t be worrying about the flight.
- Visualization or subliminal hypnosis are positive methods to cope with anxiety and overcome fears. Hypnosis is very effective for most people, and the more you listen to the subliminal message, the easier it will be to overcome your fear.
- Taking a few short flights to destinations in your area can help to ease your fear of flying and prepare you for a longer flight.
- Most airlines feature WiFi, so you can chat with friends in-flight, check email, or play a game.
David Milberg is an experienced credit analyst in NYC. He is a long-time owner of Milberg Factors, a factoring and finance company with locations in New York, California, and North Carolina.
