Sunday, January 18, 2009

aviatophobia

 

By now, I’m sure most of you have watched the videos and seen the interviews from the US Airways flight 1549 that crashed into the Hudson River last week.

 

I’ve seen a little bit of the video and some of the interviews.  But I just can’t watch too much.

My name is Tammy and I have aviatophobia.

I am scared to death of flying.

Do I let my fear consume me and prevent me from boarding planes??

No.

Do I load up on anti-anxiety drugs to get me from Point A to Point B??

No.  But on my last two long flights I’ve had them in my bag.  One hint of in-flight trouble and I would have guzzled them all.

I’m not exactly sure when or why my fear of flying began. 

I’ve been a worrier since the beginning of time, so perhaps it’s the “what if….” factor.

I’ve taken physics, so I know how it works.   But there’s still the mental hang up of a large heavy METAL object flying through the air. 

I am “Type-A” and like to be in control, so maybe it’s the complete lack of control I have while riding in that seat.

From takeoff until landing, with every turbulence and turn, and each *ding* of the bell…. I am on the edge of my seat, my knuckles are white and my stomach is queasy.

Whatever the reason, I don’t like to be a passenger on an airplane.  And the footage from last weeks crash just makes my fear more real.

Yet it confirms the presence of God’s hand in our everyday lives.   It’s a complete miracle that all 155 lives on board were spared.

And props to the Pilot, Chesley B. Sullenberger III.  Sir, YOU ROCK!  And I want you to be the pilot on all my flights.

So, if you ever sit next to me on an airplane and I happen to step on your foot during the landing.  Think nothing of it, I’m merely helping the pilot with the brakes!

9 comments:

Carolina Mama said...

Oh, I sooooo agree with you there! What a class act! Thanks much!

Valarie Lea said...

I am so glad you can overcome your fear and get on a plane, cause I was getting a little worried there, cause I was gonna say we need to go to greece, and you really need to fly to get over there!

Amanda said...

I hate flying too- Im ok during take off and landing- its that dang turbulance the scares the snot out of me.

Deanna said...

I can't figure out if we should or shouldn't sit next to each other on a plane. We would either cause a riot with our fears or we could share meds when things got rough!

I hate flying too!!!

2nd Cup of Coffee said...

I dont know if we were acquainted last June when I flew to NC. I spent like 6 weeks posting about my fear of flying. People were so tired of my fear posts they almost came and picked me up and drove me there. Look up "hodophobia." That's me.

j said...

AMAZING what that piolet accomplished. I rarely fly so I don't have to face my fears. But like you, it is not something that I am totally comfortable doing. More than the actual flying? I hate tight spaces. I feel pretty claustraphobic being closed up inside of a plane.

Kristin - The Goat said...

My husband is a pilot - he actually flies Lake Amphibians - that would be planes that have a boat hull on the bottom of the plane and the engine sits over the cockpit. It lands in the water just like that jet did -- I've done that once with my husband. I am alive. I will never go again unless forced. I've flown in other planes with him and I worry and fret the entire time. Large planes are soooooo much easier. The turbulence is so much less in the larger planes.

I know it doesn't reduce your fear, but I'm just letting you know - that even in a tiny plane, chances are great you will survive the flight!!

littletoesandcheerios said...

I have never flown before so I'm not sure how I would feel. I've always wanted to fly but have yet to have the opportunity. Glad you are brave and you don't let it take over.

Lisa said...

Ditto everything you said!
And I do the braking thing too!