Taru.... I'm a pilot for an international airline, and I am also getting ready for a round the world sail on my Morgan 46. I can assure you that there is nothing to fear flying. I have over 13000 hours of flight time flying all over the world over the last 18 years and I have never had anything bad happen. Even if it does, that is what we train for. Professional pilots are some of the most highly-trained (with yearly recurrent training) and competent people at their jobs you will ever meet. Stick to the well-known and non-discount airlines and you will have the cream of the crop as your pilots.

Go to the Dr. and Get some Zanax, take one before you get on the plane, you will be totally relaxed...promise! :-) I take them to go to the Dentist, my phobia!
Looking forward to your first post after you get back to the boat!! :-)

That's great! I have (slowly going away as I get older) the exact same fear about flying. No control if the thing starts to plummit towards earth. Exact same fear about sharks, the thing clamps onto your leg and starts dragging you down. What to do. With a dog on land at least you can stand your ground firmly as it pounces and attacks you :-)

However with flying that is what whisky was invented for :-) A few drinks before you go what the hell, who cares.

Actually you should save the France trip until you sail across, make your destination Aruba as the first stop then fly to France. Why? Because Aruba airport they have bars inside after you clear immigration, right at the gate where you can drink AND smoke right at your departure gate! How cool is that.

You'll be alright and good news is this fear does slowly dissapate as you get older.

Hello. Thanks for dropping by my blog. What you are doing is amazing! I understand your fear of flying. Take care. Hugs Karen

Ne vous inquietez pas!

Taru, this blog is so inspirational. And not in the conventional sense of the word. I find myself in a position where I want, or rather, am compelled to make a significant change in my life. It's a long story that even I find too complicated to understand, but I know that I should probably just 'go for it' and see the world, like I have dreamt of doing since I was a little girl; like my boyfriend has been waiting for us to do for two years now - instead of continuing our current relay of international flights every three weeks to the other's city. With the same terrible fear that one of us wont make it. (Jesus Christ!)

This is turning into a very long comment, but just to say that your blog, this inspirational blog, gives me courage, gets me excited, and, crucially, makes me question my actions - or rather, my non-actions. Thank you, both, and happy new year!

I'm more afraid of the security "bozos" at the airport than of flying. A pilot myself, I come from a family of pilots and aeronautical engineers, so know there is naught to fear in flying.

Have no fear. The ride to the airport by car is far more dangerous. Here's some practical advice...

When you start to think negative thoughts about a flight (or anything else for that matter), stop yourself, back up the the imaginary "video" you are running in your head and think about how you would like the story to end. Visualize yourself arriving on time, safe, relaxed, and happy that you could travel the distance so quickly. Basically, you are re-programming your mind to expect a positive outcome rather than a negative one. After all, it is all in your mind. Try it. It can really relieve your anxiety.

Hi Love

So weird, this morning I was lying in my bed with the exact same feelings for when we're coming to visit you. The flight to Miami feels ok, but the smaller plane to the Caribbean island freaks me out. I'll do it but it freaks me out for real. And with the thing I carry in me ... I can't really take any Xanax or Benzodiazepine pill so I just have to trust the universe and my good kharma I guess ...

Love you and see you both in less then a month.

/Stina

Thanks guys for your input. I def know it's just nonsense to worry about things that has such small chance to fail and would it be my destiny that I should die right now, well then I'm sure that it would happen in one way or the other. Too bad this rational part of my brain is sleeping when I'm about to board a plane though.

Somehow this fear grows larger for every month/year that I feel more content as a human being, it is deeply psychological I assume without being a psychiatrist. As a (cynical) person who always was convinced that all good things has an end, this fear is most present now when I am deeply in love and have a bright and wonderful future in front of me. It is not so much about the actual flying as a transportation method, it is more about how I relate to life/happy endings/destiny in general. And it is also a bit frightening to not have the control of being able to make a difference would something happen as I trust myself more than anyone else.

At the same time I'm a true optimist and I trust my angels to watch over me so this fear doesn't really make any sense when I think about it from another perspective. Have to work on it for sure. Or use the boat as the only transportation method from now on. Ha!

Stina, see you very very sooon. Can't wait to see you and your baby belly!!!

All this good advice but have any of you considered the possibility of BOTH pilots having simultaneous heart attacks? Scary...

Hello Taro,

Although I don't have quiet as many flying hours as Brett, I can tell you that flying is very safe. My suggestion is to take up flying lessons when you have an opportunity. Even if you don't go on to solo or getting your license, it will help. Flying is much more organized, regulated and controlled than sailing and only the best go on to become professional pilots.

Having a few lessons will help. Promise.

Enjoy the moment.

Victor