Chat Wednesday 9 PM - 11 PM Eastern Time




Free Group Phone Counseling With Capt Tom Wednesday 10 PM - 11 PM Eastern Time


  • dial (712) 432-3900


  • when asked, enter the conference ID 9352101 followed by the # sign




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Fear Of Storms - Part Two - "Bubba Doesn't Do Danger!"




He told me before the flight that it would be extremely bumpy because we'd be dodging storms between Chicago, our departure point, and Phoenix, our destination. He added, "You don't want to fly through a thunderstorm. I don't want to fly through a thunderstorm. I'll fly back to Chicago before I fly throught a thunderstorm." 



Sure enough, we flew between storm cells -- he made the announcement before it happened, long line on the left and short line on the right -- and the ride was like a mini-roller-coaster. It took all the SOAR tools I had to get through that one, and when Jello quit working, I decided just to pretend I was on the Six Flags Mine Train Coaster I remembered from my youth. (Perspective is everything.) 




The captain shook my hand after we landed, and I just had to ask -- "We were never in any danger, were we?" He laughed and said, "No way! Bubba doesn't do danger!" I'll always remember that captain fondly. :-) 

 

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Change At The FAA - Well, Not Yet

 

I've recommended www.airsafe.com many times. It is run by former Boeing engineer Todd Curtis, PhD.



Todd - and I think you will agree with him - sees no reason why the FAA should be allowed to censor information about bird strikes. He has provided information on how you, if you feel the same way, can object.



Go to: www.regulations.gov/search/index.jsp



If you put in the docket number (FAA-2009-0245) in the Search Documents box, you will be taken to a page with a number of options. To add a comment, click on the words "Send a Comment or Submission" or on the comment icon (it looks like a little yellow balloon).



Before you add comments, you may want to spend some time thinking about what you want to write. It is best to comment on one or more specific points in the proposal. I suggest that you take the time to read what Todd has presented on this at www.airsafe.com

 

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Hours Of Turbulence And "I Read My Magazines . . ."


 

Good Morning Capt. Tom,

 

I recently returned from my vacation out west, and wanted to share with you how excited I am about my experience.  I had two flights in the course of five days, and both were entirely uneventful for me. 

 

Before I left, I knew that I should trust that the things I had learned in the course would get me through.  I had a nice feeling of calm leading up to my first flight, where normally I would have been sick with anticipatory anxiety. Turns out we flew on a very turbulent day. Early in the flight, the captain let us know that there would be moderate turbulence for the full five hours (his words). He wasn't kidding! But, I read my magazines and used my word puzzles to stay in the moment and things were fine. My husband, who had watched the videos with me, and I talked through everything that happened as it happened. Even with an incredibly rough landing - I was no different from any other passenger on that flight. No panicking!

 

Then we were graced with a remarkably smooth flight on the way home - I've never had such a smooth flight. It was beautiful. I didn't have a moment's worry. We also upgraded to first class, which is lovely.

 

I hope that my husband and I will be traveling more now. I expect that I will continue to work on the exercises and build my strength, but I am thrilled at how far I have come. I cannot thank you enough for how you have helped me, and there are just not words to describe my gratitude.

 

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Turbulence And "I Did The 5-4-3-2-1 Several Times . . ." 

 


Just wanted to let you know that I completed your course.

 

(I should probably preface this with telling you that I have been flying 2 - 4 times per year for as long as I can remember. But Sept 11 was the turning point where my imagination started taking over and anxiety magnified to the point that I was considering giving up family trips to avoid flying. )

 

I was confident and ready to fly, booked a flight, then turned on the TV to hear about the Miracle on the Hudson. I kept doing my strengthening exercises, went on your blog . . . and told myself I had to get up in the air.




I just returned from my trip last night. I flew from Milwaukee to Atlanta. My 10 year-old son was very intrigued by the cockpit so when the copilot asked us if we wanted to peak in, I was able to tell him about my situation. He was very helpful I had some anxiety with turbulence. I did the 5-4-3-2-1 several times and got through the flight with no anti-anxiety meds!!!!

 

Then flew Atlanta to Miami with less anxiety than the first flight! I was very proud of myself! Then turned on the TV only to hear about the tragedy of the Buffalo Continental flight. My imagination started to take control and then I read your email with your comments on the accident. I knew I had to get back on the plane to get home so I worked through my thoughts and told myself to accept flying for what it is. I am also a Christian and prayed asking God for relief from all my imaginative thoughts and ask him to help me "fly with my left brain". It really does help to keep the left brain busy....between magazines, reading to my son, and

scrabble, I had no time for my imagination to take over.



Thank you for your DVDs. I have another flight to Florida in two weeks. Rest assured I will continue my exercises.




Gratefully,

 





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SOAR Will Work For You Too



SOAR was established in 1982 because no programs existed that could help people with moderate to severe difficulties. Even today, no other program offers help that is effective except for mild difficulties. No matter how difficult flying is for you, we can help.




  • Call me at 877 332-7359 between 10 AM and 6 PM Eastern time or

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  • No Charge. No Obligation. Just get the information you want.



Or Enroll Right Now And Get This Over With



You will feel better as soon as you make the decision.





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  • More info.



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Flying in three to ten days? Get comprehensive help with SOAR Complete Relief.



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Unsure Which To Choose


If you are unsure which is best for you, please call me at 877 332-7359 so we can talk it over. You will feel better as soon as you decide to act.


We are always here to help. As you go through the program, call or email whenever you have a question or a concern.


 


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Patrick's Column This Week




Flying for a regional carrier can be hell. A few weeks ago, this newsletter included an article on Captain Sullenberger's views that without adequate pay and security, the quality of pilots with the major airlines will become a problem. It is already a problem at regional carriers, as the Buffalo accident makes clear: a twenty-five year-old captain with relatively little total experience and only a month's experience on the type of aircraft making a mistake that has "real pilots" like Patrick, Captain Steve, and myself wondering how could anyone, anywhere do something that stupid. Well, maybe it wasn't stupid; it was - I believe - panic. And, you all know about panic. Right? It isn't something you want your captain to do. What is the answer: the answer is absolutely clear and it is training. Read Patrick's column on how on the Buffalo accident, how hellish it is to work for a regional, and how at least one regional is meeting the problem of relatively inexperienced new pilots they hire through comprehensive training. It is at this link.




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Discuss Or Schedule An Individual Session -- Call 877 332-7359



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