Chat Wednesday 9 PM - 11 PM Eastern Time
- The chat is at: http://www.fearofflying.com/talkread/chat.shtml
- If you have trouble logging in, go to https:fearofflying.com.campfirenow.com
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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New Safety Legislation
According to a USA Today story, legislation is being introduced in Congress aimed at dramatically increasing airline safety. Here is a summary.
- Require that all airline pilots obtain an Airline Transport Pilot license, which is currently needed only by captains. Pilots must have a minimum of 1,500 flight hours to obtain the license. Co-pilots may now be hired at airlines with as little as 200 hours, though most begin airline work with more experience.
- Mandate that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) within 90 days set up a new database of pilot records so that airlines will have access to more information before they hire someone for the cockpit. The captain of the jet that crashed near Buffalo had failed several FAA-mandated tests of his piloting skills, but his airline did not know about all of them when it hired him.
- Direct the FAA within one year to rewrite the rules for how many hours pilots can be on duty. Several attempts to rewrite the rules to make piloting less prone to fatigue have failed in recent decades. FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt also has vowed to update the rules.
- Require airlines and travel websites when they sell tickets to disclose the name of the carrier operating the flight. About half of all flights are operated by regional airlines working under contract to major carriers, but those regionals almost never sell tickets directly to passengers. Most of the regional flights are flown with the name of the major carrier painted on their aircraft.
- Set up numerous studies and task forces to examine how best to train pilots, minimize pilot fatigue and run a safe airline.
The Buffalo accident appears to be serving as a wake-up call to the hazards of flying with crews who live like migrant workers. An article about that is at this link. It is a problem. But is it a problem you need to become obsessed about? No, because you will meet the captain and copilot when you board, using your letter of introductions. You can tell when you meet them if they are bright-eyed and alert, or tired and grumpy. If they don't greet you cordially, rather than take it personally, take it as your wake-up call to get off the plane and take another flight.
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About Meeting The Captain
When the only way to feel safe is to be in control, it seems crazy to get aboard an airliner. That changes, though, when you meet the captain and recognize that this person is in the same boat - or plane - as you are.
Here is a photo Kelli M. sent in. She writes as follows:
Just thought you'd like to see this picture that my amused husband took this morning before our flight to Maui.
Everytime I ask to meet the Captain, I prepare for them to say "No", but as you can see they not only said "Yes", but they are very happy and accommodating! :)
My husband usually stays back in his seat, but this time he snuck up and snapped this picture!
Please do share my letter and picture in your newsletter. I think it might be really helpful for people to see that part of your program in progress...and more importantly to see how pleasant the crew can be! It really is, as you've said, a vital piece to overcoming the anxiety.
This particular crew was very very relaxed and the captain spoke very candidly to me about Air France, and turbulence and weather and many other things. The copilot shared with me his terror about going to the dentist, and said he can understand this type of anxiety.
They both seemed aware that left brain stats weren't going to help me much, but they really wanted to say the things that would soothe me. It was interesting because at some point while I was talking with them, I became aware of the contrast between their clear excitement and love of flying, and my fear and dread of it!
To see the photo, click here.
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Web Pages On Boeing And Airbus Airliners
A web site comparing Airbus models is at this link.
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Just Back From Japan
Dear Captain Tom,
Just another flight update for you, since I am so proud of my ability to fly now, thanks to you and SOAR and my own determination. My husband and I just returned from a week in Japan, on a company-sponsored trip. No way was I going to pass that up! The plane was a nice big Boeing 777, and we had a nice flight for 13 hours to Tokyo. Since this was by far the longest flight I've taken since completing your course, I did have a few moments of nervousness with some of the turbulence. Each time I fly, though, it gets easier and easier to quell the anxiety, as I just think about the "jello" comparison, etc.
I think one the greatest "by-products" of your course, is that this process of "rewiring" affects every other area of life. For example, while in Japan, I was able to do many things that I also would have avoided, such as take the famous Bullet train ("too fast, it will fly off of the tracks!!"), or take a crowded Tokyo subway ("what if it stops underground and there is no air?"), or went up in the sky to the top of Tokyo Tower in a packed elevator up almost 1000 feet ("OMG, what if a famous Japan earthquake hits and this topples over??")!
Not only was there no anxiety, it was actually a blast. Even my husband, who has never had these kinds of fears or anxieties, was not able to make it to the top of the Tokyo Tower, and I was! I really did try not to be too smug...
It was great to have fun for a change, and not spend half of the time in anticipatory anxiety states. Remember, as a great Greek Philosopher once said, those who fear death are actually afraid of truly living, or something like that.
Every trip I make now, I mentally thank you for giving me the tools to truly start living and enjoying this beautiful world.
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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
- Set up a time online at http://soar.genbook.com
- 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.
You will feel better as soon as you make the decision.
- Accelerated courses give you the most help possible in the time you have available.
- A twenty-minute private session and unlimited group counseling sessions are included.
- What you pay is 100% transferable to the SOAR Video Course 11 DVDs.
Start viewing on your computer screen in two minutes.
- Get a compact version of the SOAR Course.
- Load it on your laptop, iPod or other media player. More info.
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Dr. Barnett's Stats
Arnold Barnett of MIT is a delightfully nerdy guy. He loves statistics, and he loves to talk about them. There is a long video on the MIT web site in which he holds forth on the safety - or lack thereof - of airline flying. He has a lot to say, and if an hour of statistical analysis is your cup of tea, take a look at the video.
The short version is this: he says from 2000 to 2008, the risk of death due to airline flying was one in twenty-three million. There is a much better chance, he says, of becoming president than to die due to taking a flight.
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Or You Could Watch Shark Week On Discovery Channel
Yes, folks, it's Shark Week again on Discovery Channel. The New York Times refers to Discovery's shark programs as "the shell game that Discovery has been playing for years: exploiting the queasy fear that sharks inspire while noting in passing how rarely they attack."
One of this week's specials, "Blood in the Water", starts out with a voice saying, "The New Jersey Shore became a killing ground." The program is nearly over when the viewer learns he has been conned, and that the attacks being described happened 94 years ago. After the program is finished visually - and with music - attacking you, there is an admission that there have been only two fatal shark attacks off New Jersey since then. Does that piece of information serve as an antidote for the terror they have put you through? I think not.
Just as you thought it was safe to go in the water, or just when you thought it was safe to fly, you hear about something and it sets you off. It could be reading the weather forecast and finding thunderstorms are in the forecast. Or it could be the incident this week in which passengers were hurt in turbulence. I got emails saying, "You told me turbulence is not dangerous and look at this!" To which I reply, no one got hurt who was wearing a seat belt. Those who got hurt ignored the seat belt sign. Usually people get away with ignoring the sign. This time they didn't. Wear your seat belt and turbulence will not harm you.
We can stop the fear. It's simple. We stop the stress hormones release. We train your mind to not react to flying.
The Times article on Discovery's irresponsible programming is at this link.
One of this week's specials, "Blood in the Water", starts out with a voice saying, "The New Jersey Shore became a killing ground." The program is nearly over when the viewer learns he has been conned, and that the attacks being described happened 94 years ago. After the program is finished visually - and with music - attacking you, there is an admission that there have been only two fatal shark attacks off New Jersey since then. Does that piece of information serve as an antidote for the terror they have put you through? I think not.
Just as you thought it was safe to go in the water, or just when you thought it was safe to fly, you hear about something and it sets you off. It could be reading the weather forecast and finding thunderstorms are in the forecast. Or it could be the incident this week in which passengers were hurt in turbulence. I got emails saying, "You told me turbulence is not dangerous and look at this!" To which I reply, no one got hurt who was wearing a seat belt. Those who got hurt ignored the seat belt sign. Usually people get away with ignoring the sign. This time they didn't. Wear your seat belt and turbulence will not harm you.
Flying is hard to deal with because you are not in control. And when not in control, you try to keep your mind off the situation. Turbulence throws a monkey wrench into that strategy.
Whether sharks or turbulence, media hype plays with your mind and sets it up for thoughts to trigger the stress hormones that cause you to feel fear.
We can stop the fear. It's simple. We stop the stress hormones release. We train your mind to not react to flying.
The Times article on Discovery's irresponsible programming is at this link.
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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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Discuss Or Schedule An Individual Session -- Call 877 332-7359
Call between 11 AM and 6 PM Eastern Time (same time zone as New York)
You'll reach me easily. The toll-free number rings my cell phone.
Call between 11 AM and 6 PM Eastern Time (same time zone as New York)
You'll reach me easily. The toll-free number rings my cell phone.
- find out how I can help you with flying
- discuss the possibility of a counseling session
- set up a time that fits your schedule
Outside the U.S. and Canada call 203 258-4803
- a twenty-minute session is $60.00 if not enrolled in a course.
- one twenty-minute session is free if enrolled in any course.
- additional twenty-minute sessions are $60.00.
- two one-hour sessions are included in the SOAR Guaranteed Program
Schedule An Individual Session Online
Note: Times Listed Are Eastern Time (same as New York)
