Chat Wednesday 9 PM - 11 PM Eastern Time (new chat software)
- The chat is at: http://www.fearofflying.com/talkread/chat.shtml
- New chat software has been installed. You can re-register by clicking here.
- Or login as a guest.
Free Group Phone Counseling With Capt Tom Wednesday 10 PM - 11 PM Eastern Time
- dial (712) 432-3900
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when asked, enter the conference ID 9352101 followed by the # sign
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What Is A Pilot's Life Like?
For a USA Today article on what a pilot's life is like, click here. And here is a web site to help aspiring pilots get an idea of what the profession is like.
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Sounds Of Flight
Brad McBride, who regards himself a world class insomniac, produces MP3 audio downloads to help people sleep. Although he produced "The Jumbo Jet" for sleep onset, Brad thought people with fear of flying might be helped by repeated hearing. He charges for this download on his insomnia web site, but has generously offered it free to see if it helps with flying. Here is a free copy. Please let him know if you find it helpful or not at brad@virtualdreamer.com. If insomnia is a problem, check out his other downloads at http://virtualdreamer.com/
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Imagination Of Crashing
There's a thread on the message board that starts with needing to know what it would be like to crash. One person posted about distress caused by imagining "falling through the air for minutes on end and knowing the plane is going to crash".
Another person agreed, and added, "I am aware again that there are no guarantees in life and that there can be no reassurance that crashing is not as hideous and ghastly as it is in our imagination. This leaves me with feelings of dread. I accept that life is not safe but the idea of knowing that you are going to crash and burn and plummeting from so high up in the sky is, to me, pure terror itself."
This was followed by: "The only control and choice I have is to either get on that plane or not. Either way you'll have to sacrifice something. If you don't get on the plane, you sacrifice the opportunity to travel. If you do get on the plane, you sacrifice the freedom of fear. I love traveling and I've decided that traveling is more important than my fear of dying on a flight. If I never set foot on a plane, I know I'll regret this decision in my old age - I'll regret choosing fear over pleasure."
It is good to have the courage to make that choice. But it isn't necessary. We can stop the fear.
Some say they would like to board their flight with a doctor who would hook them up to an I.V. and give them medication to knock them out, and wake them up at the destination. Again, it isn't necessary. We can stop the fear.
You don't need a doctor. You don't need an I.V. The "meds" you need are produced by the brain. All that is needed it to trigger the brain to produce "the med" at the right time. The "med" is oxytocin. When the brain produces oxytocin, the fear system shuts down.
You have your own "meds". They shut down the fear system. You fly without the feelings. Even if you imagine "falling through the air for minutes on end and knowing the plane is going to crash", it doesn't cause fear or dread because the fear system is shut down.
So you have three choices: 1. don't fly; 2; fly with stress; 3; fly without stress. If you want option three, see http://www.fearofflying.com/relief.
Some say they would like to board their flight with a doctor who would hook them up to an I.V. and give them medication to knock them out, and wake them up at the destination. Again, it isn't necessary. We can stop the fear.
You don't need a doctor. You don't need an I.V. The "meds" you need are produced by the brain. All that is needed it to trigger the brain to produce "the med" at the right time. The "med" is oxytocin. When the brain produces oxytocin, the fear system shuts down.
How do we get the brain to give you oxytocin at the right time? 1. We find a memory of a moment in your life when oxytocin was being produced. 2. We list the things that happen on a routine flight and the things that you worry might happen on a non-routine flight. 3. By association, we link them together just as you would learn vocabulary words when studying a foreign language. If studying French, for example, yes = oui; go = allez. You repeat these over a few days and they stick together in memory. Then, you can't think "oui" without thinking "yes". In linking flying to an oxytocin-producing moment, when the flight happens, it can't help but produce oxytocin. The fear system shuts down. As the flight continues, the additional things linked by association continue to produce oxytocin.
You have your own "meds". They shut down the fear system. You fly without the feelings. Even if you imagine "falling through the air for minutes on end and knowing the plane is going to crash", it doesn't cause fear or dread because the fear system is shut down.
So you have three choices: 1. don't fly; 2; fly with stress; 3; fly without stress. If you want option three, see http://www.fearofflying.com/relief.
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Here's An Example
Hi Capt Tom.
Needless to say, everything went fine. The Canadair jet was very fast and the crew was great. Though we did have to make another pass at the runway. That was interesting but I would rather they pull up and tried again then force a landing that isn't perfect.
The Dash 800 was a little unnerving at first, especially at 5:30 AM, but again, the crew was great. The attendant even sneaked me up front instead of my assigned seat in the back.
I will say that there is a great difference in the pilots of regionals and majors. The regional pilots were younger and had a different kind of vibe. They were all very friendly but young and different. Every time I see the pilots on a major, they are always the same - a bunch of straight laced old time military pilots; which I think is great, lol! Seriously, I take great comfort knowing the guy flying the plane probably has been in some crazy dogfights over foreign lands and oceans and mountains. When compared to that, flying a modern jetliner a few hours to some domestic city is like Picasso doing "paint by numbers"
Regardless, I appreciate anyone who can fly and land a plane! That's way beyond my skill set! But this was a great trip for me because I had my first experience on a regional flight and flew in 2 new planes. Since your course last spring, I have flown in Boeings, Airbus, Canadair CRJ-2, and Dash 8-300. I have gone to places I've wanted to go and have visited friends I thought I'd never travel to.
And I can't thank you enough for taking a few minutes last Friday to speak with me, especially waiving the fee; which was not necessary but very much appreciated. It was a wonderful gesture.
So, that's all for now. Next trip is in May to be in my cousin's Florida wedding. Florida wedding....you know that will be awesome!
A million thanks again, and be well!
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SOAR Will Work For You Too
Even if you are doubtful, SOAR nevertheless works. This is because we, with the help of brain scan research that showed us how the mind works, broke the code on flight anxiety, claustrophobia, and panic.
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.
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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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
Is it a safety issue when pilots travel thousands of miles just to get work? See Patrick's column at this link.
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Relaxation Video
Though research shows relaxation exercises are not effective when flying, they may be able to help you in the days before your flight. Here is a link to a video on relaxation. Let me know whether you find it helpful or not.
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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)
