I have a huge fear of flying. I fly anyway but it is a huge trauma for me and for the unfortunate person who has to fly with me and reassure me every ten seconds that we are not going to die. I need to know of a drug I can ask my doctor about, something that would absolutely knock me out for the entire flight! Or maybe even suggestions on how to get over this fear (no hypnosis or any weird hippie remedies please) I have been told that flying is safer then driving, I don't know if that's true or what the statistics are but as for me I would rather die on the ground in a car accident which is unexpected and sudden then plummet to my death in a fiery ball and then have several minutes to ponder it before I end up in the ocean as fish food. Anyway, I need help! Flying for a few hours is the most I can do (with the help of benadryl, several bloody marys and my friends last ounce of patience) I would love to be able to fly on my own and maybe even fly overseas someday but at this point that's impossible. My vacations are all ruined by this because several days before we leave Im already thinking/dwelling on my flight home. I need some strong drugs. Any suggestions?

Two or three drinks before you get on the plane, Canadian club, Old Grand Dad. Wild Turkey , anything like that, I too don't like to fly, but it helps somewhat.

This is where understanding something and the science behind it helps. It also helps to have good initial expereinces with flying as I am doing with my kids now.

It would be nice if someone who understand the physics of flight and how planes work could accompany you and explain it all. A previous girlfriend was scared as well. I explained to her every sound that we hear: "that's the door closing, in a few secomds they are going to power up the engines for take off and you'll feel pushed back in your seat a little, that's the flaps extending you can see them look, etc..

After saying that... when my wife travels without me she takes Gravol. :0

Thank you for your help, although I seem to be short on pilot/engineer friends I do have a great doctor that will prescribe me anything I ask. No, Im not a druggie! But the option is always there in case I ever quit my day job. I think you have the right idea bringing your kids on planes, my mother is deathly afraid of them (though she has never been on one) and claims it has to do with her claustrophobia which she and my grandmother both have.(they won't even get on a elevator) I on the other hand have no fear of closed spaces only of dying in a monstrous plane crash complete with my seat cushion as a floatation device. (really, do they have to say that EVERY time?) If I was exposed to them when I was a child I suppose I would not have this irrational fear. When I get on a plane my mind just wonders to all Hollywood movies and extraordinary scenarios, birds flying in the engine (I always hated those damn birds) wings breaking off and oh my god, what if the pilots drunk? I did see a 20/20 special on that! You get the idea.
Anyone have statistics or ideas? I would like to hear them.

Thanks.

Wow, this is a hard one for me as I come from family that flys for a living. Sister that is a flight attendant and brother-in-law that is a pilot. Personally I LOVE flying and will be doing so tomorrow.

So, I'll try to help as little as I can.

Yes, it is true that cars are more dangerous than planes. Just think how many people around the world die every day in car accidents, you know; drunk drivers, icy roads, rain storms, I could go on. Now, how often do you hear about plane crashes? Now remember it happens so infrequently that it makes the news. Deadly car crashes happen so often it takes up too much time on the news.

Is takeoff scary for you? Landing? Or just flying?

I have some tips, but it would take too long to describe them all. What is scariest for you?

and oh my god, what if the pilots drunk?

As for my brother-in-law's airline the pilot must not drink for more than (and that includes just one small ounce) 24 hours prior to flying. His father, who was a pilot also, could not drink for 48 hours prior to flying.

Remember, it is the bad things that make the news, rarely do we ever hear the good things.

Hey thanks for the response, and remember my drunk pilot thing is just a product of my twisted imagination, although Im sure it has happened (I did see that 20/20 thing) Im not crazy enough to think it's a everyday occurrence, if it wasn't that it would be something else.
(A METEOR IS GOING TO FALL FROM THE SKY ITS GOING TO CRACK THE WINSHIELD
HIT THE PILOT IN THE HEAD AND KNOCK HIM OUT THEN ITS GOING TO BOUNCE OFF
HIM AND CRACK THE CO-PILOT IN THE NUTS AND HE WILL FALL TO THE FLOOR IN PAIN
WHO WILL FLY THE PLANE? HUH? WHO?! WHO?! WE ARE
GOING TO CRASH CRASH CRASH!! )
You get the point. That said Its hard to say what the worst part is. Im scared of everything.
If I had to pick though I would say turbulence. I HATE that. I always think Im going to die when it starts, I'm not even sure why it happens (maybe I should have done some research) but it still freaks me out. Anyway, I give major accolades to your fam for doing it on a daily basis. How you or they do it (and actually enjoy it?? ) is behond me.
(by the way that sponge bob thing is so f-ing cute, I laugh every time I look at it)
Thanks again.
(Any other suggestions?)

About the turbulence:
clear-air turbulence --  Britannica Concise Encyclopedia - The online encyclopedia you can trust! (http://www.britannica.com/ebc/article-9024283)

Knowledge is power.
:)

OK, I just looked it up. You know what it said? It said turbulence causes a HAZZARD to aircraft! That makes me feel so much better! That's the last time I try to get educated. :( Thanks a lot.
It did say that, but I quoted it out of context.
Im just messin around.

;)

See, you're getting more comfortable already!

Nah, go with the Gravol. :D

That's the best answer so far!
:)