Witnessing people scared of flying on board

[MAN Flyer]

Over the years I have seen and heard a few occassions of people being talked through what is clearly their first flight with them in varying degrees of distress about it. However, last week I did SYD-BNE and the worst case I have seen yet, which although it was amusing at times for the other pax, was terribly upsetting for her.

Just before take-off the crew brought a group of three down the back of our QF 767 : a young child, a girl in her early 20's and her mother. The girl and mother had clearly been crying. We pushed back and started up and each noise was greeted with a small scream and an 'Oh my God!', so it was clear when we started the take off roll it was going to get even worse. And it did.

Of course the old 767's are no ultra-quiet A380 so a lot of the mechanical/hydraulic stuff makes a racket, non more so when the flaps are retracted. So, after the trauma of the take off which the poor girl was yelling out 'Oh my God' and 'I want to go back', as soon as the flaps were fully retracted and the noise stopped she yelled 'Oh no, oh no, oh my God, the engines have stopped!' and made by far the biggest scream of the trip. Now, I know this was not amusing to her in any way, shape or form, but that comment drew a number of laughs in the cabin, myself included. To be honest I think this broke the ice for her for a bit as she immediately shouted out 'Sorry everybody'.

Shortly after that the fasten seatbelt signs were off three or four of the crew crew - who I have to say looked after her fabulously - were straight over to her seat congratulating her. The one slip up was one of them telling her taking off is the best bit, to which she replied 'Really, what's the worst then ?'. Of course we had more drama while landing, especially when the pilots whacked reverse thrust on to which she screamed 'What's that, what's that'.

As amusing as it was to others I really felt sorry for her and congratulated her myself on leaving the aircraft. I hope it hasn't put her off for life and she does manage to start flying.

(It was quite funny though.... )

[SilverChris]

I would have been laughing out loud if I were on that flight

I too have seen a passenger on her first flight. Once on an Y SQ SIN-HKG flight, a young lady was seated next to me. I took the aisle seat and she was on the window seat (the middle was empty). While the engines started one of them looked out of the window and said: "What's that thing sticking out of the wing?? Is something wrong?? It's going down! Oh my god I have to tell the crew about this." I presumed she saw the flaps being deployed, but she didn't tell the crew. As the GE90s were started (yes, it was a 77W) she looked really nervous and said "What's going on with the engines?!"

And, it gets "better". Once we started the takeoff roll she was saying "Please end this please end this Oh my god". The IFE was switched on she was figuring out what to do with the "thing on the armrest with a wire" which was the IFE remote. I helped her out and she settled for a movie, but just then we hit turbulence. It wasn't that bad, but bad enough for her to SCREAM. The IFS came over to comfort her and even offered to serve her meal first. Then she said "you carry food on the plane?" The IFS stared at her with a blank look.

After 2 hours we finally landed and as I walked down the aisle infront of her, I could hear "Oh it's finally over, it's finally over!!"

[sqdazz]

Great story Man Flyer.

I wish I had been there with my video camera, would have made a great video for my youtube channel. My flights tend to be quite boring!

[coffeeblack]

I actually found that by learning about flying, that voice in my head about exploding fireballs and Lost-esque island romps goes away. If you went online and just read up about how planes actually get in the air and what the flaps do and what the engines do etc, it goes some way to help yourself get over that fear. Obviously not any consolation for those already on the plane but y'know something to think about perhaps?

[jhm]

Fear of flying isn't that uncommon. You can even go on a course:

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[Pinkfloyd]

I have to admit that over the years, I have actually become more afraid of flying as compared to before. When I first came to Norway 4 years ago, I use to fly within Europe on a weekly basis, and Europe-Asia about 4 times a year. All it took was one bad flight and now I still do get the shivers once turbulance hits...

[sqdazz]

I have to admit that over the years, I have actually become more afraid of flying as compared to before. When I first came to Norway 4 years ago, I use to fly within Europe on a weekly basis, and Europe-Asia about 4 times a year. All it took was one bad flight and now I still do get the shivers once turbulance hits...

I still get a little bit of that in the dark in thick cloud and heavy turbulence. hard to know whether you are upright or not, i always check my drink, if it stays reasonably level im ok

[Singapore Sling]

I still get a little bit of that in the dark in thick cloud and heavy turbulence. hard to know whether you are upright or not, i always check my drink, if it stays reasonably level im ok

Nearly all my flights have bad turbulence, my glass is empty after about 5 seconds of hitting turbulence and not through me drinking any. Even had one off the crew shouting "o my god" and "we made it" as we landed, which I think makes everone fill better. But the best one is when the plane just dropped 5.000 feet, my stomach took 10 mins to get back to where it should be!

[phaleesy]

Fear of flying isn't that uncommon. You can even go on a course:

Like that French Kiss woman!

my glass is empty after about 5 seconds of hitting turbulence and not through me drinking any.

Your glass of Ribena?

[FN-GM]

I was on an SQ flight in Jan. There was some bad turbulence to the point half the cabin where being sick. I felt ok but the thought of people being sick knocked me. I got up and stood at the back to recover myself, then i got told off for not being strapped in.

[Singapore Sling]

Your glass of Ribena?

SQ do Ribena, I learn something new ever day.

[jjpb3]

I got up and stood at the back to recover myself, then i got told off for not being strapped in.

Tsk tsk. As well you should have been, no, if the sign was still illuminated?

I was on a flight where the sign lit up, and the announcements were made. We flew peacefully for a few minutes, leading someone to stand up and talk to someone across the aisle one row back. Just then we hit turbulence. The passenger levitated, then thumped abruptly back to the floor, still standing. The landing looked painful, and her expression confirmed that. She nearly buckled as she staggered to her seat. Lesson learned.

[FN-GM]

Tsk tsk. As well you should have been, no, if the sign was still illuminated?

I was on a flight where the sign lit up, and the announcements were made. We flew peacefully for a few minutes, leading someone to stand up and talk to someone across the aisle one row back. Just then we hit turbulence. The passenger levitated, then thumped abruptly back to the floor, still standing. The landing looked painful, and her expression confirmed that. She nearly buckled as she staggered to her seat. Lesson learned.

I know, im always do pay attention. But it didn't want to be sick so i thought what the hey. I was on the last row anyway so krept out and stood near the door the recover. One FA just smiled and carried on.

[Lobster]

I sat next to a screamer once. She was absolutely freaking out at the sound the engines were making.. The FAs tried to calm her down but each time there was a slight change in the engine note off she would go again.