Hey, FiestyFem, when you have a moment, would you either copy your post or write about it in our new forum? Allison, for one, was looking for it, and it would help others to be able to locate it easily. Thanks in advance.

Hey Fiestyfem, thanks for sharing your experience...let me ask you a qusetion, I fear getting on a plane and the fear is not being able to get out when I want to, not so much the safety of the flight. I love planes, I actually wanted to be a pilot at one point of my life. With my recent anxiety, I am not sure I won't freak out (panic attack) during the flight and make a fool of myself. Did you have that feeling on the flight? Thanks, Allison

A blue ribbon for you, FiestyFem! I know that took courage and determination. Thanks for your terrific description of the preparation leading up to the flight as well as the onboard support of your friend. Well done.

This is for all the wouldbe flyers out there, being held back by their fears. Flying was a biggie for me, right up there with going over the 19th floor on an elevator. Anyway I'm from Vancouver Island and had been away from home for 7 years, I was seriously contemplating moving back and wanted to go with a friend and check it out first on my vacation. My friend wanted to fly and I wanted to drive. Economically it was faster and cheaper to fly, plus I had just enough air miles to get there and back by plane. I decided to face this fear and challenged myself to the task. In preparation for it I began to get tapes out of the library on overcoming fear of flying...the one I used was written by an x pilot and even simulated a flight. The first half of the tape he tells you why flying is safe and how driving to the airport is more dangerous...etc.. That made sense to me. He explained the various noises on take-off, that too helped. The simulated flight really helped and the positive affirmations used during it. He gave me exercises to do while on the flight. One of the things that added to my fear was ear problems in flight, which caused this feeling that my head was going to explode or my eardrums break...I got a product to help the ear problem ahead of time. I took a mediation tape and had it all ready to go in my walkman, as well as booktapes and books to distract myself..and of course my friend was flying with me and very supportive of my facing my fear. The big day arrived. I got to the airport with sweaty palms and told myself it was only an hour and 20 minute flight. I focused on how excited I was going to be to see my hometown again and share the Island with my friend. I had been telling myself over and over again, "What if I have a great flight?" everything I got freaked out at the thought of flying. Anyway I got on the plane, waited for take off and tryed to focus my muscles to relax. I allowed myself to put my full weight in the seat. My heart was racing, I did the deep breathing. My friend kept talking to me and held my hand. Finally we were in the air and I knew I was there for the duration of the flight. We arrived safely. Flying back to where I lived 4 days later was alittle easier, though I still felt some anxiet