Sometimes it helps me to walk back and talk to the flight attendants. I ask them if this turbulence is normal and tell them that I'm nervous. Usually they have some encouraging words that help me and make me realize how normal it really is.

I'm also a very nervous flyer, OP. I totally get your fear and did the same thing a few days ago. I had to fly home during a lot of wind at home and thunderstorms in the state I was leaving. It was turbulent on both ends, and even though I was freaking out, the flight attendants were totally chill.

Get some Xanax. It helps. If you can't get your hands on that, I've had luck with taking two Dramamine to knock me out and make me chill enough that I didn't really care what was going on. I also downloaded some guided meditation to listen to during the flight. There are a lot out there for panic and fear of flying.

I hate to do this to you, OP, but be prepared for throwing up. My mom just flew in yesterday and she said the approach into DC was so bumpy, she threw up. First time barfing in a storied travel career!

OP, I empathize. I really do. I hate to fly, and panic for days beforehand every time. But the thing that keeps me from freaking out is the certain knowledge that the pilots and air traffic controllers don't want to fly in dangerous conditions either. If it is unsafe, they won't fly. They aren't risk takers.

High winds aren't necessarily a concern, either. If the runways are configured in multiple ways, they can fly with the wind, rather than letting the plane be tossed from side to side. I have flown in high winds where it was unimaginably bumpy as well as those where it felt like nothing.

As for the other options, if you are still truly terrified, change your flight to a day earlier or a day later.

Anonymous wrote:I had the worst flight ever on a 747 a few weeks ago from Denver to DC. Turbulence was so bad I thought the plane was going to fall out of the sky.

OP, I'd rent a car and drive back.

I just had a similar experience coming back from Denver. The winds effected the entire flight. The woman next to me prayed, out loud, for over half the flight. The landing was especially difficult. We actually had sat on the runway for over an hour because the winds were too high to take off. Pilot said that our particular plane could not take off with winds over 30. So, OP, I don't think they will fly certain planes if the winds are too high. If it's safe, they will fly, it will just be very uncomfortable. Good luck.

I was very critical speaking to a young flight attendant once we were on the ground. In the air, on our approach, she had said, "We are going to attempt to land ...." Airlines need to do a much better job with training. Word-choice matters.

Anonymous wrote:Are you talking about a small jet or a turboprop? I might steel myself and get on the jet although I hate turbulence. I would drive to another airport to get on a jet and skip the prop plane though. I like to remind myself that for the. Plane and the pilot it is basically the milk run. They do this flight over and over in weather also. I also have little tricks where I notice how the water in my glass is doing. You can have turbulence and water will move only slightly and I also watch flight tracker if available to remind myself we are still at 30000 feet (or whatever). Driving is always more dangerous than flying. But ultimately up to you. I don't take anything strong but I do take extra advil and let myself obsess as much as I want while on board until finally even if turbulent something clicks and I start to not care. I also imagine that we. Are landing even on take off (take off is just a precursor to landing after all) because landing does not scare me for some reason. GL!

I do the same things. I also watch the flight attendants - figure if they're just doing their thing, everything is OK.

Anonymous wrote:I had the worst flight ever on a 747 a few weeks ago from Denver to DC. Turbulence was so bad I thought the plane was going to fall out of the sky.

OP, I'd rent a car and drive back.

What airline is this? I don't think there are any 747s that fly domestically anymore. Unless you're maybe going to Hawaii.

You will have tail wind flying east to west--you really will be fine. Only time wind matters is if there are wind shears (rare) and none are predicted.

Flying this century is the safest its been in 50 years. Deep breathing. You can do it.

Op, let go of the idea that you can "manage" this situation. I mean, thank god you AREN't the one flying the plane. You do not have the knowledge. These are not decisions for you to make (whether the plane will fly) You need to remind yourself that you are probably the least qualified to make decisions. When airports need to close, they close. When flights need to be cancelled, they're cancelled. When planes need to be diverted to another airport for landing, they are. Unpopular decisions are made. They aren't going to make a bad safety decision based on passenger preference. Now - your job is to let them do their job - and not b*tch about inconvenience when it invariably happens sometimes (not that you would, but we all know people who do)

Are you all ad frightened when you are driving over a gravel or dirt road with potholes?

I'm sure you know that statistically it's safer to fly than to drive or train, but I get your anxiety. I personally would suck it up and get very religious, which is my general MO when flying. You'll be FINE.

Yiu will definitely die. I'm sure the winds here will be so unique and your pilot will have had no experience flying in the. I bet your pilot is taking this trip because he is suicidal and looking foward to crashing into the wind. What carrier are yiu on? A united regional jet? I bet united can't wait until that bucket of bolts crashes and splashes your smiling face all over television as one of the deceased. It will surely rally the stock.

Yup, you are doomed. I'd suggest riding a bicycle.

i finally gave in and got a klono rx that i use for flying. i find that is REALLY helps to not fight the turbulence. i used to grip the armrests, etc. just let your body move and go with the bumps. that helps me A LOT.

PP here. I have to say that. I am hyper vigilant about. Everything on planes nowadays although you would not know it to look at me; wind, weather, is the pilot suicidal, are those guys terrorists, etc. Etc. Nutso.

Are you talking about a small jet or a turboprop? I might steel myself and get on the jet although I hate turbulence. I would drive to another airport to get on a jet and skip the prop plane though. I like to remind myself that for the. Plane and the pilot it is basically the milk run. They do this flight over and over in weather also. I also have little tricks where I notice how the water in my glass is doing. You can have turbulence and water will move only slightly and I also watch flight tracker if available to remind myself we are still at 30000 feet (or whatever). Driving is always more dangerous than flying. But ultimately up to you. I don't take anything strong but I do take extra advil and let myself obsess as much as I want while on board until finally even if turbulent something clicks and I start to not care. I also imagine that we. Are landing even on take off (take off is just a precursor to landing after all) because landing does not scare me for some reason. GL!