Flying

[awch]

Like a lot of Chinese, Xiao Ming and no one in his family have ever been on an airplane. So he is pretty terrified, it doesn't help that his an incessant worrier and every night looks at pictures of crashes on the internet. The recent crash in Beijing doesn't make things better either.

 

I'm a little leery of flying on Chinese airlines myself, cuz we all know about Chinese safety and the value of life here.... but we have to for the interview. For the trip to the US it will be better.... but anyone else having or had similiar problems and any advice on how to calm their fears?

 

(This phenomenon isn't just limited to Chinese- I had a friend in the US who had never flown before and moved to China- he spent months trying to figure out how to take a boat. In the end he just did it).

[turtle]

I hate flying, can't stand it. Before my first trip to China, it had been 6 years since I'd been on a plane. I don't know if there is any good way to get past the fear, when you have it for real. I can honestly say each time I get on a plane I think it's my last. I've flown here and there in China, I actually find it a bit less scary, maybe because everything seems very rushed and there's no time to worry. Also flying with your loved one helps, at least it helps me, not sure if it helps her (I actually think my fears have rubbed off on her a bit). Remember that scene at the end of "Say Anything"?

[tonado]

Flying is much safe than driving.

[Phil & Ningning]

Flying is much safe than driving.

Especially in China!

[sylinchinastill]

I think a fear of never having done it will be easier to deal with than a fear after actually flying. He might just be nervous of the unknown. Hengli's father always tries to get us to take the train instead of flying. But I've been on more than a few trains in China- sat next to a lady who puked in a paper bag (which could happen on a plane too I guess)- and almost passed out in the bathroom- I prefer to take my chances with the plane. The recent crashed have scared Hengli too- but at least now they are still using US planes- I will be very scared once they get their own planes up and running. But you should tell him what I tell Hengli- it's best to fly after recent crashes- the likelihood of another crash is very low after that.

[awch]

Flying is much safe than driving.

Oh yes, believe me, I've told him this- but I can't erase the image from his mind cuz the airplane crash is just so much more vivid.

[lele]

Like a lot of Chinese, Xiao Ming and no one in his family have ever been on an airplane. So he is pretty terrified, it doesn't help that his an incessant worrier and every night looks at pictures of crashes on the internet. The recent crash in Beijing doesn't make things better either.

 

I'm a little leery of flying on Chinese airlines myself, cuz we all know about Chinese safety and the value of life here.... but we have to for the interview. For the trip to the US it will be better.... but anyone else having or had similiar problems and any advice on how to calm their fears?

 

(This phenomenon isn't just limited to Chinese- I had a friend in the US who had never flown before and moved to China- he spent months trying to figure out how to take a boat. In the end he just did it).

Amber --

 

Just use the cold and hard facts.

 

In China every year, the second least number of deaths for long-range transportation is in airplanes. Trains are better. BUT, busses and cars are far more dangerous, as are motorcycles, and even walking!

 

I know that you have both taken the bus together. This should be a great reassurance to him.

 

Also, if push comes to shove, maybe you can actually take the boat to Qingdao or Yantai and then take the sleeper train from there (at least one way, showing him what a pain it will be to get there, and then he can decide to take the plane back???)!

 

If you want more statistics, I can find them for you two.

 

[lele]

Flying is much safe than driving.

Oh yes, believe me, I've told him this- but I can't erase the image from his mind cuz the airplane crash is just so much more vivid.

Amber,

 

You could look up and recount to him the more than 4000 deaths that have happened over the last month alone due to driving in China. It is such a large number, and it is so sad. But, if he wants to get serious about the numbers, I think that you can win the argument.

 

However, I think that the approach I mentioned above would be more fun (the boat followed by the train, one way...I bet he begs to take the plane back!).

[LiuXia's Husband]

Just last week one of my wife's co-workers died after she was hit by a car while walking home from work.

[beijingjenny]

What a cheery thread .... :s Jack had only flown once, to Xi'an, before we went to the US last Xmas. I remember he was nervous but actually he was more scared about being in the US, where everyone has guns (according to his movies). I have flown domestically several times, the just after a bad car wreck when I was afraid of how Chinese pilots might fly. But fortunately there are int'l standards.

 

Maybe it will appease him to make sure you get a good sized plane. The recent crash (which was in Inner Mongolia) was a small plane. Chinese now think they are more dangerious, not actually true, but he might think so too.

 

But prob there's nothing you can say ... if he can just manage to do it just once and survive, that would be the only way he might see ... I always tell myself how many thousands of flights take off every day that don't crash. The difference between car wreck is plane crashes rarely have survivors. So it seems more dangerous.

 

Anyway, hope he will come around ... good luck!

[tonyontherock]

Best way to over come fear is to face it.

Have him make plans and talk about what happens if he dies in a plane crash, such as preparing a will, make arangements or instructions on burial should the body parts got all over the place, etc.

First time my son and I were flying, we ran into terrible turbulance the engine sounded funny too. So we started talking out loud our fears and laughed about it. The fear was gone but the poor girl sitting behind us was crying like crazy after we landed. Talking it out loud helps. What is the worst thing that can happen? A few charred body parts that may even smell like a great outdoor steak house, etc.

I was afraid of heights, so was my son. So we went parasailing. We was afraid of confined places, and went scuba diving. Afterwards, things were a lot easier.

[LouRose]

Lele, where do you get your statistics? I would like some!

 

Today I bought a plane ticket home to visit my family and friends - during spring festival, since we have vacation then anyways. I don't even really want to go, I think mainly because Li Zhuang can't come with me and it seems so unfair. Plus, my friends all think if you marry someone they can just automatically go to the US like the next day, so they always assume he will be coming with me which just rubs it in - most people are so ignorant about all this.

 

Anyways, what makes it all worse is although I have no fear of flying, Li Zhuang is terrified that something will go wrong. He was reluctant to help me book the ticket because he's so worried. So, what statistics can I show him to calm him down? Not that anything will work anyways, he's such a worrywart, but I can try.

*~Louisa~*

[MoonCarolCafe]

Me trying to explain to my wife what flying in an airplane is like:

 

You recall the express bus (fast car) we took from Guangzhou back to where we got married? It's like that, but much bigger. And smaller seats. And louder. And your ears will hurt a bit. Aside from that it's very boring. We'll be on the plane for about 14 hours.

 

 

Ideally anyone flying in to LAX from CAN for the first time will arrive at night. The view of the Los Angeles megalopolis on the landing approach is breathtaking. A galaxy of high pressure sodium street lights stretching as far as the eye can see, the major freeways crossing hither and yon...

[nousername]

I don't know if there really is a cure for this. For instance, my mom hates to fly... she always has and always will. She coming this december to met my Baby, and travel around with us for a little while... needless to say, she's terrified of the flight over here

 

I think he will just have to learn to deal with it... just face it like others have said. but my advice should be taken with A LOT of salt, b/c i really cannot relate at all. I love flying. I start feeling like a kid with a new toy when i go to the airpoort... like looking at the planes, watching them land, etc, etc... (hmm, any wonder why i studied aerospce engineering in school???) That is, i love it until about.... oh, say, the 10th hour straight in the air!!!

 

Well, just hope he gets on the plane and loves it... like me!!!

[beijingjenny]

I love it too, even though I worry! Especially take off... scares the crap out of me but find it such a rush... yeah, I know, I should get out more!