Reply #24: Mrs. Grumpy, I have had a fear of flying since I was a teenager.

[Radio_Lady]

However, U.S. Air used to sponsor a "Fear of Flying" course at Boston's Logan Airport and my husband bought it for me as a present years ago.

Nine weeks of desensitization, psychological re-conditioning, and discussion got me to a much better place. The class was taught by a psychologist and a retired pilot. They gave us a book on "Fear of Flying" and a cassette tape with relaxation exercises on it.

We met at the airport each week (some people found just driving to the airport terrifying...), we also went up in the air control tower (pre-9/11, remember) and watched the controllers at their work. One night, we went through an "aborted takeoff" -- pilot revs the engine to get almost to speed, and then brings the plane to a controlled stop. I was terrified of that one night, but found it OK when I was relaxed. I also found that my level of anxiety was much lower than some of the other people who were taking the course. It was helpful to be of comfort to them.

Graduation was a flight from Boston to Albany, New York on a clear November 9th evening (my mother's birthday, so I remember it). Each of us got a chance to go into the cockpit and look out the front window. We didn't land in Albany, but just turned around and flew back to Boston. It was just the most beautiful evening -- we celebrated with cake and champagne when we got back to the airport that evening.

I'll always be thankful I took that course. Now I fly without a problem. Like you, I dreaded take-off, and now my husband usually holds my hand and tells me, "We're just going to jump into the air." I find that idea quite comforting. Much of my problem is rooted in "loss of control" issues. I don't like general anesthesia, either -- and rarely drink much alcohol.

Unfortunately, the extra security at airports these days is a bit more cumbersome, but if I'm really having a problem, I take a small dose of Xanax, an anti-anxiety medication, but not enough to put me out.

I still have claustrophobia in elevators (have been "stuck" twice in elevators, but all turned out OK) and I also don't like to be in large and unruly crowds. In these situations, I try to use my "mantra" that we were taught in the flying class, to get through the time.

The mantra is: "I can do anything for a short time."