Why don’t you try the soothing powers of the Pride and Prejudice DVD?
M, the father of my child, is afraid of flying even more than he is of actually dying while flying on a plane. I have presented him with statistics that prove that flying is safe and if it wasn’t for 9/11 I am sure he would have been able to join the pilot in the cockpit for a few minutes, just to check that everything is running smoothly. We are about to fly to London next week and I can tell he is getting very very nervous. So it doesn’t really help that these last couple of weeks the news has been filled with airplanes having problems landing due to bad weather conditions. Last week a big drama was made out of a greek plane and some ice (nothing horrible happened; it was just a slow news day). Today many British airports closed down and flights were cancelled due to the heavy snow. The first time we went out and he never got around to watching TV that evening. Today I had to pretend I was terminally bored by the news and wanted the television turned off immediately, like a crazy woman. I simply cannot do this many more times. Eventually he is going to want to watch the news. He is one of those people who believe that the world depends on them watching the news. Otherwise, what’s the point of things happening eh? Do I act crazy and throw the remote out of the window? Do I pretend to be a sensitive flower and start crying after the war in Iraq update? (weather news are usually sixth or seventh in line unless it’s about greek weather). Do I pretend to want to watch endless DVDs? Do I bribe my son to throw tantrums and ask for his playstation all the time? It’s only for one more week; there must be something I can do. Any suggestions?
Sensitive flower
February 8th, 2007 at 6:41 pm
Ah, I have experience with this.
The day of the flight, kindly offer to make breakfast for him, then spike his orange juice with just enough sleeping pills to knock him over so much that he won’t care if the plane breaks in half and goes down in flames like in Lost. Get your son to help carry him to his seat if you have to!
February 8th, 2007 at 7:21 pm
I am like M.
You know that feeling you had with your son waiting for the bus?
I have this every time I step on a plane. But now I won’t because of global warming (but you know this;).
So, I guess, I’m not much of a help. More of a hindrance, really…
But I would have to go with the overly-sensitive bit. Men can’t argue with that one.
February 8th, 2007 at 10:00 pm
I am terrified of flying!! I will do anything to avoid flying. I’ll even take a train–and I get motion sick.
February 9th, 2007 at 4:26 am
I vote for the “sensitive flower” effect. Also, have you thought about giving him a shot of raki and some valerian root before he goes on the plane? He’ll be nicely calm, floating in that sleepy but not asleep netherworld of the lightly sedated, a nosily comforting Pixies song in his head….
Just an idea…
Have fun in the UK! Will see you when you get back, I hope…
February 9th, 2007 at 5:10 am
I’m sorry, I shouldn’t laugh, but this was just hilarious (not his fear, just your inventions to keep him from the news)… If you don’t want to seem overly sensitive, why not just eye him up and take all your clothes off, it just might distract him from the screen
Seriously, though, he’ll just have to have a drink, 1/4 valium or something, and a hand to hold on the plane. I remember flying with a friend who’s like him - I expected her to panic, scream and shout throughout the ride, but she sat down, held my hand, closed her eyes, and sat like that - motionless, until we landed..
I must admit the only thing that scares me about flying is the food you get (if any)…
February 9th, 2007 at 6:14 am
Just keep your wonderful postive attitude and put it in the hands of the Lord…………..
Blessings to you lovely one.
Life is an adventure to be lived.
Life is short
Make fun of it!
Love you
Safe travels.
Love Jeanne ^j^
February 9th, 2007 at 8:14 am
eric
he has actually ASKED for this
cathy
does this mean we won’t meet in London next October? xx
angel
i am terrified of trains and undergrounds! it’s good that we don’t go on vacation together
joanna
nice suggestion. the last time he went on a plane (4 years ago)he had had 3 glasses of scotch. The minute he stepped on the plane, adrenaline kicked in and he was more sober than the pilot.
Scholiast
there is a kid in the house who eyes me with contempt every time i wear something low cut. Can you imagine THIS?
M usually does what your friend did
and i am going to have some pills with me. Anybody knows how long in advance you have to take these pills? should i start today for a full effect??
Jeanne
that’s the problem, M hates to be left in the hands of the Lord
he prefers the solid ground. xx
February 9th, 2007 at 9:06 am
Easy.
Find the fuse box, and the fuse governing the electrical outlets in the room where M typically watches TV. At the appropo time, flip the switch so the power goes out, just in that room, then recommend a game of scrabble to keep everyone content. You can do this until you all leave for London.
February 9th, 2007 at 10:20 am
hehehe so funny.
Sorry, I know this is serious. Let’s all pray that the snow melts and the weather is better next week!
The fact is…it would be much more dangerous if you were to drive to London. Still, I know facts don’t help.
I’m not very creative to find excuses. Won’t he read it in the paper or the internet even if you don’t let him watch tv?
You don’t have to thank me for my immensely helpful answer, Chloe!
February 9th, 2007 at 3:49 pm
well, i dont know about Greek news, but here Anna Nicole Smith dying is taking precedence over everything!!
get the man some valium maybe?
February 9th, 2007 at 6:47 pm
Break the tv!
February 9th, 2007 at 9:32 pm
I might have to fly soon myself and this will be the first time since 911
February 9th, 2007 at 10:18 pm
Hooray! Another daydreamer!
Yeah, my advice is the same as Eric’s. Get him good and drunk. Of course, I’d recommend that whether you’re flying or not…
February 10th, 2007 at 4:58 am
You could try calling him a scaredy cat and tell him to get over it. I believe that works in most situations
February 10th, 2007 at 12:30 pm
Dear Chloe;
I am torn with that one; perhaps I can purchase a carbon offset for that particular flight…still thinking!
Love to you and M.
Cathy
February 11th, 2007 at 9:28 am
I have a friend who had to fly for work and was deathly afraid and actually took an airline-sponsored “fear of flying” class…maybe there are things on-line too?
February 11th, 2007 at 1:26 pm
Sensitive flower: I was once a nervous flyer. But each time I flew and nothing happened, I got braver. Now flying does not bother me at all.
To quote Nora Ephron:
“The plane is not going to crash.”
No matter how frightened you are.
If this helps: world leaders fly all the time. When was the last time one died in a airplane crash?
Of course at my age I don’t have much adrenaline left, so I’m pretty serene under most circumstances.
February 11th, 2007 at 7:53 pm
You could tell him that you are on a “news fast”, a total break from media news. It’s supposed to be very healthy.
Myself, I love flying. If it weren’t for the expense and cattlecar-like cramped conditions, it would be my favourite way to travel. A fear of flying would be crippling to me. I’m glad that’s not one of my phobias (I’m convinced I’ll die in a fiery car accident, and HATE riding in cars so I’m not about to make fun of his fear).
But I hope he gets past it, and your trip to London is wonderful.
February 12th, 2007 at 3:50 am
I love travelling but I really hate all the carbon emission that comes with it. But I try to offset my carbon emission by cycling to work and doing all my recycling stuff and doing less travelling.
On fear of flying, I think no rational explanation on its safety (ie statistics) can convince one who has fears so I’m not sure what works really. So, no help from me
Hello, you’ll be in my side of the world!! Just a few weeks ago, I had a lovely Greek friend stayed over at my flat while he look for his new flat.
February 12th, 2007 at 3:05 pm
1. I too am afraid of planes - I saw the first tower fall on 9/11 with my own two bloodshot eyes and didn’t get in another aircraft for almost two years.
2. Nothing you will ever say or do or wish or dream will make a difference. He will or will not get on the plane - so let it rest - go alone if you must.
3. We are all going to die one day.
4. I don’t come here nearly enough to maintain good mental health.
February 12th, 2007 at 3:40 pm
I love flying!
Does it help to know that he is more likely to be shot walking to the park than he is to be caught in a plane crash?
There’s also a cute commercial that airs here of Canadian geese boarding a plane to travel down south during the winter. If I could find it on youtube do you think that would cheer him up to identify with the cute little guys and convince him that if animals that can fly naturally choose to fly on planes then it must be safe (even though it’s fiction)?? Nevermind that because Global Warming has messed up our environment so much, Canadian geese no longer fly south at all. They hang out up here all winter.
February 12th, 2007 at 11:24 pm
I miss you Chloe!!! for some reason, you are totally on my mind
sweet friend.