Ask Captain Lim

Good Day Capt Lim,

I stumbled across your website and I personally thank you very much for taking the time to write to us "fearful" flyers out here....

I think I have to be amongst the most scared of passengers out there. I love traveling (well, when I reach my destination) but I start being nervous about flying a good month or so prior to the trip.

I have a trip coming up soon - a 10-hour flight and I am almost thinking of canceling my holiday due to the thought of the 10-hour flight! I feel totally and utterly out of control and am sort of sitting there waiting for something to happen, even when its smooth and I anticipate heading into turbulence or trouble at any given moment.

I HATE take off, I would most definitely get off if I could when waiting on the runway. I am convinced that something is going to happen and I am totally petrified for the duration of the flight. I feel totally out of control and in my real life I am not a control freak, I am at the point whereby I don*t think I can do it much more.

Turbulence also freaks me out and I am simply wondering if there is anything you can say or do to convince me that flying is indeed as safe as they make it out to be ... how long does it take for a plane to descend when at 30 000 if in trouble to the ground assuming flying near to an airport in which to land?

Kind regards and thank you once again ...

Sarah

Hi Sarah,

Yes, you are not alone with this same kind of feelings. Please read many similar emails on fear of flying.

As regards to how long does it take to descend 30,000 feet in the event of an emergency, please read this email here.

Have a safe and fearless flight!