...I see you don't want to rely on meds, but how about something a little more natural? A mate of mine back home wouldn't dream of getting on a plane unless he's smoked a couple of big fat joints, then, he keeps the buzz going with a few drinks throughout the flight. That said, he still won't fly long-haul.

I'll ask my doc if he'll prescribe some on medical grounds!

There is nothing unusual in your fear. I reckon it is mainly to do with a lack of real understanding about aeroplanes, coupled with the knowledge that your fate is not in your own hands once you're strapped-in.

I've flown hundreds of times. I still get nervous sometimes, for no apparent reason.

Me too, I have been on loads of flights, one flight we had a suspected bomber coming to UK from India, it was very scary, another time an engine problem and the plane flew round for 6.5 hours(something like that)to burn all the fuel off before it attempted to land, taking off from Antigua the engine lost power but instead off fixing it the pilot just kinda waited for another slot then said over the tannoy thingy 'we are going to try something different...eh?, everyone just looked at each other.....it worked...whatever he did, when I came to Canada the first plane wouldn't even start, OH said it was a sign....lol, dont think I am helping you much

I guess we've all got our stories.

My only ever real scare was a bird strike. A huge bang as the plane was thundering down the runway. Looking back, the experience taught me that planes are very robust and reliable, and pilots really can react extremely quickly to events.

I have a friend who's an engineer at pratt and whitney and every time I fly with her she likes to tell me all about the engines on the plane and how many birds they can safely suck in. It always makes me feel better about flying.

Not terribly safe for the bird, though, is it?

Depends on the bird?

Didn't a Canada goose bring a plane down recently?

Not just one. It was a mass attack.

Goes to show though, birds do tend to fly in flocks no?

Was it a mass suicide I wonder

I don't think they generally fly in flocks. Perhaps when migrating?

Canada geese are quite big.

Not a very 'reassuring' post, but very interesting all the same

Im my own worse enemy in that I watch 'Aircraft Crash Investigation' type programmes, and watch the 'Plane crashes caught on camera' videos on youtube like this one http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNg91jlf2Lw

The bird strike stories are fascinating though. This video shows a birdstrike on a UK Thompson flight and you can just hear how relaxed and confident the pilot is about the whole thing. Very reassuring! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KhZwsYtNDE

It's retired now.

Bird strikes happen all the time. Just when there is a flock that the probs arrise. The worst I had was on a 737. It was on rotation, so had to take it into the air if we could (the ocean was at the end of the runway) lost one engine completely, the other badly damaged and pushing the red line, pressure head damaged, so no pressure instruments and too much fuel on board, so over max landing weight. Made for a wild ride. Came down safely, no injuries, just another night in Venice. One old girl was furious, there was no one at home to feed her cat!

I get reassured by the general air of calm professionalism that pilots and ATC exude. This is a particularly fine example of two people having a very bad day yet remaining icily calm........

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=eab_1260054659