While flying brings comfort to many, it happens to be a nightmare for me personally. I harbor an intense fear of flying, making it an anxiety-inducing experience. As a result, I'd rather opt for the arduous 12-hour train journey, despite its excruciating length, over the mere 1-hour flight journey.
I am not sure when and how this fear of flying actually started. All I can say is that this fear has taken over every single corner of my mind. It's not just me, but whenever any of my family members, friends, or loved ones decide to fly somewhere, this fear overpowers me again. I have avoided traveling long-distance for almost 5 years now. The last time I traveled somewhere was to Karnataka in the year 2012.
My first flight experience was in 2010 when I traveled from Mumbai to Mangalore. The journey was quite smooth however, the landing was a bit rough and bumpy. Following that year, I came across various aviation-related accidents including the missing MH370 which somewhere gave rise to my fears.
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| Copyright: Flawsome Felishia |
THE TRIP TO GOA
In 2017, my college offered an exciting opportunity for a week-long trip to Goa, a prospect that thrilled me immensely. However, my excitement was soon overshadowed by an overwhelming fear when the organizers announced that the trip would involve flight journeys both ways. Although a budget issue later led to a change in plans for one leg of the journey, I still found myself grappling with uncertainty about whether to go on the trip or not.
Despite the relentless persuasion from my friends and family, I remained unsure. As the trip date approached, my anxiety grew, and I found it increasingly difficult to sleep at night, haunted by scary scenarios flashing through my mind. Desperate to overcome my fear, I tried everything from yoga and meditation to therapy, music, entertainment, prayers, studying, books, and counseling, but none seemed to alleviate my unease.
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| Copyright: Flawsome Felishia |
Finally, the long-awaited day of the trip arrived, coinciding with the eve of my birthday. As I prepared to embark on the train journey to Goa, my emotions were in turmoil, and tearful goodbyes were exchanged with my loved ones. In my backpack, I had gathered an assortment of religious materials, seeking a sense of comfort and protection.
Throughout the train ride, my teachers and friends provided reassuring words, assuring me that everything would be alright. Over the next few days in Goa, the stunning sceneries and the camaraderie of my friends managed to divert my mind from my fears, allowing me to cherish the moments and create beautiful memories.
THE DAY I FACED MY FEARS
The day of my return had arrived, but sleep eluded me that night. Anxious and restless, I found solace in prayer, seeking courage for the upcoming journey. The hotel-to-airport transfer was an ordeal in itself, as my friends joyfully sang and danced on the bus while I remained frozen in my seat, staring blankly out the window.
Upon reaching the airport, I was relieved to find a clean and well-organized facility with proper security checks. The Indigo ground staff displayed kindness and assistance, which eased some of my apprehensions. However, the long line at the boarding pass counter added to my nervousness, as only one counter was open. After passing through the baggage check and obtaining our boarding passes, we proceeded to the individual security check, which was swift and efficient.
As I sat in the waiting area, observing the bustling crowd, I couldn't help but reflect on the journey that lay ahead, telling myself, "This is it."
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As I gazed out the window, I observed the graceful dance of departing and arriving planes on the runway. With a mix of excitement and trepidation, I knew our flight was next. My friends, understanding my nervousness, tried to lighten the mood by reminiscing about the wonderful moments we had shared during our trip.
The cabin was full, bustling with passengers eager to reach their destinations. As I settled into my seat, I noticed a young couple with their adorable 6-month-old baby occupying the seats beside mine.
FLIGHT REVIEW
The flight ticket cost around 2k, and I was relieved to find the legroom quite comfortable. However, I noticed that the seat cover in front of me didn't have a barf bag, which made me a bit anxious about potential turbulence.
Fortunately, everything was fine, and the flight took off smoothly and on time. Soon after reaching cruising altitude, the friendly flight attendants initiated the food service. Although many items from the menu were unavailable, they offered a selection of packed snacks and beverages.
Having had lunch before heading to the airport, I decided not to purchase anything. On the other hand, my friend opted for a "Bun-Maska" (Bread-Butter) and seemed to enjoy it thoroughly.
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| Copyright- Flawsome Felishia |
During our journey, we encountered some turbulence due to Cyclone Ockhi. Unfortunately, I couldn't recline my seat because the person sitting behind me wasn't comfortable with it. Despite the air hostess offering him a larger seat for an additional 800 INR, he declined the offer. As a result, I had to sit upright throughout the entire flight.
Moreover, upon reaching Mumbai Airport, we faced air traffic congestion, which resulted in our plane circling in the air for nearly half an hour before getting clearance to land. Thankfully, the landing itself was smooth. However, after landing, we had to wait for a considerable amount of time for the Indigo buses to arrive, delaying our deboarding process. Despite this delay, we were relieved to find that the wait for our luggage at the luggage claim area was relatively short.
CONCLUDING THOUGHTS
While my fear of flying hasn't completely disappeared, I can confidently say that I feel much better about it now than before. Flying with Indigo turned out to be a great experience for me. The smooth and reassuring journey certainly boosted my confidence, not only in myself but also in the aviation industry.
Do you have a fear of flying? How do you deal with your fear? Share your experience with me in the comments section below.
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