Being a pteromerhanophobic, this article did not fill me with confidence

**LesMTS** · 3rd September 2005, 10:28am

"SYDNEY, Australia (AP) - A sleepy air traffic controller left dozens of airline passengers up in the air over Australia's national capital after oversleeping and arriving late at work.

"The guy slept in," acknowledged Ben Mitchell, spokesman for Air Services Australia, the government-funded organization that oversees air traffic control towers throughout Australia.

As a result, the tower at Canberra International Airport opened 20 minutes late Wednesday morning and a Qantas Boeing 737-800 from Perth was forced to circle over the city before getting clearance to land.

The plane, carrying 68 passengers, touched down 12 minutes after its scheduled arrival time.

Mitchell said the passengers were never in any danger.

"There was another controller in the tower, but he was not senior enough to bring the plane in," he said.

Authorities have changed the roster to ensure that two senior controllers are present when the tower opens - assuming they get up in time. "

Fuck. We're flying to Belfast in a few weeks. I best get to my doctor for a pack of diazepam or similar benzodiazepine. It's either that or six pints in the departure lounge bar, that was my tactic last time. Anyone got any tips? Am I the only one who fucking HATES flying??

Foxglove · 3rd September 2005, 3:07pm

Hypnotism might help if you suffer from a fear of flying. Alcohol probably not the best idea. If you are happy to get something from the doctor and it has worked before that might be your best option.

**LesMTS** · 3rd September 2005, 3:13pm

I don't like taking brain medicine.
It's an irrational fear. It's not so much the flying, it's the hurtling through the air at 600mph, 35,000ft away from the ground in a flimsy metal tube.
See, I'm just like B.A. Barracus out of The A-Team, not only do I look, speak and dress like him but I also share his phobia.

Largest of Als · 3rd September 2005, 3:16pm

Many of the airlines run 'fear of flying' courses.....

I know it wont do any good telling you this, but it really is much safer that most forms of transport.

I've done about 500 flights in the past 3 years.....never crashed once..

Al

Foxglove · 3rd September 2005, 3:17pm

Most large airports do courses to help people with flying phobias. Not cheap but they seem to work for people. It is worth it if you fly frequently and your fear has not lessened but if you fly infrequently and not on a long flight it might not be worth the money. I will see if I can find anything with more info.

Foxglove · 3rd September 2005, 3:19pm

http://flyingwithoutfear.info/

Foxglove · 3rd September 2005, 3:20pm

http://www.nlpscotland.com/nlp-phobia-cure.htm

**LesMTS** · 3rd September 2005, 3:26pm

I'm not pathologically afraid of flying, I'll get on a plane, I'd just rather not. I'm not a "LET ME OFF! LET ME OFF! LET ME OFF!" kind of person (B.A. was though so maybe that's where we part ways).

Krocktopus · 5th September 2005, 1:36pm

I'd suggest getting valium from your Doctor, drink 2 or three pints in the airport bar and neck 2 valium about 30mins before getting on plane.

However, bear in mind the flight will only last 30 mins and you'll be rather sedated for some time after that. this method would prob work better on a longer flight.

Get Face and Murdoch to put sleeping pills in your milk, or better yet pull your fucking socks up mate, take a deep breath and stop being such a wee girl about it and face it like a man.

Foxglove · 22nd September 2005, 1:25pm

You gotta feel sorry for Les.

He is flying to Belfast today for a gig with MTS and as you can see, flying is not on his list of favourite things.

First he gets up and switches on the TV only to see the report of the emergency landing in the States last night. Then he gets to the airport, psychs himself up for the pending flight but remains apprehensive, boards the plane only for the captain to say, and I quote:

"The plane is broken"

Will he make it to Belfast without losing it completely?

Mauler · 22nd September 2005, 1:32pm

Hahaha! Thats such a fucking wee shame!

**djtoast** · 22nd September 2005, 1:36pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Largest of Als

I've done about 500 flights in the past 3 years.....never crashed once..

Al

my average isn't so good, i've only done about two dozen flights in the last three years, but one of them DID crash.

well kinda, ALL the tires burst on landing due to very strong crosswinds, and one of them caught fire. we came to a halt much more quickly than usual, in the middle of the runway and at a funny angle, and the captain calmly said "for those of you sitting on the right hand side of the aircraft, you may notice a few fires engines rushing over here; don't be alarmed, there's nothing to worry about"

i didn't hear the rest of the announcement over the wailing and frantic lord's prayer recitaion from practically everyone else on the plane

Foxglove · 22nd September 2005, 1:52pm

Dear lord - I hope he doesn't see ^ post before he lands back in Scotland tomorrow

**LesMTS** · 23rd September 2005, 1:32pm

Well, we got on the plane to go to Belfast and just as we were about to start taxiing to the runway the pilot said "We have a technical problem, basically the plane is broken." Yes, that's an actual quote "basically, the plane is broken". So we all got chucked off. Wasn't too happy about having to get back on the same plane, but by that time I was pished and actually quite enjoyed the flight.

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