Conquer your fear of flying - help is at hand with our Q&A

My Dad used to say, 'When you've driven to the airport the most dangerous part of your journey is over.'

I'm fine with flying but am taking this opportunity to ask a question for a friend (it's not me pretending to be asking for someone else - this is definitely not for me!) who will not fly because of the after effects of the flight. She gets headaches and migraines and feels ill for 12 or more after the flight and has to lie down, go to bed etc.

Her daughter is married to my son, and we share a granddaughter. The snag is that they have relocated to the USA which means a long haul flight to visit them. I have no problems with this & enjoy the flights and experience of the journey, and have tried and tried to get her to talk about her reservations and fears to help her overcome them. She will not go the USA, yet bemoans the fact that she doesn't get to see the family there unless they come to Europe.

Recently I've discovered that she has consulted her GP about this condition when she flies. He's prescribed medication which will help, but she won't take it!! She claims that reading about the possible side effects of this medication put her off trying it, so we are at impasse. The only thing I could think of suggesting at this revelation was conginitve behavioural therapy, which didn't go down too well!

I think her problems are basically psychological and it is this which gives rise to the physical symptoms, although I accept that these are very real. As the experts, do you have any suggestions? Both I and my daughter-in-law have tried countless times to offer help & support, and this question to you is my last resort. Following this recent revelation about not taking the prescribed meds because of possible side effects, I will not raise the topic again and she will have to manage with one visit per year from her daughter & family.

It's not flying I hate, it's the waiting for hours at the airport, the endless queues, the searches and the petty confiscation of things like nail scissors or knitting needles. I was last on a plane in the 60's when the procedure was still more or less civilised.

You might say I don't know about long distance flight never having tried it.
I've never been kidnapped or held hostage but i know I wouldn't enjoy it!

We live on an island and it baffles me that we don't make more use of ships as transport. I'd love to get on a ship at my nearest port and sail to Ireland. Scotland or the south coast of England.

It is not the flying that bothers me but the claustrophobia coupled with my RLS (Restless leg syndrome) which tends to 'kick' in on every flight. I am not fond of long bus journeys either, much prefer ferry or train where you can walk about and get a breath of air. Since smoking was banned on all flights and in most airports, it is much worse. No chance of a soothing ciggy to calm your nerves when you need it most. I try to sleep or distract myself with books, Sudoku, etc. but being small, the seats are uncomfortable and my legs/arms leap which annoys other passengers and drives me to distraction. Any Tips??

Am i too late???

I'm trying to persuade my sister to come on holiday with me but she is reluctant not because of a fear of crashing (that's my department) but she is very claustrophobic and the fact that she can't get off or move carriages or whatever if she has had enough gives her nausea-inducing panic attacks. Please give me some tips so she will come with me!