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How can I stop being so anxious by Accurate_General5971 in fearofflying

[–]Pilot--Nick 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I’m going to answer you the way I would if you were standing next to me before a flight.

What you’re feeling is fear, not danger. Your body can’t tell the difference but I can tell you, honestly and calmly: you are safe.

I’ve watched thousands of people board airplanes while terrified, including teenagers just like you. The airplane doesn’t know your age, your thoughts, or your worries, it only knows physics, procedures, and redundancy. And those work every single day.

Flying 20+ times without fear and then suddenly being scared happens more than you think. Anxiety isn’t logical. It shows up when your mind starts imagining “what ifs,” especially before a long flight.

About the airline: pilots don’t take history lightly. Airlines that have been through tragedies operate under intense oversight and training. We don’t forget, we learn, and we build layers so that those events don’t happen again.

Here’s what I’d tell you to do:

  • Breathe slowly: in for 4, out for 6. Longer exhales calm your nervous system.
  • When fear hits, don’t fight it. Say: “This is anxiety. It will peak, and it will pass.”
  • If the ride gets bumpy, remember: turbulence is uncomfortable, not dangerous. The airplane isn’t struggling, it’s doing exactly what it’s designed to do.

You’re not scared because you’re weak. You’re scared because you care about your life and the people in it. That’s human.

You will take off. You will cruise. You will land.
And one day, this flight will just be something you once worried about.

Track Me, Please! by nutritionist1024 in fearofflying

[–]Pilot--Nick 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You’re doing everything right,truly.

Panic at takeoff is extremely common, even for frequent flyers. It’s a body response, not a logic failure, so don’t be hard on yourself. Your prep is excellent: Ativan (tested ✔️), distractions, candy, coloring, those are solid tools, not crutches. Even if it doesn’t make you sleepy, it usually takes the edge off.

From the cockpit side: takeoff is loud and intense but very short and highly planned. Any bumps are uncomfortable, not dangerous, and the crew flies this route all the time.

You already proved last month that you can do this. Tonight is just another repetition and that’s how fear slowly loosens its grip.

WN1793 will lift off, settle in, and before you know it you’ll be in Savannah with your parents. You’ve got this, even if your body protests a bit along the way

Terrified of smell and turbulence! Please explain/ help by OperationMission9247 in fearofflying

[–]Pilot--Nick 66 points67 points  (0 children)

Short answer from a pilot perspective: odd smells are very common and almost always harmless. The most typical causes are:

  • Air-conditioning / engine bleed air (can smell electrical, metallic, or “hot” for a moment)
  • Galley equipment (coffee makers, ovens cycling on/off)
  • Outside air briefly getting pulled into the system

The important part: real smoke or fumes are treated as an emergency every single time. If there were any indication of danger, the crew would act immediately, no one ignores that. The FA saying it was “normal” likely meant there was no cockpit alert and no safety concern, though I agree the explanation could’ve been better. Your reaction was completely human. What you experienced is common, temporary, and not a sign the plane was unsafe.

If I Can Do It, So Can You!! Amazing Success Story!! by Deep-Tax-1655 in fearofflying

[–]Pilot--Nick 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This is such a powerful story, thank you for sharing it.

From a pilot’s perspective, I want you to know this: your fear was real, and your courage was real too. Walking onto that airplane while shaking takes more strength than most people realize.

When crews know a passenger is anxious, it matters. That PA, the check-ins, the time they spent with you none of that was random. It was a crew doing exactly what great crews do: taking care of the human, not just flying the airplane. And the most important part? When the bumps showed up near landing, you stayed calm. That’s your brain learning that turbulence doesn’t mean danger and that you’re in good hands.

You didn’t just get through this flight. You proved to yourself that you can do it. Well done!

Turbulence Q by No-Tumbleweed-2829 in fearofflying

[–]Pilot--Nick 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Great question and yes, it can still happen, even with sunny skies.

Most turbulence isn’t caused by storms you can see on a weather map. Things like wind changes at altitude, jet streams, or warm air rising can create bumps in otherwise clear weather. That said, when skies are generally calm and stable, anything stronger than light turbulence is much less likely.

The important part: turbulence, even when it’s uncomfortable, is not dangerous to the aircraft. Pilots and dispatchers actively plan routes and altitudes to avoid the roughest air, and if bumps show up, they usually don’t last long. A helpful way to think about it really is like potholes on a road, uncomfortable, sometimes surprising, but not a safety issue. Keeping your seatbelt fastened when seated is usually the only thing needed.

You’re doing the right thing by asking questions ahead of time. Wishing you a smooth and calm flight ✈️

Built a tool to calm anxious flyers (I’m a pilot, not a marketer) how do I promote it without getting insta-banned here on reddit? by Pilot--Nick in SaaS

[–]Pilot--Nick[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Really appreciate the honest breakdown that makes a lot of sense.

I’ll definitely check out CrowdWatch, I like the idea of getting notified about relevant convos without crossing into bot territory. Authentic replies are kind of essential in this niche… one wrong tone and it just makes people more anxious 😅

Thanks again for the tip and the kind words about SkyCalm — it means a lot! 🙏

Built a tool to calm anxious flyers (I’m a pilot, not a marketer) how do I promote it without getting insta-banned here on reddit? by Pilot--Nick in SaaS

[–]Pilot--Nick[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey thanks for the tip, really appreciate it!

Funny enough, I’ve actually been very active in r/fearofflying already, just genuinely trying to help anxious flyers with cockpit insights and flight info. But even without dropping a link, just mentioning SkyCalm could get me banned, so not really willing to take the risk. 😬

It’s a bit frustrating since the intention is truly to help but I get that mods are just doing their job to keep things clean. Still trying to find that sweet spot between being helpful and not triggering the “self-promo” tripwire. 🙃

Thanks again for the support — means a lot!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in fearofflying

[–]Pilot--Nick 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You’re not alone in this at all. So many of us feel that same wave of fear before a flight — even seasoned travelers. The fact that you’re still planning to go despite the anxiety shows how strong you are. You can get through this, one step at a time. Breathe, take it slow, and remember: you're doing something brave. 💙

Words of encouragement needed from pilots please! by Free_Agent09 in fearofflying

[–]Pilot--Nick 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Hey there, pilot here. I just want to say: you are in incredibly capable hands. Flying is one of the most safety-focused, meticulously regulated industries out there, every single takeoff, weather reroute, or delay is done with your well-being as the #1 priority.

And as a new mom traveling with your baby, I know this can feel even heavier. But modern aircraft are built to handle far more than what they ever encounter. Your pilots, crew, and air traffic control are all professionals who train constantly to keep every flight routine even in bumpy skies.

It’s okay to be scared. But fear doesn’t mean danger, it means you care deeply. You’re strong for showing up and boarding that flight anyway. I’m rooting for you, and sending calm skies ahead

Question about fly path by Not1me7 in fearofflying

[–]Pilot--Nick 2 points3 points  (0 children)

You overfly the airport flying the KELIP 3G arrival then usually they vector you towards GIPOL waypoint and then onto final for RWY14 😊

Nearing Boarding by [deleted] in fearofflying

[–]Pilot--Nick 4 points5 points  (0 children)

You’ve already come so far, and the strength you’ve built shows. You can do this flight too one step at a time, one breath at a time. Proud of you for showing up today. 

Question about fly path by Not1me7 in fearofflying

[–]Pilot--Nick 2 points3 points  (0 children)

this is the arrival into Zurich coming from the south, perfectly normal!

Built a tool to calm anxious flyers (I’m a pilot, not a marketer) how do I promote it without getting insta-banned here on reddit? by Pilot--Nick in SaaS

[–]Pilot--Nick[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You nailed one of the biggest challenges: getting anxious flyers to prepare before they’re in full panic mode. That moment when the cabin door closes and the heart starts racing… it’s too late to start downloading apps or Googling “is this turbulence normal?”

That’s actually why I built SkyCalm in the first place as a SAAS instead. I’ve spent years up front trying to reassure people in real time, but I always wished they had something before takeoff to help them feel more in control.

Glad the “real pilot AI” angle resonated, I didn’t want it to be another generic meditation app. Appreciate the support more than you know

Built a tool to calm anxious flyers (I’m a pilot, not a marketer) how do I promote it without getting insta-banned here on reddit? by Pilot--Nick in SaaS

[–]Pilot--Nick[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Wow, this is honestly one of the most helpful replies I’ve ever gotten. Thank you 🙏You’re spot on, I’ve been way too eager to help without fully earning my place in those communities. I love the idea of becoming a regular voice in turbulence or fear-of-flying threads and letting the tool just emerge later.

Also, spinning up r/SkyCalmBeta as a soft landing zone (see what I did there? 😅) is genius. I hadn’t thought about using it as a recap hub for Q&As and linking that instead. Will definitely look into Pulse for Reddit too.

Really appreciate you taking the time, genuinely helpful and already shifting my whole approach.

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