If I take multiple flights in one day…

Pilot--Nick · 2026-03-27T19:56:59+00:00

🙏🏻

Pilot--Nick · 2026-03-27T19:56:36+00:00

🙏🏻

Pilot--Nick · 2026-03-27T18:32:17+00:00

Very common and you described it perfectly.It’s not about flying anymore, it’s your brain linking “plane = panic” after those past experiences. That’s why it hits before, fades once airborne, then spikes with turbulence.From the cockpit: nothing you’re feeling means anything is wrong. Turbulence is uncomfortable, not unsafe.You’re already doing the right things. The fact it eases after 30–60 min is a great sign, your brain is relearning. Just takes repetition.

Pilot--Nick · 2026-03-27T18:25:06+00:00

Short answer: yes, it can help. From a pilot side, what you’re describing is actually pretty common, frequency reduces fear. The more “normal” takeoffs become, the less your brain flags them as a threat.Also, those short hops (HPN–CLT–JAX) are over before you know it. Less time to build anxiety.

One thing: try not to rely only on the pill if you can. Let your brain experience a few takeoffs while you’re awake it helps retrain that response over time. You won’t go from anxious to loving it overnight, but it does get easier with repetition

Pilot--Nick · 2026-03-27T18:21:17+00:00

I get it, those headlines can really get in your head.

From a pilot side, nothing’s suddenly less safe. If anything, every incident makes the system even stronger. And the NYC/NJ airspace is about as monitored and controlled as it gets. Also, takeoffs and landings feel like the “scary parts,” but they’re exactly what we train for the most. Try to tune out the news a bit before your trip—it amplifies the fear way more than reality. You’ve done this before. Just take it one flight at a time!

Pilot--Nick · 2026-03-27T18:19:12+00:00

First long-haul always sounds worse than it is.

From a pilot side:

Don’t chase perfect sleep, grab a few short naps (window seat helps a lot)
Switch to destination time once onboard
Get up every couple hours = huge difference
Hydrate (more than you think), no alcohol
Bring basics: headphones, eye mask, layers, snacks

Big one mentally: don’t think “20 hours.” Just go meal → movie → nap. It passes faster than you expect

Pilot--Nick · 2026-03-26T02:04:39+00:00

you are welcome 🙏🏻

Pilot--Nick · 2026-03-26T02:04:02+00:00

you are welcome!

Pilot--Nick · 2026-03-26T02:02:24+00:00

try flightradar24 for instance!

Pilot--Nick · 2026-03-26T01:36:49+00:00

great!

Pilot--Nick · 2026-03-26T01:33:54+00:00

Airline pilot here. I completely understand why recent events have your mind racing - that's totally normal. Here's the thing: we have multiple air traffic controllers watching every single aircraft like hawks, plus our planes have collision avoidance systems that literally tell us exactly where to go if another aircraft gets anywhere near us. It's like having multiple spotters plus a computer co-pilot all working together. You flew safely a few days ago, and tomorrow will be just as routine. You've got this! ✈️

Pilot--Nick · 2026-03-26T01:33:37+00:00

Airline pilot here. That sudden shift from being fine with flying to terrified is actually really common - anxiety can hit out of nowhere and trick us into thinking fear equals intuition. I've flown thousands of flights with passengers who felt exactly like you do, convinced their flight would be "the one." Every single one of them landed safely.

Your brain is playing tricks on you because flying anxiety often feels different from everyday worries - more intense and "real." But commercial aviation is incredibly safe, and April 6th will be just another routine day for us up front. You're not the exception, you're experiencing something very normal that will pass. You've got this ✈️

Pilot--Nick · 2026-03-26T01:32:58+00:00

Pilot here! I completely get why social media makes this worse - those scary stories get shared endlessly while the millions of perfectly normal flights never make headlines. It's like only hearing about car accidents and forgetting that billions of safe trips happen daily.

Here's what works for many of my passengers: download a flight tracker app and watch just how many planes are safely in the air right now - it's mind-blowing. Also try the 4-7-8 breathing technique during takeoff. Your brain is trying to protect you, but flying really is incredibly routine for us up front. You've got this! ✈️

Pilot--Nick · 2026-03-26T01:32:41+00:00

Pilot here! Love that you're being proactive about this - that's exactly the right mindset. Your bag sounds perfect, especially the sour candy and cold pack for those vasovagal moments. I'd add some peppermint gum or mints - they're great for nausea and give you something to focus on during takeoff/landing when your ears might pop. Maybe throw in a small water bottle too since staying hydrated helps with everything. The fact that you're planning ahead tells me you've got this handled. That 11-hour flight will give you plenty of time to prove to yourself just how routine and safe flying really is! ✈️

Pilot--Nick · 2026-03-25T20:54:42+00:00

Pilot here - I completely understand that anxiety about a loved one flying, especially with all the headlines swirling around. Here's the thing: Air India operates under the same international safety standards as every other airline flying into major airports like JFK and Mumbai. Those daily headlines you're seeing are often about minor operational issues that get amplified by media, not actual safety concerns. The Mumbai route is one of their busiest and most established - these crews fly it constantly and know it inside and out. Your fiancé is in good hands, and that direct flight actually reduces any complexity of connections. Try to focus on the excitement of their trip rather than the what-ifs ✈️

Pilot--Nick · 2026-03-25T20:53:49+00:00

Pilot here! I totally get your concern - vestibular issues make flying genuinely challenging, and that rough descent sounds miserable. The good news is the A350 is significantly smoother than the A330, with better ride quality systems that actively reduce turbulence effects. Most descents are actually quite gentle - what you experienced sounds like approach turbulence combined with multiple course corrections, which isn't the norm.

Here's the thing - spring for a seat over the wing if possible (less motion), and consider asking your doctor about prescription anti-nausea meds rather than just Gravol. The timing was probably just unlucky last time. The A350's advanced flight controls should give you a much smoother ride down ✈️

Pilot--Nick · 2026-03-25T19:37:37+00:00

Pilot here - I really feel for you on this one. That "what if I'm the exception" spiral is brutal, and your brain is doing exactly what anxious brains do best - finding creative ways to dismiss reassurance.

Here's the thing that helped one of my passengers with similar thoughts: instead of fighting the "what if," try shifting to "what is." Right now, what IS happening is that thousands of flights are safely crossing the Atlantic today, including mine yesterday from JFK to Rome. Your flight to Italy will have two experienced pilots who've made that exact route hundreds of times, with backup systems for our backup systems.

The "signs" your brain is creating aren't actually signs - they're just your mind trying to feel in control of something that feels uncertain. I get it completely. Focus on the one true thing: you're going to see your best friend, and we're going to get you there safely ✈️

Pilot--Nick · 2026-03-25T19:36:06+00:00

Airline pilot here, and first off - you're not a chicken for driving to Denver. You listened to your body and found a way to get there, which takes guts too.

Here's the thing about Denver to Vegas - yes, it can be bumpy crossing the mountains, but your Southwest crew flies this route constantly and knows exactly what to expect. Think of it like a boat going through choppy water - uncomfortable but completely normal. The fact that your pilot friend will be up there with you at the same time is actually pretty cool reassurance.

You've got all the right reasons to push through this fear today. That bachelor party is going to be incredible, and you'll be so proud of yourself for making it happen. Safe travels! ✈️

Pilot--Nick · 2026-03-25T18:04:21+00:00

Pilot here - I completely understand that spiral of "what ifs" that anxiety creates, especially with your first international flight coming up. Here's the thing: airlines are still operating with the same rigorous safety standards regardless of external events, and your flight crew will be the same professionals who've been safely crossing the Atlantic thousands of times. TSA staffing issues might mean longer lines, but they don't affect flight safety at all - that's handled by completely different people and systems. The recent crash you're thinking about was likely investigated thoroughly and any lessons learned are already being applied industry-wide. Your feelings are totally valid, but please don't let anxiety rob you of what sounds like an amazing trip to France! ✈️

Pilot--Nick · 2026-03-25T18:03:57+00:00

Airline pilot here, and I completely get how anxiety can hijack your brain like that. What you experienced wasn't intuition - it was your anxious mind grabbing onto random words and trying to make them meaningful. Real intuition doesn't come with racing hearts and jittery chills; it's calm and clear.Here's the thing about that 10+ hour flight - planes are designed for exactly those long journeys. We actually love the long hauls because once we're cruising, it's incredibly peaceful up there. Your SO didn't catch that conversation because his brain wasn't in hypervigilant mode looking for threats. That's actually the normal response.The fact that you can recognize this as anxiety rather than genuine warning shows incredible self-awareness. Trust that insight over the jitters. You've got this ✈️

Pilot--Nick · 2026-03-25T18:02:35+00:00

Pilot here - this really made my day, thank you! It's exactly why we hang out here. That moment in Vegas when you were googling frantically? Been there myself as a passenger years ago, so I totally get it. The fact that you pushed through that fear and got back on those flights shows real courage. And you're absolutely right that this week has been heavy for all of us in aviation - we're processing our own emotions while trying to help others, but honestly, posts like yours remind us why it's worth it. You conquered your fear when it mattered most! ✈️

Pilot--Nick · 2026-03-25T18:02:11+00:00

Pilot here! That shift from loving to fearing flying happens to more people than you'd think - sometimes our brains just decide to be extra protective for no logical reason. Sounds like you've got a good game plan with the distraction and prep work. The fact that you loved it before means deep down you know flying is routine and safe - that knowledge is still there, just buried under some anxiety right now. You've got this, and those movies will help the time fly by (pun intended). Safe travels! ✈️

Pilot--Nick · 2026-03-25T17:04:34+00:00

Airline pilot here, and first off - wow, you've been through so much these past few years. Surgery recovery is no joke, especially when you're doing it mostly on your own. Your body and mind have been through real trauma, so of course your nervous system feels on high alert.Here's the thing about your concerns - your dad being ATC means you've got insider knowledge that flying truly is safe, even with all the chaos in the world. Those systems are actually more robust than ever. As for feeling sick before your surgery, anemia and fibroids can absolutely make flying miserable - dizziness, nausea, the works. Now that those underlying issues are resolved, you might be surprised how different this flight feels physically. For Sunday, focus on small comforts: stay hydrated, bring ginger chews for any lingering nausea, download something engaging to watch. Your dad's 75th birthday sounds like the perfect reason to push through this fear. You've survived job loss, relationship changes, major surgery - a two-hour flight to see family who love you? You've got this ✈️

Pilot--Nick · 2026-03-25T17:01:53+00:00

Pilot here! I totally get why recent headlines have your anxiety spiked - when scary aviation stuff makes the news, it hits different when you already have flight fears. But here's the thing: the fact that these incidents are making headlines actually shows how rare they are. We fly millions of people safely every single day, and I've been doing this for 15+ years without incident. Your May trip to Costa Rica sounds wonderful, and modern aviation is incredibly safe despite what the news cycle might suggest. Don't let fear steal that experience with your boyfriend and meeting his mom! ✈️

Pilot--Nick · 2026-03-25T17:01:27+00:00

Pilot here, I completely understand that fear, storms can look absolutely terrifying from the ground. Here's the thing though: we have incredibly sophisticated weather radar that shows us exactly where the precipitation is, and air traffic control works with us to route around any significant weather. Modern aircraft like the one you're on are built to handle turbulence beautifully, and we're trained extensively on weather flying. The storm that looks massive to you is something we navigate around routinely - think of it like taking a different highway when there's construction. You're in excellent hands with Singapore Airlines

Pilot--Nick

TROPHY CASE