A380 Really Nervous: Any Advice

[rechoboam]

Welcome to AFF Mr N, the domestic experience is very different to international especially the A380. A few other suggestions for you, some of these are QF online only.

Check in online 24 hours before your flight and select seats either window (you have to get over other people to get out of your row) or isle easy access (will have to let others out). Window has the benefit of a view, isle the benefit of easy access. Suggest the four of you get 2+2 (seats ABC, or HJK sides) rather than seats D-G 4 uness you have very little kids. You can move rows if you don’t like where you are or just for a change in scenery, I am guessing its 2 adults and 2 little people, depending on how little they may want to sit together and the 2 adults can hold hands

Buy a bottle of water to take on-board or an empty bottle and fill it, they provide water but I like more than that, they also have water in the self-serve bars as well.

Get / Ask for pillow, blanket, you will get an eye mask, ear plugs are in a little pack you will have on your seat.

Select different meal types if you have a preference, e.g. veg. Don’t drink coffee, too much caffeine.

Get to the airport early, suggest about 3 hour before is usually fine, there is nothing worse than panicking if you are running out of time at check in queues. Relax as much as possible in the departure area before you get on your flight, both Syd / Mel have good departure area’s, past emigration. Other may not agree?

When you get to Singapore (I guess?) but anywhere, take a walk, gets the circulation / muscles working again and tires you out for the sleeping leg, don’t just sit next to the depature gate.

Take a good book, magazines or other things that you enjoy doing whilst relaxing. Read the current liquids, hazardous materials etc. just in case you want to take anything unusual on-board.
Read some of trip reports on here for Y / econ flights. There are a number and it will help give you an idea what to expect.

Drugs, many on here are not a fan of taking medication but I do, not always, but to LHR I suggest that you do. Have a relaxant as well as a mild sleeping tablet. Sleeping is the best form of relation.

Write a trip report to post on here, we are always interested and add your tips as well. Usually these trips are an enjoyable experiance, relax as much as possible, don't worry about the things you cannot change you will get there. Once you have landed read the signs at LHR to know where you are going but most people will be heading the same way.:arrow:

Just curious, what sort of relaxant of not a sleeping tablet?

 

[MR N]

I will take a 5mg valium about 30 minutes before take off, then maybe another after say 4 hours. Then again in Singapore. I am used to them and they generally dont make me sleep, just a bit calmer.

The walking part mentioned earlier is interesting. I remember on my 737 flight I was jammed in could not move and there was no chance of walking anywhere.

I did look at a map of the A380 and see that there is room down the back. I suffer from like cramps sometimes in my legs, so can I suppose that you can stand for a little while near the rear snack bar area ?

Is there some etiquette I need to know about when walking around ?

 

[Must...Fly!]

Don't bump in to people

Try to avoid annoying the F/As as a courtesy to their work space (i.e. getting up during meal service)

They don't mind someone standing up the back but don't bring the family!

 

[freepyjamas]

Don't bump in to people

Try not to avoid annoying the F/As as a courtesy to their work space (i.e. getting up during meal service)

They don't mind someone standing up the back but don't bring the family!

And don't (whatever you do) use people's headrests to keep yourself balanced as you walk down the aisle. There's not a lot that truly annoys me, but that'd be up there.

 

[Shelf]

Walking laps can help

 

[JohnPhelan]

Look at it this way. NBW had a reasonably spectacular, uncontained catastrophic engine failure. Which in turn took out quite a few of the ship's systems. And they still made a fully safe return and landing. That's got to be a testiment to the safety of the bird.

.....and even more so to the Qantas flight crew. Qantas has the best - and safest - pilots in the world.

 

[mannej]

.....and even more so to the Qantas flight crew. Qantas has the best - and safest - pilots in the world.

One who happens to frequent this board and is very generous answering any questions we may have!

 

[AVC]

.....and even more so to the Qantas flight crew. Qantas has the best - and safest - pilots in the world.

concur on that one too!

 

[MR N]

Just thinking about it on any flight the bulk of passengers are flying economy. I suppose I might be OK if I can walk a bit, because its a long time in a confined seat.

At this point I cant afford premium and just wondering if I should wait and do that at a later point, but then looking at the seat dimensions, its only 7 inches more leg room at a much greater cost. Its difficult when you are a nervy type.

Obviously reading these boards, you guys just get up and go, even if its the hated economy.

 

[harvyk]

Obviously reading these boards, you guys just get up and go, even if its the hated economy.

I don't think we hate economy per say, it's just the majority of us have experienced the higher classes so when we are in an econ seat we know exactly what we're missing out on. There is absolutely nothing wrong with econ and it's how the majority of the world flies.

An econ seat is by no way spacious (but every so often you get lucky and score a spare seat beside you) but esp on the A380 it's not cramped either, and this is coming from a guy who is 6'2.

Distractions is the name of the game when flying in econ, the A380 has a good selection of movies and TV shows, but a book or two or a tablet with games on it will also help the hours pass. Getting up and going for a walk in between each movie is also a good idea, it helps break up the flight. The A380 econ seats have IMHO a pretty big recline on them so getting some sleep is also very possible.

 

[Pushka]

We flew on Nancy Bird less than a week before the engine blew. Did that stop us flying on the A380 again? No, in fact we are flying out on one the day after you are . The A380 is just so much quieter than any other large plane, and I've read that you don't feel as jet lagged. I must say I experienced no jet lag at all flying to the USA and very little on return which for me is unusual. LHR is going to be more demanding I'm sure, but can't wait to get back onboard again.

 

[MR N]

Thanks to all for the encouragement. My nerves get the better of me, infact in 2010 i backed out of going to london a few days prior. Obviously i am ashamed and disappointed with myself. I hear what you have all said and its been a source of encouragement. I am too neurotic when it comes to flying eg looking at the routes on the map looking at the flight from singapore to london and all the water they fly over plusethe monsoons etc.
This is why i need a sedative. That said i have to be strong and try it, knowing people taller than me can do it. Sure maybe not the best way to fly but maybe I am making too big a deal of it in my own mixed up mind.

 

[drewbles]

Have you possibly considered a 'fear of flying' course to try and allay your nerves/concerns? I know the BA one in the UK is excellent, and there are some in Australia too. The one in AU is an independent company that runs in conjunction with Qantas pilots. It's not cheap at $950, but it boasts a good success rate for people. Perhaps it's worth doing at some stage for you (IMHO, anything that gets a person over their fear of flying and lets them experience the world around us is a good thing!). Their website is at Fearless Flyers Inc.

 

[Pushka]

Thanks to all for the encouragement. My nerves get the better of me, infact in 2010 i backed out of going to london a few days prior. Obviously i am ashamed and disappointed with myself. I hear what you have all said and its been a source of encouragement. I am too neurotic when it comes to flying

You shouldn't be so tough on yourself. It is not an unreasonable or neurotic thing to be worried about flying. But as they say in the Accident Posters, you are more likely to have a car accident on the way to the airport than on the plane. Life is full of risks, it just depends on how you manage them to live life to the fullest.

 

[harvyk]

Whilst I don't know where you are located, perhaps a trick would be to do a SYD-MEL (or vv) first but look for a wide bodied plane (I'm pretty sure they have some A330's running that route). It might help alleviate some of the stress of a much longer trip as the seats will be similar and the width of the plane will be similar, plus it will be a much shorter trip. Sort of like dipping you big toe in the water before hopping fully in.

A B737-400 is not a good indication of what a long haul trip on an A380 will be like.

 

[777]

I also suffer from intermittent fear of flying.

I have at various stages ranged from tears when boarding/ gripping the seat/ cancelling a flight to mild nervousness on take off to sometimes being almost non-existent and everything in between.

Some good news: a wide body flight is much more comfortable than a narrow body - a lot space, room to move, comprehensive entertainment system to keep you distracted.
Tips: Get an aisle seat, ideally in the middle cluster. You can get up and walk around, you have more space and the windows aren't close enough to remind you you are on a plane all the time. Valium is good if you need, i've also tired Xanax and found it better (talk to your doctor obviously), i've also found that a couple of drinks before boarding generally helps calm the nerves - obviously that depends on your circumstances.

The other good news is that i've tended to realise that most of what i'm afraid of is fear of fear. Once you're on a longer flight it actually becomes normal, then crosses over into being boring at some point along the way and the staff are well trained to deal with nervous flyers.

Good luck!

 

[Andyzx]

Just curious, what sort of relaxant of not a sleeping tablet?

Relaxants like Valum, temazepam, alcohol but there are a number of herbals as well. They specifically have an effect upon anxiety. Sleepers are used to induce or keep you asleep, anything from warm milk to nonbenzodiazepine (hypnotic drugs with the hormone melatonin). You need to be careful with the benzodiazepine class of drug due to dependancy or withdrawl symptions but the newer drugs are generally ok.
There are others but your not allowed to smoke on a plane

 

[docjames]

eg looking at the routes on the map looking at the flight from singapore to london and all the water they fly over plusethe monsoons etc.
.

I'd +1 the fear of flying course from the sounds of things. Are you travelling alone or with a partner / friend? It may be important to get them up to speed with how you are feeling, and "llok for the signs" you are stressing out and try and help calm you. I wonder if you would also consider a "trial run" - a short return flight just to get "practice" any techniques to calm yourself (other than the medication). And if it's short, if it doesnt go well, you'll have learnt any / any new triggers for your fear, and hopefully at a distance that is only 1-2 days drive home!

Re: flight tracking, depending on where you get your info, note that the lines in airline maps etc are not accurate, and note also that flight paths take into account avoiding weather, being near enough to appropriate landing sites to be at a reasonable distance at any time, head/tail winds for fuel efficiency, high terrain, other air traffic etc.

You might also if you have specific questions that you are fearful about, post any flying questions in the "ask a pilot" thread if there's anything specific you want to ask (eg. what noises to expect, what if type questions).


Welcome to AFF and good luck with your trip.

 

[MR N]

I have at various stages ranged from tears when boarding/ gripping the seat/ cancelling a flight to mild nervousness on take off to sometimes being almost non-existent and everything in between.


The other good news is that i've tended to realise that most of what i'm afraid of is fear of fear.

Really sorry to hear of the anxiety you have had, has you know you wouldnt wish that on anybody.

I have been watching some youtubes about the A380 cabin, just to know what to expect. A lot dont really show the seat and leg room etc but I think it might be a little better than I am fearing.

And you are all right, I shouldnt judge by by 737 experience.

 

[SeatBackForward]

And you are all right, I shouldnt judge by by 737 experience.

A 737 is like getting on a bus, while an A380 is more like a cruise liner, much different experience.