Do you know this - the engines roar, you're back in your seat for take-off and the ankle into your hands turn white as you grip the armrest for dear life? Air travel has become such an integral part of all our lives that we might sometimes forget how frightening it can be many. A fear of flying or aerophobia, any travel by air for holiday or business, a potential nightmare. Indeed, a recent article in USA Today suggested that the fear



of flying "cripples - or at least burdens - the careers of millions of Americans."

What can be done to tackle your fear of flying?

First, take a deep breath. However difficult it may be, remind you that the chances involved in an accident are astonishingly low. The one million passenger miles, air travel is by far the safest mode of transportation.

Try not to consume too much alcohol before the flight, or if you are up there. Apart from potentially rendering you unfit to fly in the amount of alcohol can actually have feelings of fear and claustrophobia.

On board are several airlines try to make the whole process of flying that much easier to those of a nervous disposition. A spokesman for Virgin Atlantic said: "We have a special fly without fear audio channel to help someone through their flight. On selected flights, we also have a channel meditainment give our passengers the opportunity for some quality deep relaxation while flying with us . "

Many have become hypnotherapy to try to topple often a debilitating fear of flying. Chris Thomas, hypnotherapist with visions Coaching Services, says:

"Flying phobia can be either through conditioning, which consists of a single case frightening; masked general fears from previous experiences, learned gradually over time either at first hand or from others, or as a result of" distorted "thoughts on airtravel. These fears are often irrational and are usually deep in our subconscious. "

Thomas adds: "Even at airports all the wrong words inadvertently used the condition that people are afraid to fly. Examples of such expressions as" terminal, final, final, insurance desk, departure lounge and last and final call. Especially after 11 September peoples fears are in the foreground with armed policemen are very visible adding to the tension. "

Finally, when things are really bad, you get on one of the courses provided by several major airlines: British Airways and Virgin both courses to keep nervous flyers. They are not cheap, but Virgin charges £ 199 for his one-day course, BA charges £ 235 - but the outcome could be worth it.

A BA spokesman said: "lack of control, claustrophobia, fear of heights and falling are the concerns of many passengers nervous. The psychologist are some positive ways of handling and minimize these fears and a relaxation session immediately before the flight . "