Flying is one of the safest ways to travel, it being 29 times safer than riding or driving in a car. However, this doesn't do much to alleviate people's fear of flying. This is because the fear that people feel isn't due to risk factors. If this were the case, then no one would ever want to get into a car and drive since it is much less safe than an airplane.

People that fly or drive a car are aware that the chance for an accident is always there, just like with anything done in their lives. Very few accidents happen when flying a plane because pilots are trained to know what to do no matter what happens. However, since passengers on that plane do not have the same training, they sit in the cabin, scared to death. Even when they are aware of the safety statistics, this does nothing to alleviate the fear of flying.

The fear of flying is more based on the vulnerabilities that exist in the human condition, instead of the fear of being in an accident. It reminds us that we have no actual control over the way we will die, whether on the air or on the ground.

The fear of flying has various components, and not all of them are exactly related to flight. Some of the different parts are:

1. Heights
2. Being in a crowded place
3. Having to wait without really being able to move
4. Being scared about turbulence
5. Having to trust in mechanical things to be certain you are safe
6. Not having a feeling of control
7. Being scared of the potential for terrorism

If your fear is based on a previous accident that was related to an airplane, you may need a consultation with a psychologist to get to the root cause of the problem. Some of the symptoms people who are afraid of flying often develop when flying are:

1. Heavy breathing
2. Tremors and muscle tension
3. Chest pain and racing heart rate
4. Stomachache
5. Sweating, dizziness, dry mouth, weakness, pale face
6. Trouble remembering
7. Poor judgment
8. Expecting negative things to happen

Some of the best strategies to coping with the fear of flying are:

1. Learning all you can about staying safe during flight. Understand how the plane works and all the safety preparation it goes through before each and every flight. You can find much information about the subject online, in the bookstore, and at the library.

2. Learn relaxation techniques that will let you deal with the negative thinking you are doing. When you learn to think more positively, this can cause a huge change in how you feel about flying.

3. Hypnosis, behavioral therapy, and even medication can often help people suffering from the fear of flying as well. It's always best to consult your doctor to find the correct treatment plan for you. Also, seeking out additional support from friends and relatives can also greatly help reduce the stress and anxiety of your flying phobia.

If you can learn to associate flying with positive feelings and experiences, it will take away the anxiety and worry you have about the thought and act of flying.