1. I know more about this than anyone here. I can handle this.
If you could learn more about unfamiliar situations, and become convinced that you could handle those situations, the fear would naturally subside. Fear is not so much a psychological issue, as an educational issue.

2. It's my choice to fly now. I will be comfortable.
You have probably chosen to fly because it will make life easier on yourself in the long run. Don't worry, this is a good choice. Later, you will likely find that you will be happy that you made this choice. Just remember, you do not have to take the flight. You are taking the flight because you have chosen to. If you feel someone is forcing you to fly (gun to your head?), deal with that before you fly. Nobody likes to be told what to do. You are in control of your life!

3. I have learned that I can trust the industry.
The FAA insures your safe and secure flying experience by monitoring, inspecting, drug testing, and certifying the people who work in safety related areas of aviation. Aviation is "black and white". There are no "maybes". Either it is 100% safe, or we don't do it. You may have heard the saying, "Safety is no accident". Each worker takes pride in his or her own work and keeps an eye on others. Because we understand the importance of our work on the safety of others, we will not tolerate anything less than perfection!

4. It's okay to feel nervous. I know what to do.
Fear is a normal reaction to a perceived threat. Once you learn the threat really isn't dangerous, the fear naturally goes away.

5. I know how to deal with nervous feelings.
When you feel afraid, your breathing quickens and your heart races. To calm yourself, first push your stomach outward. Take a slow, deep breath through your nose. Try to fill your lungs from the bottom up. Pause, and then exhale slowly. Do this a couple of times, and you'll feel much better. Practice your controlled breathing whenever you can. Try it whenever you feel tense. Slow, deep breathing is probably the easiest and most effective method for calming yourself.

6. I trust the well trained and experienced crew.
When you board the plane mention to the flight attendants that sometimes you get a little nervous about flying, and ask if you may visit with the pilots. This is very important! The pilots are happy to have visitors, the flight attendants know this. You might be surprised at how receptive the pilots will be. Ask questions and mention your nervousness, they will understand and reassure you. The pilot's confidence is contagious. Now you have a friend up front who knows and cares about you! But remember, visits to the cockpit can ONLY be made on the ground, not during taxi or in flight. From FAA Personnel, to Air Traffic Controllers, to Aircraft Mechanics, to the Flight Crew, there is no industry in the world with better trained, tested, skilled, and motivated professionals than the people in the airline industry.

7. The plane is strong, stable, reliable, and well maintained.
The FAA mandates that modern jet aircraft are designed and built with large safety margins. All aircraft and their equipment are built from FAA approved designs and manufactured under FAA approved systems. Coming out of the factory, the planes are thoroughly flight tested before certification by the FAA. Structurally, these aircraft can withstand many times the stresses and forces which can be imposed upon them in flight.

8. Turbulence may feel uncomfortable, but is normal.
People often misunderstand turbulence. When encountering turbulence, nervous passengers feel the plane is "falling" out of the sky. It is natural for them to only feel the "down" bumps. But for every "down" there is an "up" bump. The "downs" are just more easily noticed. Next time you are driving on a bumpy road, imagine you were a passenger on a plane and how you would consider it to be "bad" turbulence. Now take a look at the road. How big are the bumps on the roadway to create the rough ride? The air is usually very smooth. But sometimes some small ripples can make it feel like "bad" turbulence!

9. Even if I feel panicky, it cannot hurt me or cause me to lose control.
Fear itself is not harmful, just uncomfortable. A panic attack will not make you have a heart attack, or faint, or lose control.

10. Nervous feelings pass quickly. Besides, I have the tools to help myself.
Remember that fear is a normal reaction to a perceived threat. Once you learn the threat really isn't dangerous, the fear naturally goes away. Fear itself is not harmful, just uncomfortable, it is meant to protect us. That is how we are programmed. Fear acts as our defense mechanism. It prepares us to fight or flee.

Much more information is provided on the free online Fear of Flying Help Course (www.fearofflyinghelp.com)