A flyer with a terror of getting up in the air employs a simple technique to help get through the ordeal.
Although flying is statistically much safer than more common forms of transport such as driving, many people find the experience utterly terrifying.
Whether it be because of a loss of control, intrusive thoughts while cooped up in the cabin or a simple fear of crashing dramatically, cruising at 30,000 feet is not as fun for some as for others.
One nervous flyer among their number finds that thinking 'of airplanes as boats' helps make the process that much more bearable.
"When you find yourself in air turbulence compare it to a wave in the sea, that little shake the airplane does would never ever worry you if you were on a boat," they wrote on Reddit.
"So I was really afraid of flying then one really kind pilot told me to think of airplanes like boats, he told me something like 'The next time the airplane shakes or even moves due to air turbulence, think how you'd react if that same movement were on a boat shaking for a wave. Also if you still feel uncomfortable, look for a flight attendant, look how bored she/he is and you'll see you have no reason to worry'."
The poster said that the simple trick "changed my point of view so drastically."
"I overcame my fear so fast that my girlfriend still thinks I'm lying to not burden her as she likes to travel so much," they added.
"That bonus tip of 'look for flight attendants they'll look really bored' added a little fun part to it that still makes me smile when I think about it."
The insight inspired others to offer pieces of advice that had helped them get over their fears of flying.
"I don't worry about what I have 0 control of and accepts death every time I am on a plane. That helps too," one wise, meditative sounding person added.
Another suggested speaking to the important people in your life before getting on a plane.
"Sounds cheesy but I do this too and it helps extra if you checked in with people you care about beforehand," they said.
"No regrets, you know? Not that you have to say your goodbyes or anything, but it helps to feel like you didn’t leave anything open-ended. Even if it’s just a 'love you!'
"Like, I care a lot for both my partner and my mum, and I notice any time I fly with either or both of them I’m a lot more calm because hey, if it goes down we’re all going together and I’m not leaving people I love behind."
Paul Tizzard is an aviation expert who has helped more than 30,000 people conquer their fears of flying through a course in partnership with Virgin Atlantic.
He recently told The Mirror that, for many people, the horror of getting on a commercial jet comes as soon as the doors close and getting off the aircraft is no longer possible.
A potentially effective way to control this fear is by having a check-list which runs through everything which is likely to happen on a flight to help gain a sense of power, Paul explained.
He told the Mirror: "A flight checklist of every step of the flight from check-in to the other end, people find that helpful because it's very logical. Knowledge is power is the cliche. You can tick off the sounds that can be enough to get somebody to do a flight."
