More And More Turbulence. Do You Need To Worry?

The short answer is no, you don't have to worry about turbulence

because it will not bring your plane down.

But you can still get hurt.

Lately, it's been all over the news---turbulence hurt passengers, this person is suing this or that airline, so-in-so got hurt during turbulence. Honestly, people, there is ONE WAY to make sure you are safe during your flight.

Do you know what it is?

It's really simple, and yet it is the thing that is ignored the most on planes!

KEEP YOUR SEATBELT fastened!

Yup, it's that simple.

When you are in your seat, keep your seatbelt on. Period.

It doesn't matter if the pilot has the sign turned off, if you are in your seat your seat belt is on.

The reason?

Turbulence can drop your plane up to 1000 feet unexpectedly, and you will get hurt.

Of course, it's healthy and good for your body to get up and walk around. You need to walk with caution and understand that the plane could hit unexpected "clean-air turbulence," which is the one that comes out of nowhere and hits hard.

Keep your babies secure, just like during take-off and landing.

I can't tell you how many flights I am on that someone has a baby standing on their lap; not secure at all. Look, I'd rather a crying baby than a dead one. Think about it!

There are many types of turbulence, and MOST of them can be foreshadowed so the pilots know it's coming. They get warned by other flights or see it, or years of experience tells them how to avoid it. Then...there are those flights when people are throwing up, screaming, crying, praying, and the whole plane shakes uncontrollably; it's terrifying even for experienced flyers and flight crew.

I REPEAT KEEP YOUR SEAT BELTS ON

Here are some tips to help you if you are a nervous passenger during the shaking. These work for me, though generally, I'm okay when the plane is bumping around, but I have been scared on flights. I'm also a writer so my mind goes into all sorts of storylines.

1. Watch a movie on board; it's a great distraction. Reading is good too but every time you look at the page, the movement will feel worse, just like sleeping. It just does.

2. Listen to music on your phone-use your headphones. (Really, some people don't)

3. Talk with your friends or family on the flight with you, or your neighbors if they are the friendly type.

4. Do a crossword or some sort of puzzle.

5. Order the meal or food on the flight

6. Tell the flight attendant that you are nervous. Sometimes they can really help you feel better. Remember this flight from 2022 that made the news? Click on the picture to read the story about this awesome flight attendant.

Another way to help combat your fear is to not focus on it. I know that sounds simple, but it's hard to not let your mind make up all sorts of scenarios with your plane plummeting to the ground in a storm.

Flying is still the safest way to travel; it's the truth. I'll have a post soon for those who have a general fear of flying and tips and links to get past that. The bottom line is that if the plane was going to crash, at that point, there is nothing you can do about it. I don't know about you but I don't want my last twenty minutes to be spent freaking out.

Trust that you will arrive safely.

Thanks for reading and I'd love to hear your experiences with turbulence and how you deal with it!

xo Stephanie

#flying #turbulence #aviation #commericalairlines #flightsafety