One of your best articles yet, Nick. Many thanks for this.
I hate turbulence with a passion, the same way I hate roller coasters. As soon as it starts I get this bizarre cold sweat on the soles of my feet. Go figure.
My stomach always needs to feel that it's at the bottom of my torso, not around my ears. I never worry about crashing or failure, I just can't get on with the sensation.
At the end of the day, I've learned to tough it out (because you can't exactly ask to get off) and I only get "worried" if I see the cabin crew buckle up. Then we are in for a bit of a ride.
What you describe is actually very common. Turbulence triggers the same physical response as a roller coaster because your inner ear senses the vertical motion, even though the airplane itself is perfectly safe and well within its limits.
From the cockpit, it almost always looks far less dramatic than it feels in the cabin. Most of the time we’re simply adjusting speed and altitude to make it smoother.
And you’re absolutely right about one thing: if the cabin crew sits down, it usually just means it might get a bit bumpy, not that anything dangerous is happening.
Thanks 🙏🏻 again for being a captain member, reading and sharing your experience, comments like yours help other nervous flyers realize they’re not alone. ✈️
Thank you so much for this post!! I’m an extremely nervous flier (turbulence makes me more uneasy than I can describe). I always find myself wishing the pilots would just talk to us the whole time and reassure nothing’s out of the ordinary 😅 Appreciate you taking the time to explain from your purview 🙏
Thank you so much for your kind words I really understand how you feel, you’re definitely not alone in this 😊
From the cockpit, turbulence almost always looks much less dramatic than it feels in the cabin and we’re constantly monitoring it and adjusting to keep things as smooth as possible.
If it helps, I’ve put together a Masterclass and my Fly Calm ebooks where I explain exactly what’s happening step by step, in simple terms, it’s helped quite a few nervous flyers feel more in control ✈️
This article left me with a strange sensation that flying is both safer and more dangerous than I thought. Safer because the airplanes can handle it, more dangerous because injuries do happen among the non-secured. I’ve always kept my belt, loosely buckled, because I like to follow rules. Now I’ll do it for safety sake.
That’s a very fair takeaway, Steve and you’ve nailed the key point.
The aircraft is built to handle turbulence, but the real risk is for people not secured. Keeping your seatbelt on (even loosely) is one of the simplest and most effective safety habits you can have.
Really glad the article helped shift that perspective 👍✈️
Very insightful piece which provides us with some reassurance.
I was on a plane going across the Atlantic years ago and dinner trays were flying onto the aisle, with some women crying. Was on another flight where the turbulence was so bad a passenger across the aisle was vomiting their head off multiple times asking for second sick bags from cabin crew. Was on another flight with such turbulence that a single female passenger asked to hold my hand while the plane shaked violently… but seriously good to know you lads in the cockpit are cool as cucumbers talking about what you’ll have for dinner on arrival. Lol
Appreciate you sharing that and I’m glad the piece helped a bit.
Those moments can feel intense in the cabin, no question. From up front, we’re seeing the bigger picture and working around it as much as we can. The airplane is built for it but I completely understand how it feels in the back.
One of your best articles yet, Nick. Many thanks for this.
I hate turbulence with a passion, the same way I hate roller coasters. As soon as it starts I get this bizarre cold sweat on the soles of my feet. Go figure.
My stomach always needs to feel that it's at the bottom of my torso, not around my ears. I never worry about crashing or failure, I just can't get on with the sensation.
At the end of the day, I've learned to tough it out (because you can't exactly ask to get off) and I only get "worried" if I see the cabin crew buckle up. Then we are in for a bit of a ride.
Nigel, thank you that really means a lot.
What you describe is actually very common. Turbulence triggers the same physical response as a roller coaster because your inner ear senses the vertical motion, even though the airplane itself is perfectly safe and well within its limits.
From the cockpit, it almost always looks far less dramatic than it feels in the cabin. Most of the time we’re simply adjusting speed and altitude to make it smoother.
And you’re absolutely right about one thing: if the cabin crew sits down, it usually just means it might get a bit bumpy, not that anything dangerous is happening.
Thanks 🙏🏻 again for being a captain member, reading and sharing your experience, comments like yours help other nervous flyers realize they’re not alone. ✈️
Thank you so much for this post!! I’m an extremely nervous flier (turbulence makes me more uneasy than I can describe). I always find myself wishing the pilots would just talk to us the whole time and reassure nothing’s out of the ordinary 😅 Appreciate you taking the time to explain from your purview 🙏
Thank you so much for your kind words I really understand how you feel, you’re definitely not alone in this 😊
From the cockpit, turbulence almost always looks much less dramatic than it feels in the cabin and we’re constantly monitoring it and adjusting to keep things as smooth as possible.
If it helps, I’ve put together a Masterclass and my Fly Calm ebooks where I explain exactly what’s happening step by step, in simple terms, it’s helped quite a few nervous flyers feel more in control ✈️
Really appreciate you being here 🙏
This article left me with a strange sensation that flying is both safer and more dangerous than I thought. Safer because the airplanes can handle it, more dangerous because injuries do happen among the non-secured. I’ve always kept my belt, loosely buckled, because I like to follow rules. Now I’ll do it for safety sake.
That’s a very fair takeaway, Steve and you’ve nailed the key point.
The aircraft is built to handle turbulence, but the real risk is for people not secured. Keeping your seatbelt on (even loosely) is one of the simplest and most effective safety habits you can have.
Really glad the article helped shift that perspective 👍✈️
This was so interesting as someone who flies a lot when I travel. Will be sharing this in a future Insider Letter issue!
Thank You Janice 🙏🏻
Very insightful piece which provides us with some reassurance.
I was on a plane going across the Atlantic years ago and dinner trays were flying onto the aisle, with some women crying. Was on another flight where the turbulence was so bad a passenger across the aisle was vomiting their head off multiple times asking for second sick bags from cabin crew. Was on another flight with such turbulence that a single female passenger asked to hold my hand while the plane shaked violently… but seriously good to know you lads in the cockpit are cool as cucumbers talking about what you’ll have for dinner on arrival. Lol
Cheers
Appreciate you sharing that and I’m glad the piece helped a bit.
Those moments can feel intense in the cabin, no question. From up front, we’re seeing the bigger picture and working around it as much as we can. The airplane is built for it but I completely understand how it feels in the back.
Thanks for reading and being here ✈️