General Chat

First & last in 1979. Went to live in NZ in 1973 by sea as the thought of flying terrified me. When I decided to come home in '79 I couldn't afford to come by sea so had to fly. A friend hearing of my fear, said 'I have to get some flying hours in for my license, come up with me'. My first flight was in a tiny Cessna, taking off from a grass runway, straight out over the sea. Then we turned inland & he pointed out various landmarks & his farm, suddenly the plane banked sharply & he said, 'oh, nearly forgot to show you my new shearing shed'. My stomach turned over, like going over a hump back bridge, Doug thought it was hillarious. After that, the jumbo coming home was a doddle. Vivienne

It was in 1953 in an Anson, I was training in the Wrens. Great fun brenda

I was 19 went to see my gparents in New Brunswick, scared to death. LOL Now fly at least once a year, still don't like it but have to so just buck up and go.

It's absolutley fascinating to hear everyone's stories. As you've heard I've been flying since I was 3 weeks old and been on dozens of flights since then. Never bothered at all. Even flown from England to Germany when I was 14 (without an adult) and I was responsible for my sister (12) and brother (6). xx

I'm still waiting at 45, lol Dianex

Never have and I'll be 53 next month. Have never had a passport either. How sad is that? Mind you I get travel sick on a swing so that may have something to do with it. Don't think it's fear of flying so much. If only you could wish yourself to exotic destinations it would be great! Kath

I was 35 - flew to Athens - and I was absolutely petrified - spent the whole 4 hours sat in 'crash position'!!!! LOL!! Spent the entire 2 week holiday fretting about flying home so that was spoilt! Then went to Spain on honeymoon and still scared stupid - the fear just doesn't get any less so I've decided to never ever fly again. And now I feel better because I'm under no pressure to do so - Europe's huge and driveable and theres still shed loads of it I have yet to visit. But - thank goodness for tv or I'd never have a clue what outside Europe looks like!! Lucy x

I was 25 and they made me jump out at 2000 feet !! Mt first flight was when I did a charity parachute jump . :)

My first flight was to Malta and I was 12. Marie: )

In 1984 to Tenerife. Was scared stiff, but been on many flights since. btw did Jenny conquer her fear and go to Ireland? Mau :O)

My first ever flight was to Australia in 1988. Long story but my brother was adopted by my aunt and uncle and he lived in Australia. He came over here the year before and I went over to see how he 'lived' It was too expensive for us all to go so hubby stayed home and looked after the kids...for a month! We fly every year now on holiday. Three years ago hubby and I both went to Australia, so I have done quite a lot of hours on a plane. Marion

I was 7, I loved it so much when I was old enough I flew for BA as Cabin Crew! janey

I was in my 20s, not long married, when his job meant us moving to Cyprus. We were well into the flight, when we were all told to fasten our seatbelts. The next half hour or so was really bumpy. We'd drop down as we hit a number of air pockets but eventually met calmer weather. Being a newbie, I didn't realise that this wasn't the norm. or I may have been more bothered. No flight has been a bother since going through that.

My first flight was in `82 went to Sweden and we had to land in Norway first as there was Snow Storm ~ sat on the runway for 12hours. R.B.

1961. flew home to get demobbed........from Dusseldorf Bec just as well they didnt do a '' Beckham'' with your sisters name then..LOL Bob

I was 6 months old, Dad was in the Army and we went with him while he was stationed in Malaya. Donna

To Lloret de Mar in 1966 with a group of girl friends - we were 19/20, flew from Lympne ? airport in Kent. Had been to Germany the year before ona coach trip with one female friend - I was 18 then. Since then have flown many times, to Malta - lots of times, Spain - Fuerterventura, Greece - Kefalonia twice . Amsterdam.

1957 to the Isle of Man - next flight 1959 to Cyprus - free flight this time from H.M.! Everyone did dress up to travel in those days. If it was still going in in 1970 when did it cease? Ann

I was 23, went to Egypt.

To Jersey when I was about 8 in a two engined dakota. We were given sweets to suck and they had not cut the grass along side the runway at Jersey airport. I wanted to go to Jersey because i had been reading the stories about Jersey zoo by Jerald Durell in Princess.