SOAR - Conquer Fear of Flying

conquer fear of flying - helping people since 1982

Privacy and Confidentiality Policy All communications with SOAR, Inc. are private and confidential. We maintain confidentiality as required of psychotherapists by the laws of the State of Connecticut where SOAR, Inc. is incorporated. We provide a secure server for your credit card payments. Otherwise, all information received from you including your email address is held in confidentiality. If you wish to inquire further about our confidentiality policy, please email Capt. Tom Bunn, MSW, CSW, LCSW at tom@fearofflying.com
or call (203) 258-4803.

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Dear Tom,

I just checked into my hotel and you are the very first person I'm writing - because of you I'm here in the first place.

The flight was wonderful! . . . The funny thing about the whole situation was that during the flight I said to myself, "Maybe I never had a fear of flying at all and didn't really need the course! Fat chance. I used to have sweaty palms just watching the inside of planes on T.V.

I'm off to discover a new city. Thank-you, thank-you, THANK YOU, for helping me gain my new freedom.

Sincerely,

Martha

Gentlemen

Could you please send me some information on a program for "The Fear of Flying." Recently, I was told by a friend that your program saved his job which requires extensive air travel . . . .

Thanks,

Michael

Dear Capt Bunn,

I have suffered from severe flight anxiety and panic attacks on planes all my life. I have traveled maybe 5 times in my life and each time was so horrible, I can't explain it.

Being a very focused person, intelligent person, controlled person, it was SO frustrating to me that I could not over come this fear. Each plane ride, good weather, bad weather, short or long, felt like the most horrific experience in my life.

Usually, a very controlled person who is in full control of all their feelings and actions, it was so unlike me to act the way I did in flight. It would start the month before a flight. I could not eat, sleep, or focus on work. The night before I could not sleep at all and the morning of I would be in full panic before we even left for the airport.

Why? I do not know. I am not afraid of death. I am not scared in small spaces. I fear heights a little, but only if not enclosed. I just could not figure it out.

Even in the most calm weather on the most simple flight, I have been known to lose control. I would cry the entire flight, I would shake, I could not read or focus and inside, I felt every moment I was seconds from death or horror. A simple 2 hour plane ride was like suffering for days. I've tried almost everything to fix or help my fears but nothing has worked.

Recently, I was offered a wonderful opportunity in my job to travel. My CEO has offered me cruises and trips to Europe. My husband loves to travel and so to turn that down would be heartbreaking to him, as he was invited to go also. It would also put limitations on my growth in my position.

My CEO offered to pick up the cost of a cruise last week as well as a week in Orlando Florida, if I would fly. He is very big into personal growth and wants the best for me. I decided to try it but this time, to do all I could to over come the fear, before the flight.

I started by ordering your tape "How Flying Works". I did not believe it would help me at ALL. That is how BIG my fear was. I went thru your tape twice in the month. I then read another book on fear of flying and read, printed out, and re-read all your emails for the past month or so.

What I found differently almost immediately was that I was not suffering the pre-anxiety I always had in the past. Knowing how the plane worked, why it worked, and all the ins and outs, really lessoned that pre-flight anxiety.

The day before the trip, I am usually a 4 on the anxiety scale from (0-10). This time, hardly any pre-flight anxiety. Just in case, I requested the doctor give me something to take along. Most times I took Xanax (and consumed twice what they prescribed), which never really seemed to work or IF it did, it left me groggy, sleepy, and yet I still had NO control over my fears. It just allowed me to perhaps sleep thru some of the flight. This time, I requested Lorazepam.

The morning of the flight and on the way to the airport, even without taking anything yet, I felt no pre-anxiety. It was amazing to me and something I thought could NEVER happen.

An hour before my trip I took one pill and boarded the plane. Usually at this point, as I put my seat belt on, I would be a 7 on the 0-10 anxiety scale. I was still a one, maybe.

The plane started to take off and I felt no more fear or anticipation as one would feel just before jumping into a pool and preparing to hit cold water. It amazed me.

Once we were up, nothing. I TRIED to feel fear and it would not come! My husband just kept looking at me and me at him and thinking, amazing!

Half way thru the flight, we had a little turbulence. My husband turned to me fearfully as this is when I would usually flip out (once screaming from my seat, WE ARE ALL GOING TO DIE! ) Talk about embarrassing. I looked at him and said, not a problem honey. We are just experiencing some turbulence. I know what that is now and what causes it. The plane is very safe, the pilot expects it and knows how to deal with it, and we'll be out of it soon. There is no danger. Just look at my cup of water, it is hardly moving. His mouth opened and he was in shock. I just went back to reading.

Usually, upon landing, I would rush to take the seat belt off, and run off the plane having this huge feeling of euphoria, like I just was saved from some sure catastrophe or eminent death. Nothing. I just sat there until all the passengers departed and my biggest fear? That my luggage made it safely. :-)

In the past, my entire trip would be ruined with the on going anxiety of my return flight. This time, even when I did think of it, no fear entered my head, only the thought of standing in line to get on the plane and dreading that.

The trip ended and we boarded for our flight home. Again, no fear! Yes, it was a good trip, but we did again suffer a little turbulence upon landing due to a storm on the ground. I guess I was too busy watching our decent thru the clouds to think much about it. Something I had NEVER done before.........looked out the window. :-)

I've read your other testimonials in your emails. I thought this could NEVER happen for me. Not someone who feared as much as I did. Not someone as out of control as I was on planes. But, it has!

My CEO is very proud of me and on the cruise at dinner, he said he hoped I would fly to Milan to help open their International office there this year, and while there, perhaps do some sight seeing in Venice. You know what? I believe I will. :-))

Thank you for your Soar Program and your newsletter. I will continue to read each one and treasure them!

My life and possibilities are now endless.

Thank you,

Dear Dr. Bunn

I say Dr Bunn because you have cured me! . . . I must admit I was very sceptical about a set of impersonal cassettes, that would help me with my severe fear of flying. Meanwhile, I did exactly as you instructed. . . . .

Unbelievable. Unforgettable. And impossible had it not been for S.O.A.R.!!! I only wish I had found you sooner! I was given your name by a client who took your course to help his occupation as a rock-n-roll tour manager. I said if it can help him, why not give it a shot?

Many thanks for my new life. I was a little concerned that perhaps ink and paper might not adequately express my excitement, but then I once had a foolish doubt about your program!

Merci,

Michael

Dear Tom,

I am writing to offer my most sincere gratitude for all that you and SOAR did to help me overcome my fear of flying. I received the tapes and guides on September 8, 1995, and made my first flight in over eight years on October 18, 1995. Two years of psychotherapy couldn't get me into the air, but SOAR did. Your course has helped me acquire renewed personal confidence and price.

Very sincerely,

Dear Tom,

When I listened to the first tape of the SOAR program, I almost cried with relief because here was information about the feelings and fears I was having. As I listened further, I had a mini panic attack because you were asking me to let my fear get as big as it can be. As I have listened to the rest of these tapes, one thing is clear - I feel better about my fear. Of all the examples and techniques described the ones that helped me the most were:

1. being in your own movie . . . this concept made such an impact that (when) I dreamed I was on an elevator that was out of control - in my dream I said this is a dream and not what is really going on - and then the elevator stopped.

2. being on the plane is your choice - I realized that being on the plane is a choice I had made and that I am not a victim of my choice.

3. the story of Billy - made me laugh out loud . . . . I was worried that there was so much fear that it would overwhelm me and I would become a raving lunatic on the plane.

Thanks for a great program.

Warmest regards,

Dawn

Dear Tom,

After taking your course, I finally flew round trip from New York to Florida. I can honestly say that I actually the enjoyed the flight. This was my first commercial flight since I was eighteen years old, twenty-five years ago. I never thought I could do it until I was introduced to you and the SOAR Course.

Since my flight twenty-five years ago, I've had an ever-increasing fear of flying. I was absolutely terrified of even the thought of being in the air. My family and I had been limited to driving long and tiring hours to various locations throughout the United States.

Taking your course and meeting with you has changed my life. I cannot express enough gratitude for your dedication, time and effort in helping me overcome this awful fear. It is obvious your course is taught straight from the heart. You are a truly caring person, and have provided me with an irreplaceable freedom. Such an act of kindness I will never forget.

Sincerely,

Vincent

Dear Tom:

I just got back from Bermuda - my first flight after four years, and after swearing I'd never got on a plane again. I have had a progressively worsening fear of flying. My last time on a plane was was a terrifying experience . . . despite the fact that I was under heavy sedation prescribed for panic attacks by a psychiatrist.

After listening to the SOAR tapes, I felt confident enough to know I'd get on the airplane this time. (I've cancelled four trips in the past your years.) Despite a two hour delay in take-off due to an engine problem, I was calm throughout the entire trip.

There's really nothing else for me to say except a most sincere and heartfelt THANK YOU!

Cathy

Dear Tom,

I want to thank you for the help you personally gave me over the telephone and through the SOAR course. I can honestly say that I would have never flown again without it.

Steve

Dear Captain Bunn

I'm 47 years old. I did fly 22 years ago but hated it and swore I would never do it again. I have missed out on many exciting experiences because of these feelings. . . . . I was afraid that only 1 session wouldn't help, but . . . I loved flying. I kept telling my husband this while in the air and he shook his head in disbelief. I want to thank you for helping me over this terrible problem.

Sincerely,

Anne

Dear Mr. Tom Bunn

Just wanted to let you know that I flew to Mexico by myself about 2 weeks ago. I was very proud of myself (thanks to you). Still no freeways but it will come.

Yours truly,

Helen

Dear Tom,

Well. It's been almost a year since I began the SOAR course. I sit here writing from a 747 at 41,000 feet in route from Hong Kong back to the U.S.A. . . . The flight so far has been terrific; we flew over an active volcano and saw Mt. Fuji at sunset. What a pleasure to be able to relax and enjoy a flight.

Sue

Tom,

To follow-up . . . now that I've been home for a week, I still feel a profound sense of personal power---a feeling of competence. I feel more centered. I keep waiting for this feeling to disappear but thank God, it hasn't.

Tom, I don't really understand the internal psychological process that your SOAR course affected within me; however, I know it happened. I feel almost as good and comfortable about flying as I did prior to my fear of flying days. And if this could happen to me, I know the SOAR course can work for anyone.

Sincerely,

Sue

Dear Tom:

. . . what you did with B. was a miracle. She indeed enjoyed the flight. When we were approaching JFK Airport, she told me: "Let's fly somewhere else, I really love it, how about Alaska?!" . . . I still can't fully comprehend it.

Victor

Dear Tom,

I never thought we would fly. Whenever we even discussed it there was always a serious plane crash shown on TV which would only discourage him more. After listening to your tapes and reading your literature he made up his mind to do it. He actually asked me if he could sit near the window and loved flying.

I cannot tell you what your course accomplished except to say it has changed both our lives.

Sharon

Dear Tom,

I took my flight to Cancun. I was determined prior to talking SOAR that there was no way in hell I was ever flying again! I was really so proud of myself, and I can honestly say it was because of SOAR and you.

Thanks, with warm wishes,

Ronni

Dear Tom,

I flew to LA with my parents and a group of people - I did not experience any anxiety.

Janine

Dear Tom:

First let me saw that the first set of tapes is incredible. There are no words to describe the impact. I cried, laughed, and sometimes my mouth just gaped open at hearing such new, concrete information about fear and fear management. Some of the information has affected all aspects of my life. Sound dramatic? It has been.

Janet

Dear Tom:

On a cold, gray, day when you are wondering what you are doing with your life you might want to read the in-flight notes of one of your "patients". The feeling of freedom is almost impossible to describe.

My sincere thanks.

Hi Tom,

. . . One thing I find amazing is how often I will scan the skies now and almost always will see a shiny silver jet with its white fluffy tail behind it, and feel a feeling of excitement and almost a peace that I have never felt before . . . .

Thank you again,

Diana

Dear Tom,

I wanted you to know how very much this course meant to me. At the risk of sounding overly dramatic - SOAR really has changed my life! I never thought I would ever fly. I had such a strong mental, negative block against - I was so afraid of it, I couldn't imagine ever overcoming the fear and actually flying. There are so many things in my life that I either am, or have been, afraid of. Flying was "the big one," so if I can deal with that, the rest will be easy!

Whenever I have a particularly hectic day, I take a few minutes out to stop and think about and remember the way I felt after I flew. I get a tremendous sense of triumph and self-satisfaction. What you and SOAR are helping others to accomplish is wonderful! DON'T EVER QUIT!!

Sincerely, Linda

(Post card from Hong Kong)

Dear Tom,

I doubt if I could have done it without your course but here I am, a testimony to the efficacy of it!

Regards,

Carolyn

Dear Tom,

Add me to what I'm sure is your growing list of grateful graduates.

Yours fearlessly,

Nell

To S.O.A.R.

Many thanks to you all, for changing my life. Thanks to S.O.A.R., I feel as if I can try anything . . . .

Truly you have enriched my life, as I'm sure you have done for others.

I hope your program will become so well known, that all fearful people will hear of your group - and be helped, as I was.

Sincerely, Rose

Dear Tom,

There are no words to express what you did for me in the course . . . .

With sincere thanks and appreciation,

Bob

Dear Tom:

What can I say about how generous and helpful you have been to me! . . . Hopefully the past, present and future can provide you a true insight as to the new world's and unlimited possibilities you open for others by providing the passkey to dealing with fears.

Very truly yours,

Aaron

Tom,

By the time I was halfway through Section 2 I was sure I was going to fly! I cant believe how much I've learned. I'm flying to Florida April 20. Can't wait. This has been the best thing I've ever done for myself.

Lynda

Mr. Bunn -

Your course has been wonderful so far! It is so easy to follow and understand. I actually am looking forward to flying in two days! Thank you so much for SOAR - I'm glad I've discovered it!

Sincerely,

Monique

Dear Tom:

I would like to take this time to express my heartfelt thanks for your time and commitment to the SOAR Course. I can't thank you enough for providing me with this opportunity.

Sincerely yours,

Sue

Dear Tom, . . . your program was a real blessing and a wonderful alternative to Xanax which my physician prescribed for this problem.

Sincerely,

Stew

Tom,

I flew to Arizona over Thanksgiving and did wonderful. . . . Going was very smooth and I felt real safe. Returning was real turbulent but again, I felt real peaceful and safe. I remembered the exercises and the tapes were so helpful - I'm really looking forward to flying again in March.

Thanks,

Christie

Dear Tom, . . .

The course had an impact on many parts of my life. Many an additional benefit has come along with my reaching my original objective. . . .

Regards,

Mich

Dear Captain Bunn

Will, after 21 years of avoiding air travel - - your course has burned my worst nightmares into my best dreams and memories.

Until I had taken SOAR I absolutely did not travel by airplane or step into an elevator because of being confined to small areas and the feeling of being trapped as well as the fear of not being safe.

Now I don't even think twice about it!

The course absolutely works. . . . Thanks for the enlightenment. Boldly going where I've never gone before!

Sincerely,

Dennis

Dear Tom,

I want to let you know how much the course has done for me. . . . I've flown six times. I can't say I was thrilled with it - but I certainly did not fall apart on the plane. . . . At the best, I was able to avoid alcohol and to eat the meal. Both are things I had not done in years. I was also able to hold conversations and concentrate on my reading without constant fear. I even looked out the window. At my worst, I drove me neighbor crazy on a few of the flights by talking about flying and SOAR. And, I continue to listen to every sound. But I don't panic at all of them anymore.

Let me also say thank you on behalf of my husband and my parents. They were skeptical at first - but now they are so glad that I don't make them crazy for weeks before I fly!

Thanks again,

Sincerely

Betsy

Dear Tom:

A note of thanks for what I consider to be one of the most rewarding experiences I've had in a long time.

Sincerely,

Jeanne

Dear Tom,

I feel like a monarch butterfly that just escaped from its chrysalis prison.

Thank you for helping my person to be as free as my spirit.

Roni

Postcard from Paris from a concert pianist

Dear Tom, "In every being lives a thirst for freedom."

I'm very encouraged and grateful to tell you that the Air France 747 flight to Paris was excellent, and I felt great progress, thanks to your outstanding help! Some turbulence but my attitude toward it had changed substantially, and it didn't frighten me! First view of morning star and dawn approaching Europe unforgettably beautiful. Our 1st concert is tomorrow. Paris is a dream of beauty. Look forward to describing more to you.

Gratefully,