Advice on flying, please help?

William, here is a tip, don't look out the window on take off, and just concentrate on a game or a magazine. I don't really mind take off and landing, at least you know that is coming, I hate hitting those air pockets without notice, specially when your having a drink or a meal, very messy.

I was never nervous about flying, but I did SO much of it that I was sure the sheer law of averages would catch up to me. I did start to experience, after awhile, a certain nervousness just from that little realization. Of course, there was nothing I could do about it. I started remembering various scenes from Airplane, such as the guy clutching the arms on his seat. The old lady next to him asks, "Nervous?" And he nods yes. She says, sympathetically, "First time, huh?" And he replies, "Oh, no, I've been nervous LOTS of times."

The take-off's never bothered me so much. It's like a catapult into the sky. It was the landings. Like trying to drop in between the buildings in downtown Washington DC. Or USAir, out of Pittsburgh, where in wintertime, there isn't time to just ease it down, but DROP onto the tarmac fast. See, the thing about landing is that they don't cut power. They can't, just in case they have to get it BACK up into the air suddenly. So at the last minute, there's a big rush of power, and if you're sitting just behind the wing, you can see the wheels which aren't turning. And then they hit that pavement at 250 mph, and the smoke from them is wild! And then they stand on those brakes while simultaneously reversing those big turbo fans, and the entire fuselage shudders in protest. And then you realize, you could have done the same thing at Six Flags and for a lot less money.

Oh, by the way, the law of averages DID catch up with me, and I died. (Just kidding, of course.)

Get some Dramamine, it's over the counter and will help with your concerns. Take two about 45 minutes before takeoff and don't eat or dirk much either. It'll also help you throughout the trip if you hit some turbulence.

Enjoy some real German food while your there.

Flying from London airports can be grim. Expensive parking, time-consuming transfers, long queues at check-in and security and a lengthy walk to the departure lounge.

So it comes as no surprise a survey by Airporttransfers.co.uk has named Birmingham, Cardiff, Liverpool, Manchester and Glasgow as Britain's favourite airports. This is based on various criteria, including check-in efficiency, cleanliness, staff friendliness and standard of lounge areas. The

worst rated airports included Gatwick, Stansted, Heathrow and Luton.

Of course, regional airports do have some disadvantages. They are very dull places to be delayed and the number of shopping outlets can't compete with those at larger airports.

But because of the plus points – and because they are more cost-effective for airline companies – every year sees another increase in the number of no-frills and charter flights using regional airports.

Actually the take-off part is the most fun because I like the plane going down the runway at a fast rate. What you can do is talk to your friends during that time so as to take your mind off of the plane departing. You can also chew some gum.

Be careful. Don`t worry.