Travel Hacks

Flying Turbulent Skies

For 5 seconds, my life and the future that I have envisioned for myself flashed right before my eyes. I didn't know near-death experiences (which felt like it) could feel like that. And I didn't know I'd soon be tasting its violent reaction last night, on my way home.


Our plane just left from Iloilo airport. And just 18 minutes after we ascended into the clouds, our aircraft experienced what would be a 5-second turbulence. In a passengers perspective, the whole thing felt as if the plane shifted into so many directions. I could hear the disturbing rattling of the metal objects from the rear end of the plane. I could hear the worried sighs of the people around me, let alone the hand-and-thumb-clinching of passengers that held so tightly on their seat handles and rosaries. I felt the plane descend and then fly right back up. 

I was both nervous and scared. I had no one's hand to hold at that time since Rubel flew with a different airline --- so those 5 seconds felt more intense. It made me think if I'll ever get myself into another airplane ride. I felt claustrophobic beyond my wits. My heart was on a loud and hard rhythm, as I waited for the 'seatbelt sign' to finally switch off.


Minutes later, the pilot announced that we were on our final descent to Manila. We were just 20 minutes away when another turbulence was felt yet again. But this time, it was manageable. And when the plane landed smoothly on the NAIA 3 terminal track, I breathed a sigh of relief. 

But the question here remains, will I be flying again? YES, would be my answer. Other than the fact that I have 2 more plane tickets to use this year -- I don't think I would ever change my mode of transportation when globe-trotting. And just like canyoneer Aron Ralston, I will continue on with what makes me happy despite those trying times -- my passion for traveling!

So thank you to Cebu Pacific's pilots for reassuring everyone's safety, especially mine. I really commend you for flying us safely. 

Explore & Be Free!
Mai

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75 comments

  1. I experienced several turbulence already by now. I also had an experience where we had to use the oxygen mask and of course, bad landings but I still haven't developed a fear of flying.

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  2. Hala, katakot naman Mai! I've experienced the same on 2011, the flight was from Manila going to Cebu grabe katakot- napadasal ako ng hindi makalanding kasi malakas ang hangin at ulan:

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  3. Hello Mai! Yayks! Those five seconds were terrible to think about. I am just glad that you are safe. Two more tickets to use? Awesome!


    Hopefully, your next flights are going to be smoother than ever.


    Have a great day!

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  4. I hate flying! ;( i have Expirienced the same so many times even with the jumbo plane going to Rome. If I can avoid flying I would, but we simply can't! It's a necessary evil. ;( specially for travel lovers like us. Everytime I get scared I always tell myself over and over again that flying is still the best and safest way to travel! ;)

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  5. I think flying is a great experience. There are mix emotions and you will never know what will happen while you are in the air - sometimes you may encounter bad weather but the importantly you stay calm, pray and trust the pilot and flight attendant.

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  6. you must be nervous by that experience, I wonder what comes to your mind first whenexperiencing such turbulance

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  7. Im sure nothing will scare u bad enough to travel... Fly safe! ♡

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  8. Turbulence up in the air really disturbs the serenity of flights even though the crew tells that it is just normal. I do too feel fear when this happens during a flight...

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  9. Turbulence up in the air really disturbs the serenity of flights even though the crew tells that it is just normal. I do too feel fear when this happens during a flight...

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  10. Nice to know you landed sound and safe. Oh, since you just mentioned the life champion Aron Ralston, I really love that life movie of him. Heartbreaking (on how he tried to escape) but very inspiring (his bravery is beyond words).

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  11. i love to travel but im scared to travel.. i think i have a phobia na sumakay ng eroplano .. i experienced also what you've experinece on the same airline.. during my time , they even transferred our arrival to clark due to circumstances... fell ko nga last day ko na yun ..

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  12. Turbulence is felt stronger if you sit at the back part of the plane. So next time you fly, do your best to avoid that place of seat ~ http://the-urban-walker.blogspot.com/

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  13. That must have been quite an experience but we can never really abandon what we like doing for some things that cannot really be fully controlled such as taking the plane for regular travelers like you. Be safe!

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  14. Thanks for this info, Dimaks! I didn't know this until you mentioned it. I was actually seated at the back part of the plane -- 27th to be exact. :(

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  15. Exactly! It is indeed a necessary evil for us travelers :/ But I do love you mantra, Violy! Let me apply that. :)

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  16. Nakakatakot talaga noh? Ibang klase din kasi pag ikaw na ang nakaranas. Normal man sa iba esp. para sa mga airline crew pero ibang klase pa rin po talaga yung pakiramdam. :/

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  17. Oh, now that's scarier! I don't ever want to experience that.. :/ But good for you Franc. I don't think I have fears of flying naman.. I just don't like the feeling of those sudden bumps and thuds when up in the air. :/ It makes things unstable for me.. my mind just goes to places unimaginable (not the cuckoo type..hehe)!

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  18. Most of us who travels a lot at one time have this similar experience. I had mine during typhoon Basyang from Davao-Manila-KL can you just imagine experiencing turbulence twice. It made me realized how quickly can life be taken from us but God did not make it happen.

    Anyway as I always practice to pray (I pray everyday but I pray harder when I am taking a plane) before my flight. And I also try to schedule my trips not during typhoon season.


    =)

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  19. Turbulence? Whew so scary. Thanks God you made it safely. ^_^

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  20. I definitely love travelling by plane, they said that the most dangerous routine is the take-off of and touchdown, turbulence/air pockets are very common and should not cause worry but it gets annoying with there's too much of them...

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  21. I do the same thing, Ricky. :) It was also just as timely. I booked my ticket for Iloilo last May. I usually book my trips ng October onwards since it's already a safe month (no more typhoons or at least less/milder versions of it).. I guess we just really passed through a thick cloud or something, thus the traumatic turbulence. Nonetheless, I'm still thankful that all of us on board were brought back to Manila safely. :)

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  22. I so agree, Ms. Teresa! Thank you for the well wishes. :)

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  23. Air turbulence is no joke; I had the heart-in-my-throat moment when we hit turbulence on the way to Bacolod - and I was in the bathroom. Horrible.

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  24. Thanks, you've landed safe at Manila. It was a scary experience indeed.

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  25. http://hobodiaries.weebly.comOctober 7, 2012 at 7:35 PM

    i hate turbulence myself. it's such a bummer

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  26. Flying is still the safest way to travel though. It's just unfortunate that there are some turbulence we encounter flying.

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  27. what a description in there!!! whoah!!! that's why i hate long trips on air... but i have no choice.. i wonder in what scale the turbulence it was (if it can ever be measured other than passengers reciting all the rosary mystery).

    but i understand it's really scary especially with the cases of (small) plane crashing in the Philippines... :(

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  28. Dimaks actually said that it can be felt more when you're seated at the back. In my case, I was on the 27th seat. And believe me, it was really scary on my end. I had nothing to compare nor measure it to except that it shook me literally and figuratively. :(

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  29. I feel for you!.. I also experienced mind wrecking turbulences.. It felt like the plane was going down any moment.. These moments make you appreciate life and thank God for an extended life.. :)

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  30. we really have to face our fear if we want to reach our destination... whether traveling, or in life :)

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  31. Mai, buti turbulence lang na exp mo, some years ago, on way to my home town. One of the engine had a failure and people doesn't notice it as the staff was very busy entertaining them with in flight games :) Just as the games ended, the engine went back on. Only few people knew what had happened in those 3-5 minutes of hell. I was like calling all the angels and saints to ensure our landing safely. Good thing the FA were very good in handling that kind of situation. Or else, all went to panic and went rattled. But that experience doesn't feign me to travel, but it encourages me more. :)

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  32. I know the feeling! I had the same experience on my flight from Chicago to Alabama when we encountered a thunderstorm mid-flight. Good thing Hubby was with me at that time...:-)

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  33. Oh.. I think I would cry if this happens to me esp if I have my kids with me. How will I pacify them and reassure them? I wouldn't want to experience this. Glad you're home safe.

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  34. OMG! That's way scarier, Sky! How'd you know that there was engine failure? Wait.. baka ayoko ng malaman ang mga detalye! Hehehe.. Necessary evil nga ika nga ni Violy.. it's always the best and fastest means to travel. Kaya papa sa-Diyos na lang talaga natin palagi ang pagbbiyahe natin. :)

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  35. since I seated on row 15, so I can clearly hear of the engine if still functioning or not. Then, it's just went mute. Buti na lang talaga, nagpa games kagad mga FA, parang wlang nangyari. hehehe.

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  36. Grabe Sky!!! Ayoko ma-experience yan, promise! Hahaha!

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  37. Scary.. Everytime I travel, I pray for a safe flight. Its just too scray. Good thing, our pilots are really skilled.

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  38. Oh my God, that was such a traumatic event. I salute you for being brave and for fighting for your passion despite that traumatic incident

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  39. Had a traumatic experience too while flying Air Asia from Clark to Kota Kinabalu. There was a typhoon then in Region 3 :( Plane dropped a few meters.

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  40. I hate those the most, yes, you feel as though it's your last day on earth...lols! It wouldn't help if have kids traveling with me...chaos!

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  41. wow! i guess you shud try to land on a now or some country which is windy! I've been to every turbulence and i know how scary it is! haha I've got a lot of experience already hehe xx

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  42. Huwat?!?!?! Now that's a lot scarier?! Waaaah Gay.. I have two more flights for this year, and I'm scared more than ever... hahahah!

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  43. So true.. But it's also very scary to experience such when you're alone.. I had no one to divert my worries kasi.. huhu :(

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  44. Mabuti na lang kamo talaga sis. :)

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  45. I actually tried to be calm and to show no fear. But my heart was really pounding so hard. I was also imagining the people inside the plane who had their kids with them. Nag-wonder din ako how they're handling it..

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  46. I haven't been on a plane myself (to think I'm already 22) but the turbulence as I have watched from movies are scary :( glad you were able to land safely.

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  47. Don't worry Demi.. I was actually 23 already when I first traveled via plane.. in my 5 years of riding the plane, this was the only time that I experienced a turbulence as heavy as that. :/ Nonetheless, I guess it's really part of the journey.. and I am really glad that I got through it in one piece. :)

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  48. I experienced turbulence too some 6 years ago on our way to Bohol. Geee..I don't wanna repeat the same experience again. Like you, I felt like dying :(

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  49. I've been into a plane once and so far, I haven't experience any turbulence during those times.

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  50. Oh my! This is very frightful indeed! I have second thoughts of riding on a plane. :( How am I suppose to travel the world with this fear of heights? Well, maybe I'll cross the bridge when I get there... :)

    Thank GOD you're all safe and went home without any scratch,

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  51. Waaah! Ang lupet naman nyan! :/

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  52. During my experience with the turbulence, I manage to stay calm, panic will not do anything good. (Keeping myself positive since I have a flight on Friday, let's do it!) :D

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  53. I know.. sad but true.. it's something that we really have to face, especially for us avid travelers.

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  54. Have a safe trip, Justin!!! My prayers are with you. :)

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  55. I haven't been on a plane. but im really afraid of heights. its just too scary..
    but then thank God you had a safe flight :)

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  56. HI Mary! I actually had another turbulent ride in December. A little subtle though but still mind boggling! Hehe.

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  57. True. If it's your time, it's your time diba?

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  58. More than nervous actually! I was scared beyond my wits..

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  59. And I hope we never get to experience it anymore..hehe!

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  60. Hehehe.. pero nakakatakot pa rin talaga! very traumatizing!

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  61. I know.. Not only annoying, but pretty nerve-wracking too!

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  62. Good thing your hubby was with you. As for me, I only had myself to hug and comfort..hehe!

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  63. huhuh.. thanks for recognizing that! :P

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  64. Naku, wag mo ng isipin. Nakakabaliw lang!

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  65. kaso pinakamabilis magTravel by plane. Ipapa-sa-Diyos na lang natin ang trips natin. :)

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