Airline Pilot Reveals Tips About Turbulence (You Don't Need to Be Scared) 

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A little turbulence that was scary to him means we were screaming our guts out back there 😂

A pilot once sat next to me and said “remember, I want this plane to land safely just as much as you do”.

I wish your husband was my pilot on EVERY flight! Thank you!

I have a cousin who has been a flight attendant for nearly 35 years and when asked to talk about the scariest moment in her flying experience, she cannot think of any worth mentioning. Makes me feel at ease every time I fly.

I am very scared of turbulence. I always pray it may not be a bumpy ride. When turbulence happens I hold on tight to armrest and pray it may be over soon.

*I love the grounded reality of this channel!!!* Retirement took a toll on my finances, but with my involvement in the digital market, $27,000 weekly returns has been life changing. AWESOME GOD❤️

I always watch the flight attendants. As long as they are calm, I’m calm.

I was on a bumpy plane few months ago. It wasn’t fun, but at some point, the pilot talk to us saying this, there’s nothing to worry about, everything is under control so please don’t worry. At that point, I did understand that turbulence were not going to hurt the plane. Thanks to the pilot that took the time to communicate with his passengers, it was very helpful for many of us 🥵😁

I can tell that your hubby is such a kind, capable and caring pilot. I would feel very relaxed and comfortable flying with him in charge.

Wonderfully informative video! Thank you, The Captain and Laurie. The Captain’s explanations are so clear and calm - like the weather we all hope for when we fly! I was in a clear-air turbulence incident on an overseas flight. Woooo! It felt like I’d fallen off the roof of a skyscraper. BUT I had my seatbelt on, properly fastened, and I was fine. Please fellow travelers: Just wear your seatbelt. You don’t even notice it’s there after a minute or two. Maybe you want to run the risk of getting mashed into the ceiling but: if you get hurt, then everybody else gets delayed. They might have to divert the flight to get you treated sooner. I may have to wait at our regular destination until they get you off the plane. P.S. Laurie, is it my imagination or did The Captain have this look on his face like: I keep telling them to wear their seatbelts, and some people just won’t, and then they wonder why they are head-butting the overhead bin. Thanks so much again! You and The Captain are the best.

I appreciate GREATLY your husband taking the time to make these videos about turbulence!!! Pilots letting us know what kind of turbulence to expect helps me prepare and I like that also. On my last flight, reading a book helped too! Again, thank you!!

I faced a worst turbulence, got really frightened and mentioned this to a flight attendant. She gave a valuable advise which calmed me down throughout during that flight and all the flights afterwards . She said " just look to flight attendants face, body language during turbulence and if you see them calm, doing their routine job then there is nothing to worry about" she was so right and made flying easy since then. Thanks for that lovely flight attendant.

Great video, I’m sharing this with my daughter. She has anxiety attacks when there’s any kind of turbulence. Thank your husband for sharing all this information.

Best thing your husband said here is that he increases the AC during turbulence to help prevent motion sickness. A+++

As a nervous flyer I found this incredibly helpful. The comment someone made about turbulence being like potholes was also helpful. Thanks!

I had 4 hours of continuous turbulence in a flight from India to Canada in August 2019. I was flying for the first time and was scared. I kept on praying and reading my Bible until it was calm after 4 hrs. Thanks to God!.

Just the video I needed to hear as I prepare for vacation! I was never afraid to fly, as I grew up with a pilot great uncle and his sons who used to take us in his 4 seater plane every summer for fun, until I had one really bad experience several years ago. It was a half hour flight from Greenville to Charlotte in North Carolina and the plane felt out of control and more like the Disney ride tower of terror. Thank you for the information, turbulence really scares me now and I really appreciate it when the pilots talk to passengers. When they sound calm it really helps me.

Thank you for a great post! Absolute worst turbulence I've experienced was back in the late 1990s when flying across the Alps and then landing in Geneva, Switzerland. IIRC, the pilot warned us that the descent was going to be rapid and steep due to the altitude difference between the top of the mountain and the airport, but this was no ordinary turbulence. It was Seriously Rough, knocked us around in our seats as we descended until moments before we landed. Once the pilot stopped the plane, all of the passengers roared in applause. The pilot thanked each and every one of us as we deplaned. If I ever go to Geneva again, I'll take the train. LOL!

I always keep my seatbelt on when flying (unless using facility) and have snacks in my backpack. I use to be a white-knuckle flier, but now I enjoy the flight. Guess getting older really took away all fear. Thank you to your husband for talking to us.

If they announce that “we may have some turbulence”, I always pray for the air to be smooth and no problems. Thanks to The Captain that he shares landmarks and points of interest during the flight. I truly enjoy when that’s pointed out.

Hi Laurie! I really enjoy your videos and learn a lot each time. On the subject of turbulence and how scary it is, I remember a server at a diner (years ago, on my way to the airport, flying solo, and terrified) told me to think of turbulence as potholes. Such a simple thing to say but it made an enormous difference!

I always buckle up in my seat unless I am walking toward the restroom. Better safe than sorry.

What a great video! It doesn't fix the fear experienced during turbulence, but it helps to know what's happening, how the pilots are trained to deal with it, and that they are receiving real-time updates.

Super thank you!!! I’m terrified of flying, but love to travel. I hate turbulence. 😭😭😭

A very reassuring video. Thank you Laurie and Captain! I'm reminded of such a severe occurrence of turbulence flying from LA to Philly in 1996. In those days we had earphones that could plug into the seat and we could listen to the pilots. Wow, the things I heard! The tossing, turning, and lightning strikes around us was frightening. We finally landed (late at night) to an icy tarmac when the Captain (a woman by the way), gets on the PA system and in a very level-headed tone, the first words out of her mouth were, "Well, that was hairy". As it turns out we were the last plane allowed to land after very nearly being diverted to Florida.

Laurie!!! I'm flying for the first time in September and your videos have given me so much peace and knowledge that I'm not even nervous anymore. Thank you so much for all that you do💜

Whenever there’s a bothersome turbulence, I prayed the rosary. The turbulence stopped halfway during my prayers.

Omgosh this video was MADE FOR ME!!!! Thank you so much for having your hubby on, I love traveling but absolutely hate the plane journey as I get raging anxiety as soon as we hit the first bump!!😭 Your comments and questions for your hubby expressed everything that goes through my head and would have also totally asked!! 😂😂😂

Thank you for this great video. Your husband explained it very clearly. And thanks for him telling us they don't fly through thunderstorms, that's reassuring too. I love that he thinks about the passengers so much that he even turns the air cooler to avoid more people getting sick with turbulence. He's a great guy, I hope he's a pilot on one of my flights some day!!!

Everytime I flew ,I'm holding my Bible tightly because I'm scared when it's bumpy ❤ it helps me to relax to hold rightly my Bible .

I've been a flight attendant for 43 years. Turbulence never really bothered me. In fact, the light bouncing is kind of soothing... until it's not. Turbulence is never felt the same way in the cockpit as it is in the cabin. In fact, the farther aft you go, the more you feel the turbulence and the worse it gets. Turbulence can be severe in that it can make you fall, turn over carts or give you a good scare. However, planes are built to withstand turbulence so the threat of structural damage to a plane is remote at best. Turbulence can occur at any time during a flight so it's always best to keep your seatbelt fastened whenever you are in your seat and always sit down when we or the pilots advise you to. Think of turbulence as just a bumpy road while riding in a car. Eventually, you'll get past those pot holes and be riding on a smooth road again!

Nervous flyer here, (person who squeezes the arm rests over any bump or noise). Thank you for this! Plus, I love it when the pilot points things out I am flying over. I am so afraid of heights, cant drive on windy switchback roads out west, till I get up there and I am always looking out of the window if it is clear enough.

I smiled when you said to hold a physical book. I remember landing after some what I thought was extreme turbulence. The gentleman sitting next to me asked if I was okay. When I responded yes, he asked me to let go of his leg 😳 So it does happen 😁

My last flight was super bumpy, I was very scared, my mom said she started to feel pain in her heart, so we decided to sing worship songs. I can testify it was immensely helpful, we both were able to relax and have more peace.

8:23 Mad respect to this pilot who called it a "Flight Deck". Not all pilots are men. ❤

Couple of years ago travelling from Doha to Dallas. Last one hour severe turbulence started along with severe thunder storm and lasted for more than 75 minutes.. I've been travelling for the past 48years and I never experienced such a scary one. Actually, I was praying for the whole saga.

Thank you for this video! I developed anxiety while flying as years went by. Though I'm flying to my home country for 13 hrs direct flight every year, for the past 10 years now, unfortunately, I just have this anxiety especially in taking off part. This video helps me lessen my fear of flying. Btw, I'll be flying for 13 hrs this coming Friday. 😊

Was this video meant to make me feel better or worse? LMFAOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

I needed this video! I was afraid of for many years and recently started traveling again. Your videos have helped me so much and I have received compliments from TSA on how organized my family and I are. Thank you to you and your husband for all that you do! ❤

SINGAPORE AIRPLANE MET WITH A VERY BAD TURBOLENCE,,TODAY 😢😢😢

I remember the last flight I was on… it got pretty turbulent, but I looked at the flight attendants, who were strapped into their seats but gossiping, or at least talking without fear. I was immediately comforted, and actually drifted off into a lovely nap while being rocked into sleep.

I'd be very worried if my pilot was nervous about moderate chop.

I'm a former stewardess and flew for 2 airlines that flew over and within the Rockies. What scares me about turbulence is unrestrained passengers who might fall on me. I've been caught in turbulence while standing up working, and got hurt. Now that I only fly as a passenger, I keep my seatbelt firmly fastened at all times.

I don’t know why , I am not afraid in turbulence 😂 . I was just sleeping when they started bumpy and unsteady flight . I’m a little fear when I ride the roller coaster in Fuji Q Highland in Yamanashi Japan than the turbulence 😂

Been 4 yrs hadn’t been on a flight. Turbulence is scary and mayb part of the flight. Thanking you and your husband had educated me about turbulence. He had explained with real experience and concern about safety of passengers and his crew. Pls put out more relatable topic about flying, Do’s and Don’t s. Thank you both

This was a wonderful video for me. I'm a nervous flyer, anxious on most days it just gets worse in the air. It's nice to have the knowledge to help calm that anxiety.

Turbulence. I’m not scared. I’m either gonna die or not.😂 Seriously, though, I’ve had only one very scary experience and we landed safely. It was a military aircraft and we were flying over mountains and landing in the high desert at China Lake. Thank you and your husband for making this video! You two are a gorgeous couple.💞

When I was a kid (must’ve been 8 years old), my mom sister and I flew from Africa to Belgium. We encountered the most extreme turbulence ever! It was so bad that the captain himslef came out of the cockpit, had his hat on and stood in front of everyone to keep us calm. I think there was as storm.I assume that the co-pilot was flying the plane while the captain was with us. Can’t remember how long it lasted but it felt like 2 hours lol. Guess what? 33 years later I’m still here and have flown dozens if not 100s more times. Flying is very very very very very very safe and turbulences are part of it and it’s normal. What happened to me as a kid was the most severe turbulence and I don’t think anyone will encounter something like that in their lifetime. This was back in the late 80s/early 90s and technology is even better now. Please don’t be afraid to fly, go out and explore the world. I just came back from New York to California literally 2 days ago. 6 hour flight, little turbulence here and there and now I’m enjoying some pizza. Live life!

Thanks so much Laurie and Chris. This was the conversation we needed to have. I think a lot of people suffer this fear in silence even the most avid travelers.

I'm a travling lady i get so scared and worried I always have my seat belf fastend and secure when a pilot ask u to do tah t u do it don't be out of your seat I have done it when the air turbulence is like a roll coaster it scars me I try to destrac my self because I know the pilots have the control of the plane keeps me safe and I know the pilot has the best interests of passengers and crew I have been through a cyclone coming home from Fiji I was sick with food possinging it was so awful trying to get thr understanding of flying I was in the bathroom all night and all day flying through it was tough nails made it safe after we got out of the cyclone

As a person who easily gets motion sick, my best tip is to shut your eyes as soon as you start to notice any turbulence. Keep them shut! I don't know why this helps, but discovering this has been a game changer for me.

I always associate turbulence with potholes on the ground 😂 There’s potholes in the sky too apparently lol.

Thank you so much for this video! I used to freak out with turbulence, and my daughter won’t even fly any more. It’s great to hear it explained. I like to think of it now as hitting bumps as you’re driving on the road.

how much altitude do airplanes fly at? let's say 7 hours flight from Dubai to London? and how about if some one on the ground is 98% oxygen how much will it be on an airplane and do you give a passinger an oxygen if he needs but does not have a paper from the Doctor???

Thanks for posting, prayers for all pilots and air professionals to have a great flight while doing thier jobs. Shoutout from Brooklyn NY

This turbulence not something related to weather it’s something AI build engineering, frequency of turbulence flight news same month not because normal weather conditions or mechanical conditions

Thank you to your husband for making this video with you! I, too, HATE turbulence! Any little bump and I'm freaking out. I've gotten better over the years but I still don't like it. I wish your hubby could be my captain on every flight I take. :-)

Hi I'm worry I'm flying on friday 13th october whit easyjet 😢

Would love to hear more information on tue sudden drops in altitude, how it happens, etc.

I understand the explanation bcc he was trained for it. But we the people are scared. A little turbulence to him is a big thing for the passengers 😅😅😅😅😅😅

This video is very helpful, thanks! I was once on a plane where we hit quite a lot of turbulence. We had just finished talking to one of the flight attendants who was set to retire after 35 years of working for the airline. When she plopped down in her jump seat and looked concerned, my mom and I felt a lot more concerned, ha!

Thank you for this video!!! I understand now, but I will still be scared of turbulence! 😂😂😂

I'm about to take my first International flight over the ocean! Your husband's knowledge and super chill attitude really quelled my nerves!😅 Please thank him for me.😀

Thank you for an OUTSTANDING video, packed full of important information! You are both articulate and reassuring!

My family were in a Singapore Airlines flight and they deliberately flew thru a typhoon.!!!!! My son in law asked the cabin crew what was going on and he said "they didn't think it was going to be that bad". People were screaming, crying , praying and terrified. My family thought they were going to die. My daughter put headphones on our 6 year old granddaughter and the media on. The other 3 children were crying. They will never fly Singapore airlines again. When they got off the plane their faces were all dead white and they were shaking. Hard to believe but it is true. The only thing we could think was it was their way of saving fuel.

What a magnificent video. I'm a pilot as well and have been working since 1996. Turbulence is not fun but it's part of flying. Also on our OFP we have the shear reports for each way point, that also helps us known where it is. My worst turblence experience as a pilot was flying between Bishkek and Mongolia. My worst as a passenger was over Turkey. Wishing you and your husband a magnificent life. Best wishes Cordell

Why every time a pilot speaks to the passengers his voice sounds so sexy? I am sure not all of them has a deep voice

On a recent flight from Toronto to Denver, we had a lot of turbulence. My dad was a commercial pilot so it didn't scare me, but when the Captain told the flight attendants to take their jump seats immediately, the other passengers freaked out. I don't think they knew what jump seats were.

Get talk. Thank-you. Yes i choose a biggerbplane when i can. Ask your husband if turbulence has gotten worse with environmental changes? Seem to see more bad news stories lately.

I am frightened of flying so thank you for this vlog this has definitely reassured me and will take on board everything your husband has said,

Well the Earth is flat so who’s causing the turbulence ?

Great video! Now understanding turbulence from a pilot’s perspective has really lessened my nervousness. Can’t wait to fly again and check out the notices from the pilot, what the stewardesses do and what level I can guess we are it. Really cool info. Thanks so much!

*Do pilots get weather forcast before they fly as to where turbulances are? Also is true that the airplanes shake when flying through the clouds?* Thank you !

Thank you so much for sharing your professional experience. The recent advances in technology makes avoiding and mitigating turbulence much easier; so whether you're on the fight deck, or in the cabin, it's so much better than in years past.

Climate change is purportedly resulting in a new increase in air turbulence both in frequency and degree. Could you please address that? Also, can turbulence break up an airplane? That is always the worst fear. Thank you!

Great video. Lots of answers to questions that have gone thru my mind over the years! Thank you both.

Thanks for sharing, with what just happened to Singapore Airlines, I am more anxious now when flying, however hearing this video I can calm myself during turbulence, well I hope so hehehe and I am hoping no more severe or extreme turbulence. Praying for more safe flights. By the way, it would have been so nice to be on the plane with your husband as our pilot, who shares some information regarding the places he's into, he knows how to entertain his passengers. God Bless you both.

My daughter thinks turbulence is so funny. During our last flight she laughed the whole time which got the flight attendants laughing. They said it was the best time they ever had during turbulence.

Then stop putting crash videos on RU-vid not good

I really enjoyed this today! I love all your videos, but this one in particular speaks to a fear of mine. We’re flying from Ohio to Texas soon, and turbulence is the one thing that I’m dreading the most, but this has really helped put my mind at ease! Thank you!🙂

Her husband looks sweeter than a girl. 😁

The worst turbulence I experienced was on a short flight from Ontario,CA to Sacramento, CA. I thought we were going to die. Flying to Europe is no problem for me. Many thanks to your husband for the info.

Great information! We FAs are people! 😄 Had Pilots tell us all sorts of things about turbulence. Heard that the puffy clouds (cumulus) can cause turbulence. Back of the plane gets with worst of it. Seat belt comment is the BEST. Let your viewers know.....BIGGEST sign is if you see a Flight Attendant seated with our seat belts on you should do the same, no matter how bad you have to use the rest room!!😁 12 years of flying only had one occasion when I got thrown to the ceiling, it was over the Alps.

Years ago I was on a flight where there was a lot of turbulence, and a woman behind me was screaming "Get me off this plane!" I'm sure a lot of people wanted to oblige her! Thanks for this video, Laurie!

Man he must have pissed off the flat earthers! 😂😂😂

I learned some new things about what happens with turbulence. Thanks Captain and Laurie! I do have a question, though. Is there a certain direction that will have more turbulence? Say flying west to east or east to west - is one "worse" for turbulence than the other?

Thank you for this. For me, I’m less afraid of the turbulence or the plane, and MOSTLY afraid of who’s flying it. Are they wise? Trained well? Humble enough to partner with the co-Pilot? Capable? Etc. Pilot error is always my fear in turbulence, not the wind itself. So hearing more about how well trained pilots are is truly what would make a world of difference to me and my fear. Thank you for sharing your husband’s knowledge with us. We need more of this. ❤

Great video! I think it’s missing one very important fact. In the history of commercial aviation, there has only been ONE crash associated with turbulence. So when coming across turbulence your risk of danger or crash is essentially zero. So just enjoy the roller coaster! Thanks Laurie!

Thank you for this video! Your husband is so knowledgeable. My fear of turbulence has gotten worse. So any additional information to help is great!!

Watching this after hearing about the Singapore flight with the Extreme Turbulence. His comments here are eerily foreshadowing 5:00

I don't like Turbulence at all😱😱

I always appreciate it when we hear from the pilot during flight events such as turbulence. Turbulence scares me.

Thanks for your expert explanation about turbulence, it's definitely put me at ease now 🙏

Thank you. I get so scared when it’s bumpy. I just was on a flight out of rapid city and I’ve never felt turbulence that bad!!!

My dad worked in airline maintenance his whole life and our whole family flew on jets all the time growing up - usually on stand-by. Lol My sibs and I loved flying on DC-9s and 727s because the engines are in the back (around the tail rather than the wings), so there was a greater likelihood of turbulence because we loved it! Even as adults, we all love flying and aren't afraid of turbulence and "air pockets." When you understand the way "lift" works, the way the wings are shaped provide the "uplifting" of the plane. It is very hard to lose that lift if there is forward thrust. Airline jets are WAY over engineered. There are backup systems, and sometimes two or even three backup systems, for every important system on a jet. If you are worried, just don't fly airlines who buy used jets and skimp on maintenance (poorer airlines). Even though there are poorer airlines who do a good job, that is the category where you COULD run into trouble. Flying on newer jets that are maintenanced correctly is safer than driving to the store in your car.

I flew into Geneva which is surrounded by mountains. The worst turbulence I had ever experienced. Women were crying and a couple of the overhead compartments opened. I was scared but when I looked back at the flight attendant, she was sitting so calmly and smiled at me and mouthed, don’t worry, we’re fine. Rough flights no longer bother me…rough landings though…lol

This was bot helpful at ALL

Great video! While turbulence has never bothered me, I really liked the science of the explanation. Your husband really makes things understandable! Thanks to both of you!

Thank you so much for this!! It is super helpful to hear from both of you together on this, you are both so friendly, kind, and knowledgable! I really appreciate the info on how mountains and topography can cause turbulence, my problem is I feel like when it starts it will never end so it is super nice to know this when you can also look at the in flight map and put things together