Many people have a fear of flying. I, for one, share this fear. Upon deciding to go to Orlando for our honey moon, it is up to me to purchase tickets from Midwest Airlines (i have a midwest airline card) for the flight.

Lest anyone forget, I have a fear of flying. Now that can mean many things, so let me explain "fear" "of" "flying".

I get near the point of tears during takeoff. (seriously, don't laugh) It scares the utter shit out of me that my life is in the hands of a pilot I don't know. And not just the pilot. But every single mechanic that looked at this plane in any way, down to the smallest details. How do I know that the mechanic or pilot didn't just get cheated on by their wife, and find out that their dog has cancer? Or maybe it's a Monday, and they are hung over from a hard weekend of partying? Is that the kind of mental state I want my pilot or the mechanics to have?

Am I being paranoid? Sure. I understand that flying is safer than driving, but at least if my engine fails or I rear end someone, I'm not going to plummet 500mph and 30,000 feet to the ground. That's not a ride I wanna take. That's assuming that the knowledge that you're going to die doesn't kill you from anxiety.

So now you're clearly getting the kind of picture my mind paints about flying. So honestly, how many share my fear? Do we have any pilots here who have reassuring words for my cynical fear? What's the secret to surviving airline travel?

 

I'm the complete opposite. I've been in airplanes since I was young (my dad worked for the FAA). You don't know wanna know how bad things get before *I* panic on a plane.

Might I reccommend "The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook" by Edmund J. Bourne Ph. D. ? It's a good place to start on the road to getting anxieties and phobia under control.

<---has a fear of open-air walkways and bridges.

 

I also have a deathly fear of flying. Takeoffs don't scare me much, but cruising (yes, I'm aware that's the safest part of the flight) and landing scare the shit out of me. Cruising is disturbing as hell, especially on long flights, because all I can think about is how I'm stuck in a metal contraption high above the ground with nowhere to go.

I think my fear comes from a feeling of being trapped and not having control over the situation, perhaps more so from feeling trapped. I've been in a submarine a few times and had the same disturbing trapped feeling there, too.

Now the fear doesn't keep me from flying, of course, but let's say I'm on vacation somewhere. In the back of my mind, I've always got a little lingering thought focusing on the fact that I will need to board a plane and fly back home in the near future. Makes that margarita by the pool taste just a tiny bit better since it could be my last.

 

Knock back a couple of stiff drinks before you board the aircraft. It'll do wonders.

 

Well if it makes you feel any better, given the fuel prices a lot of the airlines equipped with planes that do so (most airbus models) don't even let the pilots fly anymore ... from takeoff to landing they are just babysitting.

Somewhere around here I have a picture of my 12 month old sitting on the second officers lap playing with the trimtabs on a MD80 knocking the plane out of autopilot over and over. Probably illegal and yes -- stupid in so many ways (no chit-chat while in the air). I was not there.

 

I can't recall any crashes caused by pilots committing suicide. (I mean the real pilot, not murders taking over the cockpit) I always figure if the plane just had a flight before mine, if anything was going to happen, it already would have.
The most dangerous part of the flight is not the landing, or the cruise, it's the takeoff. Your altitude and airspeed are critical and if either is lacking in an emergency, the higher the probability of a crash. I used to fly (still have a license) and enjoyed asking my passengers what they thought would happen if the engine stopped. They were always surprised when I pulled the power back to idle, and we didn't crash. (I warned them first) Airplanes glide, even the big ones.
If you ever ride in a cab, aren't you putting your life in the hands of another? And someone that may have gotten their license that morning!

 

I'm with you Wis. The secret to surviving air travel is Valium.

I had a bad experience with wind shears flying trans-atlantic (prior to 9/11) and really get nervous at the thought of getting on a plane.

 

I used to have a fear of flying, but that was until the first flight was over. Let me tell you though, I've been on some bumpy rides over the years and with at least 100 flights, now all I do at take-off is enjoy the pull and laugh while everyone else around me looks like they are going to puke

 

i'm not saying the pilot would commit suicide. i was referring more to the distraction caused by other things.

also, i dont use buses or taxis.

 

Do you cross the street? Aren't you trusting that 90 year old grandma to put on the brakes and not run you down? Life is full of chances. Just look at the low, low odds of getting on a plane that doesn't make it, and you'll feel better. (or you should)