You forgot about all the nasty stuff that's recirculated in the cabin air of the airplane.

 

And the kid next to you sneezing all over you.

 

Unfortunately, I haven't had the chance to fly that often, but the flights I have taken I loved. I especially like the take off and the landing, I dunno, theres something about being that high off the ground that I enjoy.

 

Wisconsin S2k I feel your pain. I have 3.6 million miles on AA and I still have an extreme fear of flying. I have gotten better with age as I no longer need to knock back several scotches prior to boarding. I can hang on until it gets bumpy and then the Flight Attendant better take out the scotch IV and hook it up.
I have gone to classes and realize that the fear is irrational but , it is still there. My colleges get a good laugh when we hit some bumps and watch my reaction.

 

OK, this is going to sound weird, but I also do not like flying on airliners one bit. Have you ever watched those National Geographic Channel documentaries called Seconds from Disaster? Or the Discovery Channel's Air Emergency? Yikes...

The irony of the situation is I'm an aviation enthusiast, and won't think twice before flying in one of the smaller planes, like a Cessna 172 or a Vans RV-4. Only one of my friends shares my interest in aviation, the rest think I'm crazy. I told them they're crazy for not being nervous everytime they drive their car down the street. Think about it - everytime you drive, you're mingling with all the idiots on the road, the only thing "preventing" hundreds or thousands of head-on collissions is a painted line on the ashpalt. To me, that's scary. At least when you fly, your fate is entirely in your hands and your hands only - you don't really have to worry about some idiot hitting you and, for the most part, the other pilots flying are smarter and more aware of their surroundings that the average SUV driving bimbo being distracted by the radio and cell phone.

I like flying, but unless I'm the pilot, and personally looked over the plane during preflight, I feel uncomfortable. It's just a control thing. Generally, people who don't like airliners don't like them because they're not in control of the situation.

Like the other guy said, just sit back, relax, and drink heavily...

 

You should explain you concern about your pilot to the attendent. Lots of times they'll let you meet the cockpit crew and you'll see they're a friendly, competent bunch.

 

 

I do not have any fear of flying, but I have a fear of someone under influence of drug and/or alcohol flying though red light hit me on drver side at 80 mph.

There are a lot more people got killed each year by DUI than from air plane crashes.

 

I used to love flying, after 9/11 I tend to have a few assine thoughts pop in my head. Ruined the whole damn experience. I quickly realize that its nothing but a bunch of crap. So basically I think about it 10 to 20 times on a plane for about 7.32 milliseconds a pop. At the end of the day the flight goes the way its going to go. Nope you don't have much control over it, so what? I drink before the flight and during the flight and after the flight. Wait that's not relevant, what was my point. Oh yeah the reason why i drink before and during is because my ears pop like a sound of bitch. I'm blessed with always having fluid in my ear, constantly. This can make for a painful ascent and descent. So I self medicate. Works wonders until you land and have to wait an hour to get your rental car.

 

Same here. For several years I averaged about 6 flights per week. Twice I got scared sh*tless and may have had my eyebrows raised a couple of other times. My wife had nearly 200 flights last year and will have about as many this year. She gets on a plane and goes to sleep. Since 911 she does her best to avoid Boston. She didn't like it before 911 but now she does have a mild fear of it.

While your fear is unfounded I understand just how real it is and it's no laughing matter. The only idea that I can think of that might help is to try a Hypnotherapist. It can't hurt and it just might work.