Are any of you afraid of flying in an airplane?

[gsethi]

i love flying but get scared when there is too much turbulence. have flown ~5-6 times so far and felt scared twice.

first time i flew internationally (2nd time flying) (boeing 747 plane), there was a lot of turbulence and was scared. the weather was bad while looking out the window (rain and lightening). Felt scared.
last time I flew, (boeing 737), again there was a lot of turbulence (Jan 05 from PHL - OAK over Chicago) and again scared me. It just these moments that make you think twice but the other flights that i have had were eventless (apart from one rough landing - touchdown, then went back a little in the air again and touchdown again few seconds later....i think the right gear touched first the first time and plane was not perfectly levelled)

 

[sobriquet]

I've been flying since I was a little kid, so I'm pretty used to it. Plus, I try to deprive myself of sleep before any flight so that I can nap right through it. It's hard to feel unsafe when I'm asleep.

 

[Imaginer]

Not at all, either as a pilot or passenger.

 

[BigJ]

Not (hic) at all (hic). Can't say the (hic) same for my (hic) passengers. Now excuse me while I go to the bar before takeoff.

 

[jadinolf]

Originally posted by: Nocturnal
If so, why?

I am. I don't know why. Perhaps watching movies and hearing about plane crashes just make me so scared. It's like you can't do jack squat once something goes wrong. You can prepare for your death, that's about it.

I'd only be afraid if I was back dog fighting the Jerryies during the big one.

 

[murban135]

Originally posted by: AznMaverick
i feel safe. but i worry if the flight gets delayed and they talk about some part of the plane that needs to be checked. Also during times of heavy turbulence.

Turbulence is not a problem for the airplane. It is amazing how much the wings can flex before they fail.

Wing test

 

[Poulsonator]

If both engines go out in a plane, it can indeed be flown like a glider. Unfortunately, the range isn't all that (depending on type, 85+ miles or so?), but it's nice to know it can function that way.

For those who think they're in control when driving, why do you think that? Because you can turn the wheel and the car reacts? How about when you lose control? Isn't that what just about everyone says happens to them right before impact? "I just lost control!" Hmmm. It really is an illusion, you having control over your car and any wrecks you may have while driving.

The thing that scares me the most when flying is having to deal with the aiport nonsense. Having to wait to check-in, and to check bags. Having to wait in the security line. Having to wait to get on the plane. Being crammed into the plane like cattle. I mean, it's worth it when you get off a few hours later and your thousands of miles away, but damn...it's really more uncomfortable than anything.

 

[Linflas]

I love flying but hate the "experience of flying" ie dealing with getting to the airport, the crowds, lines, and the crappy service. It reminds me of the final days of passenger rail when they no longer even faked making an effort at customer service.

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: Poulsonator
If both engines go out in a plane, it can indeed be flown like a glider. Unfortunately, the range isn't all that (depending on type, 85+ miles or so?), but it's nice to know it can function that way.

The most famous example was Air Transat 236 (IIRC), which went ~60 miles with no engines. Air Canada Flight 143 also became a glider in the early 80s, but I have no idea how far that one went.

 

[phantom309]

It's ironic that so many people won't fly because they are terrified of not being in "control". If you live in fear, you're not in "control" of anything.

 

[pontifex]

i need to fly in an airplane at least once before i die.
ever since i was a kid i have wanted to fly a plane. i always catch myself looking at the sky to this day, thinking about how great it would be to fly a plane.

 

[rudder]

Originally posted by: kindest
i didnt used to be.. flown 100+.
but as ive gotten older id much rather control my own fate.. ie drive myself.

Do you get to drive on empty roads much?

If the same number of people died in plane wrecks every year as smae number of auto deaths, a fully loaded 747 would come crashing down every day.

I know there are more people driving on a daily basis that flying, but statistically speaking you are very safe on that airplane.

 

[JDrake]

No, lol

 

[wvtalbot]

I hate to I fly, always have, I dont know why I get nervous but I do, problem is I fly at least once a month for my job, therefore a couple Xanax before the flight is the usual ritual.

 

[rudder]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82

Originally posted by: Poulsonator
If both engines go out in a plane, it can indeed be flown like a glider. Unfortunately, the range isn't all that (depending on type, 85+ miles or so?), but it's nice to know it can function that way.

The most famous example was Air Transat 236 (IIRC), which went ~60 miles with no engines. Air Canada Flight 143 also became a glider in the early 80s, but I have no idea how far that one went.

yeh, the engines just create thrust they do no create lift. Thats the wings job and as long as there is airflow over the wings the beast will still fly. Of course without engines the nose has to be pointed down.

And contrary to what you see in the movies, throwing crap out of the airplane to make it go farther does not work.

 

[oboeguy]

Not afraid at all. I don't understand how anyone could be rationally afraid. Irrationally, i.e. a phobia, I understand (I have a fear of heights which is totally irrational), but to rationally say "OMG911TEHSCARY" is, IMO, lame.

 

[AdamSnow]

Not at all, I love it...

My mother is though... she won't get anywhere near an airport...

 

[Doctorweir]

Well, 100+ flights and still not scared
Only 1 emergency landing and 1 flight with 200+ meter air holes so far.
Where the latter really made me thinking if I formulated my last will already...
That was the time I really had to remind myself that the wings can bend 6 meters up and down before they break...

 

[Descartes]

I fly about 1000 miles per week and have been for about a year, so no, not at all; in fact, I actually enjoy turbulence. It gives a little excitement to an otherwise very boring, and often very uncomfortable, trip.

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: Doctorweir
Well, 100+ flights and still not scared
Only 1 emergency landing and 1 flight with 200+ meter air holes so far.
Where the latter really made me thinking if I formulated my last will already...
That was the time I really had to remind myself that the wings can bend 6 meters up and down before they break...

Here is a report from the A380 wing test just yesterday.

7.42m!

 

[Viper GTS]

Nah it's boring & routine.

Still love the rush of power on takeoff though, and turbulence is great to break up an otherwise monotonous snooze.

Viper GTS

 

[Biggerhammer]

I'm more worried about what the security goons will do to my luggage than I am about the plane's possibility of crashing.

Come on, people. Most of you drive on highways, sharing the road with drunk/drugged/psychotic/female drivers ( ) and you worry about airplanes?

 

[imported_JoePa]

Not afraid of flying. Afraid of getting air sick. Bring on the Dramamine.

 

[Baked]

The moment I sit down, I doze off.

 

[Looney]

I love flying. Maybe i don't fly enough that it's a little fun each time.