Afraid of flying?

[LadyGodiva]

Read this!

http://avherald.com/h?list=&opt=4608

Or not:wtf: I travel all the time, but I'm one of those people who cannot relax until we have safely landed!! :cry:

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[Bugman]

I used to enjoy flying until they started packing you in like sardines. I still like it, but the cramped conditions get to me. Maybe I'm just getting old.

[ob1kanobee]

I will admit I'm one of those people who are afraid to fly. I used to fly all the time till I was 19 Y.O. then I stopped. My parents divorced when I was 7 so I flew 3 times a year by myself to see my mom.

I absolutely refuse to get on a plane. I have been hypnotized 2 times and still can't get over the fear of being in the plane. I'm not scared of the plane crashing I just don't like being not in control LOL.

I had to drive to Las Vegas to visit. I have to drive everywhere where a plane would be more adventagious. I turn down plane tickets from friends all the time to come visit.

I went to the Keys with a group of friends once on a fishing trip and they decided to fly back instead of drive on one of those little planes. I had to rent a car and drive back myself.

I will get on a cruise ship though!

[java]

I'm not afraid of flying. I have been on many planes. Small ones and big ones. The takeoffs are cool. I love rocketing down the runway at 200mph.

I have also parachuted 17 times. Most of those jumps being night jumps usually around 1 am to 3 am.

But if you are really afraid of flying just do what my grandma used to do. Sit at the back of the plane. When asked why she would say because you ain't never heard of an airplane backing into a mountain have you?.

[ob1kanobee]

If I were to ever jump out of a plane, I'm bringing an extension cord with me because it is bound to get hung up on something!

[LadyGodiva]

Jason, your grandma is so right!! :D

I get anxious as soon as we pay for the ticket! This is due to several not so great flights (turbulence where the flight attendants had to sit through the entire flight), and a few other experiences, but thankfully, nothing like that link had! Then of course 9/11 didn't help any. I quit flying altogether after that and only started back in 2006. Since then, we've made many trips, and I take a small dose of anti-anxiety meds (doctor prescribed), and this helps quite a bit .:nod:

I still get anxious, but am always planning another trip:shrug:

I won't be jumping out of a plane unless it's to save my life!

[jjwq8]

Simple rule. Any landing you can walk away from is a good landing. And remember all planes will land, they are not intended to stay aloft indefinitely.
The folks at the pointy end are far better drivers of their vehicle than you are of yours so relax. (Please sit down Mr. Schumacher!)
If God has decided that it is your time to join him then so be it. What frightens people is the unknown. If you cannot know it why should it scare you? If you believe in God, why should it scare you?

Who read the AF447 article that Eli posted the link for? The comments of the pros make for very interesting reading.

[Davestone]

I hate to fly and don't.Flew many times in the service,but i am toooooo mechanical,i can't help but wonder when was the last time somebody checked this or that..i also don't get on rides at carnivals...ever see a Carny?

[HotinOKC]

Dave,

I hear ya on the mechanical thing. I used to be a aircraft mechanic for 10 years and believe me, every time I step onto a airplane, I like to inspect everything I see.

I also feel the same way as Clyde. I remember there always being plenty of seats on any of my trips, and you can sort of relax. Now, they always seem to seat me next to a "oversized" person that does not wear deodorant.

[HS345]

I get a little nervous during high turbulence, other than that, I love flying. I especially love take off.

I was on a flight to McCarren in Vegas one time, and as we were descending we hit what I assume was a thermal layer, and for what seemed like hours (prolly 5 min :D) the turbulence was so bad, flight attendants were literally falling down in the aisles. :eek: Don't wanna to that again.

Also, when I was a teen, I was on a flight in Brazil aboard a Boeing 727, over the Amazon jungle, on the way to Foz do Iguaçu. The pilot made a few almost 90 degree bank turns, it was kinda fun and exciting, but also a little scary.

Also flew through a thunder storm at night one time, very scary. But the lightning show was great! Prolly wouldn't have been so great if the plane had been struck though. :sick:

[Hobbit]

Interesting comments....especially from a pilot's perspective. :)

Given that most people who populate current aircraft passenger cabins have precious little or no actual aviation experience, it is not surprising that they show a classic fear response. If they/we (the collective 'we') had even a basic understanding of the dynamics of flight and aircraft operation most fears would be severely diminished. Remember, aircraft (airplanes, not helicopters) want to fly, and given anything approximating normal atmospheric/meterological conditions, they will continue to do so until commanded to do otherwise. And....the folks up front driving them receive FAR more training/recurrent training operating their machines than we do operating ours.

Of course, this can do little to allay the feeling of being stuffed into a sausage casing!;)

[ceramictec]

I don't mind flying and don think about it when I do.
I like Greg hate turbulence as does probably anyone else. I really hate the sudden drops in altitude, that gets me.

I used to fly once or twice a month when I was younger when I raced BMX bikes. recently not so much. I don't think on any of my flights that I can remember was a problem. I think I was held up/flight delayed a few times for "wing de-iced" and a "light out on the control panel".
but that didn't bother me when we flew.

[mark11755]

I am a private pilot and additionally, I travel a lot commercially for business (more than 1.5 million miles). Hobbit is right about understanding dynamics of flight. I remember my instructors pounding into my brain that as long as the plane was moving forward fast enough (plus or minus wind spped) to keep a minimum of air speed over the wings, life is good. On commercial planes, that stall speed is much lower than we fly, even in the most harsh turbulence situations. It's kind of funny; I've always likened air under the wings to thinset under backer board. "Nails hold the board down, thinset holds it up".

[cx]

Anyone who drives an automobile to the airport and is then afraid to fly because of the danger just ain't payin' attention, best I can see it. :shades:

My opinion; worth price charged.

[Hobbit]

Right you are CX. :D

There is one thing though.....if something goes wrong up there with the equipment.......There's no place to pull over and park! ;)


:)

[miss piggy]

I remember when my hubby had a job in china, BEFORE anybody could get in, mid 60's. We took a little chop job from Paris to Peking (bejing)I did not think I would come out alive on that little communist airline. /When we landed I was putrid colored, and sick as hell.

[Dan Kramer]

I was working on my private pilot ticket in Georgetown, De, and as I would leave the airport there was a sign that read, "You are now leaving the safety of aviation, please drive carefully."

[ob1kanobee]

The strength of the turbulence is directly proportional to the temperature of your coffee.:D

[jjwq8]

An Aeroflot Boeing 767-300, registration VP-BAY performing flight SU-321 from Moscow Sheremetyevo (Russia) to Los Angeles,CA (USA), was enroute, when a female passenger (45) started to complain about pain in her breast, the pain worsening during the 14 hours flight. When the airplane started to descend towards Los Angeles, the passenger collapsed prompting the crew to declare medical emergency. The airplane landed safely, the passenger was brought to a local hospital.

Doctors diagnosed, that a silicone implant had burst due to pressure differential shortly before Los Angeles. Doctors said, that the implant was already damaged before the flight.

[LadyGodiva]

Well that's one thing less for me to worry about Jeremy, because I don't have breast implants :D

[Hobbit]

I received this little note a while back from a fellow aviator. He thought I would enjoy it because of my history/background.

I cannot vouch for it's authenticity or the "facts" as related, and really don't care anyway. It's only value is amusement! :) Since this thread has developed some legs, I offer it here at face value. Whatever that may be. ;)





After every flight, Qantas pilots fill out a form, called a "gripe sheet," which tells mechanics about problems with the aircraft. The mechanics correct the problems, document their repairs on the form, and then pilots review the gripe sheets before the next flight. Never let it be said that ground crews lack a sense of humor. Here are some actual maintenance complaints submitted by Qantas' pilots (marked with a P) and the solutions recorded by maintenance engineers (marked with an S). By the way, Qantas is the only major airline that has never had an accident...



P: Left inside main tire almost needs replacement.
S: Almost replaced left inside main tire.

P: Test flight OK, except auto-land very rough.
S: Auto-land not installed on this aircraft.

P: Something loose in cockpit.
S: Something tightened in cockpit.

P: Dead bugs on windshield.
S: Live bugs on back-order.

P: Autopilot in altitude-hold mode produces a 200 feet per minute descent.
S: Cannot reproduce problem on ground.

P: Evidence of leak on right main landing gear.
S: Evidence removed.

P: DME volume unbelievably loud.
S: DME volume set to more believable level.

P: Friction locks cause throttle levers to stick.
S: That's what they're for.

P: IFF inoperative.
S: IFF always inoperative in OFF mode.

P: Suspected crack in windshield.
S: Suspect you're right.

P: Number 3 engine missing.
S: Engine found on right wing after brief search.

P: Aircraft handles funny.
S: Aircraft warned to straighten up, fly right, and be serious.

P: Target radar hums.
S: Reprogrammed target radar with lyrics.

P: Mouse in cockpit.
S: Cat installed.

P. Noise coming from under instrument panel. Sounds like a midget pounding on something with a hammer.
S: Took hammer away from midget.

:)

[java]

Funny :D

[LadyGodiva]

That's hilarious Howard :D

Some of my favourites:deal:

P: Number 3 engine missing.
S: Engine found on right wing after brief search.

P: Aircraft handles funny.
S: Aircraft warned to straighten up, fly right, and be serious.

P: Target radar hums.
S: Reprogrammed target radar with lyrics.

P: Mouse in cockpit.
S: Cat installed.

[LadyGodiva]

This just in. :(

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8125664.stm

[jjwq8]

http://avherald.com/h?article=41befd4e&opt=4608

3000 feet altitude final approach flying through a storm on instruments and no alternate place to land. Microburst? at that height and speed even the very best pilot would struggle to keep it aloft.

And yet there is a survivor!

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-News/Comoros-Jet-Crash-Yemenia-Airbus-A310-300-Crashes-Near-Archipelago-In-Indian-Ocean/Article/200906415323909?lpos=World_News_Carousel_Region_0&lid=ARTICLE_15323909_Comoros_Jet_Crash:_Yemenia_Airbus_A310-300_Crashes_Near_Archipelago_In_Indian_Ocean

[LadyGodiva]

That's amazing!

This flight was returning from Paris.

The other flight was an Air France. Still a little French connection there:scratch: