Fear of Flying?

[Driving Park]

This thread is timed perfectly, as I am going to experience my first flight from my college to my home for Thanksgiving. It's not really a long flight (about two and a half hours), and the only thing I'm NOT looking forward to is the TSA checks. I suppose that once we take off and can use our electronics, I should listen to this:



and then this:

 

[Pupik]

I wish I had cause to fly.

...and then there's also those people (some of whom I work with) who will use their bonus miles or pop for a flight just to get the mileage bonuses. Another words, they are within a threshold of keeping their "status", and their program year is running out. So they take some last-minute thing on a weekend, and fly right back home after it lands.

At first I thought it was lunacy, but some of the programs work like this: If you get say, 50,000 miles, you'll then get a bonus whereby all your miles after that are multiplied by another 50%. And/Or you get more priorities for upgrades, free drinks, snacks, shorter lines, get on the plane quicker, waived baggage charges, companion passes, and more...so there's some method to their madness (mainly because you can't buy most of these status upgrades automatically, you have to qualify for them). If you do this all the time, you want every perk and advantage to saving time, energy, and ease of service.

Basically, I just like not having to be one of the last to board the plane...that sucks if you're carrying on luggage. Everything after that is just icing on the cake.

 

[Exorcet]

The only thing I hate about flying is the boredem with sitting there for hours.

I suppose you're not the type to look out the window and wait for condensation over the wings to show streamtubes and tip vortices then. It never gets old.

It's not as fun when you're away from the wings or engine, but seeing the ground from altitude is kind of nice.

 

[GregTheStig]

The planes themselves are nothing to worry about. They say that 99% of commercial airline crashes are not caused by malfunction of the machinery, but rather the human error of the pilot.
So in conclusion you can trust the plane, but can you trust your pilot?

The only time you really need to worry about crappy pilots is if you're flying on a smaller plane to someplace you could have driven to in 2 hours. I can tell you from having an experienced pilot in the family that you have to be the cream of the crop to be in one of the bigger jetliners that go overseas or cross-country. I guarantee most if not all of the pilots that fly you around are perfectly fit for the job and have gone through extensive training.

Also, a lot of the crashes lately that have been blamed on pilot error were actually caused by a buggy autopilot system on Airbus planes that override the pilot's input. The Air France plane that went down over the South Atlantic from Brazil did so because of that. No licensed pilot is stupid enough to pull up when the stall warnings come on. 99.99999% of the planes out there are still perfectly safe, but there's always one... chances are that none of us will ever see that one


I've said too much

the only thing I'm NOT looking forward to is the TSA checks.

LOL I've been through so many times without issue you really don't need to worry about it. Just do everything they tell you to. All liquids in a small plastic bag, shoes off, nothing in your pockets, belt and jacket off, and whatever you do, do NOT mention "bomb"

And Ace Combat FTW!

 

[AMCNUT]

...and then there's also those people (some of whom I work with) who will use their bonus miles or pop for a flight just to get the mileage bonuses.

Interesting. Not being a part of an airmiles program, this is all news to me. Sounds like you have to really fly quite frequently to get the full benefits though. I'm not sure there are many people who could say that they legitimately fly that much, though. I mean, if the only time you fly is to keep up your mileage bonus and you never go anywhere else, is it really worth all that effort?

They must really like planes!

 

[Guml8all]

Interesting. Not being a part of an airmiles program, this is all news to me. Sounds like you have to really fly quite frequently to get the full benefits though. I'm not sure there are many people who could say that they legitimately fly that much, though. I mean, if the only time you fly is to keep up your mileage bonus and you never go anywhere else, is it really worth all that effort?

They must really like planes!

Or they have to go on a lot of business trips. (:

 

[Pupik]

I mean, if the only time you fly is to keep up your mileage bonus and you never go anywhere else, is it really worth all that effort?

Well, if you're almost there, then you'll do what it takes to keep their status. Being 99% of the way there isn't enough. There's those who lose their status, and really rue it; although, most of them are glad because it means they can work form home most of the time.

Once you're used to preferential treatment, you generally want to keep it.

 

[itsbenjibrand]

Holidays coming up and I have to make another flight home to see the family. Something about being forced to go 300+mph and about 6 miles up I just can't get over. Always a bit uncomfortable until we're on the ground safely. Never had to fly regularly, so I've slowly gotten used to it. First time I was white-knuckled clenching the seat.


This face says it all, haha.

I just have the fear because I cannot for the life of me accept that a huge piece of metal with people in the air can stay in the air for long distances (and not get slammed to the ground by gravity).

 

[AMCNUT]

Or they have to go on a lot of business trips. (:

I was more referring to people who didn't have to take business trips and who only flew for vacations and family events and whatnot - I should have been more clear. But yeah, they'd be a busy beaver for sure!

Well, if you're almost there, then you'll do what it takes to keep their status. Being 99% of the way there isn't enough. There's those who lose their status, and really rue it; although, most of them are glad because it means they can work form home most of the time.

Once you're used to preferential treatment, you generally want to keep it.

That makes sense - I can understand that. I hadn't thought about the working at home part though - that would be nice!

 

[C Ronaldo 7]

I think I've read somewhere that there are more car accidents than plane crashes. So there is no need to worry. Once you're up there, just keep yourself occupied and you'll hopefully take your mind off it. But to be honest, my main worry when flying, is the weird smell inside the plane.

 

[Exorcet]

I just have the fear because I cannot for the life of me accept that a huge piece of metal with people in the air can stay in the air for long distances (and not get slammed to the ground by gravity).

When you consider the tremendous amount of force that air exerts on something just by being there, it becomes much easier to accept. Gravity is weak.

Though you might then be afraid of being crushed by air?

 

[itsbenjibrand]

When you consider the tremendous amount of force that air exerts on something just by being there, it becomes much easier to accept. Gravity is weak.

Though you might then be afraid of being crushed by air?

Its also the fear of heights I possess, which is multiplied when in an airplane.

 

[acascianelli]

being forced to go 300+mph...

I'm pretty sure commercial aircraft cruise at 500+mph.

My wife doesn't like flying either. My solution for her is to get her drunk before she gets on the plane.

 

[Venom800tt]

I lost count how many times I have flown. I'd guess it is at least 20-30 times or so. That also includes test flights on outgoing aircraft at work, which require a 1 hour test flight before the planes are put back into revenue service. Test flights are FUN lol...
Watching everything from the cockpit is totally different than sitting as a passenger in the cabin...
Yeah, I don't mind flying at all

 

[Sach]

I'm pretty sure commercial aircraft cruise at 500+mph.

Eeech...




I'll be fine.

 

[acascianelli]

Statistically your more likely to die in a car crash than a plane crash.

 

[McLaren]

This thread is timed perfectly, as I am going to experience my first flight from my college to my home for Thanksgiving. It's not really a long flight (about two and a half hours), and the only thing I'm NOT looking forward to is the TSA checks. I suppose that once we take off and can use our electronics, I should listen to this:

The media over-exaggerates these checks to the stupidest levels. Yes, there have been legitimate cases of the TSA over-stepping their boundaries, but it is hardly anything to worry about in most cases.

I took a flight earlier this year to & from Orlando. Got to the airport an hour early as recommended. Waited in line 5 minutes, then got to the checkpoint. All metal objects in the tray, shoes off, bag through the machine, & a quick scan with the wand. Took even less time & the TSA there were very understanding about the people making minor mistakes. Coming back was a different story because of all the people returning from vacation, but it was the same routine.

Just do what they say (which are really just a few laid out rules) & don't give them any grief. These people are given certain rights to take action if they see fit, so if you've got nothing to hide, let it go.

 

[E28]

I have no fear of flying. The first time I went on a plane was when I was 4, and that was long-haul to the Dominican Republic.

 

[Keef]

Holidays coming up and I have to make another flight home to see the family. Something about being forced to go 300+mph and about 6 miles up I just can't get over. Always a bit uncomfortable until we're on the ground safely. Never had to fly regularly, so I've slowly gotten used to it. First time I was white-knuckled clenching the seat.


This face says it all, haha.

As an aspiring pilot of small airplanes, I laugh at myself for once being terrified of rollercoasters. There's not a rollercoaster in the world that can do something that you're not already expecting it to do. Airplanes, on the other hand...

Have you ever been exposed to the basic principles or flight in a physics class or on the Discovery Channel? There is evidence to suggest that flight has worked before, will work this time, and will continue to work in the future. Flight mechanics can be very complex, but it all makes sense, as do most things that work.

I'll be the first one to admit that flight in a small airplane is quite awkward at first. You don't quite feel secure for the first little bit, mainly because the doors are only an inch thick. But the worst thing about a jet airliner is the fat dude that you're inevitably stuck sitting next to. And the cookies are delicious. You've got way more reason to be terrified of swimming, because you can't simply glide back to the ground when your boat starts sinking, or you suck a bunch of water into your lungs.

Keep in mind that a typical large airliner cruising up near 40,000 feet has about a +/-10 knot window of maintaining controlled flight. Ten knots too fast and it goes supersonic and the wings come off. Ten knots too slow and it enters an aerodynamic stall which won't be recoverable for another 5,000 feet or so, during which time its airspeed might go supersonic and the wings come off. Isn't thin air just peachy?

 

[Camaroyenko]

I refuse to fly for several reasons:
-I do get airsick easily.
-I don't trust planes.
-After 9/11, I don't trust anybody.

 

[Submerged]

... Then why are you on the internet?

(referring to Camaroyenko's statement of not trusting anybody)

 

[Tom]

I've been from the UK to Canada and from the UK to the USA and nothing went wrong, you'll be fine. 👍

 

[Venom800tt]

I guess seeing things from the eyes of an aircraft mechanic makes things different, because I feel safer in one of our planes than I do driving my own car around...

 

[Camaroyenko]

... Then why are you on the internet?

(referring to Camaroyenko's statement of not trusting anybody)

Can anyone shoot me through the internet?

 

[Shaun]

I'll be the first one to admit that flight in a small airplane is quite awkward at first. You don't quite feel secure for the first little bit, mainly because the doors are only an inch thick.

Lol, I'll be honest Keef the only time I felt safe in a small plane was with a parachute on my back. Confidence is sucked out even more from you when you see the pilot wearing a chute also and the fact the plane had no door on it.

Have you thought of flying larger planes as well? Is the cost and time of training too restrictive?

Cheers Shaun.

 

[Submerged]

Can anyone shoot me through the internet?

They can certainly attempt to find out where you are, what you do, how you get to work, how you get to places and the like through the internet if someone was so determined to do so. And then meet you face to face to commit the deed.

Additionally, I assume you also go outside on a daily basis as well. This would be the same as going into a metal tube that is 200 or 300 metres long and 15 metres wide. What I mean is, a plane is a private place that is rented out to the public to use, if the member of the public wants to go to the destination and has the money to pay for it.

In a city, you are FAR MORE likely to be killed/run over/murdered by a crazy dude than in a plane itself. You meet many more people in a public open space in a city. Far more than you ever would in a plane. Additionally, there would generally be more chances of something dangerous or life-threatening happening to you in that city every day, than being in a metal tube that is flying at 35,000 ft screaming along at 500+mph.

So, you should trust no-one everywhere, not just the airports. Additionally, you should not even attempt leaving the house, if you were to completely follow this "trust" assumption you have. Or never to interact with people as you cannot trust them as you are not privy to their inner thoughts and desires.

It is only a comment about the "trust" factor, nothing else.

BTW: I generally have no issues with flying as presumably the pilots all have to be trained to a high standard and are responsible for a multi-million quid plane that they cannot crash under any circumstances (apart from mechanical failures). Having the lives of nearly 800 people (Airbus A380 type) AND the cost it comes with would certainly make even the most brazen and cocky individual pause for thought and act responsibly.

Some people seem to associate flying planes as driving a car. Its not. Its a massive responsibility to fly a plane that is only given to the people who have demonstrated that they are flight worthy and have the aptitude required to do so, consistently. Even if they become glorified bus drivers in the end (as my cousin sarcastically calls himself, when he pilots for his company). Car driving in England nowadays is seen as a "right"... when it isn't. It is a privilege. Flying a plane with nearly 800 people on board, is an even larger privilege.

 

[Exorcet]

Keep in mind that a typical large airliner cruising up near 40,000 feet has about a +/-10 knot window of maintaining controlled flight. Ten knots too fast and it goes supersonic and the wings come off. Ten knots too slow and it enters an aerodynamic stall which won't be recoverable for another 5,000 feet or so, during which time its airspeed might go supersonic and the wings come off. Isn't thin air just peachy?

The + tolerance is pretty close, though they don't fly 10 knots from Mach 1 (but at the same time, they don't need to hit Mach 1 to make the wings fall off). They've got a bit more on the - side, plus the pilot can just nose down/throttle up unless he waits for the thing to fall out of the sky.

And as long as the autopilot works, 20 knots is a huge window.

 

[Keef]

Lol, I'll be honest Keef the only time I felt safe in a small plane was with a parachute on my back. Confidence is sucked out even more from you when you see the pilot wearing a chute also and the fact the plane had no door on it.

Have you thought of flying larger planes as well? Is the cost and time of training too restrictive?

Cheers Shaun.

I'm aiming for a commercial license at minimum, with the ultimate goal being an ATP certification and the Captain's seat at a major airline. But you have to start all the way at the bottom.

The + tolerance is pretty close, though they don't fly 10 knots from Mach 1 (but at the same time, they don't need to hit Mach 1 to make the wings fall off). They've got a bit more on the - side, plus the pilot can just nose down/throttle up unless he waits for the thing to fall out of the sky.

And as long as the autopilot works, 20 knots is a huge window.

Autopilot doesn't always work Thankfully there are certain power settings that will make the plane settle at a certain speed at a certain altitude.

Either way, stall recovery at that speed in such thin air would require several thousand feet.

 

[Bleached]

If the autopilot doesn't work, you can't fly that high. Autopilot required in RVSM airspace...

 

[corporatesteve]

Flying is one of the safest and most fun ways to travel. I have about 120hrs logged and im working on my commercial rating. If your that scared, read some aircraft/aerodynamic books, it will help you understand whats going on and might make you feel better.