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In view of that within the past year, there have been four major commercial air transport incidents resulting in 100% fatalities, and that two of such have occurred under mysterious circumstances, is it time for "fear of flying'?
I know it isn't for me, and I have two definite trips that will be using air travel and possibly one more this year. After all, my life is pretty much in the rear view mirror and there are many a worse way "to go" than an aircraft incident. No rational party is blaming either American or United for 9/11; Southwest Airlines, considering that they have more take offs and landings than anyone, (and more stress on their airframes from such) has not had a passenger fatality in their some forty years of operations.
I of course in my 1940's and '50's childhood recall when it seems like there was a crash a month, and my Mother and Father did have friends that so perished. I know that during that era, my Mother and Father, always hopping off somewhere, would take separate flights. They weren't afraid; they just were taking what they considered reasonable precautions.
However, let us not lose sight of the exemplary safety record that airlines have, aided by fair and reasonable regulation, attained - especially US flagged carriers.
Now I am aware that we have a few "never flys" around here; their reasons, be it fear, aversion to the present day air travel experience, or loyalty to rail travel, are their business unless they choose to share, but I'm wondering if "the rest of us' have any thoughts on this subject.
George Harris Member # 2077
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I had some fear of flying when younger, way younger, but long since forgotten. Yes, I do remember those days in the 50's when airplane crashes seemed to be fairly frequent.
My main flights on the not to be repeated scale were on those rejected from freight service planes operated by "who are you and I hope to never see you again" airlines the military chartered. The words forever engraved in my brain were those of the pilot on my leaving Nam and getting out of the military flight after we took off from Japan: "We will attempt a non-stop flight to Travis Air Force Base California." When the pilot says "attempt" I want OUT. Obviously we did make it or I would not be here. It did help me understand my grandmother's words about the boys retuning home from WW2 that due to transport accidents, "We did not count them home safe until they walked in the door."
MargaretSPfan Member # 3632
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I used to fly a lot as a child, because my family and I lived overseas. (This was in the early 1950s.) I absolutely loved to fly then. and was never afraid -- even when an Iberian Air piston-engine plane hit an air pocket and we dropped what felt like straight down. I thought that was fun! A man seated across the aisle from me did not feel the way I did -- he assumed the crash position. All was well -- or I would not be here now -- and we continued on to a safe and uneventful landing.
I no longer fly for two main reasons: I refuse to subject myself to being groped by some TSA person, and traveling is too expensive for me. I'm not at all scared -- as a matter of fact, I would still love to fly if things were the way they were even as late as the 1980s. I also do not want to be treated like a common criminal, nor do I want to subject myself to the way some passengers behave (not all of which are children), and the seats are too small and too close together. As an adult, I am perfectly capable of amusing myself for long periods of time, so I do not need IFE or in-flight movies -- most of which I would probably not want to have forced on me -- much too violent and depressing, and I would not be allowed to leave the window shade up (should I be so fortunate as to have a window seat) and look at the clouds outside,. I'd much rather quietly read a book, or converse with other passengers than to be subjected to in-flight movies.
I was quite fortunate to have traveled when traveling by plane was a civilized experience. I prefer to keep my memories, and not subject myself to nasty and rude treatment by others.
I know flying is much safer now that it was when I was a child, but I never worried about that back then. I am quite concerned now that pilot fatigue -- which endemic to the aviation industry now (as it is for railroad operating crews), will inevitably lead to more crashes.
UIn the mean time, I enjoy watching planes overhead, especially 777s and my favorite, the Queen of the Skies, the 747. What an awesome plane! They make the most satisfying roar!
(For you fellow aviation buffs, here is an excellent article about the building of the very first 747:
My all-time favorite commercial airplane is the Constellation. What a gorgeous thing she was! I got to fly in them -- the L-049 models -- a lot.)
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
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Margaret, I think the reason behind IFE is to keep the masses pacified. In this day and age where the attention span resembles that of a housefly, maybe one comp soft drink, it is the best pacifier out there. The airlines know that you will sit in a seat with about the same amount of square feet in a theater to watch a movie or performance, so pacify 'em the same. After all, on say a later model 737, it's 4 Attendants vs. 150 passengers.
But even well educated professionals need that "sensory wash", for returning from overseas last July, I was seated in Business Class next to a gal, obviously a high powered professional, who first said "why did you show up, they said they'd upgrade my (college kid) Son if you didn't". "Well dear, I paid for this; of course I'm gonna show" (pretty sure she was upgraded). After flashing the "if you have to get out, bother me, otherwise don't" signals, she immersed herself in one mindless flick after the other. I used the IFE to track the flight and was enthralled how it left EDDM/MUC on a heading of about 335, and did not get on a "great circle" heading of about 290 until at FL38 and above the Jetstream somewhere over the UK. Funny how those goons that blew up PA103 failed to realize that basic point of navigation; if you have to fly/sail into the wind, your best point is about 45dg relative to such. They wanted their boom-boom to go off over the ocean, instead it went off over land and enough was recovered to pin the mass murder on them. Flightseeing was near perfect all the way. To me, what that babe missed!
MargaretSPfan Member # 3632
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Mr. Norman --- Thanks for pointing that out about the IFE being an adult pacifier. I had not thought about that. Makes sense -- keep them glued to a screen and they will be much less apt to cause trouble. That female creature you had to sit next to really was rude. Some people..... Glad the IFE lets people track the plane, a la FlightAware, which is a lot of fun to watch. I myself and my son both really enjoy tracking flights relatives and friends are on.
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
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From Crowne Plaza Atlanta Ravinia (drove down this year)
Margaret, at times, I wonder why in the interest of flight safety, the airlines still peddle booze. Something could flare up in the back of the bus (Coach) that could really jeopardize such. It could even happen on the other side of the curtain as well.
But then the airlines see it why in the interest of profit, we still peddle booze.
MargaretSPfan Member # 3632
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Gil (if I may call you that?) -----
Yup --- profit uber alles. What a sick and hurtful and stupid philosophy. Booze does cause a lot of problems, no matter the economic status of the persons imbibing it, and I agree completely that airlines should stop serving it. Now.
(As you know, pre-Amtrak, the RRs almost always lost money on the dining cars, but made a bunch in the lounge cars, from serving booze.)
Dave Burden Member # 88
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I wouldn't really call it a fear of flying, just a distaste for it. Both my wife and I did a fair amount of domestic flying for business trips before 2001, but we also did a bit of train travel. After 2001 we pretty much dropped air travel and I even managed to do most of my business travel by rail (based out of Atlanta made it reasonable, being able to make connections from DC or Philly). We just chose the low-key mode of transportation, especially with our kids.
Fast forward a decade or so and while we still take the train, we flew to Italy over the summer for our first air travel in over 10 years and first overseas. We were prepared for the security and customs and weren't really bothered by it all.
Mr. Norman, I can appreciate your comment about having a lot of your life in the rear view mirror. Might as well have fun and do the things you want to do, even if there is some risk. We'll keep travelling by train, but might hop the pond again to spend some more of our kids inheritance!
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
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From In Flight Jet Blue 906 ORD-JFK
This is my first flight on them.
Gotta say their free Wi-Fi is quite a perk. Only negative: I've lost my TSA Pre Check that has been a plus with United.
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
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What a wonderful opinion piece appearing in The Times this past Thursday; it so speaks of Antoine de Saint-Exupery's work:
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