The fear of flying.
Why is it, that most of the time we can go in a car, bus, train or a ferry without the thought of whether or not we will reach our destinations alive.

Now.. get on an aeroplane. Which is statisticly the safest method of transport. And the mind goes into overdrive.

Why do I have to work so hard to think of anything else but the plane plummeting to the ground and everyone screaming. I feel like the more I think about it, the more chance its going to happen. Maybe I have mind control abilities I dont know and could somehow crash the plane just by thinking about it? I have even read the ENTIRE easyjet inflight magazine.. TWICE on one flight before to try and keep my mind off disaster.

Take off is the worst. How can a heavy tin can like that defy gravity? Its just not possible. Damn I hate flying I really really hate flying. And with each flight nerves seem to be getting worse rather than better. Why is it planes make different noises with each flight?

Once I was on a flight and the pilot thought it'd be a laugh to turn the engines off mid air. I heard the most dreaded sound you could hear on a plane. And that is the sound of engines spinning down, and felt the plane go slower. I think my soul left my body at that point. If I was harbouring any DVT in my cramped up legs, then the addrenaline just pushed it right out.
Thankfully plane was just slowing down to maneouver himself to land. Time flies quickly when reading the Easyjet inflight magazine for the second time.

My final gripe about flying is this. Which would help the first problem a lot. I travel alone a lot. Why is it they never put me in a seat next to a nice lovely young single girl whos also travelling alone? Nope I get sat next to Fat bastard smelly business tycoon or Werthers Original sucking old granny. Arghhh!!
(Miggyman, Fri 11 Apr 2008, 15:57, 4 replies)

It's all physics!
There are 4 phases of flight I suppose if you want to count taxi.

1. Taxi - movement on the ground
2. Takeoff
3. Cruise
4. Landing

Face your fears, take a couple of flying lessons.

Once you take a couple you will be hooked and have to get your licence.
(Lurkaloid awarded wanking black belt on, Fri 11 Apr 2008, 16:38, closed)

I've often wondered
why someone can't fit a huge parachute on top of planes that would automatically open if the plane got into trouble. That would probably help make a lot of nervous people feel a little bit better.
( Norbert Lightowler, Fri 11 Apr 2008, 16:49, closed)

Landing
Most accidents happen upon landing.

That's when a large cigar tube stuffed with people and jet fuel is hurtling towards the ground at 150mph controlled by a bloke you'll most likely never meet, yet you've entrusted your life to, completely out of control of your own fate.

I don't think it's particularly irrational to have a slight "oh shit oh shit oh shit" moment at that juncture.
(weedom, Sun 13 Apr 2008, 0:47, closed)

I agree
I don't care how many times it's explained to me, i just can't fathom how something as heavy and metal as a plane can fly in air with nothing but a strong gust propelling it along!

I've also suffered from 'if i think too hard about it the plane will crash' phobia.

I used to be fine on a plane when i was younger - but since a flight at 6.30am in the pissing rain and wind made me actually fear for my life, i've had to reconsider it as the 'safest form of transport'

That may well be but at least if a coach crashes you might survive it more.
(chili_kitten Cheese, peas and honey bees, Thu 17 Apr 2008, 15:06, closed)