Are You Afraid to Fly?

I have never been afraid to fly including being catapulted off aircraft carriers, landing on carriers, and flying considerable distances over water in choppers.
Now I am not particularly fond of landing on small ships like destroyers rolling around at sea while in a chopper. I was also a bit spooked flying in a chopper along the DMZ in South Korea and passing over all those manned artillery guns sprinkled along the entire way.
 

Not really. I do remember my 1st time on a plane like it was yesterday. I was coming home for Xmas vacation from a boarding school in Deerfield, Mass,I was 10 at the time. The plane was diverted to Niagara Falls because Buffalo airport was closed because of a snowstorm. I thought I would never see my parents again,was sobbing/frantic.A bus took us to the airport when I saw my parents I was overjoyed but never let go of their hands.I told them'I'm not going back on a plane' They drove me 500 miles back to school
Last month,I went on a plane for the 1st time in 2 yrs to NYC to attend my eldest nephew's wedding.I did have a bit of anxiety not knowing what to expect,were there going to be long lines to go thru security{NO} cancelled flight{NO} just delayed a bit The only new requirement wearing mask at all times in the airport& on plane which didn't bother me
 
A colleague and I were discussing how many flights we had made and we both thought it was around 700-800. At first it was fun, but then it became boring. We got to know regular passengers and the aircrew, and as frequent fliers, we downed many drinks in airline lounges.
I knew a few pilots too, and I remember one (who mainly flew cargo) that his wife described him as a glorified taxi driver. He said that apart from take off and landing, it was usually pretty boring.

Like Hollydolly said, it's the airport experience that spoils travel, nevertheless I'm looking forward to travelling again once we're clear of Covid.
 
Lewkat said:
I love flying everywhere. I also love trains.
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My daughter lives in Manchester which is a few hundred miles from me. When she visits, she flies to Aberdeen and this is both faster and cheaper than by train. In fact, the cheapest route was to fly to Amsterdam and then to Aberdeen - probably about 1000 miles - and this was still 1 hour faster and half the price of a standard rail fare! If anything, it illustrates how bad railways are in the UK.
 
Geezerette said:
I used to love the experience of flying! Back when people dressed up to go places, and were courteous. I last flew in 2014. Haha, getting over too many joint replacements etc. since then. I would go again if I could get a little more mobility back. But the actual physical experience, & sensations, backing away from the gate taxiing, that revving before starting the takeoff run, the moment of becoming airborne, I love it!
Until the turkey in front of me flops his seat back into my lap.
Love bulkhead or exit seat. I
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I’m with you! I loved people watching back in the day when they wore their finest to fly…and I loved the whole flying experience. Roomy seats, hot meals with actual china, silverware, real glasses. Just lovely. Now…ugh! I sit all scrunched up, wondering why I spent so much money for this unpleasant seating experience and one small plastic glass of coke or whatever. So I will fly if I have to, but much prefer driving if time allows.
 
Pecos said:
I have never been afraid to fly including being catapulted off aircraft carriers, landing on carriers, and flying considerable distances over water in choppers.
Now I am not particularly fond of landing on small ships like destroyers rolling around at sea while in a chopper. I was also a bit spooked flying in a chopper along the DMZ in South Korea and passing over all those manned artillery guns sprinkled along the entire way.
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Thank you for what you did❤️
 
Kathleen’s Place said:
I’m with you! I loved people watching back in the day when they wore their finest to fly…and I loved the whole flying experience. Roomy seats, hot meals with actual china, silverware, real glasses. Just lovely. Now…ugh! I sit all scrunched up, wondering why I spent so much money for this unpleasant seating experience and one small plastic glass of coke or whatever. So I will fly if I have to, but much prefer driving if time allows.
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And when they walk through the cabin flinging crackers at you, don't you feel like unleashing your very best profanities?
 
Watching the news, the past couple of days, and seeing all the overcrowded airports, and cancelled flights, I sure wouldn't want to need to fly anytime soon. Spending hours at an airport, only to find out that the flight is cancelled, would be a Real Hassle.
 
I made my livelihood flying for 33 years. After flying for Air Wisconsin for about eight years, I transitioned over to United. There is no other job that I would have enjoyed better.
 
jerry old said:
It is the only form of transportation that alerts you to your imminent demise.
At 30,000 feet it takes almost three minutes to hit the ground, that is a lot of time to think, "I should have taken a train".
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Airplanes seldom just drop out of the sky and go straight down. They can glide for a long time.
 
Don M. said:
Watching the news, the past couple of days, and seeing all the overcrowded airports, and cancelled flights, I sure wouldn't want to need to fly anytime soon. Spending hours at an airport, only to find out that the flight is cancelled, would be a Real Hassle.
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You can thank the government for this debacle. Another one to add to the list of "debacles."
 
A little apprehensive. I do believe when it's your time to go, you go. I've flown overseas twice and in the U.S. a number of times.

I agree with present day and the nuts in planes. I always seem to get sick after flying and I haven't flown since covid. I'd certainly wear a mask any time in the future.

Worst turbulence was flying to Salt Lake City from California and flying to Sacramento from Las Vegas over the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

I liked (I think it was Dallas/Fort Worth) where the planes taxi over the freeway.
 
oldman said:
Airplanes seldom just drop out of the sky and go straight down. They can glide for a long time.
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Watched documentary of Air Transat 236 in 2001, years ago then again recently: pilot glided his plane for 75 miles!

Then we have the flight Pinnacle airlines flight 3701 of two joyriding pilots that would frighten any potential airline customer.
 
Capt Lightning said:
A colleague and I were discussing how many flights we had made and we both thought it was around 700-800. At first it was fun, but then it became boring. We got to know regular passengers and the aircrew, and as frequent fliers, we downed many drinks in airline lounges.
I knew a few pilots too, and I remember one (who mainly flew cargo) that his wife described him as a glorified taxi driver. He said that apart from take off and landing, it was usually pretty boring.

Like Hollydolly said, it's the airport experience that spoils travel, nevertheless I'm looking forward to travelling again once we're clear of Covid.
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I agree with getting to know frequent flyers. I also knew a few on a first name basis by their choice that I address them using their name, instead of "sir."

The airport experience is terrible. I used to say that if you want to find the most rudest people in the world, just go inside an airport. And it doesn't stop there, either. On some flights, passengers would try to push through the aisle while deplaning and actually shove people back into their seats. We had a fellow that was seated in about the middle of the plane and wanted to get off as soon as possible so he could make a wedding on time. He actually pushed these two women (one was a Nun) back into their seats and harmed the woman. She let out a yell that I heard all the way into the cockpit and it made me have to go see what had happened. When I found out that the woman had been hurt, (her wrist was broken we found out later) I told the gate agent to get security and they took him away, but I neve heard what happened after that. I think the woman must have sued him because one of the flight attendants on that fly had to give a deposition weeks or months later.
 
I'm not afraid to fly but I don't like flying. On my last trip I drove 11,500 km to The Yukon rather than get on a plane. If everyone has to be wearing diapers for hours on the plane; I'd rather drive. Can't drive across the ocean so I stay home. For the last several years, the Airlines have gotten into the Cattle Car Business. Mooooo!
 
I flew the F/A 18D in the military. Cruising speed was around 800 mph, but it could be ripped to go faster.
 

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