Are You Afraid To Fly?

[shred]

I like the flying part, even the takeoff and landing part. I get PO-ed at the bureaucracy at the airport.

I like tiny tropical airports. Anywhere they wheel the stairs up to the plane is cool by me.

Favorite near-death plane experience-- flying schoolbuses in Honduras. Holding the Islena safety card up to the window, you could see where they'd laminated a sheet of paper with their logo over the 'GE Government Services" logo.

On one plane, we had more passengers than there were seats. That's because the plane following had a large boat's driveshaft up the entire aisle going back to the mainland for repair.

[BritinUSA]

I should have mentioned that the illusion of safety and control is all I really crave and yes I do understand that. It still feels better to have my hand on the throttle. At least I won't be cussin' someone else out as I go down in flames ;-)

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

That's what it basically boils down to; When it's your time to go, it's time to go. When it's the pilots time to go... EVERYBODY goes !

[Shooter Grrl]

I'm terrified of flying and always have been, even before 9/11. Not to mention, I can drive to most places faster now than drive to the airport, wait in line, wait for the plane, get hassled at check in, sit in a tin can with recycled air and 200 sick people, get off the plane, FIND A PLACE TO SMOKE, wait for my luggage and drive to where I'm going! Blech!

I'll do it, but I don't like it!

[kdj]

I love flying. I hate flying commercially. Aside from the fact that they won't let me drive , the whole set up at the airport is such a complete pain and a waste of time.

I used to have a plane that would get me anywhere in the US faster than going commercial, then I loved flying! Now that I don't and have to join the cattle lines at major airports, I accept it as a necessary pain to get any where.

Kevin

[tightloop]

No problem, lets go...

[BigDave]

I enjoy flying.

The thing about being big (like I am, 6'6", 280ish) is that you have to plan ahead and know what to ask for. Exit row seating is generally very ample and depending on the aircraft, there will be no one in front of you for at least 3 feet. Bulkhead is okay generally, too. On-line check in really, really helps in this regard these days. Most carriers will allow you to check in up to 24 hrs in advance. Print your boarding pass and get your seat assignment before even leaving the house, or meeting (or match if you can plan it that way). But, if you can't check-in online, you really have to resign yourself to the fact that you will need to arrive a couple of hours early.

One of the benefits of arriving early is that you are seldom finding yourself in a rush to do anything. That is a big bonus for me. Getting through security has become simple: boarding pass and ID out; change, cell phone, pager, and wallet into the carry on; shoes, belt, coat and hat through the x-ray. If you don't want the "extra love", make sure your outfit isn't going to set off the metal detectors. It's simple if you plan ahead.

I probably get more work done in an aiport waiting for my flight than I do just about anywhere.

[Stumpnav]

Flying doesn't scare me...do it a couple times a week. Crashing doesn't scare me. Now pain...that scares me. As long as I smack terra firma going faster than the speed of pain, I'm happy.

As far as commercial flying, I've got new rules. If I can drive where I'm going in 8 hours I drive. If I can't, I fly. By the time I show at the local airport in time to get through the pain, fly the puddle jumper to DFW, then catch the big plane to wherever, then rent a car, it takes about 6 or 7 hours. More enjoyable to drive and enjoy the scenery.

[George]

If I can drive where I'm going in 8 hours I drive. If I can't, I fly

I'm there with that! Heck, If I can do the drive in a day, or two, I'm driving!

[Paule]

Before TSA I flew 200k+ per year commercial. Now I fly a couple times a year. At least pre-9/11 everyone knew the screening was crap. Now we are supposed to believe we are safer with no knives, sharp sticks, cuticle scissors, minature pliers, etc.

If you want a real belly laugh, take a look at the regs for armed pilots. They have to keep their weapons in a lock box until the cockpit doors are closed and locked, and lock them up again before they emerge from the cockpit. Are you getting all warm and fuzzy yet?

But wait... the new X-ray machines are about to be deployed so that the TSA goobers can see everyone naked prior to permit access to the sanctuary of the terminal. Of course, not before they scan your soon to be required National ID card...

Build me a truck that runs on failed liberal/socialist ideas. Bet I would never run out of fuel.

[Hank Ellis]

I have never gotten used to the flying part & I hate it when they won't let me bring my parachute on board.  I've got a lot of take offs but damn few landings. USPA!

Oh yes they (the airlines and the TSA) will. I've made several pre and post 9/11 trips with my skydiving rig. As long as it fits in a standard carry on case, it's good to go. Put your hook knife in checked bags however. Be prepared for a visual inspection as all that metal along with the Cypres electronics tends to raise interest. My last trip to PHX to make a few jumps at Eloy I ended up doing an improptu training session with the on duty TSA supervisor and a couple others. The Cypres was their main interest. How does it work? What cuts the loop? How do you turn it on and off? Gut feeling was they really didn't know about these units and wanted to learn more. The supervisor stated that he read about them in training but has never seen one. A rare positive experience with the TSA.

:A Cypres is a electronic box the size of a pack of smokes with two cables exiting out of the box. One goes to a closing loop cutter. The other is the contol head. It's purpose is to initiate deployment of the reserve canopy when you get to a preset altitude. Strictly a safety backup.:

TSA policy on parachutes.

Fear of flying? No. Disgusted with the whole process of commercial aviation? YES!

[ima45dv8]

No, I don't like flying. Call me a control freak or whatever, but I don't like having someone else responsible for my safety.

I was on a flight when the guy next to me was having real bad heebie-jeebies about dying in a firey crash. They called the head flight attendant over to calm him down. She was citing all the normal junk about miles traveled without an accident compared to cars and so on, and I couldn't help chuckling.

She asked me what I thought was funny. I replied that jet liners are like pit bulls. They don't necessarily have more "accidents" that other breeds or modes of transportation, but they also don't have "fender benders". Accidents with both tend to be of the catastrophic variety. I then mentioned that when they lose power, they glide like this....... (and I tossed my car keys up in the air and watched them reverse course and hit the floor in very short order).

I thought the guy next to me was going to have a siezure.

[BigDave]

Flying doesn't scare me...do it a couple times a week. Crashing doesn't scare me. Now pain...that scares me. As long as I smack terra firma going faster than the speed of pain, I'm happy.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I like how this guy thinks. Ditto.

[George]

As long as I smack terra firma going faster than the speed of pain

I believe electrical signals in nerves move at or under 600 mph. so you better hit real, real fast, or you are gonna feel something for at least a split second ;-)

[Tom Freeman]

Uncle Sam pays me to fly. Almost 7,000 hours worth so far. Played war everywhere since 1988 in C-130's. Deaf as a stump, but all in all I would rather fly anywhere than drive.

All is well, remain calm.

[CRubio]

I've been Platinum Medallion (over 100K miles per year) on Delta for about 15 years and have frequent flyer miles on most every airline between the US and Australia. Did not really used to mind flying but after 9/11 it really got to be a pain.

The first million miles will cure you of any place in the world you wanted to see and the second million will re-enforce that feeling. These days (working on my third million), I just want to stay home.

I shoot quite a number of matches throughout the year and, with the exception of Rio Salado, drive to every one. (Too long a drive from Atlanta)

[BDH]

While I am only a lowly Gold Medallion on Delta, it's enough that I do get to fly First Class quite a bit. Traveling for business is generally a pain in the ass, but riding up front does ease the burden somewhat (and Carlos, the next time I get bumped back to Coach by a Platinum, I will think of YOU!)

However, what I really like about riding up front (and I hope it never happens) is going to be the look on the face of the SOB that pulls out his 'box cutter' in front of me and tries to enter the cockpit. Lets just say that I am going to permanently 'DQ' him.......

[CRubio]

You are correct Brian. It is much better to fly up front. The vast majority of my travel is international and, OK, so there are a few perks that come from spending half your life in the air.

I did take me about a year to be able to sleep during those long flights. Los Angeles to Hong Kong used to be a 16 hour flight so you could eat three meals, watch four movies and still have 5 hours left in the flight. I could almost read an entire Tom Clancy novel per trip.

Now days, I can be asleep before the plane takes off and they wake me up when we land.

Happy Travels.

[geezer-lock]

I have no problems flying, even the take off and landing part is OK. I don’t have a medallion of any sort (unless you count those wings they used to give out on TWA) but I have put in a fair amount of miles over the years. I have done General Aviation in the past and agree that it is the best option, especially if you are twin rated.

I do hate the drive to the airport, parking, shuttles, rental agents and airport “security”. I am going to get my first exposure to TSA while flying with guns in a few weeks. Once I get on the plane my blood pressure goes back to normal. It is just the crap between the flights that sets me off.

geezer

[Fast Shooter Wannabe]

I prefer to fly over driving anyday of the week. It's flying stand by that I don't enjoy.

Jason

[UW Mitch]

I don't like flying because it's a hassle. But in terms of fear of death or anything, I figure when it's your time, it's your time. Plus growing up in Hawaii, how would I get anywhere!

~Mitch

[j1b]

I love flying.

I prefer to be at the controls

[JFlowers]

Considering I see 4 commercial flights a week on average, flying does not bother me. The stupid people in the airports, now they seriously irritate me!

[TM262]

I fly, but I don't like it.

[badassmcgraff]

I don't mind flying as long as I'm the pilot, I can't stand going on commercial planes. I have a vision of the pilot reading a playboy while the planes on autopilot until we're 1/2 mile from the airport and him saying crap now I have to fly for five minutes before I fall back asleep.

[North]

USAF 17+ years. 6 feet 3 inches tall 200 LBS.

I freaking hate flying for a number of reasons.

1. I Know people that work on airplanes. These folks scare the shit out of me, and these guys are at least monitored by the USAF. I shudder to think of the folks that perform maintenance on the almost bankrupt airlines. Back when I was only in the USAF 2-3 years, I saw several crew chiefs stop drinking because they had to launch a jet in a few hours.

2. It is physically painful for me to fly. At the start the seat in front of me is touching my knees, so if the person in front tries to recline at all I'm screwed.

3. As of last weekend beer was $5 a can, strip bars are cheaper.

4. I freaking hate rental cars, if at all possible I will drive and have my vehicle to drive.