http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article4576835.ece]http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/worl...icle4576835.eceI have always been afraid of flying. Its not a phobia - a phobia is defined as am irrational fear but i think its completely rational to be afraid of flying.
During my 20s I forced myself to ignore the alarm bells that rang in my head at the prospect of boarding a plane and went on a few holidays with my bird.
I nearly shat myself on every take off because the worst thing is engine failure during the early stages of take off - I even cried once on a flight to Norway.
despite it all weve also flown to Italy, Portugal, Turkey, and New Zealand with stop offs in Koreas and Fiji over the years but my bird is my wife now, and the mother of my 3 kids, with another due in november and you know what..while i make the decisions, we ain't goin on any planes.
My kids can make their own decision about taking the risk when they are adults...but till then, if we can't go by sea or rail or car, then we ain't goin - simple. I know those 3 are probably more likely to result in an accident STATISTICALY but theres a major difference - I'm in control of more of variables that affect that likelhood. Also, I think that the VAST majority of accidents involved in land travel are surviveable compared to a plane going down.
I can't imagine anything worse than knowing for even a minute that my family and me are about to die an awful death, while sitting in a comfy seat waiting for the impact...powerless to do anything except scream. On land, in an aquaplaning car or at sea on a sinking ship you could fight for survival till either help came or you die - but at least you die fighting - trying to correct the slide and regain grip or finding a float/boyany aid. To have to just sit there, with 150 other people screamin - no way - however unlikely the chance, i can't take it with my wife and daughters.