What's your opinion of flying?

**brainsmile** · 07-02-2002, 11:19 AM

I know for the most part they say that you have a higher chance of getting hit by lightning than getting into an airline crash but I gotta admit that there seems to be an increased frequency of air incidents lately. Including that pilot from America West that was going to fly intoxicated until they stopped him and tested his breath.

I don't know if I'll fly often from now on.

**Hiro** · 07-02-2002, 11:20 AM

I have a very strong fear of flying.

**jase71** · 07-02-2002, 11:30 AM

I never had a fear of flying until my trip to Europe. There was a wicked crosswind landing at Heathrow.

The pilot aborted the first landing just after the wheels touched down. He cranked up the throttles, took off again, and we went through the pattern again before the second attempt. The buffeting was bad. The air sickness bags came out. He came on and told us the winds were bad, and that the landing might be a little rough the next time around.

The second attempt was even more fun. I had a window seat, so I saw more than most. Just as the plane touched down a huge gust hit the plane. The left side of the plane lifted pretty dramatically. I was sitting on the right side of the plane, and saw the right wingtip come within just a couple of feet of touching the ground. The plane then slammed back down pretty hard. A few people screamed at the bounce.

The person meeting us was late, so we had to hang around for a bit. We saw the pilot and co-pilot come off the plane. I couldn't hear what they were talking about, but they both looked a little shook up.

I still fly when I need to, but ever since then, landing scares the hell out of me.

**whitak24** · 07-02-2002, 11:39 AM

i absolutely love flying. the bigger the plane, the better. it's just a rush to take off, a rush to break through the clouds, a rush to land.

i have no fear at all. i figure if i'm going to die someday, i'd way rather die in an airplane crash than in some lame car accident.

i've been in a few nutty situations, especially in TINY props coming into charleston, wv (the airport is on the top of a mountain, which means you can get some interesting wind patterns. however, none of them sound as crazy and jase's near-crash experience in london.

of course, not that i'd mind experiencing something like that. it would just be interesting to watch everyone else's reactions and see what was going on. (don't tell this to my GF, she'd not like these ideas

)

**Speedfreak** · 07-02-2002, 11:45 AM

I love flying. I love the speed of the takeoffs, espcially out of John Wayne airport here in Orange County. You take off from that place almost going straight up.

**molecularfire** · 07-02-2002, 11:55 AM

Until I grow wings, I guess I'm stuck with planes.

If I die, so be it. Sometimes in life, all you can do is bend over.

**~~DoPeY5007~~** · 07-02-2002, 11:56 AM

Originally posted by molecularfire
Until I grow wings, I guess I'm stuck with planes. If I die, so be it. Sometimes in life, all you can do is bend over.

**Burzhui** · 07-02-2002, 12:05 PM

Originally posted by Speedfreak
I love flying. I love the speed of the takeoffs,

**brain** · 07-02-2002, 12:08 PM

Originally posted by brainsmile
I know for the most part they say that you have a higher chance of getting hit by lightning than getting into an airline crash but I gotta admit that there seems to be an increased frequency of air incidents lately. Including that pilot from America West that was going to fly intoxicated until they stopped him and tested his breath.

I don't know if I'll fly often from now on.

I flew America Worst twice and I'll never do it again. THey have got to be one of the crappiest airlines in existence. From LAX to Las Vegas, it took us over 4 hours due to the fact their flight staff sucked.

**Merlin** · 07-02-2002, 12:33 PM

Flying or riding the bus...is there really that much of a difference?

**Sir_Froggy** · 07-02-2002, 12:37 PM

i don't like flying. not that i'm scared of flying just that i don't like sitting still for a long time not doing anything. and I can't sleep either because it is so uncomfortable.

i only like it when we firt take off and go through clouds...its really cool

**jase71** · 07-02-2002, 12:53 PM

Originally posted by Merlin
Flying or riding the bus...is there really that much of a difference?

About 30,000ft... vertically speaking.

There's a much shorter distance to fall from a bus!

MJordanash · 07-02-2002, 01:24 PM

I love to fly. Either way something could happen with any type of travel...Doesnt really cross my mind all that often. Back in February, flying out of New York we had to make an emergency landing. Scared me for a little while as it would anybody, but not something that worries me anymore.

**mojo** · 07-02-2002, 02:21 PM

gimme a ticket for an aeroplane
ain't got time to take a fast train
lonely days are gone
i'm-a goin home
my baby just a-wrote me a letter

**jase71** · 07-02-2002, 02:44 PM

"I'm leavin' on a jet plane... don't know when I'll be back again..."

And look how much good it did John Denver.

Ok, ok, so it wasn't a jet that killed him... it was almost ironic..

**NuTs62** · 07-02-2002, 03:13 PM

i dont have a fear of flying.. maybe its cuz i know whatever mode of transportation we take.. there is an inherant risk of danger.. driving, walking, taking the train.. you name it, theres a danger.. yeah.. its disturbing to hear about all these accidents and those pilots a bit intoxicated.. but thats not gonna stop me from flying the "friendly" skies.

**johnnymk** · 07-02-2002, 03:43 PM

There's something about flying over the clouds and then coming down looking at the farms and the cities that gives me a different perspective of life. Of course, that feeling only lasts a day or two.

**jase71** · 07-02-2002, 04:06 PM

When the aborted landing scared the bejeezus out of me, I think I realized what was the worst part of it...

...the lack of control.

I know driving is more dangerous. I'm much more likely to die in a car crash than a plane crash. The odds aren't even close.

But when I'm in a car, I'm in control. My fate is (mostly) in my own hands. I'm an active participant in my own fate. Sure, I might kill myself, but I can also save myself.

In a plane, I'm just along for the ride. Whether I live or die in a bad situation, like my landing incident, has absolutely NOTHING to do with my participation. Someone else completely controls whether I live or die. I'm helpless.

When all goes well, that doesn't bother me. When something goes wrong, that scares the HELL out of me.

**Nanotech9** · 07-02-2002, 04:37 PM

i've made 6 trips from NewYork area to Madrid... the first few were on 747's - freakin 4 seats on teh sides and an isle of 6 in the center (yeah - freakin huge).

i made a flight down to Sao Paulo and back, and various other smaller planes and little Cessna 172's and 152's etc... I was actually in a flight program, and takeing lessons to become a pilot for a while.

in a few years i hope to get into parachuting and / or paragliding.

**brain** · 07-02-2002, 05:49 PM

Originally posted by Corsec
I have a very strong fear of flying.

And you are supposed to be Superman? Some super hero you are!

**dbax791** · 07-02-2002, 09:40 PM

I hate absolutely everything about flying. The small cramped seats, the turbulence, the delays due to "mechanical" reasons, waiting in line at the ticket counter, waiting in the security line...you name it.

My last flight from Vegas to Phoenix took 7 hours door-to-door, coulda driven there faster.

**seqiro** · 07-02-2002, 10:22 PM

me no like flying.

**NuTs62** · 07-02-2002, 11:43 PM

Originally posted by DarkFury
Flying is a necessary evil sometimes... However I can only take it in small doses.

what bouts ur hoes across the country? how are ya supposed to pimp 'em if ya dont fly 'round? dont tell me "beam me up scotty"

**Showtime** · 07-03-2002, 12:01 AM

The worst flight ive been on was a SW flight to San Francisco. It was raining outside and hella windy. The plane would just drop every other minute and sometimes it felt like it 10 second drops.
Usually Im ok with flying. On this flight everyone was nervous and this couple and I started some small talk and had a couple of drinks. I kept thinking I didnt want to die alone like this but it was nice have them to talk to. I usually keep to myself on flights but i think that sense of the possibility of crashing made us all a little more open. I think we "bonded."

Ended up circling the airport for an hour and when we finally landed people cheered. Kinda like Airplane the movie. Never seen so many relieved people leave an airplane.
-jel

**Cheesypuff** · 07-03-2002, 02:03 AM

it was kinda cool...One time..one my way to china...it was raining really hard...and the plane would do some mad drops...we started to land...and the plane was going down really lightly...than all of a suden...slam...the wind took us down and smack...we hit the ground like a monkeys uncle...We still taxied to the gate, but that was the hardest landing I've ever had! I was so fun!!

**brainsmile** · 07-03-2002, 08:05 AM

Originally posted by DarkFury
That's where the "Mackmobile" comes into play...

I've got Pro's... in different Area Codes...

Mackmobile???

**molecularfire** · 07-03-2002, 09:04 AM

But when I'm in a car, I'm in control. My fate is (mostly) in my own hands. I'm an active participant in my own fate. Sure, I might kill myself, but I can also save myself.

In a plane, I'm just along for the ride. Whether I live or die in a bad situation, like my landing incident, has absolutely NOTHING to do with my participation. Someone else completely controls whether I live or die. I'm helpless.

Yeah. Sometimes, I'd rather be flying the plane that crashes than a helpless passenger in one that lands.

**brainsmile** · 07-03-2002, 11:13 AM

Originally posted by molecularfire

Yeah. Sometimes, I'd rather be flying the plane that crashes than a helpless passenger in one that lands.

**attgig** · 07-03-2002, 01:27 PM

Originally posted by Sir_Froggy
i don't like flying. not that i'm scared of flying just that i don't like sitting still for a long time not doing anything. and I can't sleep either because it is so uncomfortable.

try first class...
wait...who the heck am I to talk? I've never been on 1st class

**molecularfire** · 07-03-2002, 02:06 PM

i don't like flying. not that i'm scared of flying just that i don't like sitting still for a long time not doing anything. and I can't sleep either because it is so uncomfortable.

Try the wings... There's lots of room on the wings...

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