Speaking of travel anxiety, must there always be an air accident before I fly?

[Colleen]

I'm not afraid of flying; I know the chances of dying in a plane crash are so very slim and all that business. But honest-to-goodness, every single time I have a flight on my near horizon, there's a major air accident. I mean seriously, if you have any qualms about flying, do yourself a favor and don't coordinate your travel plans with mine. The only time it really did scare the heck out of me was when I flew to the Soviet Union a few days after the Lockerbie crash. I really had to force myself to get on the plane. (And incidentally, my subsequent Aeroflot flights were the scariest I ever in my life experienced.) Then the following summer, there was my flight just after a United plane went down in Iowa. (My good friend's dad was the flight engineer on that one.) And the trip to Switzerland shortly after a SwissAir plane crashed into the Atlantic. To name a few. And now this crash in Spain today. So sad.:sad:

I guess I do understand what Melissa (Mom2Legomaniacs) means about travel anxiety, to an extent. Something about getting older, or maybe it's having children, has turned me into much more of a homebody, and when an airliner crashes, I just want to curl up on the couch with a blanket and a book and ignore the wider world.

[percytruffle]

I was just reading about that crash and thinking, why do they always have to happen when dh is away and has to fly to get home. He is in Germany. Ugh.

Good thoughts and prayers for your flight.

[KIN]

I have had a recurring nightmare ever since 9/11. I'm looking up into the air and a plane is coming closer and closer to the ground and then it crashes. Then, more and more planes start crashing to the ground. I usually wake up then.

So, um, ya. :001_huh: I have a bit of travel anxiety. :tongue_smilie: I think I'd be even more anxious if there were actual, real, live accidents close to when I was traveling. Would you mind posting any travel dates of yours? That way I'm sure to avoid those times.... :D

ETA: I'm really not wanting to make light of your feelings. I do totally understand what you are saying and feel the same way myself about wanting to curl up and ignore the greater world.

[Happy]

If it helps any.....in the time after a major incident every pilot is flying a little (and sometimes a lot) sharper than they were the day before.

This afternoon, my pilot dh was thinking through what happened in Spain. Every one is taking a moment and reviewing all their safety and emergency procedures.

Rest assured all those pilots who will crew your plane are planning on taking very good care of you. ;)

[Pam "SFSOM" in TN]

Something about getting older, or maybe it's having children, has turned me into much more of a homebody, and when an airliner crashes, I just want to curl up on the couch with a blanket and a book and ignore the wider world.[/COLOR][/FONT]

:grouphug:

[Mom2legomaniacs]

:grouphug: indeed! I, too, just want to curl up in my safe place and knit myself into oblivion.:grouphug:

[WendyK]

I hear ya. I'm flying in Oct to Germany. I'm not afraid to fly, but I don't particularly like it. And what is worse, I have 3 planes each way. So six flights. I don't like increasing my odds. KWIM?!

:001_huh:

[Colleen]

If it helps any.....in the time after a major incident every pilot is flying a little (and sometimes a lot) sharper than they were the day before.

This afternoon, my pilot dh was thinking through what happened in Spain. Every one is taking a moment and reviewing all their safety and emergency procedures.

Rest assured all those pilots who will crew your plane are planning on taking very good care of you. ;)

Thanks for the reassurance.:) I've known a number of pilots over the years, including one who is a good friend of ours now, and I don't question their abilities. Nonetheless, air accidents, although rare, are disconcerting.

[Colleen]

I hear ya. I'm flying in Oct to Germany. I'm not afraid to fly, but I don't particularly like it. And what is worse, I have 3 planes each way. So six flights.

Where are you changing planes? Sometimes we're able to go direct from Vancouver to Zurich, which is so-o-o-o nice. More often, like this time, we change in another European city. I always avoid changing at U.S. airports because for us, it really lengthens our total travel time. Where in Germany are you going, btw?

[WendyK]

If it helps any.....in the time after a major incident every pilot is flying a little (and sometimes a lot) sharper than they were the day before.

This afternoon, my pilot dh was thinking through what happened in Spain. Every one is taking a moment and reviewing all their safety and emergency procedures.

Rest assured all those pilots who will crew your plane are planning on taking very good care of you. ;) great point..and thought! :001_smile:

[Jenny in Atl]

Can you imagine if they covered car accidents like they cover plane crashes...
One just involves more people all at one time.

[Chelle in MO]

For me, I think the airplane anxiety is a control thing. Not that I *can* control things in my car, but I *feel* more in control.

One time I heard about a plane crash at an airport that my pilot-brother frequents and called to check on him. Being the smart aleck that he is, he said, "Oh, I'm sorry! I knew there was a car wreck in St. Louis today and I didn't call and check on you!"

I KNOW the statistics are worse for being in a car wreck, but airplane crashes (maybe because they aren't as common) are just scarier!

Take a few deeps breaths, Colleen, and have a wonderful trip!

Chelle

[Colleen]

Can you imagine if they covered car accidents like they cover plane crashes...One just involves more people all at one time.

Yep, it involves more people, which is why it "feels" more significant. And like Chelle said, the control factor plays a role.