To Not Want to Fly to France at The Moment

[ICanSeeYourPixelss]

I'm usually a very rational person, I suppose deep down I'm hoping that you all tell me YABU so that I can carry on my merry way.

We travel to France several times a year, but I've never flown before. I already have a bit of anxiety because I'm flying for the first time, however, this has been amplified fifty times over with all of the awful things in the news at the moment.

I just want to make the right decision for my family, I can't decide. We go next month and I have nobody to ask who isn't biased towards us going. So, tell me straight, would you fly to the South of France with your young family right now?

[Anicechocolatecake]

Yes.
Awful as the attacks have been, they have affected a tiny number of people (I feel dreadful writing that but it is the truth). Statistically the odds are in your favour. France is a safe country. Lots of people are flying there day in, day out and having a lovely time. My friends were in Bordeaux this week and felt safe. There are more armed police about but that's it.

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

absolutely I would.

Tell you what, it's better than the ferry this week

[PotteringAlong]

Of course I would.

[Birdsgottafly]

Flying is the safest route.

They know everyone who is getting on the plane and Airport security is watertight, once you are in the Departure Lounge.

After every attack, the Security Forces know were they've made mistakes and things improve.

[lovelyupnorth]

Off course I would.

[eurochick]

Yes and we will be doing it next month as we do every year.

[notjustamum2]

We just have.. came last Tues and going home in a few days. It's been wonderful

[LagunaBubbles]

Yes, I love France and am disappointed we can't manage to go this year.

[Clandestino]

Statistically, there's a good chance the next attack happens in Britain.

[stopgap]

I'm flying to Nice in two weeks, and yes, I suppose I will be a little more nervous and watchful than usual at the airport, and I'm sure the armed patrols along the French Riviera will serve as persistent reminders, but we are still going.

[blueskyinmarch]

My 18yo DD flew to Nice on Wednesday and is flying back tomorrow. It was never suggested she shouldn’t go. I suspect security is very high at the moment. There are many flights into Nice each day and those planes are all full of people who have decided to go. They have all been fine. I would go if i was you.

[StepCatsmother]

I completely agree with all the comments on this thread - air travel is generally safe and we should not live our lives in fear.

However, I am curious about why the sentiment on this thread is so different to that seen on threads by people concerned about travel to Egypt.

[Anicechocolatecake]

Egyptian airport security is not good. Are you forgetting a plane was blown up and it is thought to be due to an airport worker smuggling a bomb on board? Egypt is completely different. I'be been. I'd love to go back. I wouldn't for now

[insancerre]

I would fly to France but not to Egypt because their security is pants

[ICanSeeYourPixelss]

Thank you! Gosh, I feel so much better reading your replies.

I think that subconsciously I'm probably looking for a valid excuse to get out of it, I was already a bit anxious about flying for the first time and these terrible incidents have kind of piled on top of it all for me.

If it was just me I know that I wouldn't think twice about going, but with little ones to think about too, I just had this horrible feeling that I was being reckless with their safety.

[Anicechocolatecake]

Not reckless, no. I can totally understand your concerns and I'm sure others feel them but at the end of the day there is no life without risk. You can't even stay at home to stay safe, given the accidents that sometimes happen at home.
France is safe. Go and have a lovely time. The world will keep turning.

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

because this is the foreign office advice for Egypt. It doesn't sound very enticing!

[manicinsomniac]

YABU but totally understandably.

That's the horror of terrorism - it's so random and unpredictable that, even though it affects almost nobody, it makes everybody nervous of going about their normal lives. Hideous.

I'm terrified of flying and only do it if there's no other feasible way of reaching a destination. Therefore, no I wouldn't fly to France but I would go via another (less safe!) mode of transport.

I'm currently on my way back from Russia with my kids on trains through Europe. Our next change is in Cologne. Then Brussells. And I'm distinctly nervous. Much more so than I have been about Poland and Russia. Im sure it will be fine and obviously have no choice now but yes, however ridiculous and unlikely it is, the fear does creep in.