Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To never want to get on a plane again?

310 replies

TwatMcTwonk · 24/03/2015 12:17

Just watching coverage of the French air crash Sad
I've always been a nervous flyer, took medication etc and would still be anxious all the way through the flight.

Used to go on holiday as a family, maybe two or three times a year, but I'm seriously thinking I don't think I could physically get on a plane again after all these news reports.

I know, statistically, it's rare to be involved in a plane crash, but I can't shake this awful feeling that it is just happening too often for my liking.

Anyone else feel like this?

OP posts:
chickenfuckingpox · 26/03/2015 19:40

my essential problem with plane crashes and malfunctions is that if a car engine malfunctions you an usually pull over/stop/hazard lights etc and get out in a train you can get out hell in a boat there is a life raft and life jackets etc on a plane the only way is down

the news coverage is nasty about the air crash they have a guy who took pictures on his camera phone he was supposed to be a rescue worker or something winched down to the crash site and a big part of me is looking at him thinking you flipping GHOUL how DARE you take pictures on your phone to flash on tv people lost there lives and there FAMILY could be watching and your getting your 15 minutes................stopping myself there

as you can see i dont watch the news very often for a reason Blush

Postexpatlimbo · 26/03/2015 19:50

But plane malfunctions happen so very much less than car crashes which kill millions of people a year! Far far too much an everyday tragedy for those involved for it even to ever be news. Which is sad. Should be concerted effort put into road safety. Agree that coverage has been ghoulish and event v sad. But fact its so newsworthy is because it's so incredibly rare. So OP asked, and yes they are being v v unreasonable.

Postexpatlimbo · 26/03/2015 19:53

I think reasearch has proven sonething about our (generally misplaced) sense of control. Even though that split second headon crash on narrow road may be utterly unavoidable, we still kid ourselves that we could somehow maneuver out if it, should we be in that situation. Whereas on a plane, undeniable loss of control.

PiperIsTerrysChoclateOrange · 26/03/2015 19:58

I have a real fear of flying, never been on an airplane and I have no disire to go on one.

CunningCat · 26/03/2015 20:14

Those poor people on board that planeSad
Apparently they were heard screaming, the stuff of nightmares.
I wonder who has leaked this to the press?

GunShotResidue · 26/03/2015 20:27

chicken it was quoted up thread that 95% of people survive a plane malfunction/crash. There was the case a few months ago of the landing gear not opening out properly. We watched the plane fly in circles off the coast of Devon before it returned to London and managed to land, slightly bumpier than normal but everyone was fine. But people only tend to remember the big, extremely rare, crashes.

TheRealAmandaClarke · 26/03/2015 20:41

How dreadful. Awful. Poor people. Their poor families. I was so sorry to read this.

CalicoBlue · 26/03/2015 20:48

I hate flying, not scared but hate the sensation and feel sick. In the past 3 years DH has only managed to get me on a flight from London to Edinburgh.

We were thinking of going to Italy this summer, I have just told him I am not flying so we need to stay in the UK.

Though he flies weekly with work, so I will still worry about him.

specialsubject · 26/03/2015 21:34

today's updates are just beyond belief.

Sept 11 claims more victims. Desperately sad.

BifsWif · 26/03/2015 21:36

I haven't had time to read the full thread yet, so apologies if this has been said before, but have you got the flightradar24 app? I have a terrible fear of flying but I love this app! To see how many planes are on the sky at any one time is amazing, and really puts it all into perspective. I even have the 'alerts' things switched on so I get a pop up if a plane declares an emergency - they come through a few times a day from all over the world but the aircraft always seem to land safely!

Original poster
TwatMcTwonk · 26/03/2015 21:43

Agghh!! I wish people wouldn't keep saying "oh you're more likely to die in a car crash" blah blah.

of course you are more likely to die in a car crash! There are far, far more cars on the roads of the world than planes in the sky at any one time so obviously the odds will reflect this.

What a stupid comparison...

OP posts:
Postexpatlimbo · 26/03/2015 21:48

Not a stupid comparison at all Hmm It is highly stupid to be more afraid pf flying than of getting in a car after 1 rare plane crash hits the headlines. There is lots of research- per passenger mile, planes & trains safer by far. But carry on, Op. Just don't ask whether you're being unreasonable if you don't like the answer!

Original poster
TwatMcTwonk · 26/03/2015 21:50

Also, just to add, we have stayed in the same hotel several times in the Canaries literally right next to the airport and I have seen dozens of planes coming in to land and taking off with no issues.

But this does not help my irrational fear. Same as I'm not scared of rats or mice or moths or wasps or heights or confined spaces or cockroaches or clowns or whatever... But I'd never try to tell someone who was afraid of any of these things they are daft.

I would lift a house spider out the bath by its legs. I shooed a rat off my bird table last year. I just bloody well hate planes.

OP posts:
Froggio · 26/03/2015 21:54

I drive long distances every day and I know how dangerous that it in terms of road accident stats vs airplane accident stats but I still am so so nervous about flying. It's not even just the taking off and landing, it's the whole thing for me.

For me it's about being strapped in a confined space, not being in control of the 'driving' and not being able to help my children if we crash. I know the same can be said about the car.

I will fly again but I know I'll be a quivering mess when I do. I am trying mindful meditation to get rid of this fear. Fear of flying is like any other fear. It's like having a fear of spiders and being told "why are you scared, they can't hurt you".

Original poster
TwatMcTwonk · 26/03/2015 21:56

Thanks for your concern Postexpat but I got the very answer I was looking for..
If you read the thread you will see most people dislike flying.
Sorry about that.

OP posts:
Dancergirl · 26/03/2015 22:05

This is taking such a horrible chilling turn.

I was listening to the coverage on the radio today, what is a mystery is WHY the co-pilot did it. He has been described by colleagues as quiet but friendly with no history of depression. Apparently pilots are tested regularly for mental illness.

There seemed to be no argument or disagreement with the captain. So, so strange. I wonder if we'll ever find out the real truth.

lertgush · 26/03/2015 22:08

Most of my family are or used to be pilots. Several of them have done far more miles in planes than they have in cars.

Between them all, in around 80 years of flying, they have had two incidents.

One shot down in WW2. Parachuted to safety and lived to be 90.

One had an incident when flying for the RAF in 1969, where they ended up flying on one engine. They landed safely. He is now 72 and has had to retire and misses flying enormously.

My husband also flies every week for work. He has experienced zero incidents.

OTOH several members of my family have died in car crashes. I've been involved in three car crashes - in one of them I was cut out of the car.

I'm far more scared of travelling by car than I am of flying.

DuelingFanjo · 26/03/2015 22:09

I'd rather be highly stupid than completely lacking sympathy.

CunningCat · 26/03/2015 22:15

This disaster looks increasingly like an orchestrated event by the co pilot.
Suicide with 150 people on board.
Shocking.

Kittymum03 · 26/03/2015 22:15

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

hmc · 26/03/2015 22:18

Postexpatlimbo

A phobia is an irrational fear. If only it was as simple as thinking "I'm being silly, my fears are groundless - get over it". There isn't free will in phobias - people don't choose to be scared witless. I suggest that you educate yourself

Postexpatlimbo · 26/03/2015 22:21

This post is in AIBU not mental health so am fully within my rights, thank you kindly, to point out oP is being unreasonable. i Accept that you may disagree without descending to recommending you educate yourself.

GunShotResidue · 26/03/2015 22:34

OP I think most people are just trying to reassure you, and others who might be reading the thread because they are concerned but not actually phobic . I have a phobia of worms (but not snakes, talk about irrational!) of course yanbu to be scared, but people aren't being unreasonable in pointing out the stats either.

CunningCat · 26/03/2015 22:46

I have a phobia of flying.
What (appears to have) happened on this flight only makes it worse.
No flying for me!

Topseyt · 26/03/2015 22:51

I am finding today's revelations pretty disturbing really. Will we ever know the full truth?

The suggestion that someone could want to commit suicide an be willing to kill 150 (or whatever) people with them is very shocking. I can't help wondering if there could be much more to this story than we may ever hear.

I don't think fear of flying is entirely irrational because humans were never designed to fly. Statistically it is very safe, and I will continue to fly occasionally. It doesn't remove the fact though that 35,000 feet is an alien environment we are just not designed to inhabit.

It isn't irrational in the way that fear of spiders is irrational (I hate spiders, don't do spiders at all). Statistics put the risks into proper perspective though. That is why I will still fly, despite being very nervous of it).

Swipe left for the next trending thread