To never want to get on a plane again?

[TwatMcTwonk]

Just watching coverage of the French air crash
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?

There were less than 1000 fatalities worldwide as a result of aviation accidents last year.

YANBU but you are being unrealistic.

There were 1700 road fatalities in 2013- that's pedestrians, cyclists, car drivers.

That is an awful lot of planes.

If you are really risk averse, take a bus to do your shopping and never get into a car.

Even if you are not a fatality in a car you could be disabled.

It's when air crashes hit the headlines we all gasp- but there are deaths daily on the roads in cars.

In the last year I've had a few incidents that have not been nice to deal with. I'm only part and do still love my job ....but just feel slightly more anxious since being a mum. If I'm honest when I see something like this incident it all feels very close to home. Ultra modern Airbus ....German registered aircraft so I would think impeccably maintained....oh I'm not helping nervous pax here let alone myself

I'm far more scared of cars than planes. With statistically very good reason.

Just looking at the road death stats. 3508 people were killed on British roads in 2003. From 3508 people to 1713 people in 11 years is a massive improvement.

You have more chance of wining the euromillions than dying in a plane crash ... Although I know which I'd prefer!

I know the statistics, but I have not flown for years now. I get in such a state.

We drive to Spain each year and have a lovely time. I can't see me flying any time in the near distant future.

speedbird absolutely. I have been in an aircraft which lost cabin pressure and had to descend rapidly. Also one (on my gap yah) with a landing gear problem that had to burn off some fuel before attempting a landing. And one whose tail pipe caught fire on landing. (I fly almost every week with work...) It still doesn't worry me in the slightest. Statistically, a fatal accident is vanishingly unlikely. No less sad for the families of the poor buggers on the German Wings flight though.

No YANBU. I'm shoulder to shoulder with you.

If that sucker goes down, it's game over.

Long live terra firma.

Apparently an onboard safety system told the plane to descend because it had faulty data, thinking it was higher than it was. Makes me wonder why the pilots couldn't switch it off. Heart goes out to all on board and families. Terrible tragedy, but uncommon considering the amount of flights that come and go every day.

I feel exactly the same. I'm not keen on flying though I do fly for holidays and visiting. But I used to really enjoy it. Not now. And even less after today's tragedy. Reporters are being careful not to speculate as to the cause but it's obvious to me what most of them are thinking.

I'm getting an overnight ferry with the kids in June, and it seems like there have been a lot of ferry disasters recently too... I am already planning to have warm clothes for the kids (4&2) in case we end up in a lifeboat...

I COMPLETELY get what your saying op. I haven't flown for 2 years now (last flight was a Virgin flying without fear course). I'm totally & utterly terrified. The amount of crashes that have happened over the past few years compound my feelings further. It's irrational and statistically unlikely but the fear over rides any enjoyment I could get out of a trip

Actually no, it's not all or nothing in case of airplane crash. Survival rate of passengers in airplane crashes is actually staggering 95.7%.

Is it??

Only1scoop - the maintenance for german wings is outsourced I believe. They announced 650 job cuts in 2013 as part of a money saving program.

I go with my partner on this one - the only time I won't fly is if the pilot and other crew refuse to get on the plane. They have a vested interest in not crashing.

Humans are very bad at assessing risk. Yes you are more likely to survive a car crash but you are, in risk terms, much more likely to be in a crash in a car and the odds of dying in a crash are higher every time you get in a car than when you get on a plane.

www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/jul/24/avoid-air-travel-mh17-math-risk-guide

Bit out of date now but the maths still stands!

Yes absolutely agree with HazleNutt - AirAsia crash had only a few fatalities, the crash in NY recently had none, we just hear an awful lot less about them as there is less shock value to report on.

Yes, 90-95 based on US Department of Transportation or European Transport Safety Council respective reviews.
abcnews.go.com/International/odds-surviving-plane-crash/story?id=22886654

Is it getting older or having your children with you?

I think I would probably not be so nervous flying alone rather than with my family.

I can just about get into a motorway in the day time, no way at night, but not with my kids in the car. No way.

I have got more fear with age.

I wasn't talking about cars though, squoosh - I specifically said trains and buses. A quick skim of Wiki's 'list of rail accidents' in 2014 suggests there were fewer than 100 deaths globally as a result of train travel last year.

Flying is statistically safer than driving, but I disagree that it's the oft-quoted 'safest form of transport'.

turn off all the coverage then and stop working yourself up.
you have more chance of winning the lottery than dying in a plane crash.
you're much more likely to die on the road than in the air.