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Original poster

How do you feel about flying now? Would you?

10 replies

Hayls · 16/08/2006 09:47

Just curious really. We have booked (non-refundable) flights within the UK next week and are feeling a bit wobbly about it. Dh was meant to fly from Gatwick to USA last Thursday but for a number of reasons didn't go- not only because of what was going on but he wouldn't have flown after that anyway. Logically I know that a domestic flight from a non-London airport should be OK but there is a bit of me that is screaming not to go. Dh hates flying at the best of times and keeps saying that whils tthe restrictions are in place it is relatively safe to fly but as soon as the restrictions are lifted it will be even more riskier than before (he reckons they will be lifted just before we're meant to fly)

So, would you fly? Would we be utterly ridiculous not to?

P.S Although we can't cancel the flights we can transfer them for a 'nominal' (i.e extortionate) fee so we could drive then fly at a later date. Hoever, we would then have to pay for petrol and a hotel room on the return journey

OP posts:

expatinscotland · 16/08/2006 09:57

After 9/11, I found flying to be right up there w/piles for annoying nuisance PITA.

That reason alone has put me off flying entirely and I've not done it for over 4 years.

My folks won't fly out of the US anymore - they go through Mexico.

They usually manage to bypass Britain as well - going to Dublin or out of hte way places in Europe and then jumping on a train or hiring a car.

oliveoil · 16/08/2006 10:00

I was on a round the world trip when 9/11 happened and like Expat says, it was a major PITA with the security.

We flew from NZ to Hawaii and went through about 5 checkpoints, shoes on shoes off shoes on shoes off etc etc

I wouldn't be worried unduly re safety, but the thought of hours in an airport with my two girls AND a dh who is scared of flying......no thanks.

Medulla · 16/08/2006 10:00

We are supposed to be visiting friends in the USA in October but I just don't feel comfortable about going. Haven't booked anyting yet - thankfully!

MarsLady · 16/08/2006 10:01

Yes I would. Probably be safer next week than at any time cos they will still be on high alert.

That aside, I would still travel in much the same way I continue to use the Tube in London.

estobi1 · 16/08/2006 10:10

I am going to Tunisia in September and I have to say I am a bit apprehensive. Generally I love flying and I am quite an adventurous person but at the back of my mind I don't like the idea of taking my dd on plane at this time. However, we have to carry on. Yes there is a slim chance that something like this could happen to you but security is as tight as it can be and you probably have more chance of being killed in a car crash going to do your weekly shop than being killed in a hijacked plane. I am going to focus on how to keep my little one amused for four hours if we can't take her toys which is the most scary thing of all! Hope you have a great trip and don't let these people take over your life! Good luck!

orangegiraffe · 16/08/2006 10:11

I would still fly but I would be shitting myself

Original poster

Hayls · 16/08/2006 10:12

Thanks for comments. I hadn't really considered the wait being such an isuse but I suppose it will be so that could be a factor too... It's only a 50 minute flight so I think I could grin and bear it for that amount of time but dh will take some convincing. In my head I have decided it is OK to fly but I@m not sure if I'll feel differently when I arrive at the airport!

OP posts:

lapsedrunner · 16/08/2006 11:51

It's still the safest form of travel.

expatinscotland · 16/08/2006 11:53

It's not the safety factor that concerns me, it's just such an uncomfortable PITA - hours of queuing, being treated like a criminal b/c of these bloody terrorists, stuffed into seats too small for a gerbil, etc.

If I can't get there in my car, on a train or on a boat, I'm not going.

m1m1rie · 16/08/2006 12:47

I fly to and from USA and Ireland regularly, and can honestly say that it doesn't bother me at all. The only time which felt strange was when I flew to LA via Pittsburgh on US Airways two weeks after the 9/11 attacks. The plane was almost empty and you could have heard a pin drop as we took off. But that was the first time we had witnessed such large-scale terror and it was bound to make people take more notice or put them off altogether. Perhaps my attitude stems from growing up in London in the 70s and 80s and being quite accustomed to bomb threats and evacuations when out and about. It pays to remind yourself that hundreds of thousands of people die every day in mundane ways, and to think that you are going to die just because you board a plane is a bit of an over-reaction. You are far more likely to die in a road accident on your way to the airport, as we are constantly reminded. Besides, we shouldn't be put off living our lives because we fear what may happen to us. If you put too much thought into anything, you can be put off doing most things.

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