Who else on RDP has never......

[PokerRun388]

Been in a commercial airliner?

I've never been on a plane and have always had a huge fear of flying. My parents tried to get me on a plane when I was younger and I refused. I don't think I could actually step out from the terminal to the plane without freaking out, it's that bad...

I guess just watching Jamie's video thread and the recent flight 370 disaster, got me thinking about flying again..

So does anyone else have a fear about getting on a commercial jet?


TGIF! Have a good/safe day everyone!

 

[Sandlord]

My wife flys twice a week, and I did too up until this year.
Other than a few random delays it wasn't much of a concern, until last night.
Her flight from Sacramento to Dallas had an electrical problem and filled the cabin with smoke, (or fog, as the pilot called it).
They lost cabin pressure and made an emergency landing in Albuquerque.

 

[Aaron]

I was an aviation mechanic in the Marine Corp and worked for Northrop when I got out. Once you understand the theory behind flight you will probably feel a little safer.
Also take in to consideration the amount of plane crashes vs. the amount of car crashes, the experience of a pilot vs. the idiot texting while driving in the car next to you or on the freeway, I feel a bit more safe in the air.

 

[was thatguy]

My stepson wont fly.
Did once 4 years ago to Hawaii. Rendered him near catatonic.

He's 22 now.

FWIW, I average over 50,000 air miles a year.
Been in 2 emergency shut downs during takeoff acceleration, couple tire blowouts on landings, etc.

Used to fly to Prudhoe Bay every 2 weeks and had some WAY hairy landings there, as well as some sideways landings at Dutch Harbor. (Where the crab boats are)

Scariest ever, without a doubt, is landing at cape Romanzoff on the wast coast of Alaska. Strip is dirt and literally cut into the side of mountain. We would take twin engine craft leased by DOD into that nightmare.
Strip is littered with crashed airplanes.

We would leave King Salmon, AK and fly a few hours to get there, then find a hole in the clouds, dive down to within 300' or so of the Ocean.
IF we saw water, the pilots would head for the coast on instruments. IF they saw the strip within like a mile of visibility, they would TRY to line up and land.

Many, Many times we aborted and flew back home. Try again the next day.
Here is what approach looks like. Note runway has one way in, one way out, and landing is uphill.
Take off is downhill and you actually fall off the end then start flying...

After that, Airliners seem pretty mundane to Me! I'm asleep before rotation and wake up at the gate!

 

[SJP]

PR - I have to travel all the time for work, fun and visit family. It is going to be hard for you to make the Miami boat show if you do not catch a flight. No stress - just get on the plane and go.

 

[was thatguy]

My wife flys twice a week, and I did too up until this year.
Other than a few random delays it wasn't much of a concern, until last night.
Her flight from Sacramento to Dallas had an electrical problem and filled the cabin with smoke, (or fog, as the pilot called it).
They lost cabin pressure and made an emergency landing in Albuquerque.

Oh wow, I fly that a lot.

Leaving out of Midland in a couple hours actually, but going through Denver then Sac.

United?

 

[Paul65k]

Steven,

I've flown over 7 Million Miles commercially to many places around the world during my business career. I have to say that I have not had but a couple of issues where everything didn't go perfectly in well over 1000 flights, but in every case the pilots did what they are trained to do.....handle the situation:thumbup:

I have also spent over 2000 hours behind the stick myself in a variety of smaller planes and have only had to manage "Situations" a couple of times as fortunately like the pros I was trained and ready to manage them. Truth be told; as much as I had a natural love for flying the first 5 years or so I was unbelievably apprehensive every time I got in the cockpit

Having a fear of flying is natural for most folks, but like most other things in life when you do it more often it becomes second nature.

 

[DeltaSigBoater]

Getting on a plane in a few hours.

 

[FreeBird236]

I've only flown about 10 times and I'm not a real good flyer. It's not the flying, it's being somewhere I can't get out.:yikes The shorter the flight the better, that way if I freak out I can handle a few hours. Not sure I could handle thinking about a 15 hour flight.

 

[Crazyhippy]

Having a fear of flying is natural for most folks, but like most other things in life when you do it more often it becomes second nature.

Being afraid of lots of things is perfectly normal. Letting that fear make decisions for you is not.

Flying for me is a last resort, but no big deal all the same. First few flights were bad, anxiety attacks with a thin veil of control. Like merging onto the freeway the first time... A few flights and confidence comes. A few dozen more and you are texting, eating, drinking, shaving, and flipping someone off while merging without issue.

 

[Tom Brown]

The thing with flying is, you need to do it if you want to see very much of the world. That's a shame. The plane experience sucks. You're jammed into a small space with only limited opportunity to move around for hours on end. You're just stuck in that little aluminum tube for often 10~30 minutes prior to takeoff. Sometimes, you have to wait for a while for a gate to come open after landing so you're just sitting there again. You wouldn't experience much of this but we have to wait in lineups of plans to get de-iced prior to takeoff. Meanwhile, the TSA is going to see your woman naked and feel up the genitals of your kids.

Flying outside the US is substantially better. No groin groping, no nude pictures, often you don't even have to take off your shoes. Seats tend to be be a bit larger too, but fares tend to be substantially higher.

Yeah, it sucks rocks but you have to choose between that and not seeing the world.

 

[McRib]

Nope. My vagina has never swollen up that much. I've flown around the world multiple times in sound aircraft and military not so sound aircraft. I've jumped out of perfectly good aircraft too (on purpose)

 

[Gramps]

Flying is the reason Valium and Jose Cuevro were invented

 

[Sleek-Jet]

Inflation adjusted, a restricted first class ticket today is about what a coach fare was pre-deregulation. So if you want a better experience pony up for a ticket in the front of the airplane.

As for flying itself. It is not natural for man to leave the face of the earth. We weren't built for that. However it is safe though not without risk. And most likely if something dire does happen you won't know it. So sit back and wait for eternity, or arrival.

 

[mjc]

If you get past the TSA experience the rest is easy. I used to enjoy flying places but now hate having to deal with it.

 

[shreve"T"]

If you get past the TSA experience the rest is easy. I used to enjoy flying places but now hate having to deal with it.

BINGO :thumbup: Flew to Vegas out of Dallas back in Nov. and the TSA was about a joke both ways.. Flying is great it's all the other crap that sucks..

 

[Enen]

My stepson wont fly.
Did once 4 years ago to Hawaii. Rendered him near catatonic.

He's 22 now.

FWIW, I average over 50,000 air miles a year.
Been in 2 emergency shut downs during takeoff acceleration, couple tire blowouts on landings, etc.

Used to fly to Prudhoe Bay every 2 weeks and had some WAY hairy landings there, as well as some sideways landings at Dutch Harbor. (Where the crab boats are)

Scariest ever, without a doubt, is landing at cape Romanzoff on the wast coast of Alaska. Strip is dirt and literally cut into the side of mountain. We would take twin engine craft leased by DOD into that nightmare.
Strip is littered with crashed airplanes.

We would leave King Salmon, AK and fly a few hours to get there, then find a hole in the clouds, dive down to within 300' or so of the Ocean.
IF we saw water, the pilots would head for the coast on instruments. IF they saw the strip within like a mile of visibility, they would TRY to line up and land.

Many, Many times we aborted and flew back home. Try again the next day.
Here is what approach looks like. Note runway has one way in, one way out, and landing is uphill.
Take off is downhill and you actually fall off the end then start flying...

After that, Airliners seem pretty mundane to Me! I'm asleep before rotation and wake up at the gate!

That runway is gnarly!

 

[charlyox]

I did the takeoff part. The way the aircraft accelerates. It makes me think I am in a dragster.

 

[Tom Brown]

I did the takeoff part. The way the aircraft accelerates. It makes me think I am in a dragster.

I love that too.

Flying used to be fun before the TSA fucked it up for American flights and damaged it for other carriers around the world.


I drive to Winnipeg. My co-workers fly. It takes almost exactly the same time.

Driving - 4.5 hours

Flying - 50 minutes of flight time.

... but you have to be there 60 minutes early or they won't let you on the plane. Add a few minutes to check your bags, taxi to/from the airport, wait for luggage to be brought up on the belt, and the trip is almost identical between flying and driving with a tiny edge going to driving. When we return from Winnipeg, I'm the first one in my house about 90% of the time and I don't have to be all uptight about missing the security clearance curfew.

All of that for a 50 minute flight. I find driving to be less frustrating and I can do it for about 1/3 the price.

 

[shintoooo]

Nope. My vagina has never swollen up that much.

You have a Vagina? :eek

 

[Old Texan]

I've only flown about 10 times and I'm not a real good flyer. It's not the flying, it's being somewhere I can't get out.:yikes The shorter the flight the better, that way if I freak out I can handle a few hours. Not sure I could handle thinking about a 15 hour flight.

I think this is what a lot of folks that don't understand the fear of flying don't think about.

I worked with a guy who was this way. He hated flying. Did it a couple times but finally had the final closed in experience that kept him grounded. He told me that as soon as the doors closed he completely freaked out, couldn't breath, and they had to open the door and let him off the plane.

He said he wasn't so much in fear of leaving the ground as he was of the closed in feeling accentuated even more by the pressure regulation of the cabin. I've heard the same thing from people who couldn't handle an experience with submarines.

I know of people that can't ride elevators form the combination closed in feel and acceleration. It may be all in the mind but it ain't that easy to fix.

I hate heights but love to fly, which to me is kind of weird. Put me on the roof of a tall building and I get crazy feelings. Put me on a small plane and I can look down out of an open door, no problem.....the mind and body work in strange ways sometimes

 

[westair]

The thing with flying is, you need to do it if you want to see very much of the world. That's a shame. The plane experience sucks. You're jammed into a small space with only limited opportunity to move around for hours on end. You're just stuck in that little aluminum tube for often 10~30 minutes prior to takeoff. Sometimes, you have to wait for a while for a gate to come open after landing so you're just sitting there again. You wouldn't experience much of this but we have to wait in lineups of plans to get de-iced prior to takeoff. Meanwhile, the TSA is going to see your woman naked and feel up the genitals of your kids.

Flying outside the US is substantially better. No groin groping, no nude pictures, often you don't even have to take off your shoes. Seats tend to be be a bit larger too, but fares tend to be substantially higher.

Yeah, it sucks rocks but you have to choose between that and not seeing the world.

I'm having trouble breathing just reading this ..... I'm claustrophobic and its very hard for me to even think about flying, especially the way they pack you in ..... I do it though when I absolutely have to, (not without a handful of Xanax) ....... luckily there are very few places I have a desire to go that require flying.

 

[Old Texan]

You have a Vagina? :eek

For some crazy reason I just thought "yeast infection"......Uuuuugggghhhh:yikes

 

[Chopperman]

I also fly a bunch for work, (about 80,000 miles a year) doesn't bother me a bit.

 

[sirbob]

On second thought, this girl might be able to get into a plane, as long as we were sitting together.. Hopefully it would be a long flight across country..




View attachment 323006

At night with a blanket to keep you both warm and covered... but thats a story for another time

 

[rvrmom]

Bunch of wussy's up in here teasing..

I guess my first flight was great. I remember it like it was yesterday. Back in the day people actually used to dress up to fly. So I remember getting dressed up real nice and my folks always took a limo to the airport. It was my first time to Hawaii I was probably 10 maybe 9. I was beyond excited. We got to LAX and I my folks had a friend that worked the gate at Western. She upgraded us to first class. I still remember walking up the staircase... it was a 747. It just seemed so fancy to me. I loved it.

When I was first married (pre Ry ) We used to go to Hawaii often and Hawaiian would sometimes offer first class upgrades for $100. You couldn't get me on that airplane fast enough

 

[Riverbound]

For about 6 years I flew commercially 4-5 days a week for work all over the country. I was usually asleep before the plane took off. A couple yeRs ago Lynch and I went to Prague....half way to Amsterdam the "what if" thought crossed my mind. Ordered another double jack and coke and went back to sleep.

 

[Yldboyz]

[URL=http://imgur.com/kHpSUnp] [/URL]

Nope. My vagina has never swollen up that much. I've flown around the world multiple times in sound aircraft and military not so sound aircraft. I've jumped out of perfectly good aircraft too (on purpose)

 

[Enen]

Pokey,

Grab a hot chick, a bottle of Titos and a private jet. Head to Vegas for the weekend. Join the mile high club. I bet you won't be afraid to fly again.

 

[Rivertoys]

 

[was thatguy]

Deb has the whole claustrophobic thing going.
She us OK, but 5 hours is about the limit.
She medicates, puts the headphones on and troopers through.

We really want to do like Fiji or Austrailia, but her claustro is a real concern.
She hasn't actually lost it on a flight, but when she starts thinking about how long she's been on the plant you can see her start fidgeting and panicking.
I just sort of talk her down and distract her from the time.
Then point out that we are past halfway and will be descending soon.
It gets her there.

Me, not a problem.
Flown in rickety C5's , 141's, 130's all the way to New Zealand and back.
Sleep and wake up 3 times along the way.

Windscreen is solid white at military altitudes.

 

[Sleek-Jet]

What are military altitudes?

 

[Tom Brown]

I've always found turning on a little airflow over my face to be soothing. If it wasn't for the airflow, I probably couldn't fly commercial.

 

[Sandlord]

Oh wow, I fly that a lot.

Leaving out of Midland in a couple hours actually, but going through Denver then Sac.

United?

American

 

[rivergames]

I hate flying as well, but still fly 1-2 time a year....I really like sitting in the airport with a few cocktails and "people watch".

I just figure if this plane is going down, then its my time to go and I feel like I've lived a pretty good life so far. Although, every time I step foot off a plane, I really want to kiss the ground

 

[DaytonaBabe]

I hear ya Pokey... I dislike flying. Just really not a fan at all, BUT I always said that I would never let my fear of flying keep me from going anywhere. I've flown on a ton of commercial airliners and been to some pretty fun places. This past summer, with our trip to the BVI, I really pushed my limits. To get to Tortola, you have to fly on what I consider to be a tiny ass plane. While it may not be small to some, to me, it was like crawling in a flying coffin with 8 people. 2 early morning Sailor Jerry and diets to calm my nerves and a healthy sense of adventure and I crawled into that death capsule and did the flight. It wasn't fun and I really disliked the weird swimming sensation of that plane, but it was damn well worth it. Would I do it again? Damn straight I will.

Plus.... I look at it this way... I'm not afraid to die - If the plane goes down, at least I don't have to go to work the next day

Your intense fear leads me to believe you have a lot more to live for than me though, so good for you! LOL

This is the deathtrap we flew in

 

[Guest]

Been on a few memorable test flights...

 

[CampbellCarl]

Been on a few memorable test flights...

Ever flown with a raging sunburn?

 

[Guest]

Ever flown with a raging sunburn?

I have...ever been banned for a week or two?

 

[was thatguy]

What are military altitudes?

Above commercial flights.
Can't say, but seems like 42K and above was typical in the C5 and 141.

 

[CampbellCarl]

I have...ever been banned for a week or two?

Nope

 

[Guest]

Nope

Would you repeat that, Carl?..

 

[Buoy]

BWAHAHAHAHA :lmao

 

[koenig]

I flew a lot in my teens and early 20's. Both commercial and my Dad had a plane. He stopped flying his own plane in 2005. Now days commercial and even private kind of sucks, TSA and U.S. Customs because I go Canada to the U.S. For some reason customs is nicer by car.

 

[CampbellCarl]

Would you repeat that, Carl?..

Sir! I can no longer repeat those words Sir!

(My attorney firm...Dewey, Cheetum & Howe advises me to steer clear of future encounters with the Warden)

 

[Guest]

Sir! I can no longer repeat those words Sir!

(My attorney firm...Dewey, Cheetum & Howe advises me to steer clear of future encounters with the Warden)

Nice to have you back Carl.....Is your mind right, Boy?

 

[CampbellCarl]

Nice to have you back Carl.....Is your mind right, Boy?

View attachment 323061

Sir! Right as Rain...Sir!

 

[Old Texan]

Sometimes fear of flying goes beyond just the fear of flying. It's the fear of who you have to fly with.....

I flew to Amsterdam on KLM, about an 11 hour flight. Drank Amstel light all the way. My seat on the window side was near the middle rest room area and a couple guys, a German and a Canadian stood and talked most of the flight next to me. I had 3 seats to my self and with the armrests up, it was quite comfortable. Beer, facilities and some company if I cared to join in.

But there were 2 ladies who were sitting just behind this restroom area in the middle rows. Just behind them, a Dutch family I'd spotted in the AP waiting area prior to boarding. Hans the papa was about 6'3" and looked something akin to Frankenstein with his big square head and Dutchboy haircut. Wore big black square toed heavy boots to further the effect. Thick coke bottle lens made his eyes look huge.

Mama was a large boned woman with huge breasts. 4 kids from 6 down to 9 months, and no sign of ever having been disciplined. I said to myself when I first spotted them, it's gonna be a lot longer flight for someone that gets near this crew. Hans seemed easily bored and would wander off checking around the area while Ma tried to keep the cubs gathered. They were climbers and liked to jump off the seats whether other travelers were in their flight paths or not. Lots of rude stares at 'em, but no real action, yet.

So then we boarded. The Dutch kids all had lil' roller bags and half the toys in Holland in tow. They settled in and the 2 ladies gave each other that look. They knew. I winked at one and smiled. She winked back slowly and just shook her head with a sigh. She knew.

Well over the next 3 hours of tug of wars with clothes, flying toy pieces, numerous runs down the aisles until attendants shooed them back, things went along about as good as could be expected. A couple of 'em even settled down and dozed off. A meal came and as the rest of us partook, Ma broke out the special animal diet for her crew. Uneventful except for a banana hitting one of the ladies in the back of the head......Hans even woke up from his nap for a bite. Did I mention Hans' snoring? It did drown out the noise of the engines a bit.

Hour 4 was when things went downhill. Whatever was in the family meal apparently wasn't sitting well with the youngest and her next older bro. She was crying with a tummy ache and he was running for the head with Hans in tow. The crying was behind me enough that I wasn't bothered, but the poor ladies were having their earphones tested.......Then it hit the lil' one. Barfed all over Ma's shoulder and shot some residue past her into the next row. Poor ladies suffering collateral hits.

Attendants came and helped with towels and Ma took the lil' one to the head. A bit of calm but the 2 older boys were now back up and bored. Run, scream, run scream, repeat.....Attendant had a word with Hans. Stands tall and shakes a big finger at the lads. Ma's back, baby's whimpering. Kid 2 bolts for the head again, Hans follows. The 2 older see the break and off they go headed to the front of the plane. Back they come with front side attendant riding herd.

Hour 6 and attendants come. Seems they have a plan as the sick Dutch kids and siblings have pretty much nerved out all those within their range. They move the family to the far rear of the plane where there is a galley and a back restroom. Can get them cordoned off and isolated in the rear hopefully. Apparently a row or more of passengers were rewarded with miles and vouchers to trade space with the Dutch in hopes of relieving things amidships.

You could hear the muffled cheers of the ladies and smiles as they were served complimentary margaritas. 5 hours left and hopefully peace and quiet.

Indeed, flying can be scary......But it can be worse

 

[was thatguy]

Sometimes fear of flying goes beyond just the fear of flying. It's the fear of who you have to fly with.....

I flew to Amsterdam on KLM, about an 11 hour flight. Drank Amstel light all the way. My seat on the window side was near the middle rest room area and a couple guys, a German and a Canadian stood and talked most of the flight next to me. I had 3 seats to my self and with the armrests up, it was quite comfortable. Beer, facilities and some company if I cared to join in.

But there were 2 ladies who were sitting just behind this restroom area in the middle rows. Just behind them, a Dutch family I'd spotted in the AP waiting area prior to boarding. Hans the papa was about 6'3" and looked something akin to Frankenstein with his big square head and Dutchboy haircut. Wore big black square toed heavy boots to further the effect. Thick coke bottle lens made his eyes look huge.

Mama was a large boned woman with huge breasts. 4 kids from 6 down to 9 months, and no sign of ever having been disciplined. I said to myself when I first spotted them, it's gonna be a lot longer flight for someone that gets near this crew. Hans seemed easily bored and would wander off checking around the area while Ma tried to keep the cubs gathered. They were climbers and liked to jump off the seats whether other travelers were in their flight paths or not. Lots of rude stares at 'em, but no real action, yet.

So then we boarded. The Dutch kids all had lil' roller bags and half the toys in Holland in tow. They settled in and the 2 ladies gave each other that look. They knew. I winked at one and smiled. She winked back slowly and just shook her head with a sigh. She knew.

Well over the next 3 hours of tug of wars with clothes, flying toy pieces, numerous runs down the aisles until attendants shooed them back, things went along about as good as could be expected. A couple of 'em even settled down and dozed off. A meal came and as the rest of us partook, Ma broke out the special animal diet for her crew. Uneventful except for a banana hitting one of the ladies in the back of the head......Hans even woke up from his nap for a bite. Did I mention Hans' snoring? It did drown out the noise of the engines a bit.

Hour 4 was when things went downhill. Whatever was in the family meal apparently wasn't sitting well with the youngest and her next older bro. She was crying with a tummy ache and he was running for the head with Hans in tow. The crying was behind me enough that I wasn't bothered, but the poor ladies were having their earphones tested.......Then it hit the lil' one. Barfed all over Ma's shoulder and shot some residue past her into the next row. Poor ladies suffering collateral hits.

Attendants came and helped with towels and Ma took the lil' one to the head. A bit of calm but the 2 older boys were now back up and bored. Run, scream, run scream, repeat.....Attendant had a word with Hans. Stands tall and shakes a big finger at the lads. Ma's back, baby's whimpering. Kid 2 bolts for the head again, Hans follows. The 2 older see the break and off they go headed to the front of the plane. Back they come with front side attendant riding herd.

Hour 6 and attendants come. Seems they have a plan as the sick Dutch kids and siblings have pretty much nerved out all those within their range. They move the family to the far rear of the plane where there is a galley and a back restroom. Can get them cordoned off and isolated in the rear hopefully. Apparently a row or more of passengers were rewarded with miles and vouchers to trade space with the Dutch in hopes of relieving things amidships.

You could hear the muffled cheers of the ladies and smiles as they were served complimentary margaritas. 5 hours left and hopefully peace and quiet.

Indeed, flying can be scary......But it can be worse

That's awesome!

Marathon flights are crazy.
It's like you forget you are on an airplane and it becomes a macro-society.

 

[HolyMoly]

That's awesome!

Marathon flights are crazy.
It's like you forget you are on an airplane and it becomes a macro-society.

It's Mike Rowe Society.