Bring me back to reality!

[Sarah0022]

So really....how much of what I think is irrational and how much is reality? I try and tell myself, planes are very safe, humans have been flying for a long time, there are very strict safety regulations in place for flying, big planes are safer than small planes, people make professions out of being on planes and they wouldn't do that if it was dangerous. This stuff is true right? I try and tell myself this when I feel very nervous or can't fall asleep. Problem is, I don't know if I am telling myself what I want to hear or if all this is true. LOL:angel: Can anyone else relate to me?

[MathFox]

One observation: you are making progress in fighting the fear.

Your problem is that someone :angel::blush: just told you some words to repeat. Those words have to fight with the words (and images) brought to you by Hollywood and CNN. All you have is passive second hand information.
You can change that by actively creating your information. One exercise is to create statistics on car accidents in your state and compare them with your statistics on plane incidents in your state. (Review questions: Do you think your car accident list is complete? Your plane incident list? What does the exercise tell you about the information filtering that the media do?)
If you have a pilot (or mechanic) among your acquaintances, you can ask his opinion on the FAA... Have a pilot (or even a flight attendant) tell about their training... A bit easier is going to a pilot's blog ( http://flightlevel390.blogspot.com/ ) and get some understanding on what pilots do to keep flights safe.

I know I skipped "step 1" http://anxieties.com/flying-step1.php in my first advice... it feels overdue now. :mg: Be creative in finding your information.

[Barb-SAN]

A bit easier is going to a pilot's blog ( http://flightlevel390.blogspot.com/ ) and get some understanding on what pilots do to keep flights safe.
I just found that blog recently too...;). It's very interesting, and he's a good writer. :D

I also like Kent Wien's blog and videos (lots of them on YouTube) http://www.gadling.com/category/cockpit-chronicles/
http://www.youtube.com/user/fly4fun
http://www.gadling.com/category/plane-answers/
http://web.me.com/kentwien/aboutme/

[MathFox]

I just found that blog recently too...;). It's very interesting, and he's a good writer. :D

I also like Kent Wien's blog and videos (lots of them on YouTube) http://www.gadling.com/category/cockpit-chronicles/
http://www.youtube.com/user/fly4fun
http://www.gadling.com/category/plane-answers/
http://web.me.com/kentwien/aboutme/

I have more pilot blogs bookmarked, but decided to give them one-by-one. Each of those blogs is enough for at least two late nights of reading if you make good use of the archives. :angel:

[Barb-SAN]

I have more pilot blogs bookmarked, but decided to give them one-by-one. Each of those blogs is enough for at least two late nights of reading if you make good use of the archives. :angel:
Indeed, and of course they keep adding to them as well. Maybe we should have a "sticky" of pilot blogs so we don't lose the information buried into the archives?

Looking through Kent Wien's website, I'm delighted to see that he has posted a video that we used to have linked here a few years ago, then it disappeared from YouTube, then reappeared on some guy from S.America's YouTube Channel. Now it's back with it's rightful owner...:D
"Pilot's eye view of a three-day trip".
http://web.me.com/kentwien/aboutme/page1/page1.html

[Sarah0022]

Thank you thank you thank you!!! You two are wonderful, I am looking forward to reading through the pilot's blog. I feel inspired to know I am on the right track :D

[Kent Wien]

Thanks for the plug, Barb.

I realize that just hearing the safety statistics alone aren't enough for most nervous flyers. Reading up on my blog and others may just help, I would imagine.

I'm thrilled that you found it!

Kent

http://www.kentwien.com

[Barb-SAN]

Thanks for the plug, Barb.

I realize that just hearing the safety statistics alone aren't enough for most nervous flyers. Reading up on my blog and others may just help, I would imagine.

I'm thrilled that you found it!
Kent
http://www.kentwien.com
Kent Wien!! :eek::D What a lovely surprise, and Welcome to Taking Flight!!:welcome2:
Love your 3-day trip-to-Paris video, and the ending is PERFECT, and a great reminder of WHY the pilots care about safety. :thumbsup:

I hope you will feel free to join our discussions here from time to time...we always appreciate the pilot's perspective and expertise. :) You are flying the 767 now?

I've enjoyed looking through your photos on Flickr too...you have some beautiful shots, especially the night ones (most challenging, yes?) http://www.flickr.com/photos/flyforfun/