Robin,

What exactly are you afraid of? Is it a 9/11 type of thing, or are you concerned about something happening to the plane?

I'm concerned about something actually happening to the plane - mechanically or pilot error that takes her down in a nasty crash. Ugh! Just gave myself the cold chills! 🙁

-Robin

The chances of that happening are extremely slim. You probably have a better chance of winning the lottery or being struck by lightening.

My dad used to work for Delta, and I've been flying for 17 years quite a bit and never had a problem. I don't think flying is any more risky than walking down the street or driving your car. Don't get yourself too worried about it. Just relax and have a good experience.

After all, you're going to the islands. 🙂

Hey Robin,
Although I certainly don't think that you are being a "big baby," consider the following and determine for yourself whether your fears are warranted:

According to the NTSB, in 2001, the number of fatal accidents per 100,000 flights was .20, and the number of fatal accidents per 1,000,000 miles flown was .0003. (This data is for flights with 10 or more seats). Check out their site for more: ntsb.gov

My mother-in-law, who was coming to see us next month from Holland, is also afraid of flying. I had a few websites and data at the ready to allay her fears.

Try some deep breathing, avoid drinking alcohol on the plane,
and, above all, enjoy St. John!

Hey Robin,

There are rational fears, and irrational fears.

Fear of flying is simply irrational according to statistics. There are many more things in life you have to worry about than dying in a plane crash.

I know your not planning your life around winning a multi million dollar power ball lottery. Are you?

Well fear of flying is basically the same thing. The chances of you winning at either are slim to say the least.

Actually 2002 had zero... yeah zero fatalities in the US in commercial aviation.

It's those crazy bastards on the highways you need to be worried about. But you don't give highway driving a second of thought when talking about safety issues.

I've been flying since I was 16... commercially for 8, and I have never even come close to something happening.

Pretty boring up there actually.

You're a BIG baby : )

JET

Jet, I am a big baby. Hahahahaha... 🙂 Thanks guys for making this big ol' baby feel at least a little better. I can't wait to see St. John for the first time! Wow it's going to be exciting! :O

-Robin

Robin -

I can second everyone else has said. I too remember my first flight... a church choir trip in high school!

On a personal note, though, I spent some time working in a pilot training center of a major airline and learned an incredible amount. What the pilots do in the simulators, the medicals they receive every 6 (or 12) months, the routine maintenance that occurs, everything you can research statistically on NTSB, etc - I now get on a plane and don't think twice. Of course, when I fly a different carrier, I am not *as* at ease because I do not understand their internal operations, but I still seem to breathe normally! 🙂 Plus, my husband has an airline dispatcher license and majored in aviation in college, so if we are over the wing and I notice something, I can always ask him "what's that". Several of our close friends are pilots or pilot instructors, so I feel like I get reassurance from all directions often without them saying a word.

I'm back into teaching school again, and these middle school kids stress me out MUCH more than flying on an airplane! LOL! Much less driving on LBJ in Dallas. Heck, I was in Boston a week or two ago, and let me tell ya - driving in Boston made my husband see a totally different side of me. (Not a pretty side). Even thinking about my 30th birthday next year seems a little more stressful than flying.

You'll be fine flying. 🙂 Just take some precautions if you think you might get sick... I was flying a late-night flight from Reno to Dallas in college with an old boyfriend, and we had eaten at the Olive Garden prior to leaving (shrimp primavera). Well, my body didn't like the meal apparently, and on landing in Dallas with his head blocking the window so I couldn't see out, my dinner ended up in his lap! So now anytime I fly, I remember three things: I don't eat anything questionable prior to flying, I make sure whoever is next to the window doesn't hog it (I let them know ahead of time), and I make SURE that there is a barf bag in the seatback pocket just in case. That night flying from Reno, there were no barf bags in the seatback pockets right there. I can laugh about it now since this guy is an ex! 😉

ENJOY your trip! I'm sure there are lots of us reading these boards who are so envious of you getting to go! We married on St John in March... and all the friends who went with us are now asking if "WE" get to take an anniversary trip next year! (Yep, they want to tag along...) HAVE FUN!

~ Mandy in Dallas

Ask your doctor for a mild trank, sit back, grip the handles of your seat, deep breathe, and stay calm. You will be fine. Just keep thinking of yourself on STJ, sitting on the beach, the breeze blowing over you, the sound of the sea all around you, toes in the sand, and RELAX!! You will be fine. Just a hint tho. When approaching STT, close your eyes and don't open them until you are on the ground. Don't ask why, just do so. Have a GREAT time!

"Ask your doctor for a mild trank, sit back, grip the handles of your seat, deep breathe, and stay calm."

Um...that's not really reassuring! LOL!

Hi Robin,

By the time you arrive in STJ the plane will be so far from your thoughts because you just arrived in paradise. We will be arriving on the 14th also, maybe we'll see you @ Woodys.

Have a great time!!!!