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On Fear.

Posted by John on August 7th, 2007 at 9:49 pm · 6 Comments

My flight home from Salt Lake City was delayed by “computer problems.” We boarded almost an hour after the original departure time. As we bumped across the tarmac, the Captain tried to reassure us in his friendly Texas accent:

We rely entirely on computers, and just like when your computer has problems, we just had to reboot a couple of times.

I did not find this very comforting.

Nevertheless, I was not afraid. This is in contrast with the moderate fear of flying I’ve had for the past decade or so. As I write this (for posting later), the plane is descending over San Bernadino and we’re experiencing the mild turbulence that always accompanies the penetration of the cloud layer.

While I realize the practical benefits of throwing away my tube of toothpaste and for disrobing for the TSA, I’m sometimes baffled by how hard we try to foster an environment of fear. Every time we take off our shoes, every time we submit to a pat-down, somewhere a terrorist is laughing. Remember that the primary product of terror-ists is fear, not death.

I’m glad that I seem to have overcome my fear of traveling in faulty tin cans some seven miles above the surface of the planet. I see this as hopeful progress; I’d like to eventually overcome my fear of death, of loss, of failure, of the opinion of others.

Tags: Personal · Politics

6 responses so far ↓

  • 1 Captain Keith // Aug 7, 2007 at 11:53 pm

    Hi John
    That’s a great account of flying from a fearful flyer’s perspective.
    As a pilot or at least a retired one, I understand both what the pilot meant by the comment ” we just had to reboot a couple of times” and what effect it has on anxious passengers.
    The best thing to take from that comment is not the intended humour but the lack of concern…because that’s what it is…a computer glitch on a plane is nothing like rebooting a home pc. Microsoft is great stuff but it’s not good enough for a plane.

    “Every time we take off our shoes, every time we submit to a pat-down, somewhere a terrorist is laughing.”

    Can I give you another ‘take’ on that? Everytime a terrorist sees it happening they realise how hard it’s going to be to get on board with something. What do you reckon your chances would be to smuggle something illegal on board?
    They’re not laughing. Be sure of that. It’s inconvenient but so …
    We’ve got a site at flyingwithoutfear.com that you might find very interesting. We’ve got a great forum with over 5000 hints and tips and messages of support. You’re the sort of guy whose opinions would be great to hear.
    Best wishes

    Keith

  • 2 nmw // Aug 8, 2007 at 6:32 am

    I don’t know that losing all my fear would be good. Being paralyzed with fear, unable to act or choose is a bad thing of course. But some things ought to be feared — sometimes that is the rational response.

  • 3 Miko // Aug 8, 2007 at 7:53 am

    I’ve flown so many times I can’t even count. I used to live abroad and so generally boarded a transatlantic flight at least twice a year, often much more. It didn’t occur to me until I was in high school that it might be something people feared, and the take-off always amazes me. The fact that a multi-ton hunk of metal just lifted off the ground has always been awe-inspiring to me. And there’s a moment when it feels like gravity/the earth decides, “Nope, you’re not going anywhere” and you feel your butt sink an inch more into the seat; but then the plane replies, “Oh, yes I am!” My absolute favorite part of the flight.

    That said, ever since Homeland Security made US airports crazy I’ve been in active boycott of flying. It’s simply not worth it to me to deal with all that crap before I get on a plane. If I can drive somewhere, I will, rather than deal with being treated like a terrorist or being subjected to the fear that everyone now seems to think is part & parcel with the flying experience. And every day it just seems to get worse.

  • 4 TammyT // Aug 8, 2007 at 11:26 am

    John, what did you do to become less afraid of flying?

    I’m am not phobic, but I do get very nervous in planes. I’d love some tips on how you got over it.

  • 5 Elaine Frei // Aug 8, 2007 at 1:31 pm

    I’ve only flown three times. Long Beach to Sacramento, LAX to Heathrow, and the return flight from Heathrow to LAX. Loved it. Miko is right – take-offs are spectacular.

    However, I found that while in flight I would catch myself holding my breath and willing the engines to keep running. I do the same thing while I’m on the ground an a plane with any strange sort of sound is taking off or landing at the local airport, which is only a couple of miles from here. And that is after having lived under or in sight of either the takeoff or landing pattern of an airport of one size or another ever since I can remember.

    I also agree with Miko that while all this terrorism nonsense is going on, I will not fly unless it is absolutely necessary. I am not willing to put up with the inconvenience, especially since they never start screening for a new hazard until after there is some kind of attempt or suspected attempt to try some new terror tactic. That just doesn’t make me feel safe.

  • 6 John White // Aug 8, 2007 at 3:28 pm

    My typical pattern is to fall asleep during the safety instructions and get shaken awake during de-planing on the other end.

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