Future travel to the UK

How scared are you of flying (or in general) after the recent foiling of the terrorist plot to blow up planes flying out of Heathrow?

I'm in the US and studies show that flying is actually 200 times (or something like that) safer than driving (this is taking 9/11 into account), and that for it to become as dangerous as driving, there would have to be a 9/11 every month for 10 years. So obviously, the odds of dying in a plane crash, even one resulting from terrorist action, are pretty small. But I just can't seem to get that into my head! I still feel so scared and keep wondering "what if." Like today, I had to take a flight to Seattle from San Jose and was almost sweating buckets while waiting for the flight!

But what I really hate is that I'm not even sure about future travel. For example, I'm planning on interning in London in 2008. But I just feel so unsure and unsafe about it. Again, it sounds irrational, but it's true. So should I just forget about travelling? Or am I just imagining things?

Finally, do you think the authorities wherever you are are doing a good job of keeping citizens safe?

I'm not scared at all...i'd jump on a plane right now to fly to see my honey.

I don't think people should stop doing what they wanna do because they are scared. Like someone told my mom at work (she's going back to hawaii in november and is scared shitless) "if it's your time it's your time"

Do what you gotta do...don't halt having a life because of a select few. I think it's safe to fly...you're more likely to get in a car wreck so does that mean you just won't leave your house now?

Am i scared, sure.  But i'm always scared of flying sadly.

I travel a few times a month too for work...but I do it.  Cause it's life.

I guess in my mind you gotta have some kind of inner peace with yourself when you get on a plane as you really.  just never know.

But I take solice in the fact that if something did happen, it would be quick and I only get sad when I think about people i'd leave behind.

WIll it stop me from traveling?  Heck no.

Well it's just my belief that when it's your time to go it's your time whether youre on a plane or sitting at your breakfast table. I believe in fate and destiny and we have no control over our lives but thats a topic for another discussion.

I cant sit and worry about terrorist plots and plane crashes as I have to travel back and forth to the USA at least three times a year with my sons. At present my two elder sons are in the USA and are due to return on Sunday. I cant worry about them flying each time they have to go visit their father. I mean as a mother I will naturally worry anyway but there is nothing I can do about it.

Not at all scared.  And not willing to give the terrorists any power by being scared.  I could die today just walking to get to the tube station...car drivers kill more than terrorists.  And if I do die while being on a plane, then it's my time.  That's it.  I'm NOT giving up travelling right now due to that.  If I give up flying, it will be more for energy conservation measures.

I am more scared about the poor maintenance and bottom line for no frills cheap flights which seem to be pushing the industry at the level I can afford to fly. If the interior of the plane is any indication, where it's flithy, falling apart, stuff broken (seats, seat bags, headphones, screens etc), I am heart scared to think what the exterior must be like. And that is what frightens the life out of me in regards to flying. I have no problem being up in the air in a big hulk of machinery, but being in the air in a big poorly and cheaply maintained hulk of machinery is another story altogether. It is only a matter of time and I don't want to be on that flight.

That is exactly the goal of terrorists, to scare people out of their normal routine, not necesseraly to kill.  I am not scared at all, nor was I scared after 9-11.  I also belive that when your number is up, that's it, not sooner, not later.  My only beef with flying right now is the carry on deal.  I HATE to check my photo stuff in but I can't fit it all in the silly carry on size they are now allowing.  Not to mention I can't bring Pepsi Max on on the flight with me 

June

Flying scares the crap out of me!  It's not really the terrorists (I was scared long before that), more the going up thing, and being way above the surface than anything.  But I hate heights in general.  I did once have a panic attack on a smaller plane because it was too small, and I could feel every little bump.  I had a pilot on one side of me and a doctor in front of me thank goodness.  They talked me through the whole hour we were in the air.     One of my proudest moments, really.  However, I've noticed that the bigger the plane is the less reaction I have. Or maybe I'm just getting better at flying after doing it so much the past few years!

I'm not scared of terrorists blowing up planes because:

1) it is statistically unlikely and if I let myself get worried about unlikely things like that I would never be able to drive to work again (where statistically I'm much more likely to die - as you stated),

2) I know that I am in no more danger after I learn about terrorist plots than I was when I was blissfully unaware.   And besides, I have a pretty active imagination and am a technical/science person - I know that there are loads of things that mean people could do to harm me that would never be prevented.  So hearing about those plans from the government isn't really a shock to me. 

3) I prefer to spend my time willing the plane into the sky during take off and on to the ground safely and gently during landing.  If I let the terrorists distract my energy from this telekinesis the plane might crash!    

Generally, I feel much more fear walking from my office to my car alone after dark than I do boarding a plane (I'm working on the moments of worry during landing and takeoff).

3) I prefer to spend my time willing the plane into the sky during take off and on to the ground safely and gently during landing.  If I let the terrorists distract my energy from this telekinesis the plane might crash!    

That pretty much sums up my feelings about flying as well! 

Seriously, I worry more about mechanical failure or pilot error than I do about terrorists.  I'm such a dork!  Every time I hear a strange 'thunk' or if the plane makes a sudden movement that I don't like, I check out the other passengers and the flight crew to see if they look alarmed.  If they look ok, then I tell myself I have nothing to worry about...

 

I'm not scared!  I flew 5 days after it happened out of London to Prague.  Security was tight, but it felt really safe.

Am I the only one who loves to fly?? (Take off is my favorite part!)  I'm kind of like Pebbles in that I believe that everything happens for a reason so if getting blown up on a plane by a terrorist is the way I'm supposed to go, so be it.  However, I know that it's very unlikely, so I don't worry about it too much.

Am I the only one who loves to fly??

I love to fly also!!

I love to fly as well......not happy about take offs and landings.....but love to travel!!!

Can't wait till the kids are gone we are going to stop traveling in coach........

I did a travel agents trip to Barbados and flew Club World.........OMG!! THE way to go.......not that I will be able to afford THAT much of a upgrade.

I like sitting in airports and ppl watch as well..........you see some right winners there!!!

I love flying.  I love airports.  I don't mind waiting in lines there (only place in the whole world where lines don't bother me).  I even love airplane food, for the novelty of it.  But it still makes me a little nervous when we take off and land.