Are You Afraid to Fly?

By Al Carmickle

Many people are concerned about flying and are often referred to as "white-knuckle-flyers." I retired after thirty six years as a pilot for a major airline. Every pilot during his or her career has experienced situations where they've thought it would be nice to be on the ground instead of in the air. However, such experiences are not reasons that would make us afraid to fly.

I have also experienced conditions while driving that have made me wish I was home instead. I still drive even though I know a certain percentage of the cars coming toward me on the road are driven by drivers under the influence of alcohol, drugs or fatigue. Many of the drivers are talking or texting on their cell-phones. I remember one woman I pulled up next to on the freeway who was reading a book while she was doing 60 miles an hour in her car.

The chance of one of these inebriated or preoccupied idiots smashing into you far exceeds your risk of injury in an airplane. We just ignore the risk associated with driving because we think we are in control when we're behind the wheel of our vehicle. We conveniently forget or ignore the fact that we have no control over the other vehicles on the road. Control is a major issue when flying in an airplane. As a passenger you have no control of the airplane and it creates a great amount of apprehension for you.

This lack of control is a major factor for many white-knuckle-flyers. There are other factors to include turbulence that creates concern for passengers. It certainly doesn't help when there is an airline accident. Just yesterday, as I write this, Air France lost an airplane over the Atlantic Ocean. Accidents do happen but you probably are at greater risk of being injured in your bathtub than you are of getting injured in an airplane.

I certainly am an expert when it comes to flying airplanes. I'm from the old school that subscribes to the theory that I am going to park at the gate and deplane and therefore so will you. It's just that simple as far as pilots are concerned.

My wife, also a retired airline captain, had such great concern for worried passengers she created an e-book and CD that answers many questions and fears. Her information is some of the best I have ever seen and has helped many fearful fliers.

Al is a retired airline captain and is now an officer of Woodman Financial Services, Inc. Woodman Financial Services, Inc. is a Commodity Trading Adviser and marketing company. Al writes many articles on different subjects but has a special interest in aviation safety. His wife Meryl is also a retired airline captain and the president of Woodman Financial Services and the senior trader.

She is the author of "The World At My Feet" and has also written extensively on many subjects to include the fear of flying. If you have a fear of flying please go to http://www.flyingfearless.com for more information
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