SunDog

now being out of sight of land for weeks at a time would scare me.

Airhoss

I'd love to have the time in my life to travel by ship. What a cool way to unwind and relax on the way to your vacation destination.

Of course with my luck I'd get taken hostage by pirates, probably dancing, singing, fruity pirates with lots of flowing cloths and feathers and stuff on their pirate suits.

Like these ones..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HE_BMbPBY2I

Can I walk the plank, NOW PLEASE!!

bcrosier

As others have said, I actually like some turbulence when in the bunk - it rocks me to sleep. What I hate is waking up while riding in back just as we flare and touch down on landing. That always startles the crap out of me (simply because I'm disoriented from just waking up).

Again I'm going to echo others here. I'm absolutely in control of the airplane - in fact that's part of what makes it fun: I'm able to control a machine which weighs over a half a million pounds, travels in excess of 85% of the speed of sound, and moves continually in a three dimensional environment. Not only that, but on a good day (meaning I'm on my game), I'm able to control it's position during landing within a few feet from side to side and vertically in spite of weather conditions (I've had landings in fairly gusty winds where you barely felt the aircraft touch. On the other hand, I've had them on calm sunny days where, in the words of Borat - "Not so much...").

Yes - I fly for a charter carrier, and usually travel overseas and back at least once each month. I have no concerns with any mainline US carrier.

If your resources (and interest level) permit, I think Skyhigh had an excellent suggestion - take a private pilot ground school and a few flight lessons. You'll definitely gain more of an appreciation for the subject. That said, keep in mind that while many of the fundamentals are the same, there is a MUCH higher lever of performance, redundancy and capability engineered into a commercial transport than a GA aircraft. Please understand, I'm not knocking GA (general aviation - light aircraft) aircraft at all, but some private pilots fail to understand the differences between Transport and Normal (GA) category aircraft and the capabilities of each, and in some cases the differences between how they are operated.

Good luck overcoming your fears!

Just did my first cruise before Christmas (not on a freighter!). Great way to travel, very enjoyable, leave the kids home next time...

Not that there's anything wrong with that...

Airhoss

Of course not. I embrace pirate diversity too!!

michaelkingdom

I have studied the odds of being in an airline accident and i must conclude that the odds are in the passenger's favor. Here are a couple findings:

With odds of 1 in 10,000,000 mortality rate:

-I would need to fly daily for 27397 years.

-I would need to take 322 flights a day for an 85 year lifespan.

Clearly an irrational fear. I can tell you that it really is about control. This forum is great to see that you guys/gals are all professionals with humor and integrity.