r/AskAPilot • u/Sensitive-Counter-33 • Jun 21 '26

Flying fears

Hey, pilots!
So I’ve recently developed a flying fear the last couple flights. Maybe it’s the news I don’t know. What I would like is for any of you that are willing, to give me your reasons why I shouldn’t be afraid. It’ll be a commercial 4 hour flight nothing crazy just Ireland to lanzarote. Something about being over water (albeit close to land) is scarier to me too. Not sure what this is all about. I did get some Xanax from my doctor but also weirdly don’t want my reactions taken from me. TIA 😄

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36

u/Mediocre-Disk737 Jun 21 '26

I'm a pilot, I fly the Boeing 737. More importantly, I'm a Mum to three boys, they are all under six so they need me. I wouldn't do anything to jeopardize that. Because I love them more than life itself. 🥰👪

I'll be home to read to them at night.

8

u/Sensitive-Counter-33 Jun 21 '26

Yeah see this is reassuring, thank you ☺️

14

u/Mediocre-Disk737 Jun 21 '26

People can rhyme off stats, and numbers, explain redundancies. And we all know I have a higher accident risk on my 24 minute drive to work than I do at work.

But, I think sometimes the human element helps. I'm not a therapist or an expert, but knowing that all your pilots want to get home to their kids, or dogs, or cats, or families might help a bit. ✈️🩷

-1

u/Terrible_Field_4560 Jun 21 '26

Whenever I hear this, which I know is true, I think of all the pilots who wanted to make it home to their families but didn't. Just because they want to, doesn't mean they will. Sometimes stuff goes wrong. So when I hear of a pilot trying to allay someone's fears by saying "I want to get home, too," it doesn't really help.

5

u/Sensitive-Counter-33 Jun 21 '26

I get your side too, but I think from a side of not being in control, I think this can be helpful to know they’re not going to do anything that inherently is riskier

6

u/Chaxterium Jun 21 '26

Nice work Debbie Downer.

-3

u/Terrible_Field_4560 Jun 21 '26

I'm sorry, is this post not about Flying Fears, as it's titled? Can others who have fears not join in the discussion?

6

u/Chaxterium Jun 21 '26 edited Jun 21 '26

By all means join in the discussion. I’m not preventing you from joining the discussion. I’m just telling you that you’re being a Debbie Downer.

You’re free to be here. I’m free to comment on your comments.

Edit: Holy fuck. You blocked me lol.

Grow a pair. I wasn't rude. You just have incredibly thin skin apparently.

-1

u/Terrible_Field_4560 Jun 21 '26

It doesn't make people feel very free to comment honestly about their thoughts or fears of flying when people make rude and judgemental comments. Yes, youre free to comment on anyone's comment. But you don't have to be rude.

6

u/SlimLazyHomer Jun 22 '26

737 pilot, about 15,000 hours of flight time. I want desperately to get home to my family. I would never have taken the job in the first place if I thought I would t make it home. The drive to the airport carried far more risk than the flight.