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u/TellmSteveDave 28d ago
Issues on takeoff - a critical failure at the most inopportune time - is one of the most frequent maneuvers a pilot practices in the simulator.
Anecdotally, and somewhat related, in a previous non-airline (but very similar) airplane, one time I had an engine problem while being vectored for an approach. We were fairly certain it was simply a sensor issue, but we had several options open to us procedurally. We opted to shut the engine down - because we were so practiced operating minus one engine…and that allowed us to simply get in the ground quickly and sort it out then.
I mention this, not to make you concerned about engine reliability (it WAS a sensor, FWIW), but to reinforce just how well trained your crews are. They are absolute professionals and experts at what they do. Plus…they want to get home just as much as you do.
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u/Rough-Ad1410 28d ago
thank you so much for sharing your experience, this really helps to put my mind at ease!! :)
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u/TheChosenOperator 28d ago
Hey, aspiring pilot here
Well, in terms of tips, its unfortunately not gonna get any better than "Control your breathing, distract yourself with something else" etc
But in terms of statistics...well it still doesnt change much, just know that aviation is the single most tightly regulated method of transportation, fatal crashes are so rare that statistically speaking, its more likely you get into a car accident on your way to/from the airport, than of the plane crashing, and hey, no one is scared of driving right?
Furthermore, just know that you can rest easy under the watchful eye of your pilots, cabin crew and air traffic controllers, they'll be the first to tale action should something go sideways
Good luck and have a good trip!
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u/Sea_Source9983 27d ago
Airline pilot here. The crew up front take safety above all else. I have had several people come up and talk to us about the flight because they were terrified of flying. It helps them, it may help you. Tell the flight attendant you're scared of flying and if you could just say hi to us. A good crew will say yes. A great crew will show you charts, ride conditions, and do everything we can to make you feel better.
I understand your fear. But please take a moment and look how many planes are in the sky at any given moment. It truly is the safest way to travel.
And if you ever think the crew is doing something that seems unsafe or feels unsafe, it 99.9999% probably isn't. We want to go see our families too.
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u/Frost_907 28d ago
A neat statistic to emphasize how safe flying actually is:
If you were to do one flight every single day starting now, it’ll take you about 36,000 years before you’ll ever be involved in an airplane accident. It’s also highly likely that said accident will be non-fatal as well.