What is the motivation behind millions of passengers flying the aircraft daily without fear?

Question

Given the myraid of problems associated with the airplane and airtransportation, such as terrorism, weather problems, instrument failures and crashes, why do so many people travel around the world 'seemingly' without being afraid

Answer 1

Statistically speaking (as far as fatalities are concerned), people should be more afraid at being at home than being on board an aircraft, you are more likely to die in an accident in your home.

With that same mentality, people should be over 100 times more afraid of getting in a car than getting in an airplane.

Answer 2

Sorry but the whole terrorism thing? How many aircraft have been hijacked in the last ten years?

I cannot give you a figure but I can guarentee that more cars have been carjacked and more people have died as a result of those carjackings than any hijacking by terrorists. In regards to weather, ok possibly the biggest killer of airliners whether it be to pilot error or instrumentation in the adverse weather. Still again ice in you car, that's killed how many people? As has rain.

Finally, there are more regulations and restrictions in the aviation industry than by any other means of transport (I think, certainly it must be close) and the inspections that happen on every flight are more than you do with your car or even train drivers do before setting off. All this adds to the fact that as people have said the problems are sooo few are far between there is little to worry about. The only reason you are worried (most likely) is that you are not in control and do not have the skills to take control if necessary. There are courses available that teach you the basics of how to land an aircraft (nothing more) which a lot of people find reassuring. Ask your local flying club if they do one, it really does help a lot of people!

Answer 3

Airplanes are generally safe! Some say the odds are better flying and not crashing then being in a vehicular car crash but that's only because the statistics are different in the sky than on ground. There is just less traffic up there although it is increasing! Airplanes are very dependable for the most part, the people who inspect the aircraft and preflight them are the ones to be trusted. Yes accidents happen but we all take risks everyday. Flight mechanics and Pilots generally take pride in the safety of their crew and passengers. Furthermore, bad weather can be avoided and pilots have their ways of flying sometimes without the help of some instruments that might fail.

Answer 4

Motivation?
To get where they need to go!

Why do they travel without fear?
They know that air transportation is the safest for of travel even if you include the risk factors you mentioned!

Odds are 1 in 1.25 MILLION that your commercial airliner will crash (not that you will die, but just be in a crash).

Your odds of dying if you were to drive instead?
1 in 237.

If you add up all the stats, in the USA last year only 18 people died for every 41.7 million that took to the skies.

Compared to other forms of transport, that is very, very VERY LOW.

Statistically, you should be much, much more afraid ridiing in your car but you aren't because you feel you are in CONTROL when you drive yourself. That is not the case in an aircraft and is the reason people generally are ambivalent about flying: their lack of control if anything were to occur.

Answer 5

Its a quick way to travel, once you drive to the airport and get checked in, and there are no guarantees in life, so if the plane is going down for some reason, you don't have to worry for long.
Seriously, though with the thousands of aircraft that are up in the skies each day the percentages of crashes are way down.
More people get run over crossing the street.

Answer 6

GIVEN THE MYRIAD PROBLEMS AND HAZARDS ASSOCIATED WITH THE AUTOMOBILE, such as driving at highway speed merely a few feet away from other vehicles coming DIRECTLY AT YOU also at highway speed, WITH THE STATS showing 100 times the fatalities per million passenger miles as airline passengers, how can you be complacent riding on wheels (except prior to takeoff and after landing)?

FACT: Road fatalities in the USA are among the LEADING CAUSES OF DEATH.

So, fly on, fearlessly.

Answer 7

Because fewer people die per year in aeroplanes than die every day on the roads, i appreciate peoples fear of flying, but it is the safest way to travel, hundreds of people die in numerous road crashes each day, but do not get publicised, unlike the occasional problem with aircraft, where if something does go wrong, more people are hurt in one incident, hope this helps

Answer 8

I crap myself on planes. My mind wanders to the wing on my side, and I get panicy waves of fear that rise and fall violently like a stormy sea as I imagine it snapping off in the latest gust. When this happens my arms sometimes jerk up or I'll twitch my head etc. it must look very odd, and it's a constant apprehension. So I'm not like the rest, those doped up cattle!

Answer 9

Because they like to travel and the only means to get to other countries is by planes, so they don't have a choice but to take the planes even if they may be afraid. Some also have to take the planes for work/business.

Answer 10

You're in more danger driving a car than travelling in a plane, I love air travel and go as often as I can, I love the attention, the food and the movie....one of lifes small pleasures is being looked after