Do you feel safe flying on an airline's modern passenger travel jets?  This is commercial aviation.

With the spat of accidents reported recently, one may have second thoughts of flying.
However it is rather safe, and is said to be safer than driving cars.

Quote from: ChrissyRyan on February 21, 2025, 08:43:19 PMDo you feel safe flying on an airline's modern passenger travel jets?  This is commercial aviation.

With the spat of accidents reported recently, one may have second thoughts of flying.
However it is rather safe, and is said to be safer than driving cars.

Statistically speaking, this is true.

But, the people in the cockpit are not flying the plane. Autopilot handles almost all of the maneuvers while they are doing who knows what.

I am in control of my car 100% of the time when I am driving. I choose the route, the speed, and when to pull over and stop for a while if needed. I can, and have many times, been able to react to a dangerous situation within seconds. Commercial pilots can't react that quickly.

I haven't flown on a commercial flight since 1985. I am not opposed to it and maybe someday I will. But if I can drive there myself, I would prefer it to flying.

Quote from: Lori Dee on February 21, 2025, 08:50:01 PMStatistically speaking, this is true.

But, the people in the cockpit are not flying the plane. Autopilot handles almost all of the maneuvers while they are doing who knows what.

I am in control of my car 100% of the time when I am driving. I choose the route, the speed, and when to pull over and stop for a while if needed. I can, and have many times, been able to react to a dangerous situation within seconds. Commercial pilots can't react that quickly.

I haven't flown on a commercial flight since 1985. I am not opposed to it and maybe someday I will. But if I can drive there myself, I would prefer it to flying.

I like the travel time being less than driving for long distances.  However, one has to get to and from the airport.  One has to wait for flights, possibly handle luggage, go through security, possibly customs, then has to perhaps obtain some type of ground transportation. This can make it almost equal time duration wise for short flights for flying vs. driving your car.

With the number of airplane crashes in the U.S. lately, and the fact of large F.A.A. firings and plans for spacex to take over I really don't trust flying into the U.S. but flying anywhere else is fine.

Hi Everyone

According to AirlineRatings 2025 evaluation,

• Air New Zealand
• Qantas
• Cathay Pacific, Qatar Airways, and Emirates (tied)
• Virgin Australia
• Etihad Airways

These rankings underscore the commitment of these airlines to maintaining high safety standards.

I always use Qantas or Virgin Australia.

Best Wishes Always
Sarah B
Global Moderator

Hi Everyone

The most dangerous forms of travel, ranked from most to least dangerous based on fatality rates per miles or kilometres or per trip, are:

• Motorcycles
• Bicycles
• Walking (Pedestrians)
• Cars & Light Trucks
• Boats & Ferries
• Trains
• Buses
• Commercial Airlines
• Elevators & Escalators
• Space Travel

Flying is very safe, so to answer the question " Do you feel safe flying on an airline's modern passenger travel jets?"  Yes, thats why I fly Qantas and if not, then Virgin.

Safe Travels everyone!

Best Wishes Always
Sarah B
Global Moderator

As a former pilot, I have nothing against flying.  In principle. 

But things have changed since my day, especially in the US.  Too many planes in too little airspace, with too few controllers.  I follow a site that has radar/audio replays of various aircraft incidents, and I have seen too many near misses caused by trying to cram too many planes into too small a space.  In many cases, it is only the alertness of the pilots that avoided catastrophe.

And it is just too darned expensive.

Quote from: Athena on February 21, 2025, 10:51:51 PMWith the number of airplane crashes in the U.S. lately, and the fact of large F.A.A. firings and plans for spacex to take over I really don't trust flying into the U.S. but flying anywhere else is fine.

These firings have been said to NOT impact airline safety.  The firings are for support positions.  In fact the FAA is hiring more air traffic controllers and the TSA keeps hiring the security staffers. If any of these safety impacting workers were given termination notices these would have been rescinded, as were other improperly issued firings in other federal departments.

Quote from: ChrissyRyan on February 22, 2025, 08:06:34 AMThese firings have been said to NOT impact airline safety.  The firings are for support positions.  In fact the FAA is hiring more air traffic controllers and the TSA keeps hiring the security staffers. If any of these safety impacting workers were given termination notices these would have been rescinded, as were other improperly issued firings in other federal departments.

Thanks for clarifying, Chrissy. I did not know that.

As a navy lass... no. I spent a lot of time being under the oceans. Not flying over them. And I have severe vertigo. I'd rather go the long way, lol. I would be like Jake Gyllenhaal in "The Day After Tomorrow" movie. Eating ALL the peanuts.

Hi Everyone

I would be riding the aeroplane like Muad'Dib rides the sandworm in 'Dune'.     

Best Wishes Always
Sarah B
Global Moderator

Quote from: Sarah B on February 22, 2025, 03:03:36 PMHi Everyone

I would be riding the aeroplane like Muad'Dib rides the sandworm in 'Dune'.     

Best Wishes Always
Sarah B
Global Moderator

LOL omg there's an image!

Quote from: Sarah B on February 22, 2025, 03:03:36 PMHi Everyone

I would be riding the aeroplane like Muad'Dib rides the sandworm in 'Dune'.     

Best Wishes Always
Sarah B
Global Moderator

I have not seen that. 

Sarah is actually gorgeous. She'd be on the back of that 747, hair streaming in the wind, probably whooping at the top of her lungs.

Quote from: Sephirah on February 22, 2025, 03:09:14 PMSarah is actually gorgeous. She'd be on the back of that 747, hair streaming in the wind, probably whooping at the top of her lungs.

Sephirah,

You would be there and just as beautiful, right? 

Chrissy

Quote from: ChrissyRyan on February 22, 2025, 03:13:01 PMSephirah,

You would be there and just as beautiful, right? 

Chrissy

Not even close. I'd be a shivering wreck in the cargo hold. But thank you. <3 You kind of made my night.

Quote from: Sephirah on February 22, 2025, 03:14:03 PMNot even close. I'd be a shivering wreck in the cargo hold. But thank you. <3 You kind of made my night.

Anyone would be shivering in the cargo hold, even the gorgeous.

Chrissy

Hi Everyone

Quote from: ChrissyRyan on February 22, 2025, 03:06:58 PMI have not seen that.

You do not know what you are missing.  Both movie versions 1984 and 2021 are good, they both follow the books written by Frank Herbert.

Best Wishes Always
Sarah B
Global Moderator
@ChrissyRyan

Quote from: Sarah B on February 22, 2025, 03:28:22 PMHi Everyone

You do not know what you are missing.  Both movie versions 1984 and 2021 are good, they both follow the books written by Frank Herbert.

Best Wishes Always
Sarah B
Global Moderator
@ChrissyRyan

I agree, the dune novels are very high fantasy. If you can get into the world building. If you can get into the whole world behind it, it's really really good.

Quote from: Sephirah on February 22, 2025, 07:28:06 PMI agree, the dune novels are very high fantasy. If you can get into the world building. If you can get into the whole world behind it, it's really really good.

I liked the book better than the movies. But that is typical of me. The details the authors tell us seem to get glossed over in the movies. A prime example is "Hitchhikers Guide" and "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest". In the latter, the movie is about R.P. McMurphy, but in the book, the story is told from the Indian's point of view. BIG difference.

But I had a hard time reading Tolkien, but enjoyed the movies, so there's that.