As I write this entry I am sitting on board a VIA Rail train in their VIA1 section heading towards home. The trip takes about 4 hours and it allowed me time to reflect on why people travel the way they do. I am travelling today for business and policy dictates that one can take the VIA train in first class or can fly economy class on Air Canada. People often ask me, why would you take the train when you can fly? I could tell them, oh it’s the wireless internet, or it’s the comfortable seats. (They really are!!) I could even say that by the time you factor in taxi time from Pearson, it takes about the same time door to door. I can’t do this, I must tell them the truth, it’s because I am afraid to fly!
What? A pilot who is afraid to fly? I’ll bet it’s a heck of a lot more common than you’d think.
It’s funny as I cannot pinpoint from where this fear stems. I have been on aircraft since a very young age. Since my parents lived on either side of Canada my dad flew me for a yearly vacation at his place. I’ve flown on everything from Lockheed L-1011′s to Dash 7′s. I’ve spent time on Boeing, Airbus, Fokker and even some Bombardier. (Funny how they also made this LRC train car that I’m riding in) I do not know how many take offs and landings were made over those years but I do know that every single time, I was nervous. Not the ohmygodwe’rereallygonnadie type of nervous but maybe a little bit of white knuckle action. Always on departure and arrival. Well maybe sometimes in the turbulence as well… I have never had any real incident on an aircraft and I know my fear is somewhat irrational yet it’s real nonetheless. Why then, do I strap on a seatbelt and firewall the throttle on a little Cessna 172 at least once a week? It’s because I LOVE TO FLY in GA planes.
What is the root cause of this bi polarism?!! Some say it’s that I’m a control freak but I discovered what it truly is. It is because I can’t stand to look at the world thru the little sideways portal windows of the typical airliner. It’s hard enough to travel the train with it’s huge windows but I can’t stand not being able to see where I am going. I also don’t care much for G’s. It made things more difficult as I began my flight training but I am much better now with the g-forces. I believe that my fear of flying does make me a better pilot overall. I am thorough in all of my pre flight checks. I always use checklists and I try to fly “by the book” whenever possible. I am well aware that airplanes are machines and like all man made devices, will sometimes fail. I want to be the most prepared in the unlikely event they do.
I am slowly growing up to the idea of commercial air travel. In fact I have a flight to take this Sunday. Let’s see if this airman can impress me enough to put this fear to bed. In the meantime stay tuned to see how things go!
Tags: Fear of Flying, Travel
I have two family members who are afraid of airliners but are willing to fly in a small plane. Personally, I’ll always pick the train over an airliner if I can, because I hate the way I’m treated by airport security and the airlines. The train is fun and relaxing; flying on the airlines is insulting, cramped, and stressful (though I’ve heard good things about Porter).
I have flown with Porter and their service is great. not to mention the uniforms are awesome! Very much to airlines of the kicking 70′s to 80′s.
After my run in with WestJet last night, I may have to remain a train user for life! More to follow!