How much turbulence can an airplane handle before you're in...uh...."trouble"?

[justamom]

Sure am glad I didn't read this yesterday when my daughter was flying!

Flying used to be so much fun.

[CutiePie2000]

I was not always a nervous flier.....

I think this fear comes from the fact that I flew Alaska Airlines about a week after they had that accident on January 31, 2000.
(The aircraft was on a flight from Puerto Vallarta, Mexico to San Francisco, California). The plane I was on was the same model as the one that plunged into the sea (the tail stabilizer was the problem with that fated flight).

With the subdued (not sombre, just subdued) mood of the Cabin Crew and the fact that they were all wearing pale blue "memorial ribbons", it was a very sobering experience and I think it scarred me for life permanently regarding flying. With our meal, we even received a "prayer card" that quoted a Psalm and had a pastoral looking photograph, if I remember correctly.

It was a Seattle crew that died, and since I was flying out of Sea-Tac airport, there was signage all over the place, with details of the public memorial service for the crew, etc.

[mu_agd]

Originally posted by GiantsChic
I'm totally the same way! I used to love flying, had no problem w/ turbulence, etc.. but a few years ago I became soo scared of flying because of turbulence (this was pre-9/11, so wasn't fear of highjacking)... I dunno why it happened, but it seemed to be sudden- maybe we saw the same program, lol

that's exactly what happened to me! i can[t figure out why either, especally since i have been going on planes since i was less than a year old and never had any problems with flying.

[AXJules]

Ok so, to recap:
I too am incredibly freaked out by turbulence. Are we saying that moderate bumps and shaking from side to side is no reason to worry? My blood pressure goes up like 899% whenever the plane moves but then I'm like, JULES, you're in the freakin' air...what do you expect???

[ZTAngel]

The slightest bump on a plane will give me a panic attack. The worst is flying over the Rocky Mountains because the air is so unstable.
When I went to San Diego for spring break, my boyfriend and I took one of those puddle jumpers (propeller planes) from Los Angeles to San Diego. There were huge storm clouds and we were in this tiny little plane that kept bobbing up and down through out the whole 45 minute flight. My boyfriend somehow slept through it all while I clutched onto the sides of my seat and just tried to think of happy thoughts.

[CutiePie2000]

Originally posted by ZTAngel
The slightest bump on a plane will give me a panic attack. The worst is flying over the Rocky Mountains because the air is so unstable.

You said it sistah!

I know that airline passengers are discouraged in magazine articles, etc. from having a boozy drink on flights (because they make you dehydrated, the effects are more potent when flying, blah blah), but sometimes, their "numbing effect" is just the ticket.

[DeltAlum]

Originally posted by justamom
Sure am glad I didn't read this yesterday when my daughter was flying!

Flying used to be so much fun.

Wife is flying today.

I still enjoy flying, but the amount of time spent due to security, etc. at the airport has become a real drag. Not that I don't appreciate it and think it's necessary, but it's still a huge waste of productivity.

The only time I've ever gotten nervous due to turbulence was on a 747 into LAX. We were seated in the upstaris First Class cabin, and it was so bumpy the flight attendent really did look worried. My concern wasn't for the structural integrity of the aircraft, though, but the potential wind effect on the actual landing. By far the majority of aircraft accidents happen during takeoff and landing.

[lauralaylin]

This thread is so great for me because I feel like such a freak for being scared. I used to fly all the time without a problem, but now I cannot get on a plane. This started before 9-11 too. It's annoying because I have to drive or take a train to go everywhere, and I'm skipping a trip to CA this summer because it's too far for the train, and I just can't get myself onto a plane. It's nice to know that I'm not the only one afraid. If I get the courage, I'm going to start dealing with this soon. My doctor suggested going to relaxation courses so I can control my fears leading up to the flight, and then just taking valium the night before and during the flight. Has anyone taken valium before to relax them?

[ZTAngel]

My aunt use to take qualudes (sp?) before getting on a plane. Now she takes valium. She just sleeps through the whole flight or else she'd be having an anxiety attack.

[dzrose93]

Originally posted by ariesrising
I don't know if you'll remember this, it was pretty big news at the time.

In 1988 an Aloha Airlines 737 was on it's way from Hilo to Honolulu when 1/3 of the roof ripped off, exposing the plane and passengers at 24,000 feet and killing one flight attendant. The plane was completely decompressed.

My parents visited Hawaii not too long after that incident occurred and landed at the same airport where the plane was being kept. It was on the tarmac and the roof was gaping open. Pretty scary sight to see as you're landing!

[DeltAlum]

Originally posted by dzrose93
My parents visited Hawaii not too long after that incident occurred and landed at the same airport where the plane was being kept. It was on the tarmac and the roof was gaping open. Pretty scary sight to see as you're landing!

Along the same lines, but a little more upclose and personal.

There was a DC-9 (Continental 1714) crash at the old Denver Airport (Stapleton) a few years ago, which I helped cover for the TV stations I worked for at the time, and also for NBC. It was a different kind of crash, in that there were still large parts of the plane in tact and had been little fire. In fact, there were actually a few survivors. Also, strangely, we were allowed within about 100 feet of the crash site.

Two days later my whole family and I took off on a parallel runway for a Disney World vacation. The wreckage was still there. I didn't point that out to the family.

[swissmiss04]

Hey guys! I can totally relate to this thread since I've flown a grand total of 5 times in the past month, twice over the Atlantic. We hit turbulence going, which freaked me out, but honestly it wasn't as "turbulent" as I expected. The coolest thing (to me) about flying is the takeoff in a 50 passenger plane. You feel EVERYTHING and it's such a rush!! On the way to Egypt I looked out the window and saw the Alps. It was so beautiful. I'm such a fan of flying now. I honestly have no idea why people are so scared. The odds of a fatal airline crash are definitely in the traveler's favor. Much more so than driving.

[moe.ron]

The worst is when your seat is at the abosolute back row. You get to feel everything and then some. Especially during the landing. I enjoy flying a lot. I've gotten some good pattern I follow when I fly long distance. That is, I always bring sleeping pills. After dinner, I take it and dream away.

[DeltAlum]

Originally posted by moe.ron
...dream away.

I'm usually asleep before we reach the threshold of the active runway before taking off.

Often, I wake up for drinks, read a while and then go to sleep again and wake up on descent.

I did sleep almost an entire Heathrow to O'Hare leg once. Those Business Class seats can be pretty comfy.

[Rudey]

Originally posted by DeltAlum
I'm usually asleep before we reach the threshold of the active runway before taking off.

Often, I wake up for drinks, read a while and then go to sleep again and wake up on descent.

I did sleep almost an entire Heathrow to O'Hare leg once. Those Business Class seats can be pretty comfy.

I bet you're one of those guys that always nudges me and wants to talk on flights.

-Rudey
--The only time that was cool was going to the world series when the entire back section was going and the flight attendants didn't care how much people were drinking.