Which part of the air travel experience scares you, makes you uneasy or uncomfortable?

The BAD turbulence bothers me a little, not the little bits, but they really bumpy, noisy turbulence.

I think this is because when I was 8, I flew from Hong Kong to LA, and one of the engines failed halfway, and flying back to Hong Kong was bumpy, and lots of turbulence.

But I'm not too fussed.

The part I hate the most is taking off and landing. My ears pop as per normal, but as soon as the plane descends, I start to feel faint and can barely talk. It's weird I know.

Ever since 9/11, ive had major butterflies in my stomach when taking off or flying over a major city (DC, NYC, ETC). Turbulence doesnt really frighten me. When I was flying once, I saw a plane landing torward an airport and it was so far away and so down below, and that was more cool than scary. Sometimes I used to get scared that something would go wrong with the plane, we'd be at cruising altitude high up and the plane would just randomly drop. Ive had a few nightmares about that. Im a very experienced flyer, if you knew me well enough you know I am ecstatic about any type of travel, and I have had a few thoughts about being a TSA officer or a flight attendant. I guess 9/11 inspired me about that because my Dad was at the capital that day and the plane that crashed into the Pennsylvanian field was headed torwards the building he was in. When I was 5, I didnt realize how much of a big deal it was, but im glad my Daddy is A-OK.

Airport security and the hysteria and curtailment of civil liberties that go with it are what worry me most. Second to that would be cutting corners on maintenance and pilot rest requirements at airlines that are trying to save money (inadequate fuel loads are also a risk). Many airlines will not go beyond the bare minimum required by law (thank goodness that the laws on safety are strict), and some may even attempt to cheat.

Planes do not fall out of the sky, so that's not a problem. The other things on your list are either harmless (night flight, landing, etc.) or so unlikely that they are not worth worrying about (terrorists, mid-air collisions, etc.).

Not a big fan of turbulence because I do not like that sudden drop type feeling. With a roller coaster you can kind of see it coming but when on an airplane, sometimes it just happens.

Also tight connections and checked-in luggage. Sometimes I worry if my luggage will make it on the next flight if the connection is too tight.

Third one is when flying during the winter. Always concerned about ice on the wings and if the crew de-iced the plane enough.

None of the above.

Planes don't just "fall out of the sky". The chances of you getting into a plane with a terrorist are slimmer than you getting hit by lightning 20 times in one day. Mid-air collisions are far more common between small, non-commercial planes. Turbulance is no problem if you keep your seatbelt fastened unless you just HAVE to get out of your seat. Commercial pilots are some of the most highly trained, intensively tested people in the work force today, and as long as they get enough sleep before they get into that cockpit, I trust them.

I earned a private pilot's license and lemme tell ya, it ain't easy to get THAT little piece of paper -- so if those guys (and girls) are in the front of those big jets, I have utmost respect for their dedication.

I feel safer flying somewhere than I do trying to DRIVE to the same place. Read your local paper every day (especially on a Monday). Count the number of people you read about getting killed by drunk and/or stupid drivers, and then count the number you read about getting killed in a plane crash. There's no comparison.

being #33 out of 35 on the standby list at ORD on a Friday afternoon when the gate agent is calling for volunteers for denied boarding

i'm not scared, but uneasy to fly over water for a long period of time. i just feel like if there's a problem, the plane could maybe land if it's somewhere over land. there's only one option over water. i'm flying to san juan from savannah is november, maybe i'll luck out and get sully!!! hope this helps with your essay.

Making tight connections at airports. I love flying. Because I understand all of the parts of the plane, and what they do,they don't scare me.