The apprehension of boarding an airplane today is well founded. Practically every one associates the fear of flying with a foreboding sense that the plane will actually crash. They may have a valid point; because now, most of the commercial airlines have eliminated two engines on their aircraft. This, for the sake of cutting fuel costs has jeopardized passenger safety. A prime example occurred in January of 2009 when a commercial jet with only two engines both shut down during ascent which forced that plane to make a miraculous landing in the Hudson River. Had there been four engines mounted the decibel level would have been loud enough to scare birds and other foul farther away so that what caused those engines failure wouldn’t have happened. Only through the skill and knowledge of the pilot and crew a tragedy was adverted. Full Story.
The Fear Of Flying.
Published: July 9, 2010Posted in: Airlines, Safety and Warnings
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I disagree with the author here, on more than one point.
Four engines is not necessarily safer than two. Twice the number of moving parts means more risks of failure of one engine. Moreover, a four-engine plane is going to have a very hard time to stay aloft on two, especially if they fail on the same side.
The new twin-engine airliners have a lot of power and can actually climb easily on one engine.
Sure, the comfort of modern airliners has come down, but for many airlines, it’s that or going belly up, not a matter of making more profits. Let’s face it, airline tickets are extremely cheap, considering the alternatives. If crossing the Atlantic for $500 seems too much to anyone, they live in a fantasy land. Fat passengers? Easy, charge by the pound, problem solved. The days of luxury ocean liners are over; their customers paid a fortune to cross an ocean, not a mere few hundred dollars. You get what you pay for..
20 years old is nothing for an airplane. Airlines have strict maintenance programs. I feel more comfortable in an older plane that has had all the bugs ironed out than in a brand new one. I probably won’t board a Dreamliner until it has flown at least a year..
“Terrorism [a real eminent threat to any one who travels regardless of the particular mode of transport]” Are you kidding me? That threat is practically nonexistent. Terrorists are much less likely to target a plane today than before 9/11. They know passengers won’t stand for it, even if it means risking their lives to take the bad guys down. Airport security, while not perfect, is better.
I am convinced that flying is safer than ever, and keeps getting safer. Every accident is analyzed and airplanes are upgraded consequently all the time. What other industry can claim that?