Fear Of Flying

[aptpupil]

Hi everybody.

Yesterday at work, I was chatting to a colleague who had just returned from a holiday in the Mediterranean, and he admitted to me, in slightly embarrassed tones, that he hadn't enjoyed the flight back to the UK, because, on the plane, he found himself sitting directly across from a young Arab man, of the "non-Westernized" variety (long bushy beard, and Islamic dress-code type clothing).

I was initially surprised, because I thought that we'd all long since put that paricular prejudice behind us, but the story did lead me to recall a similar incident a few years ago, when I was in Orlando International Airport, and at a time when 9/11 was still much fresher in our memories. On that occasion, I sat in the departure lounge and found myself facing two Arab men of similar Islamic appearance, who, to my imagination at least, appeared to be acting suspiciously, speaking softly in their own language, and not making meaningful eye contact with anybody else. Not being the best flyer in the world anyway, it did cause me a little concern at the time, but I soon forgot about them once the flight took off and they were out of my sight on some other part of the plane.

I know that many SKMB members are well travelled, and probably frequent flyers, and I was just wondering if the sight of Arab Muslims on your flights (particularly those in Islamic clothing) still causes a nervousness in the wake of the World Trade Center atrocity, or whether you've long since put that particular worry behind you, and now just see them as ordinary passengers unworthy of a second thought?

Peace.

[aneaglesangel]

Hmm, I don't fly often, and I'm not sure how I would feel about it if the circumstances matched yours. I do know this, any sucker tries to take down my plane, I'm fighting back tooth and nail. I won't go down easily.

Part of me thinks it's unfair to be prejudice against a whole race, but yet, I also think it's foolish not to keep our eyes open. It's hard to say how I'd feel about it, for I haven't been on a plane in many years. I'd probably feel a bit worried about it, and keep an eye on them. If I saw them doing anything suspicious I'd probably be the first to jump on them and get arrested for assault and battery when it ended up the poor guy was getting a tissue to blow his nose....

But for me, it really is a tough question. Prejudice has no place in this world. It's just like when we segregated black people and they couldn't ride on the bus in the same seats as white people or drink from the same fountains. That was wrong. But black people also didn't go around strapping bombs to themselves blowing people up either, or at least I've never heard of it. So what's the fine line here? Is being cautious and protecting ourselves overreacting? Is it prejudice to watch over a whole race because a few of them hurt us? I don't know where to draw the line here. I feel as if we need to watch our backs, for anyone can be a terrorist, but in so doing, are we being prejudice against people wrongfully?

[sam peebles]

Yeah, I look twice. I'm sure most Americans are more than wary (and I think rightfully so) of riding in planes with Arab Muslims. 9/11 wasn't that long ago.

[Doc Wilson]

To me the word prejudice does not apply, at all. Its history, and its still happening. Rational people need to keep their eyes open.

[youngfibre]

I have in witnessed 2 religious riots that i survived barely though surely. These days when travelling i will never board a vehicle that has more muslims (of 'Islamic dressing') than christians. Never! Because you cant really say what gets them started. Alot of people died when religious riots went up cos of the hosting of miss world, another because some christians sat down to rest beside a mosque. ???

[Matthew.Degnan]

I must admit, I'm more wary these days.. but im afraid of flying anyway so lucky me!

[Mary Strickland]

There is a reason the Creator did not give us wings or gills----duh!!!! I would not fly or float for anyone. If you can't get there by mule, you don't need to go.

[CorbinKale]

Humans are very good at disregarding historical evidence and stifling their survival insticts. Some people even pride themselves on that ability. For me, the opposite is true. Every bit of information, every gut feeling is a clue to possible events and courses of action.

I don't discriminate, though. I have a plan to kill every single person I meet, just in case.

[Nutty Bavarian]

My motto: No one is above suspicion.
After years in the military I've found I give everyone a close look when I'm in an airport. Paranoid? Maybe a little, but it's the bad guy you don't see that gets you.

I love that one thread someone started about the flight crew getting into a fight with no help from the passengers needed.

Maybe it's not the other passengers we should worry about

[aptpupil]

Rick

That one was also mine! Flying is such a precarious activity, isn't it? Six or seven miles above the ground, travelling at about 600mph through external temperatures of around -60 degrees, cocooned by a monstrously heavy metallic construction that common sense tells us should never get off the ground, and once it does, should immediately plummet back down there again!

The last thing we need is flight crew that aren't getting along with each other, or a fellow traveller who looks like he just might be laden (unfortunate word choice there) with enough explosive to blast us to a meeting with our maker.

I'll fly when absolutely necessary, but never for pleasure!