At 7/5/09 01:07 AM, THEJamoke wrote:
TL;DR - if it means I'd never have to set foot on an airplane again, strap me in to that mean machine and hand me the lube.
http://www.planecrashinfo.com/cause.htm
Odds of being killed on a single airline flight: 1 in 13.57 million
Even though I too share the same phobia of falling many miles down to greet the pavement with my face, airplanes are nothing to worry about. The last thing airlines need are lawsuits from members of your immediate family -- therefore, they'll do everything in their power to make your flight safe.
If you happen to be that unlucky one out of 13.57 million to go ker-splat, though chances are you should blame the pilot. That's right, only 9% of the time is it due to sabotage, so you can go spout your 9/11 jokes somewhere else:
Causes of Fatal Accidents in 2000s (percentage)
Pilot Error: 25%
Pilot Error (weather related): 17%
Pilot Error (mechanical related): 3%
TOTAL PILOT ERROR: 45%
Other human error: 9%
Weather: 8%
Mechanical failure: 28%
Sabotage: 9%
Other cause: 1%
TL;DR: If I can't fly on a plane, I'll get someone else to ride this thing and then hop on their back.
Or maybe affix a bicycle seat onto it. Who knows?