Flying scared?

By Joe Kleinsasser

Fatal car accidents occur all the time. But one fatal airline accident, like the recent Alaska Airlines crash, grabs the headlines and gets our attention.

Just how big of an effect does a dramatic and high profile accident have on the flying public?

Dean Headley, associate professor of marketing and co-author of the national Airline Quality Rating, says people may think twice before flying after a major airline accident, but their behavior isn’t likely to change. They probably will continue to fly.

"The longer an accident lingers in the public eye without a definite cause, the greater the effect will be on the public," says Headley.

Psychologist Don Nance, director of the Counseling and Testing Center, agrees that an accident affects most of us only temporarily.

"Accidents typically do not change our airline travel behavior. If we flew before, we fly now. If we didn’t fly before, we’re reinforced for not flying. We fly though with a little bit more anxiety for awhile," Nance says.

Statistically there are far more motor vehicle accidents than airplane accidents, and many more people die from car accidents than airplane crashes. However, logic alone won’t cure everyone’s fear of flying.

Nance says flying creates some fear because we sense that we’re not in control of the situation.

"When we drive we have a sense of control, even though cars are statistically more dangerous than flying."

So what’s a person to do?

Nance says there are several ways to deal with a fear of flying. One is to distract yourself. Use headphones or do something that focuses your attention on something else.

"Another way to overcome your fear of flying is to keep reminding yourself of why you’re traveling. Most of us travel for family, for friends and for business – all of which are important and are good reasons to be in the air," he says.

Finally, Nance says you can acknowledge your fear of flying. Then determine not to let that fear interfere with your life.

In any event, remember, "the most dangerous part of a trip is the drive to and from the airport," says Headley.