Would you decide not to fly?

[Feralpeg]

If you had non-refundable tickets for a flight and the weather looked questionable, would you decide not to take the flight? I've often wondered about this. The crash of this last plane in New York is just one of several that have crashed in the past due to weather conditions such as icing.

I really think I'd lose the money on the ticket rather than take a flight during a snow storm. Of course, you might not have any idea that the plane would encounter icing if it was not happening at your departure location. Pretty scary.

 

[ckret01]

That is such a tough question. Last year I left Orlando's airport in 80 degree sunny weather and had no idea that there was a snow storm in NY where I was landing. I remember when the airplane started to descend I could see the snow and almost freaked out. Then when we got closer to the runway....the runway was covered entirely with snow to the point you couldn't even see the blacktop. I remember getting off the plane and my eyes just teared up because I was so thankful we landed safely in a snow storm.

 

[minnie56]

Wasn't the ice build up as it was approaching it's destination?
Ice is the biggest complication of flying in winter weather sadly..

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I was reading that checking the Black Box showed that the aircraft was on autopilot until just a few seconds before the crash. The airline's policy is that in the event of icing, or potential iceing, the autopilot is not to be used. This is for safety reasons, and it appears that the pilot was not following this safety policy.

Other than that, when was the last time a US airliner crashed with fatalities? In bad weather you are much safer flying than driving.

 

[autumnpalm]

Honestly, I would go and trust the airline officials to make the right decision. Their judgement is certainly better than mine.

If it was a massive snowstorm, it is very likely that the flight would be cancelled anyway.

Flying does make me very nervous and I hate it, but I think of it this way. The odds of dying or being injured in a car accident on your way to a destination are higher than your odds of dying or being injured on an aircraft to the same destination. Especially a destination that requires a long drive (such as to Orlando from Canada).

 

[themarquis]

It really does seem like it would be so unsafe to fly when you knew the weather was bad. But I think that's because we remember the few news reports where something bad happens ... and we don't think about all the millions of flights that DON'T crash, even in the worst weather.

Statistically, even in the worst weather, it is still much safer to fly than it is to drive!

I know that it doesn't SEEM that way, but it's true! I'd rather make decisions based on my knowledge about the numbers, rather than my feeling that it "seems" unsafe to fly in bad weather.

 

[Feralpeg]

About three years ago, DD and I flew home from LA on a red-eye. I was very leary of taking the flight because I'd heard they were predicting a tropical storm in the area. I checked with the airline and they said it would not be a problem. I was told they would not let the flight fly into Orlando if the conditions were unsafe. So, we took the flight.

Everything was fine until we got very close to Orlando. The pilot came on the loudspeaker and said that he had just talked to the tower. Conditions were fine...light rain and 15 mph winds. So, you can imagine how scary it was when we started getting knocked around. We did land safely, but it was very rough. As we taxied toward the terminal, the plane was rocking so much that I was beginning to feel sick. I wasn't the only one. Many people on the plane were affected. We finally reached the terminal.

As we were leaving the plane, the pilot was in the walkway from the plane into the terminal. He was yelling at someone standing there about the fact that it had not been 15 mph winds. In fact, the winds were really pretty bad. I drove home in blinding rain and wind. Tropical storm Wilma was moving through the area. It took forever to get home. Thank goodness, there was basically no other traffic on the roads.

That incident sort of rocked my faith in the word of the airlines. They closed the airport to all other flights after we landed.

 

[Cool-Beans]

Nope. I drive in it all the time and that's waaaay more dangerous.

I do prefer to drive these days, though. I don't like that "security" business.

 

[minnie56]

Quite possibly there was some Pilot error factoring in as well. Tragic.
I do agree though that we are at FAR more risk taking our car to the grocery store! It's all about fate as far as I am concerned anyways

 

[brockash]

Honestly, I really dislike change, and I could never see myself not taking a flight simply because I personally thought the weather was bad. I guess, I'm pretty if the airlines say it's okay to fly then I'm fine with that decision. I know they are much more intellegent in that area and have more info. on the weather than I do/would anyways.

 

[Northstar]

I'd fly.

I've been on flights (plural) where the landing was so tense that the pilot got applause once we were safely on the ground. I've been on flights that were diverted to far away, very inconvenient airports because of weather. I've been stranded in airports along with thousands of my new friends because the weather turned ugly.

Weather happens. Where I live, it happens a lot. I would never get out of Halifax, and once out, never get back, if I didn't fly when the weather was bad.

 

[NYDisGuy]

Nope. I drive in it all the time and that's waaaay more dangerous.

I do prefer to drive these days, though. I don't like that "security" business.

I'm the same way although I will probably fly to Disney this year. 20 hour drive and slumping I-95 hotels make it harder every year.

 

[BCDisneyFanatic]

I'd also much rather fly. The chances of being in a weather-related accident are so slim that I would trust in the airline/air authorities to make the right call on weather conditions.

I spend a lot of time on airplanes, and have sat through a lot of turbulence. Doesn't really phase me. Now, driving in icy conditions in Vancouver where the other drivers aren't used to it...that's scary!!!!!

 

[Pin Wizard]

Years back when a plane hit the bridge in DC and ended up in the Potomac, and other times...thinking of one in NY years ago...was when I decided I wasn't flying in winter. Then again, the last time I set foot on a plane was 15 years ago. I HAD to go that time due to a funeral.

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

Honestly, I would go and trust the airline officials to make the right decision. Their judgement is certainly better than mine.

If it was a massive snowstorm, it is very likely that the flight would be cancelled anyway.

Flying does make me very nervous and I hate it, but I think of it this way. The odds of dying or being injured in a car accident on your way to a destination are higher than your odds of dying or being injured on an aircraft to the same destination. Especially a destination that requires a long drive (such as to Orlando from Canada).

Agreed! My husband works in the airline industry and he says there is always more to these stories then are publicized. Lots of planes fly in freezing conditions everyday, but before Buffalo when was the last time we heard of one crashing.

If I can fly, I won't drive. Simple as that. Why take 17 hours to get to a destination when I can be there in 2.

Plus we travel extensively to the Carribbean. DH and I leave in 6 weeks for St. Lucia. Can't drive there.

 

[Laurabearz]

We dont go anywhere in the Wintertime.

In my youth I flew over Christmas Break every year, and some years it was downright scary. So now as an adult... I dont fly anywhere in winter.

 

[Jennasis]

I would and have cancelled non-refundable tix. I'm a worrier and suffer from pretty severe anxiety. We pretty much drive everywhere now (WDW, back to NY to visit family etc)

 

[manning]

Raced a storm in Orlando once. There was one heck of a storm coming in, like black clouds. United let you listen in then. The tower told the pilot not to stop at the end of the runway just keep going you're clear.

It started to rain on lift off and the airport closed down with one hell of a downpour.

I was having second thoughts before I boarded the plane.

 

[crz4mm2]

My last winter flight was in Feb of 06. I flew from IL to Ohio and then Ohio to Hawaii.
Had to deice the first plane here in IL. It was COLD.
Then had to deice the plane in Ohio too....

I didn't think a thing about it then.... I might now

 

[scrapquitler]

Even in bad weather, based on statistics, it is MUCH safer to fly.