Flying

[NovaSilisko]

The worst part of the experience will be getting through the security screening.

Yes. By far. It took two and a half hours to get back through customs in

when I was flying back from Mexico.

[Jouni]

I fly quite a lot, and I prefer to think flying as taking a glorified bus ride, with a lot of boring rituals. Security checks don't bother me, unless I'm flying to Israel or the US (but then again, no sane person flies to the US, unless he/she has to). As long as the airport offers basic services (free unlimited WiFi, electricity for my laptop, something to eat and drink) and is properly managed (so that I don't have to go through immigration or other useless bureaucracy, for example, when I'm having an international connection), everything's fine.

Sometimes I like to think that I'm an IP packet being routed across the Internet. Usually everything goes fine, but sometimes there are delays, I end up in a wrong place, or the packet gets split and my luggage ends up in a different place.

[KerbMav]

Yes. By far. It took two and a half hours to get back through customs in

when I was flying back from Mexico.

The European Union does have its perks after all.

Lots of countries to go on vacation in for which you only need a valid ID and to abide some rules regarding what you can take aboard the plane.

[Skyler4856]

The area of greatest danger involves the Sodium content of the packaged peanuts

[rpayne88]

I will likely be moderately terrified when I solo for my private pilot's license (especially since I'm with in the D.C. SFRA (read: D.C. airspace.)) As someone learning to fly myself, I can ABSOLUTELY ASSURE you that the plane has been inspected thoroughly both once a year and every 100 hours of flight time (assuming you live in the U.S., other countries may have different regulations.) If you live in the U.S, the pilots will have between 750 hours (ex-military pilots) to 1500 hours minimum and will be rated to fly solely by reference to their instruments (look up "IFR" for more info.) Flying, for me, is enjoyable. Just try and relax if your nervous. You may feel as is you are falling during certain points during the flight. This is nothing more than an annoyance in most cases (just keep your seat belt fastened.) Also, try and sit near a window if you can (either in front of or behind the wing so you have something to look at.) If you get motion sickness this WILL help a lot.

Once you're airborne, breath a sigh of relief. The second most dangerous part of a flight (behind driving to the airport, of course ) is while the plane is taxiing. Around 90% of all plane crashes (which are still rare) occur on the tarmac.

If you find yourself panicking as the plane rolls down the runway (or the helicopter lifts off if your flying in a helicopter for whatever reason,) just remember two things:

1. You are likely going to be nervous the first time you do anything, and

2. Its easy to imagine the worst case scenario happening to ourselves. You have a much better chance of hitting the lottery than getting in plane crash (and even then, you still have a good chance of survival.)

Enjoy your flight.

[Seret]

Flying is probably a lot more mundane than you're expecting 7499275. I took a flight with a guy who'd never flown before a few years ago. He was really excited and nervous before the flight, but once we were in the air he simply said "Er, it's a bit like being on a coach, isn't it?". And he was right. Taking off and landing are interesting, but the bit in the middle is actually pretty dull.

[Godot]

... Taking off and landing are interesting, but the bit in the middle is actually pretty dull.

Unless you have a good sight (i.e. unobstructed by clouds) of mountains and other landmarks which you fly over (and of course have good places near a window to watch them)