Cramped seats, turbulence and the thought of flying 35,000 feet in the air in a large, heavy object is something many anxious travelers find unpleasant. One of the safest modes of transportation is air travel, but with two major airline crashes already this year, some travelers, especially those who fear flying, may be feeling nervous when taking to the skies. The crash of Continental Airlines Flight 3407 killed all 49 passengers on board and one on the ground when it crashed into a house in Buffalo, N.Y., on Feb. 12, ending a two-year period without a single airline passenger death in the U.S. The crash happened nearly a month after US Airways Flight 1549 crash-landed in the Hudson River on Jan. 15. All 155 onboard survived. Both crashes were widely publicized by media outlets, causing some travelers to feel nervous about flying despite statistics showing that flying is one of the safest modes of transportation. Tom Davis, assistant professor of psychology, said there are several theories behind why people have fears or anxiety about flying. A bad experience with flying, observing or hearing something negative happen with flying or a combination of both can also cause anxiety for some people, Davis said. “You’ve seen all these things on the news, you’ve heard that negative information,” Davis said. “For someone that has a little bit more of an anxious temperament, they’re hearing all those negative things … they get on the plane, and they hit a little turbulence. That might be enough for someone altogether to develop a phobia.” While there is a varying number when it comes to the odds of dying in a plane crash, research by the National Safety Council found it is more likely for a person to die falling out of bed or from tripping while walking than to die in a major airline crash. It is also far more likely for a person to die in a car or on a bicycle than in a plane. Statistics also show safety on U.S. airlines has improved as the number of plane departures rose over the years. Less than 0.5 fatal accidents per million scheduled departures have occurred since deregulation, according to the National Transportation Safety Board.Davis said, however, that hearing such statistics or comments about flying being the safest form of travel does not always help those who feel nervous about flying.”If hearing that would’ve helped you, it would’ve helped you the 10th time, the 11th time, the 100th time,” Davis said.Davis said specific information is more helpful, and people who feel nervous about flying should learn more about flying, such as the procedures of flying and the sounds heard during a flight. Treatment is also an option for those who are anxious about flying.Some University students, however, don’t feel any more nervous about flying after the recent plane crashes.”Airplane pilots are more trained than motorists. It’s their job,” said Rebecca Warner, English literature senior. “Flying is safer than other forms of travel.”Erica Boyd, biological sciences sophomore, said she believes planes are safe, and plane crashes could happen to anyone.”It’s not going to keep you from flying,” Boyd said.
 
 
 
—-Contact Brianna Paciorka at [email protected]