Scared of flying? Know somebody who quivers at the thought of getting on a plane? Then look no further than ICAO's third annual World Conference on Fear of Flying, taking place as we speak in Montreal.
Speaking as somebody who, despite regularly travelling by air, is still quite a nervous flyer (I know, it's ridiculous given my career choice), I can say that there are no real logical grounds to this fear and, personally, no matter how many times somebody tells me how statistically safe air travel is, I will still be quivering during take-off.
But, nevertheless, ICAO will spend two days discussing ways of 'curing' those afflicted with this condition (40% of people according to ICAO).
Part of the conference will address security-related fears of flying, which probably increased among viewers of a documentary aired last night on UK TV channel ITV's Tonight show.
The documentary, entitled 'Terror in the Skies', used undercover filming at the UK's Birmingham International Airport to expose security staff employed by ICTS sleeping on the job, taking drugs and reading newspapers instead of monitoring baggage screening equipment.
I'm guessing it might take more than a few reassuring words from a psychologist to restore faith in airport security personnel among people who tuned in to this documentary, if the scenario exposed last night is in any way typical of other major airports!
Leave a comment
Want a user picture? Get a Gravatar!