Please reassure me...

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fearful_flyer

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Mar 15, 2006
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Hi Everyone,

I have to fly to New Zealand on the weekend and it looks like I will have to fly Jetstar. I am a terrible flyer and from all the media attention I have managed to convince myself that Jetsar is unsafe (the engine loss between melbourne and tas springs to mind...). Can people please convince we otherwise?

My only options are Pacific Blue and AirNZ, but AirNZ is a lot more expensive and Pacific Blue's times don't suit me. I usually fly Qantas domestic, and have flown Qantas and Pacific Blue to NZ in the past. I found the Pacific Blue planes really noisy, is that just me?

Sorry for the rant, but basically I want people to convince me the Jetstar is safe and my plane won't drop from the sky!

Thanks!
 
JetStar operate their A320 aircraft trans-Tasman. These are very new aircraft, all being delivered band new from the factory in the last year. The one that lost an engine over Bass Straight was an older Boeing 717. But please do note that even the 717 is able to fly properly with the loss of an engine.

I would have no hesitation flying with JetStar from a safety perspective.
 
Thanks for that! I know that the plane that lost the engine did land safely, I just don't think i could handle the stress of knowing i was flying with one engine!

Any other tips for not freaking out? or opinions on Jetstar vs Virgin?

Thanks!
 
Any of the major carriers in Australia are amongst the safest in the world. The problem with flying Jetstar is not safety related... If you can fit yourself into the Pacific Blue schedules I'd recommend you do that, I've taken many of their flights before and they are a much better airline than Jetstar for about the same price.

I found the Pacific Blue planes really noisy, is that just me

There's no reason for them to be noisy, they're all fairly new B738's and are younger than most of the aircraft Qantas operate on the AUS-NZ flights and should not be any louder.
 
feearful flyer, you have more risk of crashing driving your car or being injured or killed walking across the road, than you have of crashing when flying in an aeroplane...statistics should tell you that (not that I know where to go and find them)...but how many flights are there around the world every day and how many crashes are there on any given day???

An aircraft can fly even when missing one engine (unless it's a single engine plane, but even then they can glide).

Your paranoia about crashing is unfounded. It's just that voice in your head..as my father has said innumerable times to me over the years:

Do what you fear the most, then the death of fear is certain
 
fearful_flyer said:
Any other tips for not freaking out?
Relax and breathe deeply. Take along some good reading material that will engross you and help keep your mind from wandering.
fearful_flyer said:
or opinions on Jetstar vs Virgin?
I consider them both safe airlines and would not choose one over the other based on safety. The difference will be in the service and things like checkin. Having not flown either Trans-Tasman I can't comment on the specific service differences.
 
Despite all the criticism of Jetstar on these boards, the fact is, when it comes to safety, there's no question about their credability. Safe, safe, safe.

One of (if not the) biggest risks is in relation to maintenance of aircraft - and given that Jetstar is owned by Qantas, there's absolutely no risk there.

You have nothing to be worried about.

"Sit back, relax, and enjoy your flight"
- Deborah Hutton
 
A Jetstar 320 DID have engine problems on a BNE-CNS flight four days ago - the plane was diverted to Rockhampton and has been sitting there forlornly for a few days (and may remain until this Friday I think).

The point is that the plane was always safe, landed safely, etc.
 
You'll be fine. The only risk to your health will be bursting a blood vessel from having to wait so damned long in the checkin queues. Or being knocked over while trying to board and get a seat. :wink:
 
Welcome to AFF fearful_flyer :)

What route are you flying that the only options are Pacific Blue, Air NZ and Jetstar?

As others have mentioned, flying really is safe. Almost everyday I see accidents on the road. Flight accidents on the other hand are extremely rare.
 
fearful_flyer

can i offer some feedback? it is my perception that no one else will be able to convince you of anything - even that flying is a safe option. if you continue to think that it is unsafe, then you will percieve every little thing that happens as potentially dangerous/threatening to you.

as others have suggested simply stop, think about something different (altogether or in relation to flying, ie: focus on something else) and you will over time get a different result.

i hope that you have a pleasant experience, flying, i think, is one of the modern marvels and really a fascinating science.

cheers.
 
Thanks everyone (well almost everyone...)

I do know that flying is safe, I've read all the statistics and people from my office fly every week, so I have no logical reason to be scared... I just am!

I am flying BNE - CHC so I used to fly Qantas there (this will be my forth trip to CHC) but they cut this route at the start of December.

From the looks of it on the Jetstar website you do actually get allocated seating on their NZ flights, so that's a good thing as the lack of allocated seating is a reason why I don't fly them domestically. I just hear so many bad things aout them that it makes me a bit scared, but I think most of the complainnts are from the service and not the safety (I hope!).

Thanks again.
 
There are other airline options as long as you dont mind having to connect either in Australia or NZ.

You didnt include Freedom Air - they fly from Gold Coast to Christchurch.
 
Thanks Kiwi Flyer, but I'm in Brisbane City, so getting to the gold coast isn't really convienient. Same with flying via another city... Is Jetstar really that bad that I should spend more $$ and a few extra hours to avoid it?
 
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fearful_flyer said:
Thanks Kiwi Flyer, but I'm in Brisbane City, so getting to the gold coast isn't really convienient. Same with flying via another city... Is Jetstar really that bad that I should spend more $$ and a few extra hours to avoid it?
I think you will find JetStar Trans-Tasman flights a different experience to the domestic b*s services. Most of the complaints are from people who would otherwise get FF priveleges if flying QF mainline, such a priority check-in and luggage handling, assitional checked luggage allowance, pre-allocated seating etc. So allow the exra time and be prepared to queue at check-in.

Do expect and plan to pay for food and beverages. For a 3+ hour flight, do either take along your own headphones or plan to buy a set on board ($3 I think). You might even be able to rent a portable video player on board.

Also note the seating is pretty tight at 30" with Slimline seats. But that is much the same as any flight options in economy trans-Tasman now.
 
NM said:
Also note the seating is pretty tight at 30" with Slimline seats. But that is much the same as any flight options in economy trans-Tasman now.

NZ's 777 and 747 have 33-34" pitch in regular economy, plus the option of upgrading to premium economy for even more legroom.
 
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