Surviving a Plane Crash

The sea is dangerous and it’s storms terrible, but these obstacles have never been sufficient reason to stay ashore ~ Ferdinand Magellan

I am terrified of flying. A plane crash is my worst fear in the world, not only because it would mean I would die, but because it would mean I would know I was going to die, possibly for a few minutes of unimaginable terror, before it happened. But I love to travel, and flying is the fastest and cheapest way to go long distances, so I take my chances and medicate heavily.

I've always been one of those people who pay no attention to the safety instruction at the beginning of the flight. I have a vague idea of where my emergency exits are and I know, in theory, that my seat doubles as a floatation device. But I've always figured that in a real plane crash, none of that would matter because if my plane went down, that would be the end.

I was wrong. Yesterday, a plane performed an emergency landing on the Hudson River after a flock of birds (birds! and the more disturbing thing is: it happens all the time) knocked out both engines. Everyone survived.

Turns out, 96% of all people involved in a plane crash survive.

Guess I better start paying attention during that safety lecture.