Interesting story and great tips. I had a terrible fear of flying that lasted about 15 years, which was a problem because I was an executive who had to fly for business about 2 to 4 times per month. My fear was triggered when in college, I stopped to get gas, looked to my left and noticed a huge plume of black smoke coming from some houses about two blocks away. Turned out that a 737 had collided on approach with a small Cessna, and I had just witness what was at the time the most-lethal airline crash in U.S. history. For a decade and a half, every time I boarded a flight, I couldn't get the image of what it must have been like to have been a passenger on that plane out of my head. Then one day on a flight, I just said, "F**k it. I've had a great life, and from here on out, whatever happens happens." I was exhausted from being tense, sweating and afraid on every flight. I just decided to let it all go. And I've never been afraid again. Crazy. Can't explain it. Thought I'd share. Safe travels.