Did anyone hear anything about this plane crash last month? Where can I find information about it? Thank you.

I don't know where you live, but in the Washington DC area, on Cable channel 29, which is WNVC, Northern Virginia, at 4:00 PM every day, they have RAI,Italian news, directly from Italy. They have given great coverage of this crash, assuming it's the one in Genoa, in which an Alitalia plane lost control upon landing and ended up in the Ligurian Sea.

I did a search on Alitalia and found this thread. We will be going to Italy soon and will be flying on Alitalia within Italy. Should we be worried for our safety? I'd appreciate some posts from people who recently flew with them. Thanks in advance. Michelle <BR>

We have flown Alitalia several times, and we felt quite comfortable a bout it.I think that overall it has a good safety record.

Good afternoon, Ben <BR>I personally would be more concerne with <BR>getting hit by a truck crossing the street that in an Alitalia aircraft. <BR>Enjoy your trip. <BR>Richard of Hickory Hills, IL....

Why are there people who INSIST on putting down fearful flyers by telling them where else they would be in greater danger -- e.g., in cars or taxis getting to the airport?? <BR> <BR>Do they realize they are simply saying, your worry is stupid but another worry is somewhat less stupid? Would they tell someone anxious about snakes to worry about spiders instead? <BR> <BR>Telling someone it's stupid to worry is utterly pointless, lacking empathetic comprehension, and probably stupider than the worry itself is. <BR> <BR>Telling them one thing is statistically a greater threat than something else has about as much applicability as choosing to enter a lottery where the odds of winning are 1 in a thousand instead of 1 in a million -- odds are different but still very much against winning; hoping to win is the same. <BR> <BR>What do they expect someone to do? Say, okay, fine, I won't get in the taxi but I will fly in a plane? <BR>

I fully agree with Richard Vicek's reply. I don't think he's bringing anyone down or anything. His reply really puts things in perspective for someone who fears flying. It is actally the safest means of transport and the comparison is a correct one - it is far more unsafe to cross the road than to to fly in a plane! I've alwyas been scared of flying and such logic and comparisons have always helped me. Zarkon, this a travel website,its not about psychiatric analysis. Loosen up.

Esteemed Mr./Ms. Zarkon xxx: <BR>I understand your point, and there is a kernel of substance and value to it. There is more to it than that, however. Phobias are by definition exaggerrated or irrational fears. One technique for diminishing phobias is to help the affected individual put the fear into better perspective using a framework of rational knowledge. Certainly that's a condensed view, it's not quite as simple as all that, but the point is, realizing that a fear may overblown is the first step toward minimizing that fear. Realizing that plane travel is, overall, safer than car travel is an intellectual aid in controlling fear for some. Understanding relative risks is important. I would venture to guess that if there were 50 times more plane crashes than usual next year, a lot more fliers would be anxious. If there were no crashes for 25 years, I'd bet that the 'fear index' for many, not all, would decline. Recalling all the risks we take daily provides perspective. I doubt Richard's comment was meant as a 'put down' to fearful fliers. <BR>He specifically said, "PERSONALLY, I'd worry more about..." and cast NO aspersions toward others. I think you're a bit extreme in your interpretation. <BR>