xxxx

I am searching for flights and my search keeps bringing up Northwest Airline flights on a DC-9, 50 passenger (or some say 30-40-50 passenger), that are about $400 cheaper for a family of five than the flights with 300 or so passengers.

But my husband is afraid to fly anyway and with the crashes of smaller planes and the turbulence we're likely to feel on a smaller plane, I'm afraid he may not go for this.

I have to admit it worries me a little too! Would you feel safer paying $400 more and flying on a larger plane?

Dave

Think of it this way - That plane has flown thousands of times without crashing. And thousands of smaller commuter planes fly all over the US every day. The size of the plane doesn't bother me.

Joe

If I remember correctly, DC9-'s carry at least 80-90 passengers, and have two jet engines mounted at the rear. They are the predecessor to the MD-80 and 717. They are not huge, but they aren't tiny prop jets either. I wouldn't be concerned at all about flying on one. Go with the lower price.

Sal

If Joe's information is accurate, I would feel safe flying on the DC-9--and I am a very fearful flyer.

Geoff

What's more important - the $400 or your husband's feelings??

Actually, I believe you should discuss it with him. If he doesn't like to fly anyway, would this plane present even more fear.

There was a "fear of flying" forum on Fodors a couple of weeks ago. You should read some of the responses of those who are affraid in a plane. Would he subject you to a fear he knows you have just because he got positive advice on a message board.

xxxx

I should clarify that my husband isn't deathly afraid of flying; doesn't need to be tranquilized or anything like that. He just feels a little uneasy about it. He says at least if you are driving a car and you crash you have a CHANCE of survival, plus you have some control over steering etc. But in a plane you have no control and if you crash, chances are you will not survive.

What I was looking for is why there is really a reason that a smaller plane is not as safe. A lot of the crashes the last couple of years have involved small planes and that was my concern.

Scott

I have flown on DC-9's many times. They are not a small commuter plane, but a jet around the size of a 737. If you've ever flown Midwest Express, you've probably been on one before. They are very safe aircrafts and if you regularly fly 737's, MD-80's etc, you will not feel like you are on a small plane in a DC-9.

John

I think you're confused by the model, or series for the DC-9. These were produced as DC-9-30 or DC-9-40, etc., showing the generation of the airplane, not its capacity. Most were configured to carry between 80 and 100 pax. The higher the series number, generally the newer the plane, although the last plane manufactured as a "DC" series ("Douglas Commercial), rather than an "MD" series (McDonell-Douglas) was around 1970 when the firms merged (and later McD/D got eaten by Boeing). So a DC-9 is getting on up in years, but they were and remain wonderful airplanes with good safety records. (Hey, I worked on the line in Long Beach building the things back when, and we knew what we were doing, by cracky.) I wouldn't sweat it.

Charles

The -50 is not a passenger quantity. It designates a block of airplanes that Douglas built in a particular configuration. Each airline dtermines the quantity and spacing of seats to sit its needs.

xxxx

I am just going by what it says on the flight information and it lists the plane as DC-9 50 passenger, just like that. And some say DC-9 30-40-50 passenger.

John

xxxx, despite what your passenger info says the DC-9 always holds more people than that. The configuration is usually 2x2 in first class and 2x3 in coach, with 80-115 seats depending on which model (30, 40, 50) the aircraft happens to be. The ONLY time I can recall a DC-9 having around 50 seats was when Legend Airlines tried all first-class service out of Love Field (Dallas) last year.

NOW, directly from the Northwest web site...here are the passenger counts for each DC-9 series: DC9-50, 125 passengers / DC9-40, 110 passengers / DC9-30, 100 passengers / DC9-10, 78 passengers

It's a fine plane. Enjoy your trip.

xxxx

Thank you all for the clarification. I feel much better about taking that plane now. My husband would prefer to drive everywhere but with three kids that is getting harder to do because they don't like riding in a car for days. On the DC-9 the airfare will be $825 for five of us and it seems silly to me to spend a couple of days driving when we can fly for that little.

Thanks again for the input.

L

XXXX, may I offer this thought: the good ideas posted so far relate to plane safety and risk levels. If I were you, I wouldn't discount the amount of fear you may ALL be feeling right now. It no dount will affect your kids as well if you don't see someone, perhaps a therapist, to talk about it. And yes, perhaps a mild Ativan plus dramamine might help. There's certainly no stigma associated with a med. your doctor can precribe to help your husband and perhaps yourself. Fear can be very destructive ... perhaps this trip is an opportunity to see someone and begin to work on your fears , which are not in anyway irrational. I have the feeling this issue of flying vs. driving has been brewing for quite a while in your lives, and has no doubt interefered with earlier travel plans, perhaps even encouraging you to avoid a trip or cancel it. I can empathize ... most of go through this type of fear .. why not do something about it right now? Good luck.

xxxx

Hi L. I wouldn't call it a fear, really - just uneasiness. Nothing that medication is required; no phobia or anything like that. We have flown three times and driven the rest. The driving was partly to save money and partly because my husband says he feels safer. But really, he's not phobic about it. Last time we were going somewhere I mentioned flying and after about two seconds he said "Okay - I'll fly." Maybe I made it sound worse than it really is! We aren't obsessing over it or anything! Actually my husband would have more of a problem going to see a therapist than he would getting on a plane!

L

XXXX, I'm understand you're saying his fear is not severe ... I guess I misread your original posting, and I did in fact notice you softened the description with succeeding posts. I suppose I was confused ... because your first message was so clear and to the point. I certainly respect what you're saying ... you are the person closest to the scene. It is interesting what you suggest about your husband's feelings about seeing someone ... I have to agree ... sometimes it's harder to talk about what we're feeling than it is to just feel it. Anyway, have a good trip.

kam

I've flown many, many times on DC9s and I really hate to fly. They are not tiny planes and I would feel as safe on them as on a 737 or MD80. One thing I always try to do if I'm flying in turbulent territory is to request a seat as far forward as possible. You'll feel the bumps less in the front. I slipped up on this last week and had a horrible ride from Pittsburgh to Chicago on a 737. Good luck.

L

Kam, I just feel for folks when they say they don't like to fly, and fear a crash and/or turbulence. We have all been there, believe me. There are some things you can do to put real joy and pleasure into your flying ... it's like a number of other things we do in life ... they can be fun and interesting, or burdensome. This is an interesting thread. Have you looked at local groups in your area who work on just this issue? I just doesn't have to be terrible, you know. I sure wish you good luck.

Raymond

First, If I were your husband I would make sure my spiritual life was in order,then he would have no worries. 2nd. I am familiar with the aircraft in question and have heard nothing bad. Northwest's service isn't the greatest but the plane should be fine.

freewoman

Bottom line --- When it's your time to go, it's your time. Whether in the air or watching the Super Bowl on your sofa!! Look at the numbers of how many are killed every day on the highway as opposed to flight. Flying is the only way to go. And if I die that way, at least I hope it is on the way home and not going to a great vacation!!!

L

Wow, bury this thread .. it got sick and apparently died. All about death, risk, gruesome things! I know I'm not the only one here who sees the joy and fun of flying ... tell me there are some more of you out there! This is suppose to be a travel site ... and flying is how you do it for the big trips. Try to say something positve, full of life. Did any of you read last week that NASA just unveiled a new plane that will go 10X the speed of sound ... a simple, new engine that represents a break-through akin to the Wrights' 100 years ago. When in commercial service, NY-LAX in 30 minutes, to Narita in 2hrs. Can you say ... WOW!? Or are we going to get bogged down again in the negatives? Try a little positiveness.