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I'm not afraid of flying. If I were, I'd have to get another job. Turns out that I spend a lot of time in transit. Like many others have already said, the process is not pleasant. I've learned some tricks that help. First, try to fly the same airline all the time and join their frequent-flyer program. That gets you promoted to prestige status and they are more likely to make concessions or grant you some bonuses. Also, join the "club" and take advantage of the lounge. That's a much better place to wait than the boarding areas. I check my suitcase so I have less "stuff" to keep up with or tote through connecting airports. And bring books!
Pre-Kindle, I would have 3 paperbacks in my backpack and 2-6 more in my suitcase, depending on how long I was going to be away from home. And, I was not reluctant to visit Borders or Barnes & Noble (Chapters in Canada) if I ran out of reading material.
My fears -- the kind that grip you and lock every muscle in your body -- come in two situations. First is when having to ride down a long, steep escalator. I'm ok to ride up, but not down. And normal, single-story escalators are no problem in either direction. In a pinch, I cope by turning around and facing up while riding down. If you see an old lady facing the wrong direction on an escalator, it's likely to be me. My second abject fear is at railroad crossings when the train is present. My heart pounds every time I have to drive across the tracks -- which can be several times each day since the tracks are between my house and the highway! Interestingly, I have no problem *riding* in the train and find it a very nice way to travel. But, it's a mighty struggle to get across those tracks until I verify that there is NO TRAIN IN SIGHT.
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