First Simon Jenkins article on the importance of doing nothing

[Sir C]

Speaking as an unhappy flier, I'm not afraid of crashing. That's just death. It's the actual business of flying that I hate.

Hatred of flying isn't fear of flying, is it? Back in the day I used to hate the queues and the cramped conditions, but I didn't fear the experience.

[Burney]

Hatred of flying isn't fear of flying, is it? Back in the day I used to hate the queues and the cramped conditions, but I didn't fear the experience.

No, you don't understand. For the early portions of most flights, my heartrate is through the roof and I'm having to control my breathing so as not to hyperventilate. It's an out-and-out fear response. I get it under control with the help of my first gin and tonic, but it's a very real fear thing. But the fear is not about crashing, it's a hind-brain response to a fùcking weird environment that my conscious, rational mind struggles to control.

It's a bugger, really.

[Peter]

No, you don't understand. For the early portions of most flights, my heartrate is through the roof and I'm having to control my breathing so as not to hyperventilate. It's an out-and-out fear response. I get it under control with the help of my first gin and tonic, but it's a very real fear thing. But the fear is not about crashing, it's a hind-brain response to a fùcking weird environment that my conscious, rational mind struggles to control.

It's a bugger, really.

Valium and AC/DC works for me.