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Celebrity scare in the air: fear of family-flying

Joshua Crouthamel

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Kate Winslet and Sam Mendes

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Actress Kate Winslet and her director husband, Sam Mendes, never fly together, for fear of an air tragedy that would orphan their children, according to the the UK's Daily Mail.

Their fear was fuelled by a string of unfortunate travel experiences. According to a source close to the couple, Mendes was booked on ill-fated American Airlines flight 77, the third plane hijacked on September 11, 2001, which was crashed into the Pentagon. Fortunately for him, a last-minute amendment to his schedule saw him board a different flight.

The following month, Winslet and her daughter Mia were onboard a British Airways flight from London to Dallas when a passenger stood, announced himself to be an Islamist terrorist and screamed "We are all going to die." The alarming announcement came seven hours into the flight, and the pilot diverted to Toronto where Youri Kanounnikoff, 29, was arrested and later charged with creating mischief, endangering life and uttering threats.

A spokesman for the couple said: "Where possible, Kate and Sam do prefer to travel in separate planes. It is not always possible but, for obvious reasons regarding the children, they do travel separately when they can."

Other famous family-flight phobics include the United Kingdom's royal family. According to Royal Insight, the Queen and the Prince of Wales are never to fly together, and permission needs to be granted by the Queen should Prince Charles wish to fly with his sons, or should princes William and Harry want to fly together.

Would you book separate flights whenever possible for fear of orphaning your children? Or do you think this is a case of "More money, more problems"? Legit excuse or lunacy? Tell us what you think.

User comments

I have friends - non-millioniares - who do this. The hard part is that when they are travelling as a family they split the kids up between them and this always causes a bit of drama but I get why they do it. I would do it if I could but as a single parent I obviously have to travel with both my kids and resign myself to the 'At least we'll all go together' theory. Mike from Brisbane, think about it - do you really think millionaire orphans would chose to have eaps of money or one of their parents?

Clearly these people have money to burn. But really how much extra does it cost to fly apart? Airlines charge by the seat. I doubt they're going to give you a discount just because you're flying together. The only thing you would need to consider is the costs associated with having one partner wait around for the other to arrive. I guess it depends on how much time between flights there is. Realistically, these people really shouldn't worry so much about orphaning their child. They will simple end up with very wealthy orphans. I think these people have heard one to many horror stories about the hard lives of orphaned children, and failed to realise that these orphans didn't have millionaire parents. I think this is more to do with the gratification they gain from believing they're doing the right thing for their children, than any actual well rationalised risk management strategy.

It might seem extreme, but I know of a tradegy where a young boy was orphaned by his parents, by a fatal car accident, driving in a dangerous country renouned for its' seriously bad record of road fatalities... For 2 years he cried for his parents, expecting them to come home soon. His grandparents luckily were youngish enough to take over as gaurdians & have their own business, so money wasn't an issue. They must know of some tragedy close to them, that inspired them to vow never to travel together, incase the worst should happen. It can happen. I only understand that desire to protect your child in such ways, now, as a parent myself. Otherwise it does seem ludicrous. Kate & her husband clearly love their children, that's all. Wish all parents were as caring & thoughtful... too many aren't.

It would probably get a bit annoying but accidents can happen so they can do that if they feel the need to.

I think it makes sense - if you have had any 'close calls' with flying, you would do anything to keep your family safe and together, and if that includes flying seperatly, then leave it be. If anything like this had happened to me or anyone i know, I would like my parents to do this, or when i have a family i would do this!

That's awesome, who cares?

Yes it makes sense that some people are afraid of flying with their family in case a tragedy does happen. It means that you will live on with your children while the person you loved died. But taking two or more flights means there is double the possibility that something will happen to somebody in your family. And you will be left wondering... "What if I was on the plane instead of them." You would never forgive yourself because they could be here when you are instead! If you are really this worried that something will happen then you shouldn't be in the same car without the kids, or together at all when the children aren't there! Because something could always happen! And sometimes you can't prevent it! If you are worried about your children then the best thing you can do is live life normally. Because you can't always save them or anybody for that fact. But at least they can have fun along the way. necessary

realy? cause i always fly with my family

The fear of family travel is the height of paranoia! What if your loved ones needed your help and you weren't there. Tragedy can happen anywhere, anytime so live life now and not in fear!!

it costs the same to fly, whether you fly on the same plane or seperate, so i fail to see how this relates to "more money, more problems". I would definatly consider having my partner and i fly seperatly for the sake of our children, should, unfortunatly anything should happen, at least one parent is there for our kids. They are the most important things in your life, you'd do anything for them, and in my opinion, that includes flying seperatly.

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