Many people fear flying. Once you get on an airplane, you are committed to it for the duration of your journey; there’s no pulling over and stopping if you get uncomfortable. This feeling of being trapped would put many passengers on edge even if there were no other reasons for fear. Airplane crashes are a Hollywood staple, though, and they’re usually big, newsworthy events. While airplane crashes are much less common than car accidents, the media attention they receive makes them seem like a real threat to many passengers THOUGH THIS IS REALLY NOT THE CASE!

It’s little wonder, then, that airplane turbulence would make so many travelers uneasy. Turbulence can happen without warning, causing a plane to shudder or dip erratically. Items may shift, and passengers might be jostled in their seats. The sudden lift or plummet of an altitude change can cause discomfort in the passengers, and fear is a natural reaction. Fortunately, VIRTUALLY ALL cases of turbulence are completely harmless, and there are ways to combat even more serious turbulence to help yourself and your fellow passengers.

Getting off your plane only to stand at a baggage carousel waiting for luggage that doesn’t show is no way to start a vacation or any kind of trip. According, to the U.S. Department of Transportation in 2012, for every 1,000 passengers there were 3.09 mishandled bags. While, there’s not much you can do to completely prevent lost luggage there are steps you can take to reduce the risk.