There has been one case of decompression that I can vaguely remember which involved a Hawaiian (?) Airlines Boeing 737. In this case a large section of the upper fuselage detached itself and the aircraft effectively became a cabriolet, at least the business class section did. You would imagine that the effect on the entire cabin load of passengers would have been catastrophic, being exposed sub-zero temperature air travelling at several hundred miles an hour. In fact there were surprisingly few casualties, mainly those not strapped in, such as the cabin crew.
I fully understand and sympathise with the concerns of those who do fear flying, luckily I do not - I love it - but do be assured these incidents are very few and far between, that's why they make the news when they do happen. For goodness's sake, don't give up visiting friends and relations or going on holiday just because air travel is involved, it is the safest way of getting around the world. As has been mentioned elsewhere, express your fears to the cabin crew, I'm sure they'll be able to help, you might even discover you've got PPRuNers flying you (now that is a frightening thought!!)
[This message has been edited by Groundgripper (edited 06 October 2000).]