If you don't have a fear of flying as SLF by now, you are on the back side of the curve, not to mention way behind reality.
Why? The reality is flying generally has never been safer. Do you really want to return to the days pre TCAS, EGPWS, predictive windshear, poor or non existent radar coverage etc?
People (the general public - the bulk of SLF) these days know nothing of aviation and only see a mode of transport, no different "to them" of getting a cab, a bus, or a train.
As it should be. Flying IS a mode of transportation. The average SLF has never understood aviation (as many posts on PPRuNe clearly indicate) and why should they?
Furthermore, they expect to be able to go wherever they want, whenever they want, regardless of weather or anything else, and on $10 fares.
Sadly true but SLF are not solely to blame for this. The advent of LCC has given rise to this expectation.