You are going to be just fine.
I am your average passenger constantly crisscrossing the world.
You are the reason we have a job and it is in my best interest to make sure your needs are met.
I have had my fair share of turbulent flights, never really been scared of flying but after the AF disaster, everything has changed.
This is an understandable response. People are going to respond differently to such a widely publicized event. Your feeling scared is a common response. Many people have reacted that way.
I have recently flown across the South China Sea and at every bump I found myself holding the armrest.
Can a pilot please reassure me that you guys by rule of thumb always try to avoid storms
In as much as possible we try to avoid storms and turbulence. Our preparation begins long before the jet takes off. The dispatcher tasked with putting the flight plan together consults numerous weather sources, charts, satellite data, other dispatchers and pilots already flying in the area to put together the safest and most economical route. The pilot looks over the weather data and together they agree on conducting the flight.
While enroute dispatchers, pilots and air traffic control specialists continue to monitor the weather/turbulence and will reroute flights as necessary. On board we have several instruments that aide us in detecting and avoiding bad weather. However, no instrument exists that is 100% accurate in detecting turbulence. It is not always possible to avoid it. As others have said, with much humor, we try and avoid the stuff when we can. If we can’t avoid it we try to minimize its effects.
and how much punishment can an airplane really take.
Do look at the YouTube link that was provided in an earlier response. Airplanes are built to take a lot of punishment – especially newer commercial jets. Structural failure is extremely rare. Like others, I worry about the bus ride to/from the hotel and the public roads going to/from work – not turbulence. Hope that is some comfort for you.
Also with the radar on board can you really see what's going on when you fly in a turbulent area?
Radar that is in use on commercial jetliners is designed to “see” moisture and particulate matter in the air. Radar does not usually “see” turbulence, unless there is particulate matter in the air mass as well. There is a “Turbulence” mode on many radar units but it is far from 100% accurate. We use the radar, as well as “strike finders” (locates lightening discharges) –where there is lightening there is also turbulence. Often our best source of information is real time reports by pilots flying in the area and the air traffic control specialists who are working the area.
Thank you very much.
You are more than welcome. I hope it was helpful.