Actually, the worst moment is when all the experienced travellers are grimly quiet, have tightened their belts, and assumed the emergency position without urging.

Then you know you're as deep in the doo-doo as you ever want to be.

One London Aberdeen flight hit major turbulence, close to the ground on the landing run. The stewardess was sent to warn the passengers, only to find an entire planeload of trained oil workers who had all been through the helicopter survival course - every one was in the crash position - one hand on the seatbelt and the other pointing to the nearest exit. She wisely kept quiet, sat down, and buckled herself in...