"Besides, most accidents occur at takeoff or landing, when you're still on the ground."

To quote an old friend of mine when I said just that to him: "No, they occur on landing, because when you're taking off you're going UP!" He too dislikes flying.

I'd willingly do it for something like a medevac or helivac, but just to get around--nope, I think not. Trains are good. Yep. I like trains. I had a firend who was terrified of flying and so he took a train. He died, A plane crashed into it. (Just kiddin'.)