I agree that it is not so much a fear of flying but a fear of the unknown. I have read up on airline disasters in my fascination with the airline industry in general, which gives pretty interesting visuals while dreaming in flight.

Channel 9 really does help me out, I put it on before push back, and listen until cruising altitude (all the way if no IFE). To hear them talk about the chop coming up as we take off, puts my mind at ease. Doing 130 segments a year has me often a bit feeling weird by so many takes off / landings. I'm not a religious person, but have added a little bit of it in my life for the piece of mind of the "unknown" when traveling (plus other reasons). Plus talking with fellow PAX puts my mind at ease.