The day began with many people so anxious that they were in tears before they had even walked into the room. Thankfully our techniques work quickly and easily on most people and a few quick 1-to-1 sessions got everyone in the room feeling more comfortable.
Steve, the Virgin pilot, used his wicked humour, huge sense of compassion and vast experience to explain to the group just how planes fly and therefore all the noises and feelings we experience whilst flying. I learned that when building a plane, the wings are bent to 90 degrees, that the wing goes all the way through the body of the plane (and so can't fall off) amongst other technical stuff. Dave the cabin crew trainer explained that the primary role of the crew is safety and dispelled any myths about coded messages between crew members signalling impending disaster (when actually they are just asking for more gin for the man in 34E). Paul then explained the psychology of fear and Gill taught the group a variety of NLP and TFT techniques to use to overcome their fear.
They were then taken in smaller groups to the airport, through check-in and security as normal and 98% of people got on the plane. Those that didn't, did so out of choice and admitted that even though they did not fly, they had come a long way towards conquering their fear of flying that day. The cheer at the end of the flight as the plane landed was amazing. Even more incredible was the blind girl with her guide dog (a flying virgin and definitely the calmest passenger). Watching the cabin crew go through the safety check with someone who can't see was a real eye opener for me. Sitting and talking her through the flight and trying to be her eyes and reassure her was a challenge I had not expected. She made it through and now feels that the turbulence she once feared is just a bit of discomfort and nothing compared to the pain she endured with her recent surgery.
I would like to thank Paul, Richard, Gill and the rest of the Virgin Atlantic 'Flying Without Fear' team for the opportunity to be part of such a great day.
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