Flight Without Fear

Flight Without Fear

Frontier Airlines HQ, Denver, Colorado 24 March 2008.

As a privileged guest of the Denver Chapter of 99s, I observed a two hour evening session, part of a series of classes designed to help members of that significant population of people who suffer from severe anxiety when contemplating and then experiencing, air travel.  It is estimated that close to twenty-nine million Americans fall into this group; and from Jagwa Forbes Group research we know that a large percentage of Australians and of Europeans share their discomfort.

My host, the Colorado Chapter of the Ninety-Nines is a member of the International Association of Women Pilots. The Colorado Chapter was chartered on September 28, 1941 and more than 120 members are currently registered. The organization's purpose is to engage in strictly educational, charitable and/or scientific activities and purposes, and particularly to promote aeronautical science. It provides many educational and safety activities. From the Ninety Nines manual: Flight Without Fear is not an original concept, this was the first program of its kind in the Denver area. Dr. Neil Johnson, a United psychologist, United Captain Bob Snyder, and 99s Chairman Nan Gaylord were the key organizers of the first Flight Without Fear class presented in the spring of 1981."

March 2008 quote from the Ninety Nines [Bonita Ades]: "After a hiatus of 3 years and after 9/11, the Colorado 99s was able to get the class started again with Frontier Airlines. When Donna Miller, Flight Officer went to work with Frontier, her Flight Manager saw this on her resume. We were able to do a presentation before the Board of Directors and they accepted our proposal to do the class. There were many changes made to the basic program to adjust to today's environment. We have had 2 successful classes during 2007 and are in the final weeks of our third class. Our students are very grateful that the class is again being presented".

One example of the success of this program is the fact that past attendees have formed their own chat-room to stay in touch and provide ongoing support for each other.

‘How Crews Are Trained'

This was the title of the session. The first hour was presented by a very personable, positive and professional team from Frontier Airlines. Captain Don Taylor, an aviator with 26 years and 15,000 + hours logged, described the very stringent pilot recruitment, selection and training processes pursued by Frontier Airlines. Flight Attendants Annie Elliot and Chris Begnaud delivered an account of the same [and very demanding] process issues applicable to employment of cabin crew.  As an observer attending for different reasons from the majority, I was impressed by the professionalism and warmth of this team.

The subsequent forty minutes then took the class into a separate room where a section of an aircraft cabin [Airbus A318/319] provided a mock-up training scenario.  Dr.Yvonne DeMoss, Psychotherapist and course advisor led the cabin-seated participants through relaxation exercises. This was followed by an authentic demonstration, i.e. completion of pre-takeoff safety demonstration, beginning with arming of the emergency doors. Annie spoke over the interphone address system while Chris simultaneously stood and demonstrated equipment use.

Anxiety levels of some participants visibly returned at this point, and were confirmed when asked.  Yvonne DeMoss then completed the simulated cabin exercise with a demonstration of the Emotional Freedom Technique [EFT] which delivers additional successful self-help coping therapy.

The session ended with an explanation by Don Taylor of the current regulatory and operational security provisions that merit mental understanding and pre-flight preparation that can help to alleviate pre-flight anxiety.

Professional observer points of interest came from participants as much as from instructors and those attending openly described their anxieties, their coping methods struggles and challenges. This particular group was very participative and a large number of them appeared to want to fly, as opposed to being forced by need; although some said that with distant family contact and career needs, other influences played a part. 

I would like to express my appreciation to the Frontier Airlines team, and to Dr.Yvonne DeMoss for their response to my questions; and to add a very special thanks to Bonita Ades, joint Ninety Nines Colorado Chapter chairperson for the Flight Without Fear program; to her co-Chairperson Donna Miller who was away flying for Frontier during this session; and to the Chapter Board for their hospitality in arranging my attendance.

A final note - ‘A Whole Different Animal' - this is the now famous marketing slogan of Frontier Airlines. The animals painted on the tail of the fleet of Airbus planes have entertained TV viewers in the Rocky Mountain region for many years and this is a remarkable marketing success story. From a purely personal perspective, having flown with Frontier over quite a few years, this is a consistently good airline, worthy to recommend to our Australian friends who may choose to visit Colorado in the future.

David Forbes

April 2008

Special note from Rick Guy, COO Jagwa Forbes Group:  Watch for planned JFG Perth Fear of Flying workshop announcements on this site.