Virgin assistance with panicky flyers

Hi all,

So coming up to me flight I've been getting really pancicky at random moments in time. I presume its due to my impending flight. Anyway my mother being my mother emailed Virgin and asked them about help they could offer me. I think she did it because she knows I won't let anyone know at the airport because I get so embarrassed and am generally stubborn. Will the email help or will I be forced into speaking to someone at the airport?

Maybe you should just speak to Special Assistance. If nothing else, they will be able to give you advice and reassurance regarding your upcoming flight.

If you still feel anxious on boarding then mention to the crew about it and they will be able to keep an eye on you during the flight.

We had a simliar "nervous passenger" on our recent trip to JNB. Co jnr's GF was absolutely terrified of flying 10 1/2 hours.
I e mailed VS and let them know about the nervousness. and told CC when boarded and sat in P.E. CC already knew because of the e mail previously sent y)
Great attention from CC before during and after flight kept GF calm, asked if she was OK and kept checking on her.. . All credit to VS CC. y)
So maybe follow up your e mail by telling CC when you get on board.
Have a great trip, it'll be OK.

Cheers
Paul

Hi Lisa,

If you are feeling really anxious on the day just ask the FSM to have a word with the flight crew. The pilots are usually pretty busy in the hour before departure, but there is often time to pop back and have a quick chat, if not before departure, then certainly during the flight. Most customers either don't like the take off phase or the thought of turbulence at some point in the flight.

Do you have a particular concern, or is it just the flight in general?

Regards,

Something that might help you rationalise your fear.

Once you get to the airport, you should breathe a big sigh because you'll have completed by far the more risky part of the journey, particularly if travelling by road.

Statistically, the numbers of incidents, breakdowns, injuries etc involving motor vehicles is a vastly higher than the same statistics involving flying. However, you don't see people being nervous about that aspect when they should be more so. See what I mean?

I flew to LAX in October last year, and there was a young girl about 19-20yrs old sat opposite to me. She was very nervous up to a point where she was fidgity and shaky during take off. A flight attendent spoke to her before we took off and about 15mins afterwards. He maybe spent 20mins talking to her about alsorts of things. Once we levelled out someone from the flight deck, I think he was the co-pilot, came through and sat with her for a while.

Let them know, and they will look after you

I'm sure special assistance will be more than happy to help.

BTW - Virgin offers a Flying without Fear course that is really, really good. Famously Whoopi Goldberg had never been able to fly before taking the course, and now she's zipping all over the place. You can find more details if you google Fear of Flying, or check the Virgin Atlantic website.