EK 209 25 july
 

Sorry to post on a public forum, but my daughters 28 year old friend is flying to Athens on EK209, 25 July, to get married in Greece. She is the most nervous flyer I have ever met in my 43 years flying (and she has never even been on one of my flights!)
Her phobia is so bad that she has been unable to board several flights in the past, so I am reaching out to see if anyone I know from my time in bmi or the RAF might be operating the flight or know who is, and might be able to watch out for her and inform the crew and checkin staff to be very sympathetic with her. She could literally turn back at check in (as she almost did in HKG, or at the aircraft door). Im hoping that in these cases a sympathic approach from ground or aircrew would make the difference to a successful wedding or not.
So, if anyone I know reads this, I would be extremely grateful if you could pm me.
Many thanks
iain Mackinnon
Captain Dragonair A330

No mate, no Brits on that flightcrew. Sadly not on the flight myself. EK crew are usually pretty good in this respect. Is she travelling alone? PM me if u like.


SyB :zzz:

Thanks sheikh.
 

She is with her fiance. Fingers crossed she makes it. Thanks for checking

Let them know to have a word with the ground staff at check in as well, they can notify the crew via the purser so they can keep an eye out during boarding and have the crew working that area help settle them in and check on her during the flight.

I found with nervous flyers it was often helpful to know what exactly about flying was troubling them (for some it's the enclosed space, others heights, or the not being in control, or turbulence) once you know the more specific issue you can try to minimise your daughter''s apprehension.

For example if she didn't like the feeling of a small space, opt for seats further back in a larger cabin section as she would have a wider view of a larger area than if she were sitting at a bulkhead staring at the wall.

If it's turbulence or weather that scares her, knowing a bit more about the kinds of turbulence and why they happen can help too. Often it's the unknown factors that frighten people and once they know a bit more they feel less worried. She has the perfect person to give her the basics, at least :)

And of course there's always distraction. If I had time I used to take the nervous flyer for a walk around, show them the galley and how we do the service, or talk to them about where they are going and what they'll do when they're there. Takes the focus off the now and reminds them of why they're going.

Anyway you probably know all this but maybe it'll be useful. The crews are large and you'll always find someone who is good at helping. Smooth travels to your daughter, I hope she enjoys the wedding!

Edit: just realised it's daughter's friend, sorry.

Just wondering how it all went? I'm presuming the wake err wedding is taking place over the weekend? How many are invited to the reception? and is there free booze? :-)

Yes she made it.
 

They had gone a week early in case they had to revert to surface transport so wedding next weekend.