Fear of flying scam

[Beagle-eye]

Was flying EZY from Edinburgh to Belfast last week. I had checked in early and was confident of boarding the aircraft early and choosing best seat (for me).

I was a bit stunned when a bunch of a dozen or so young ladies (?), all dressed and behaving as if they were destined for a hen party, were invited to board the aircraft before anybody else. They did so with much laughter and merriment.

I asked the gate lady what it was al about and, get this …. These girls had all informed EZY that they were “afraid of flying” and the airline had allowed them to board early so as “to cause minimal stress” to the poor dears.

Judging by the amount of alcohol consumed they must, indeed, have been very stressed (not).

Has anybody else come across this ? Is it only EZY ? Seems like a good scam if you want to check in late but board early.

[iskandra]

I always tell at check-in that I'm afraid of flying, but I never even got an emergency exit seat for it.....not even when I *tell* them it's because I had an emergency landing once. And I've flown with quite few airlines.

[sinala1]

I always tell at check-in that I'm afraid of flying, but I never even got an emergency exit seat for it.....not even when I *tell* them it's because I had an emergency landing once. And I've flown with quite few airlines.

Sorry, but from a cabin crew point of view you are one of the last people we would like sitting in an exit row! Exit rows (well at least the seats directly adjacent to the exit) are best given to Able Bodied Passengers who are likely to be of assistance in an emergency should the be required... I prefer to have nervous flyers somewhere near the galley where I can keep a constant reassuring eye on them, and be on hand for any questions/concerns that may arise

[AerocatS2A]

Iskandra, if you want an exit row, don't tell them you're afraid of flying, just arrive early and ask for an exit row. If there's one available and you look fit and healthy, you'll probably get one. Of course, you do need to take it seriously and be prepared to help out in case something does go wrong.

[Taffer]

When I see the comment 'first time flyer' or 'nervous pax' in the system, I usually treat it with the contempt it deserves.

These passengers are nowhere to be seen at the gate area until boarding time, where they push to the front. Not so scared of boarding the aircraft now, eh?

Don't get me wrong, we do get genuine nervous flyers - they will actually be at the gate early, be flustered, and probably have more than a few questions. I have no trouble helping these folks, as they seem to be properly scared of flying (still don't understand why! )

It's an abuse of the system by attention hungry pax, and just stops us from helping pax that really need assistance (wheelies, pax with infants, etc.)

[Tudor]

Is 'wheelies' the technical term???

[Taffer]

Yes, wheelies is the technical term, as long as the passengers aren't within earshot!

There are actually 3 classes of wheelies though (wchr,wchs, and wchc), so sometimes you have to be a bit more specific.

[PAXboy]

"Madam, I understand that you are concerned about flying? May I suggest that you remain here, in the saftey of the gate until everyone else has boarded? Then we can get you easily on to the aircraft and you will be on board for the shortest possible amount of time. No, no, don't mention it. I know that I am being just too kind to you but it's all part of my job to help as many people as I can."

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"I tell you, we are here on Earth to fart around, and don't let anybody tell you any different." Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.