Hi everyone. Alaska Airlines flight attendant, FlyerTalk fan (though more passively so these days), and staff member at the Seattle Fear of Flying Clinic here.

Firstly, as a flight attendant, thank you for being the best customers out there. I love it when you acknowledge what we are doing right, offer valuable constructive criticism regarding what needs improving, and come to our defense and root for us when the occasion warrants. If only every passenger could be as enlightened and understanding as you regulars here our jobs would be exponentially easier and more fun! And yes, I’m buttering you up because I have a favor to ask! (No, but really, you’re awesome!).

I’ll keep this fairly brief and if you care to know more you can visit our website or please feel free to ask questions, either in the thread or via private message.

I have been volunteering with the Seattle Fear of Flying Clinic for 6 years now. We are a small non-profit, founded over 30 years ago, staffed mainly with volunteers, the exception being our staff psychologist who receives a small stipend. The volunteer staff includes four of us from Alaska--myself, another flight attendant and two of our upper level maintenance personnel – as well as a retired Northwest Airlines captain, an air traffic controller and several clinic graduates. We typically hold two clinics, one in the spring and one in the fall. Our goal, of course, is to help fearful flyers manage and/or overcome their fear so that they, too, may participate in the luxury and wonderment that is the U.S. aviation system and its counterparts across the globe!

Years ago, the organization didn’t seem to have any problem filling clinics. In the past couple of years, however, it has become more and more difficult for us to attract and enroll clients. Last fall we had to cancel the clinic due to only 2 registrants, and our spring clinic only had 8. With more people flying than ever before, and with commercial aviation the safest it has ever been, it may be that less people are afraid to fly than in decades past? But since phobias are generally based on irrational fear one would think we would still have a significant audience regardless.

While I imagine none of you are fearful flyers, perhaps you know someone who is? Or perhaps you could help spread the word at your office, church, social club, etc.? Or you could just sacrifice a (Marsala drenched) chicken (with a side of polenta) on our little organization’s behalf? We would love for more people to know we exist so a) we can help them, and b) so we can at least break even financially.

Thank you for reading this far, and thank you in advance for helping spread the word.

~ VirgoRising

P.S. – I did ask for and receive permission from the moderators to post about this, so hopefully no one will find it objectionable. If so, please let me know and I’ll offer you a second bag of savory snack mix on your next flight with me as a peace offering!