Walks: Hood Errands
Distance: 4 miles each
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| F.O.F. Hard Earned Mementos |
So, a week or so ago, Ciwt went from minus age 5 to her age today. Vis-a-vis flying, that is; there's probably much work to be done in other categories. If you happened to read CIWT on September 17, 2026* (see below), you learned that Ciwt has canceled at least five trips for every one she has taken for fear of getting on an airplane (twice; back and forth).
A little after writing that entry she decided to search the web for articles about fear of flying. And AI brought her to a nonprofit program right here in the Bay Area called just that Fear of Flying Clinic. "Why not?" she thought and signed up, trying to overlook the fact that 'graduation' would entail a round trip flight. Shortly thereafter, predictably, "Why not?" turned into "WHY?!" and she was bombarded with fear-scrolling doom scenarios.
But she got herself there and was amazed and Relieved to see sixteen other clinic members, all strapping, healthy looking adults, none in straight jackets. Later she learned everyone's reaction was the same. Fear of flying is so debilitating and isolating you think you are the only one and there is something terribly wrong with you. As for the forms that f.o.f. takes, they are pretty individual, all extremely intense and all ending up keeping people off airplanes.
We spent three entire weekend days 8:30 - 5 at SFO. Sometimes sitting in uncomfortable meeting type chairs listening to pilots, air traffic controllers, therapists giving us the actual FACTS about flying: the layers and layers, years and years of training, the absolute priority given to Safety in all aspects of the airline industry, international flying experiences of FOF clinic graduates, etc. And we spent hours in United's maintenance hangar being introduced to the elements of aircraft, their maintenance schedules and mechanics. Then onto an inspection of an actual plane and a prolonged flight simulation complete with turbulence. All questions were welcomed and answered and all the presenters were active in the field and volunteering their time because they Love aviation and word of mouth has spread that FOF is a quality and worthwhile program (since 1976).
Still, throughout, anxiety was in the air and on everyone's faces and body language. Then came the last day and the Real round trip. For us it was going to be LAX. Nobody knew if everyone would show, and would certainly understand if they didn't. But Everyone was there when we gathered in the SFO waiting room! A few had requested travel companions, wives, girlfriends, relatives. One wife brought a camera because she had promised their children she would take pictures proving their Dad actually got on a plane. Ther oldest child was 17 and he had Never flown in her lifetime. For some healthy, successful people of the world, it had been even longer; special accomodations had been made for some by their places of work; others missed out on/ruining (numerous) family trips. Needless to say, when we were back at SFO as Graduates, it was a very big and heartwarming deal.
Are we cured? No, but a major step toward overcoming fear of flying - learning facts and real information -was taken. Now comes practice: returning to the air asap and flying as often as life and budget allow to reinforce the understanding that flying is safe even if anxiety persists. To that end, Ciwt will take a trip (Flying!) to NYC soon, and Ciwt's wonderful readers will be the first to find out how it goes.
Why is Ciwt telling you all this? Well, because you may know someone who can benefit from such an experience. If that person lives in the Bay Area, there is Fear of Flying Clinic. Ciwt understands there may be a similar program in Seattle, maybe Atlanta, maybe near you. You could be instrumental in helping someone to a fuller, freer, happier, more active life.
