Cockpit Orientation?

[fofwife]

Hi. I just found this site today and have spent way too many hours already reading through the comments! I think it is a great discussion forum.

I don't have FOF, but my husband does. He tried a lengthy course by a United Airlines pilot with tapes, a journal and contact by phone and in writing from the pilot. He has tried hypnosis and individual therapy with a psychologist. Nothing works. He will fly under duress, but it is a painful ordeal and he doesn't enjoy his time at the destination because he is worried about the flight home. He says his adrenaline kicks in a week before the flight all the way through getting home. Over the years we have canceled trips at the last moment, losing lots of money, and gotten off planes before takeoff if there is any hint of a mechanical problem. Consequently, we don't travel much. I love to travel and lately have been feeling like I am :deadhorse trying to get him on a vacation.

He flew early in his career, but the paralyzing fear began 15 years ago after a turbulent flight from LA to Dallas. He is a broadcast engineer who likes to know how things work and who feels unsafe when he is not in control.

He recently said he might feel better in flight if he understood the instruments and procedures in the cockpit of an airliner. He thought he overheard someone once talking about a program that provides an orientation to an airliner cockpit -- or maybe it was a full motion cockpit simulator. He is NOT interested in ground school or virtual reality training. We live in Ventura County, close to the border with Los Angeles County. Does anyone know of a program that orients non-pilots to the workings of a real airliner cockpit?

[Passenger Mark]

Howdy!

Not sure about a "official" cockpit orientation... BUT...

Has he ever asked to meet the pilots? You may have seen it here written many times that meeting the pilots can help a great deal. And it is something that I do on every flight. I have yet to meet one that refused, and all but one... and that is one out of 42! has bent over backward to answer any questions.

Also, have him log on here, and post some of his questions... either on this forum, or over on Captain Ray's forum... "Ask Captain Ray".

With what you are describing, I would also recommend Ray's book... see the banner at the bottom of the page. Full of good tech answers.

But see if you can get him on here and ask some direct questions!

OH... and one last thing... what a supportive person you are out here searching for information to help your husband! Support from loved ones is very important!

Take care,

Mark

[fofwife]

Thanks for the quick response.

I did see the Captain's book and talked to our son this morning about him ordering it for his Dad's birthday.

We did talk to a pilot once at the flight concluding his FOF program with the United Airlines pilot, and you are right, it did help. I didn't realize people do it all the time until I read some of the postings this morning. How do you go about doing that? We had a letter of introduction from the UA pilot the one time we did it.

[WillFlyToDisney2]

You dont need any type of letter. Just be sure to arrive early for your flight and let the gate agent know you are a fearful flyer and would like to meet the pilot. The gate agents usually arrive at the gate an hour before your scheduled departure time so the sooner you get there the better chance they can accomodate your request.

I had a wonderful MD-88 pilot take me into the cockpit when we were delayed and spent 45 minutes with me talking about my fears and explaining the redundancy within the systems so that each system has a backup if it happens to fail. We talked alot about weather and how it can be a factor and what steps they take to avoid any type of questionable situation. There is nothing like putting a face and name to that voice you hear in the cockpit.

Book a short flight. Meet the pilot. Good luck!
Kelley

[Passenger Mark]

Ray's book would make a GREAT B-Day gift for any fearful flyer! :blowhorn

As for how to meet....

Real easy!

Before getting to the airport... let reservations know that you are an anxious flyer. They will put a note in your record, which will give folks down the line a heads up.

1. Get to the airport early. This is important as you are ready when they are ready, and it gives the agents some notice. Some folks wait to the last minute and the gate agents are busy, and the guys up front are busy getting ready to go.

2. When you check in... let the agent know that you are an anxious flyer. That meeting the Captain is very helpful. They will usually make the arrangements, or tell you to speak with the gate agent. Try and find out who the gate supervisor is.

3. Get to the gate early, and speak with the gate supervisor. If he/she is not there, anyone will do. I just try and catch the gate supervisor.

4. Don't wander off and stay near the gate so that when they are ready to take you down, you are ready!

Hope it helps!

[xiknal]

Hi, FoFwife, and welcome!!

Something is tugging at my memory regarding full-motion airliner simulator training available to the public at United's facilities in Denver. I think that most of the non-career-track people who do this are private pilots who just want a great learning experience, but it's worth checking out. EditorASC (Captain Bob) on this board is a retired United pilot; I will contact him on your behalf to see if he might be able to help you find out more about this. It's something that I don't think is generally available to the public, and United may not do it anywhere other than Denver (so it'd be good motivation for you and your husband to take a vacation in Colorado!). :nod

The other thing which might still be possible via certain FoF programs is the opportunity to board a stationary airliner and visit for a while in the cockpit with a pilot. It's not a flight simulation, but would be good hands-on exposure to that "front office". Please check out the 'Links to FoF Help' forum here for contact info for a program based in the San Francisco Bay area which offers this opportunity.

Finally, another nice back-of-the-tent-flap trick to pull on the phobia is to take a "discovery flight" in a small airplane with a sympathetic instructor. I am a flight instructor (and former fearful flier) who has done this a number of times for fearful fliers in the Austin, Texas area. I could help you track down a flight school at a local airport if you wish. Such a flight need not venture far from the airport; that way, one can land immediately if necessary. :airplane

Otherwise, you have received some excellent suggestions above. Please stay with us and ask questions, and please let your husband know he is welcome here with us too.

Barb

[EditorASC]

"He recently said he might feel better in flight if he understood the instruments and procedures in the cockpit of an airliner. He thought he overheard someone once talking about a program that provides an orientation to an airliner cockpit -- or maybe it was a full motion cockpit simulator. He is NOT interested in ground school or virtual reality training. We live in Ventura County, close to the border with Los Angeles County. Does anyone know of a program that orients non-pilots to the workings of a real airliner cockpit?"

[fofwife]

======================

United used to hold open house sessions where members of the public could sit in a simulator and watch how it was all done. But, that was long before 9-11. Since then, both the airlines and the FBI will look very closely at anyone who wants to know all about the instruments and procedures in airliner cockpits. I would be happy to help, but I have to be careful that I do not post on the Internet any kind of information that might also benefit terrorists who want to know how to navigate an airliner to a desired target.........

[fofwife]

I can certainly understand the security issues, and it sounds as if the other suggestions responders have made may be just as helpful.

Thank you all so much!:sunshine

[beaugest]

FOFwife. I agree with Mark. How lucky your husband is that you are looking into this. I also know it has to be tough on you because you want to support him but are also directly affected by his anxiety. So, hopefully this will benefit the whole family. Glad you found this board. I think you got some great suggestions here. I have recommended Captain Ray's book several times to people and have gotten good reviews everytime.
I think it's great that your husband was willing to try different things. I hope he doesn't get discouraged because they didn't work. FOF often doesn't respond to traditional therapeutic techniques. Sometimes, it takes a combination of things. And you never know when all of a sudden something will click and help.
:welcome