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Welcome to the Safe Flier Journal’s July 1, 2002 Issue We are delighted that you have decided to peruse the Safe Flier Journal™. The article menu for the July 1st issue is available below. The Journal regularly provides articles, news, tips and disclosures about airport security, your safety, air rage incidents and prevention, and a host of other topics. We want to help you feel safer, get safer, and stay safer, every time you fly. We also welcome you to visit our main website, SafeFlier.com, and our two important sub-sites, AirRageVictim.com and UnrulyPassenger.com. Collectively, these domains are quickly becoming premiere sources for important passenger and crewmember safety information, and proactive support - free of charge. This is our inaugural issue, and therefore a bit lengthier than the typical Safe Flier Journal™ editions you’ll see bi-weekly in the future. We hope you find it worthwhile, though, and thank you in advance for your continued patronage! Instead of having to go back and forth between your e-mail version of the newsletter and this web-presentation, we’ve made it easy for you by making the whole article menu available right here. Also, please feel free to send us ANY feedback you want. We encourage it! In This Issue, Please Enjoy the following Menu:
Do you have friends or colleagues that could benefit from a FREE Safe Flier Journal™ subscription?
Back to Article Menu “I Detected a Gaping Whole in Public Awareness and Safety Preparedness; and Decided to Fill It!” Interview with Kristen L. Skogrand, Founder & Chief Editor, SafeFlier.com™ PS. We will make a PDF-version of this quite in-depth inaugural interview available for download from our site next week. In order to access the PDF-file once it has been posted, please go to: http://safeflier.com/Journal.htm#archive. You may want to write down this address for easy future retrieval. Thank you! Todd Curtis, Ph.D., Founder of Airsafe.com®, received an unusual call a few days ago. “Dr. Curtis, I need an expert to interview me for the Safe Flier Journal™. Can you do it?” It was basically the Founder and Chief Editor of SafeFlier.com™, Kristen L. Skogrand, challenging one of America’s leading aviation safety experts to ask any number and type of questions he deemed appropriate. Dr. Curtis went to work as an interviewer on just a couple of minute’s notice, and did so in an energized fashion. (Admittedly, we didn’t expect him to play Devil’s advocate as well as he did, but this made the exercise that much more dynamic; and one we hope you will enjoy). Here’s the result of the interview: Dr. Curtis: Let’s start with the basics: Why did you start the Safe Flier Foundation and SafeFlier.com™? Skogrand: For reasons I can detail later, I detected major discrepancies in airline passenger and crewmember safety and protection over the last few years, culminating in a horrific personal experience on July 4th last year. When you face unmet consumer needs and wants largely ignored by a whole industry and most governmental establishments alike, you need pressure from elsewhere. When it comes to air rage and unruly passenger incidents and their consequences, public outcry and grass root demands for change are long overdue. So are practical enlightenment and educational programs about the matter. The well-researched fact we work according to today is that new Life-and-Death Equations currently exist in the terrain of commercial aviation. I simply detected a gaping hole in public awareness and safety preparedness; and decided to fill it! Combined with my own recovery and healing process, I therefore took on a huge quest. I eagerly attempted to penetrate the current safety challenges, breaking them down into manageable components the public and the expert community can understand and relate to. As a counselor, mediator and consultant, I’ve been involved in crisis management and personal safety since 1978. I have worked in teams with law enforcement specialists, security personnel, personal protection agents, medical doctors, psychologists, psychiatrists, other counselors, and security equipment and training providers. Then, on July 4th last year, I sustained serious injuries, some of them permanent, when assaulted on board a commercial aircraft. Two horrific hours after the initial assault at 33,000 feet, the Captain finally made his decision and diverted our flight to an airport on the East Coast (U.S.), instead of continuing to our European destination. The two hours were horrific for several reasons. The assailant charged at me without any crewmember supervision or intervention on two additional occasions after I laid down for treatment of injuries already sustained to my face, eyes and neck. This caused compounded injuries and trauma that forever, somehow, will be stored in my memory bank. Since the airborne bully was under zero restraint, he exploited the situation further, and took gradual control of the passenger section of the aircraft. He went as far as to violently threatening families with small children, traumatizing particularly one family so gravely that their then 10-year old daughter got physically ill. Seeing her little face pale as snow, her tearful eyes, and her lips turning blue, tells a story of its own. The bully threatened her daddy merely 4 feet away, and she had witnessed how he crushed my face just a few minutes earlier. The crew’s denial to move this family from coach to the wide-open business class for increased protection away from the assailant is appalling and despicable. The Daddy pleaded for more help. The Mommy pleaded. I pleaded. Nobody listened, and the havoc kept escalating. When we finally touched down at our emergency destination, an ambulance took me to the hospital. Police took the airborne assailant – popularly called unruly passenger – to jail. The incident, which I have not disclosed in detail to U.S. media yet, represents one of the gravest air rage incidents in recent times in the U.S., according to experts. I reveal shocking, inspiring and enlightening details about this momentous experience in my new book; AIR RAGE: Anarchy, Injury & Trauma On Board, scheduled for pre-release in August 2002. Also a million-mile flier having visited close to 40 different countries, I have seen, heard and experienced incidents at airports and in the air that accumulate to streetsmart and airsmart knowledge and advice other fliers can benefit from. By adding the July 4th incident to the equation, which turned my life upside down in a mere heartbeat, you find the direct triggers leading to the Safe Flier Foundation and SafeFlier.com. After the incident, I started asking pointed questions to leading aviation safety experts, airline employees (including a host of fine flight attendants and cockpit crews), passenger advocacy groups, travel agents, law enforcement and FAA officials, air rage victims, and many more. I also studied accident and air rage incidents, and researched the aviation threat scenarios we face today, along with the correlation between air rage and pure aviation terror. That’s when I realized: There is a need for an organization that proactively provides UNBIASED information regarding passenger safety enhancement in commercial aviation, and disclosure of lurking threats oftentimes brushed under the carpet by industry participants for economic or other reasons. The organization I had in mind also had to take its agenda beyond mere information and disclosure. Without information that leads to action, we’d simply end up as another “Me-Too” entity, which is far from where I want to be. Action is born out of actionable knowledge, and training that is so down-to-earth practical that it can be applied in almost any situation you may encounter as an airline passenger. By launching Safe Flier according to these criteria, we also made sure our effort remains one that is harmonizing, inclusive, and positive. De-conflicting and collective efforts are urgently called for in the air safety and passenger protection field. September 11th last year proved this beyond any reasonable doubt. You’ll find these types of efforts in our service, information and training portfolio. Dr. Curtis: There are many organizations out there that want to serve passenger safety needs. Why do we need one more? Skogrand: Without many of them knowing it, I studied almost every organization and self-proclaimed expert out there. Your organization, Airsafe.com® was one of them, Dr. Curtis, and I found you very early on! I respect every UNBIASED supporter and promoter of passenger safety enhancement, fair disclosure of safety threats, and renewed accountability in the commercial aviation field. One of the reasons we exist, by the way, is actually to create a clearinghouse for such UNBIASED information and support. In effect, this means that Safe Flier will act as a Catalyst for broader reach for several outstanding entities in our field. There’s one reason why you need another organization. Next; media and various safety experts (real and perceived) cover air rage and unruly passenger incidents very frequently. I find media’s help as frontrunners for disclosure as utterly important. And still; as with many other safety proponents, I miss ample research, focus and insights related to the passenger perspectives and awareness levels relating to air rage and violence in the skies. There are a few extremely fine organizations that have tried, and definitely found a successful track in starting this endeavor. The most important and admirable ones in existence today now endorse and support Safe Flier. I regard this a true honor, as well as another reaffirmation as to why another organization with laser focus on critical topics and programs that propel passengers and the industry to action is needed. There’s reason number 2 for you! Finally, unless you combine information with action, enlightenment with practical application consumers understand, and goals with the exact means and tools necessary in order for you to achieve the goals with effortless ease, you’re likely to miss your target. You’re instead really just pumping out drama-driven information that as often make people shy away, or make them unnecessarily fearful, as it is enriching their lives. The following questions sum up additional reasons why we’re convinced “another organization” is needed – one that will collaborate closely with ANY other entity agreeing with our guiding principles and embracing our cause:
I could go on, but won’t at this time. Conclusively, however, on behalf of the Safe Flier Foundation, SafeFlier.com®, and all its specific efforts and services; we’re proud to be needed, and happy to support a broken system toward a higher level of responsiveness that leads to optimal prevention, preparedness and survivability for fliers everywhere! I realized that a new CATALYST was urgently called for. Our vision explains where and what we want to be. Read it at your convenience, and include our mission as well when you get a minute. Dr. Curtis: If I’m being attacked onboard an aircraft, how is all this knowledge you’re trying to share going to protect me from harm? Skogrand: Inaction is not an option and neither is lack of knowledge and acceptance of real threats when it comes to you personal safety and ultimate protection. The same goes for every air traveler and crewmember out there. The protection we provide can really be divided into at least four categories:
Dr. Curtis: Aren’t you just preying on the Post-9/11 fears, Kristen? Skogrand: Now you sound like a “real journalist” here, Dr. Curtis (but your question is excellent, and called for). NO, we’re not preying on the fears created as a result of the horrendous acts of violence and death we witnessed on 9/11 last year. Speculating in drama is simply against the values and the mission we’ve embraced. Instead, we’re addressing people’s fears in a caring but proactive manner. Nothing beats reality, even when it hurts, however, and the only way to change today’s reality is to understand and accept it; then move on with a stronger arsenal of healthy perspectives and sound protective measures. We sure need global, national and community driven safety matrixes that correspond with and respect new post-9/11 realities. As important, if you ask me, is people’s need for a newfound Personal Safety Matrix. Done right, this Matrix addresses and provides aspects that ease worry and fear better than anything else. Why? People can relate to and understand it, something that’s difficult when it comes to the bigger picture, often cluttered by blame-games, lack of cooperation, and constantly paradoxical and contradicting expert and media input bombarding us all (night and day). Development of a reliable Personal Safety Matrix is part of the training we provide our audiences with. Do we prey on post-9/11 fears? First of all; I developed all the guidelines, principles and objectives for Safe Flier PRIOR TO 9/11. This awful day in world history, on the other hand, added components to our research obligations and to the overall message we want to relay to consumers everywhere. It magnified the correctness of our existing research and our assumptions regarding airport security. It also reinforced our passion for providing soothing aid and bona fide help - all of a sudden to an audience even larger than what we had ever anticipated. Secondly; 9/11 put our ultimate goal into a paradoxical and terrorizing context. Encapsulated, the goal is: “To help you feel safer, get safer, and stay safer - every time you fly™”. Note that we regard the feel good factor as one important aspect. Fliers who travel with peace of mind are better equipped to creating a healthier in-flight environment. The danger, however, is that so many cosmetic security changes take place that REAL safety enhancement gets lost in the maze. In that event, “feeling good about it” is a snare that can lead to lack of awareness and healthy vigilance, injury, and even death. Our next objective is therefore to help you achieve reliable safety enhancements long overdue. Finally, temporary measures in this regard aren’t good enough. Unless you can trust that you literally remain safer tomorrow due to decisions and safety enhancement measures implemented today, you’re not much better off than you were yesterday. 9/11 taught us a multitude of lessons, as it also created a multitude of new needs among crewmembers and passengers alike. The insecurity factor is higher than ever. New groups have been added to the Fearful Flier category (see elsewhere in this newsletter), and new tools and support functions are urgently needed in order to maintain a healthy and robust system of commercial aviation. The system is partially broken today, both in the air and on the ground. It is in the airlines BEST interest that organizations like ours get to go to work, diligently, and with no strings attached! Preying on 9/11 fears? Definitely not! Addressing them and trying to help people cope and heal? You bet! Dr. Curtis: If what you’re doing for society is so important, why not just give away everything for free, instead of charging for it? Skogrand: A good question, Dr. Curtis, and one I’m comfortable with in spite of its somewhat “sharp edge”. First of all; I decided from day one that a whole portfolio of meaningful services should be offered to the public and to crewmembers and industry professionals… FOR FREE! Our newsletter is free. Many of the upcoming training sessions provided by the Safe Flier Academy™ are free. The support we provide via AirRageVictim.com is free. The accountability program and exposure benefits we provide via UnrulyPassenger.com are free. Access to our content-rich website is free. Use of our “Ask-the-Expert” service is free. Many of the extremely helpful special reports we plan to make available through SafeFlier.com™ as downloadable tools anyone can acquire are free. And… Membership at SafeFlier.com™ is free. Then, on the other hand, we have developed a handful of items and services that aren’t free to the public, such as our full-day Safe Flier Workshop, my new book, etc. Having to give these items away for free would simply mean that they would not have been created and made available in the first place. The workshop program involves one of the world’s leading organizations in crisis management, conflict diffusion and non-lethal self-defense. Expecting these fine professionals to work for free amidst their already busy schedules is unrealistic, at best. As for my new book, it represents work and benefits that people will pay for, just like they do with any other book or published material of value. I am happy to disclose, however, that I have decided to donate a major portion of the proceeds from my book to the Safe Flier Foundation. Actually, from 50% to 75% of the proceeds go straight into supporting Safe Flier and its important activities. And this is probably the core essence of the answer I can volunteer to your question, Dr. Curtis: We have had no support whatsoever during the developmental stages. Running and operating SafeFlier.com™ and its various divisions, on the other hand, simply costs money. Since we believe that Safe Flier satisfies critical needs in our society, we believe in keeping it alive and well; and operative. Any reasonable individual therefore accepts that certain commercial parameters have to be in place in order for us to serve and provide benefits to our audiences both nationally and abroad. Dr. Curtis: Okay, let me post a follow-up to the last question: I understand it takes money to run the operation – Why not make Safe Flier a nonprofit vs. a for-profit organization then? Skogrand: Many of the non-profit organizations I’ve looked into seems to be run as for-profits, anyway. That still doesn’t answer your question, though. There are mainly three reasons why we did not elect a non-profit structure:
Dr. Curtis: This has been an interesting endeavor, Kristen. Let me wrap up my input by asking you a question about the future: Where do you see Safe Flier 5 years from now? Skogrand: I always go back to our vision and mission when I think about the future, Dr. Curtis. If I’m in doubt with regards to specific decisions we have to make today in order to secure a bright future, I immediately go to our vision and our value statements for guidance and direction. You can read all about our Vision, Mission and Core Values and Beliefs at www.SafeFlier.com/Principles.htm. I see Safe Flier living the core essence of its vision. It is an organization that breeds the most enlightened and best-protected fliers in the world. It provides the benefits and values passengers and crewmembers need in order to enjoy a stronger sense of peace of mind and more pleasant travel adventures. It ranks among the definitive world-leaders in catalyzing information, training and cooperation for safer skies and optimal accountability for every participant in the commercial aviation value-chain. And; I envision an organization that touches millions of lives, and communities in North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia/New Zealand. Passengers’ and crewmembers’ health, sense of safety, safety enhancement - and very lives - are at the core of our critical research, and the most precious assets we want to protect. I therefore see us stretch and reach toward our vision at all times: To help travelers feel safer, get safer, and stay safer – every time they fly™. Our efforts will protect innocent citizens’ physical and emotional health and well being, and ultimately save lives. I see SafeFlier having at least 500,000 newsletter subscribers 5 years from now. I see the Safe Flier Academy™ having provided online training to at least 500,000 individuals. I see our Safe Flier Workshops having been attended by no less than 15,000 individuals from the general public, the corporate domain, and the crewmember segment. Additionally, I see a significant number of people attending other training and educational programs we currently have in the pipelines (including one of the most trusted help-systems for Fearful Fliers!). Details about these are premature today. We plan to introduce new additions to our portfolio shortly. Maybe that’s another reason for everyone to keep visiting our site and reading our newsletters in the days to come?! PS. Thanks to Dr. Curtis for providing professional help in conjunction with this interview. You’ll get a chance to become better acquainted with him very soon. We appreciate the scrutiny he put Safe Flier under during the past 6-8 months, and the consequent endorsement he volunteered after completing his analysis and investigations! Back to Article Menu Make it Easier for the Public to Travel both in Peace and Security. By Todd Curtis, Ph.D., Aviation Safety Expert, and Founder of Airsafe.com® The events of the last few months have made the public more aware of threats to airline safety and to security than at any time in the history of aviation. Governments around the world have a responsibility to react to these threats, and they are greatly helped when the public is able to understand the issues and counter these threats with understanding and positive action rather than with fear and inaction. I am happy to be associated with the work of the Safe Flier Foundation because it is focused on bringing together a range of information, expertise, and training that will help anyone to address critical issues such as air rage and airline security. These issues constantly threaten our freedom to travel. When I started AirSafe.com in 1996, its unique contribution was providing timely and accurate information about airline safety and security so that the public could make informed decisions about airline travel. By bringing together many other safety and security resources, the Safe Flier Foundation will expand on this concept by providing unique information, training, and expert advice that will make it easier for the public to travel both in peace and security. Airline passengers and crewmembers undeniably face risks every time they fly. One risk they should not have to face is that of becoming victims of air rage and violent trauma in the skies. The Safe Flier Foundation™ helps those who have been victimized, and, more importantly, helps people to significantly reduce their risk of becoming victims. I support this foundation because I believe that it offers passengers and crewmembers the support and the tools that can make flying safer for us all. Following my critical analysis and evaluation of the Safe Flier Foundation™ program, I have also accepted the honor of becoming a member of its Aviation Safety Council." Todd Curtis, Ph.D., is a widely respected aviation safety expert, Founder of the highly rated www.Airsafe.com®, and serving as a distinguished member on the Safe Flier Foundation™ and SafeFlier.com™ Aviation Safety Council. Dr. Curtis can be reached at: tcurtis@airsafe.com. Back to Article Menu The most Pervasive Threat to the Safety and Security of 1.5 Billion Passengers Annually. By Andrew R. Thomas, Author, and Founder of Airrage.org Despite the plethora of new aviation security measures currently being put in place, the critical issue of disruptive passengers is not even on the radar screen. This is unfortunate, given the number of out-of-control passengers witnessed both before and after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. In the 18 months leading up to Sept. 11, there were nearly 30 cockpit intrusions by unruly passengers on commercial carriers. A few of these incidents received a lot of play in the media, including the beating death - at the hands of other passengers - of a 19-year old who tried repeatedly to enter the cockpit during a Southwest flight from Las Vegas to Salt Lake City. In recent years, aberrant, abusive or abnormal behavior by passengers in airports and on commercial airlines has become increasingly common. This behavior - popularly known as "air rage" - remains the most pervasive threat to the safety and security of the 1.5 billion passengers who travel by air each year. As author of the bestseller "Air Rage: Crisis in the Skies" and host of AirRage.org, I am honored to be associated with the Safe Flier Foundation. Such an organization provides the necessary clearinghouse of information that the subject of air rage and disruptive passengers requires. Mr. Andrew R. Thomas is the Founder of www.Airrage.org, and author of the acclaimed book; “Air Rage: Crisis in the Skies”. He also serves as a distinguished member on the Safe Flier Foundation™ and SafeFlier.com™ Aviation Safety Council. Mr. Thomas can be reached at: andrew@airrage.org. Back to Article Menu A Law Enforcement Officer Seeks Advice from SafeFlier.com™: Read His Important Question, Our Answers; and His Valuable 2nd Response. We recently received a very interesting question from one of America’s seasoned Law Enforcement officers. His inquiry, our response, and his final feedback may be of help to you and others. For privacy reasons, we’ve deleted identifiable information from the article for now. INITIAL QUESTION: I am a full time law enforcement officer (Supervisor) in the XYZ City Police Department. I have almost 20 years experience. When I fly, should I identify myself to the ticket agent, gate agent, cabin crew, or flight crew? Mike (last name deleted for anonymity) OUR RESPONSE: Dear Mike; Thank you for your inquiry. Your question is highly relevant, and one that I have discussed with several Pursers, Flight Attendants and Gate Agents. My answer to your question is YES. If you had posted it before 9/11 last year, the answer would have been the same even then. Let me briefly qualify my answer: I would primarily suggest that you discretely identify yourself to the cabin crew once you're on board the flight, and preferably way prior to departure. Many people with your skills and background refrain from this type of pre-flight identification simply because they don't want to be perceived as "dramatizers", they don't want to look foolish, and/or they don't want to run the risk of not being taken serious. The majority of the Pursers and Flight Attendants I have talked to about this issue are very thankful in instances where professionals like you show that they are willing to discretely pre-announce their availability should crewmember-passenger collaboration prove necessary due to an in-flight crisis. Many air rage incidents also ignite so abruptly and occur so fast that the crewmembers at such point rarely have ample time to really seek out QUALIFIED alliances within the passenger population of the aircraft. Knowing that one or several law enforcement officers are on board, knowing where they are seated, and knowing that they are willing and able to help prevent or diffuse a disruptive situation that otherwise could end in violence, injury and flight risk, is simply a tremendously reassuring piece of knowledge. Numerous Crewmembers even tell me that they proactively attempt to establish constructive crew-passenger interplay and alliances on their own initiative prior to or during flights, particularly on routes known to carry unruly or high-risk passengers (e.g. certain flights from Islands in the Caribbean to U.S. or European destinations, etc.), or in conjunction with flights on which they experience mildly aggressive passenger behavior already during the boarding phase. The latter is seemingly as common in the U.S. as anywhere
else? In these instances, Crewmembers would typically be Many crewmembers have also openly admitted that they regard passengers their 1st line of defense should in-flight violence, or threats of violence, occur. Rather than them engaging the help of either over-combative or oftentimes untrained individuals, the idea of having pre-established crewmember-specialist alliances they can draw help from in the unlikely event it proves necessary is important for several reasons:
As a law enforcement officer, you may also experience another scenario, which you partly covered in your question, and that is red-flag behavior spotted in the gate/boarding area prior to a commercial flight, and identification of yourself to the Gate Agent(s). There are at least two important aspects you should take note of:
In any of these events, I know that most Gate Agents would highly cherish your discrete identification of yourself as a Law Enforcement Officer, EVEN IF THEY STILL HAVE AIRPORT POLICE QUITE READILY WITHIN REACH. It gives them the luxury of early-warning from a source
typically regarded reliable; law enforcement professionals. It also allows
them to take a closer look as to whether the passenger or passengers
you notified them about ought to be allowed on board the flight after
all. In an event like this, your identification of yourself as a seasoned law enforcement officer ready to board the same flight as the one(s) whose behavior MAY have caused at least doubt as to his or her boarding eligibility makes it easier for the Gate Agent(s) to feel less concerned. In these situations, the Gate Agents should (I can't say that they always do) notify the Flight Crew and the Cabin Crew about their interaction with you, your assigned seat, and your willingness to help should help be needed. I hope the above clarifies some of your thoughts and inquiries regarding these matters and welcome your feedback and comments at any time. Thank you for contacting the Safe Flier Foundation, and thank you for the work you do in order to maintain order and protect the public from thugs and criminal elements that otherwise would cause even more fear, destruction and uneasiness in our society. BE SAFE! Sincerely yours, Kristen L. Skogrand THE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER’S FEEDBACK: Thank you for your rapid and informative response. Prior to 9/11 I would identify myself only occasionally. Usually when I had some concerns about a particular passenger or situation. Having many friends in the airline industry I know that the carriers were very reluctant to allow their employees to do anything but accept whatever came their way. Verbal abuse and profanity were to be tolerated. Well, I hope now that the airlines have stopped that silly policy. Conflict resolution and especially de-escalation are activities that law enforcement officers are highly trained to perform. We are required to use the minimum force necessary to achieve our goals. Also as you mentioned our training and awareness is much greater than the general public as a whole. Law enforcement has always worked off of a color code system:
I will heed your advice and hope that my assistance is never needed. Mike Back to Article Menu Why Do Crewmembers and Passengers Urgently Need Conflict Management Training? By Kristen L. Skogrand, Founder & Chief Editor, SafeFlier.com™ “Traveling and freedom are perfect partners and offer an opportunity to grow in new directions.” Donna Goldfein, American Writer Traveling and freedom are still perfect partners – in an ideal world. The alarming fact, however, is that the general public don’t see this correlation as perfectly true anymore. Our desire is to educate, enrich and inspire our visitors and subscribers, yes! However, we also stubbornly want to enable you as a travelers to regain the strongest partnership possible between air travel and freedom. In order for you to achieve this, you need a new set of insights, tenets, and abilities. Enabling tools for safer air travel in the form of knowledge, perceptiveness and conflict management ability have been gravely neglected, or simply debated to the level of distinction in recent years. By reversing this trend, we are single-mindedly focused on providing missing links in crewmember and passenger preparedness and protection. Due to our strategic partnership with CDT Training, Inc. (www.CDR-training.com), we’re enamored with the only patent-pending non-lethal self-defense and conflict resolution program available worldwide. Do you think it’ll impact lives? I bet you it will, and I sincerely welcome YOUR participation for optimal preparedness and unique emotional, mental and physical abilities you can internalize for effective and responsible use when needed. SO, WHY DO WE OFFER SAFE FLIER TRAINING TO PASSENGERS AND CREWMEMBERS?
In spite of today’s rage infested skies, we maintain a positive outlook, with key emphasis on the critical fact; There are definitive ways to prepare yourself for the unthinkable – while still enjoying the best commercial aviation (and traveling in general) has to offer! You can read more about our training guidelines and workshop format by going to: http://safeflier.com/Principles.htm#safe Back to Article Menu Fearful Fliers and the Post-9/11 Reality; Do New Fear Triggers Require New Coping Techniques? By Kristen L. Skogrand, Founder & Chief Editor, SafeFlier.com™ It is a well-known fact that in certain areas, travelers must beware of biased opinions with regards to aviation risk and passenger safety. Associations and opinion makers secretly sponsored by the airlines have been criticized for planting opinions about air safety with the press, while having behind-the-scenes consulting contracts with the airlines themselves. Furthermore, people hired or employed by airlines still remain in almost complete rejection regarding some of the exact problems Fearful Fliers fear. One good example is the prevalence and seriousness of air rage and unruly passenger incidents. Many airlines and aviation promotion entities have no choice but to let financial considerations overshadow their reality orientation in this matter. The Safe Flier Foundation, on the other hand, proactively supports the system of commercial aviation, without compromising on the truth and disclosure necessary in order to prepare people based on honesty and proactive care. This also goes for the huge group defined as Fearful Fliers. Unfortunately, the group has grown in size since 9/11, with 1000s looking for new means to cope with flight related fears. In this regard, the following aspects are worth noticing: 1. The Post-9/11 Reality; Separating Fact from Fiction There are several so-called perceptual biases that need to be addressed - particularly to Fearful Fliers - following the 9/11 havoc.
2. Getting Specific; New Fear Triggers, and How to Manage Them A program that seriously aims at providing healing, recovery and support to Fearful Fliers today needs to address not only the greater Post-9/11 threat scenario, but also new Fear Triggers, and Fear Busters that empower them to manage and triumph over fear. The generalized fear of new terror attacks and hijackings is but one Fear Factor. For some of the fliers who fear entering an airplane today, but did not suffer from fear before 9/11, it may even be the root cause of worry and a sense of insecurity, oftentimes with offshoot fears of varying nature. For declared Fearful Fliers, however, the new Fear Triggers related to aviation and flying start at a much earlier stage in the air travel cycle, and can only be escaped or at least managed through clear identification and proactive handling. Examples of these triggers are:
3. Fear and Worry; Coping Techniques for Everyday Use "Fear is spelled..." - False Fearful Fliers oftentimes rank among those who worry a lot even when not scheduled for flight. Fear and worry can limit your potential, exclude you from adventures and opportunity, and in many ways control many of the most important choices you have to make for yourself and your loved ones. An enlightening walk-through of time tested and proven coping techniques may prove timely and called for in lieu of new realities in our society today. If you suffer from fear of flying, I urge you to ask for more information regarding the new help benefits and support Fearful Fliers can expect from the Safe Flier Foundation™. Once you have internalized the tenets and exercises of Fearless Flying, I ultimately hope you feel that we have nurtured true transformation in your life - not short-lived, but permanent! For more details, please email us at: Fearless@SafeFlier.com. Read more about the Fearless Flying™ Program by clicking here. Back to Article Menu News Updates That May Interest You Friends or colleagues that could benefit from a
FREE Safe Flier Journal™ subscription?
Do you have real-life stories, advice or comments that can be used (anonymously, if requested!) in Kristen L. Skogrand’s new book: “AIR RAGE; Anarchy, Injury & Trauma On Board?” As Skogrand approaches the completion of his new book, he still encourages anyone with worthwhile material, stories, or advice to contact him for possible inclusion. Several leading experts have provided statements and rendered their opinions and support in order to make sure this book on Air Rage becomes one that covers broad views on the phenomenon and its solutions, without compromising or losing out on details important to you and other readers. Air rage victims, crewmembers, law enforcement, FAA, passengers and many others have willingly provided extremely valuable insights and true-to-life input. Is it YOUR turn to contact the author for a discussion on what you could provide? If so, feel free to email him at: Kristen@SafeFlier.com anytime. AirRageVictim.com and UnrulyPassenger.com scheduled for full-fledged activation on July 31, 2002. These sub-sites to SafeFlier.com™ are important, not only to victims of air rage, violence and trauma, but also to the ones close to them, to the media, and – not the least – to the general public! We welcome you to re-visit AirRageVictim.com and UnrulyPassenger.com after the 31st of July. Help, disclosure, exposure and calls to action are among the things you’ll find as you peruse these sub-sites in their final version. Interactivity between you and our team is also one of the benefits you ought to take advantage of when you need it. We’re preparing ways for you to interact with us effortlessly. Stay tuned, and in touch! NEXT ISSUE: Among other topics, look for information on the following in our July 15th 2002 issue:
See you again on July 15th. In the meanwhile; BE SAFE! Back to Top
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