Even in its most abbreviated form it takes 20 minutes to explain all the things that happen before the engines start on the flight that takes you on holiday. For anyone with a fear of flying knowing about the care that goes into getting ready for a flight makes a difference to how they feel when taking a flight. The well-known saying 'Knowledge is power', is often quoted but it's nowhere more relevant than in flying, especially if you're scared. Here's a summary what happens before you even board the flight.
The crew meet about an hour before the flight. While the pilots check the route and weather and decide how much fuel they'll need. The cabin crew find out about the passengers and the services they'll be offering on the flight. Most airlines take their crews to the aircraft together and plan to be at the plane about 35 minutes prior to departure. One pilot checks the outside of the plane while the other 'sets' all the instruments for the flight. Meanwhile the cabin crew are checking all the safety equipment on board and ensuring that the food and beverages have been loaded and are sufficient for the flight. As soon as the crew have completed their checks the senior crew member will let the departure lounge know that they are ready to board the passengers.
For so many people with a fear of flying this is the moment when all those weeks or months of anxiety and all the efforts to overcome their fears will be put to the test. But it's important to remember that everything we do in commercial aviation is about safety, cabin service and passenger welfare are second to safety. Without safety and airline has no reputation. So as you board your flight be confident that you are in safe hands.
While you take your seat the engineer is completing their checks, the refueller will have put the fuel on board, and the airline's operations department will submit the flight plan to Air Traffic Control. Once you are settled the crew will make sure that the number of passengers is the same as the number checked in and confirm this with the dispatcher who will give the captain the weight and loading information for the flight. Once the captain has signed and accepted the 'papers' the plane is almost ready for the flight. Finally the engineer brings the aircraft maintenance log to the cockpit for the captain to sign and then and only then is it time to close the doors and start the engines.
The thing that passengers with a fear of flying won't see of course is the constant checking and cross checking of everything that the crew and ground staff do. They won't see the tightly enforced procedures that an airline has to use. They won't see the years of sophisticated training that ensures that every crew member is operating to the highest standards. If you have a fear of flying be confident that nothing is left to chance on your flight, everything is checked and double checked every procedure is approved everything is performed to the highest standards.
You can not travel more safely than on a modern jet aircraft...not even cycling to your local grocery store, flying is the safest form of transport. Meanwhile stay informed and remember that flying is normal and for everyone in the world of commercial aviation it's the best job in the world.
Author Captain Keith Godfrey has been involved in aviation for over 50 years. He has amassed over 20,000 flying hours experience and now runs the internet's biggest web site to help people to overcome the fear of flying as well as ground courses and fear of flying books.
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