Vive la liberté !

I took Fabienne’s course last February in Geneva. I live in Toulouse. I could no longer board a plane. Someone came to meet me the day before the course from Geneva and helped me with the Toulouse–Geneva flight. That made me feel much safer and helped a lot. I had been physically unable to board a plane for 2 years. I had had to cancel a Toulouse–Lille ticket in October.

What is fantastic about the course is being able to be yourself and speak without fear. We all have a fear or a phobia and we feel less alone! We talk about it without fearing other people’s looks or judgement. Just being able to say everything we feel is a relief!

The first day is devoted to fear / our beliefs / our questions. Then a Swissair pilot spends the day with us and answers ALL the questions we wrote on a flip chart that morning. So we cover everything: the technical side, from take-off to landing, weather, medical care, and more! We become walking encyclopaedias.

Later that day we visit a long-haul aircraft and see the technical side up close. It is fascinating. We go on board. The next day we review the tools that can help us overcome our fear. In the afternoon someone from air traffic control explains their job and the control tower. Also fascinating and very reassuring.

Finally on the third day, the flight. We went to Nice. There it was an explosion of group joy — victory, the reward! Everyone helps each other. We have one coach for two people on the plane and we are incredibly supportive of one another. Seeing others succeed boosts us. It helps.

So I managed the return Geneva–Toulouse flight alone. And last week I managed Toulouse–Lille alone! I cried with joy! Because the fears we feed, those beliefs, lock other things inside us too. And then — hop! Everything opens up!

You are capable, like all of us, of getting there. Because you are not alone: the group is there, your coach is there. Philippe, a doctor, is on board with the group. And after the course we systematically introduce ourselves to the cabin crew with a little card Fabienne gives us. On every flight I explained that I had done a fear-of-flying course. The steward came to see me three times; I even got a cockpit visit on landing! So much kindness every time — it helps you fly without fear!

Fabienne and the whole team are extraordinary. After the course there is a forum and monthly practice flights. There is real momentum and support. We created a WhatsApp group and when I flew I had 20 messages of support! Pure happiness! And that helped me fly calmly.

Don’t hesitate to ask me any questions you have. I would be very happy to help you! Have a lovely day, Best wishes, Anne