Passengers 'Flying Without Fear' Thanks to Virgin iPhone App
Posted Nov 3rd 2009 4:34PM by Warren Riddle
Most people suffer from a little bit of unease prior to takeoff, but a fear of flying can be a debilitating and crippling affliction. Severe cases can force people to seek alternate modes of transportation, or to even ingest illicit drugs.Virgin Atlantic has been attempting to quell those flight concerns through its 'Flying Without Fear' program that, according to the company, enjoys a 98-percent success rate. The one-day program costs over $300 and offers various courses and relaxation methods, as well as a brief flight to practice the new techniques. Virgin, which famously provides quirky and fun methods of keeping customers happy, is now personalizing that course by offering a new app version for the iPhone.
The price, $4.99, definitely looks a lot more inviting than the cost of the full program, and also more so than the physical book version, which costs almost $25. But, since you're typically not allowed to have gadgets turned on during takeoff or landing, to avoid confusion and to get your money's worth, you might want to use the app to relax before you actually board the plane. [From: Mashable]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
fearfly said 4:53PM on 11-04-2009
First, I'm both an airline captain and a licensed therapist. I've worked for twenty-eight years to help thousands of people deal with fear of flying.
This "app" is the same old stuff used at Pan Am in its course started in 1975 in a new wr-APP-er.
It didn't work then - except for the mildest of cases - and it doesn't work now.
The basis for the course, breathing exercises which - though useful on the ground - are useless for fear of flying in the air. The people who put this app together didn't even bother to check the research which is at: http://pn.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/content/full/42/13/25
There are programs that offer effective advanced help for fearful flyers. Unfortunately, this is not one.
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