A photo taken on a Delta flight is taking the internet by storm. It shows a flight attendant holding the hand of a passenger who clearly has a fear of flying. The passenger was comforted and reassured by the kind flight attendant as he explained the reason behind every sound and bump during the flight. The photo posted to Twitter is an inspiring reminder that small acts of compassion can go a long way toward making someone feel safe and secure during moments of distress.
The incident took place on a Delta flight heading to JFK Airport in New York from Charlotte Douglas International Airport in North Carolina. The photo of the flight attendant, who has been identified as Floyd Dean-Shannon, was taken by another passenger on the plane, who was moved by Dean-Shannon’s willingness to take time out of his job to reassure the nervous passenger.
A flight attendant comforting a passenger with a fear of flying.
In an age where customer service in the airline industry seems to be overlooked, stories like this serve as a reminder that there are still people out there willing to take their job seriously and go above what is expected of them.
In addition to the calming presence of a flight attendant on board, here are 5 tips for dealing with a fear of flying:
1) Educate yourself about how planes work.
Planes often encounter turbulence and other seemingly abnormal events during flight. Most of these are perfectly normal and can be explained.
Learning more about the mechanics behind flying will help you understand how airplanes stay in the air and can give you peace of mind
2) Talk about your fear.
Find someone you trust like a family member or friend and talk through your anxieties about flying. Openly expressing your thoughts and feelings can help to make them more manageable.
3) Meditate or practice deep breathing.
Focusing on deep breaths can help slow down your heart rate if you start feeling anxious. This is an especially useful technique for dealing with the anxiety of take-off and landing during flights. These are usually the most nerve-wracking parts for people who suffer from a fear of flying.
4) Distract yourself.
Bring books or music with you so when anxiety starts setting in you have something else to focus on.
5) Reach out for professional help.
If your fear becomes too much for you alone to handle and it’s preventing you from traveling, consider speaking with a licensed therapist or psychologist. Never be embarrassed to ask for assistance when it comes to conquering fears of any kind. Seeking professional help is nothing short of courageous!
A flight attendant going above and beyond the call of duty.
Flight attendant Floyd Dean-Shannon showed us all what kindness looks like in action. He took the time to sit down next to a nervous passenger and held her hand until she felt better. His small act of compassion serves as an inspiration not only for other airline employees but everyone else around the world – a reminder that even small acts of kindness like this one can make all the difference in someone’s life. If a fear of flying is preventing you from taking off into unfamiliar skies, consider trying some of these tips – they may just be exactly what you need!
Please share this inspiring photo of a flight attendant holding a nervous passenger’s hand with your friends and family.
