Reluctant passengers
Make flying enjoyable for hesitant friends and family
While aviators can—and do—put up with bumpy rides, hot or freezing cockpits, and stale coffee, it’s best to leave that behind when traveling with reluctant passengers. Instead, make a plan that’s high on comfort and low on surprises.
Weather: You can’t do much about the weather once you’ve launched, but there’s plenty you can do beforehand. Planning an early morning departure during spring, summer, or fall usually includes smoother air and lessens the possibility of convective activity that leads to uncomfortable flights through turbulence, or dodging storms later in the day.
Planning for departure: I’ll be honest, it’s a challenge to get my family moving early enough for an 8:30 a.m. departure. Keeping us on schedule means fueling and partially loading the aircraft in advance to save time and keep things moving the day of the flight.
Presentation: A polished aircraft, a clean windscreen, working avionics, assurance of routine maintenance, and seats free of rips and tears go a long way toward reassuring passengers they are being treated professionally and with the utmost care.
Comfortable cabin: Stash water bottles or other drinks in a soft-sided cooler within easy reach. Stow some energy bars, grapes, packaged cheese, jerky, or veggie sticks for nourishment on longer flights. Bring a down jacket or lightweight blanket that can ward off the cold at 9,500 feet mean sea level because the higher you fly, the better chance your passengers will snooze and wake up refreshed when you land.
In-flight entertainment: A music option delivered through quiet headsets can help calm reluctant passengers or keep them busy while you communicate with air traffic control and handle the hard stuff.
No-drama flying: A smooth takeoff, gradual turns, and a shallow climb to altitude and descent rule the day. Save yanking and banking for another time. There is no need to show off or scare them.
Play tour guide: Airport-spotting, airplane-spotting, and natural-feature-spotting can be helpful, and it can also keep young ones in the game. “See the river snaking off to our left? That’s the Cumberland River and it’ll lead us directly to the airport.”
Be prepared: Call ahead for local weather expectations, landing pattern tips, hotel advice, and ground transportation.
If you are motivated to provide an efficient, comfortable, drama-free aviation experience for your reluctant travelers, you may find your passenger list expanding.
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