Threading the Juneau needle.

• Author: Christianson, Susan Stark
• Position: Juneau Airport, Alaska

I'm the poster child for fear of flying.

From the first crackle of the public address system calling travelers to the forbidding narrow jetway, until the airplane lands on solid ground, I travel in an anxiety filled world that nears the brink of terror.

Though my professional attire, briefcase, and newspaper are the props of a common business traveler, those unfortunate enough to be seated next to me quickly realize the distinction between outer appearance and inner reality.

Anybody who's been in Alaska long knows about the Juneau problem - an airport nestled amid towering fog and low visibility. It was the reason Alaska Airlines developed a new standard for flight safety, using the latest in space-age technology. If a pilot moves too close to a mountain, for example, an image of the mountain will flash in red on a flight control screen-long before it's too late to do anything about it. Even in the worst conditions.

The pre-flight check goes something like this:

First. Make sure I'm not seated next to a child or a frail-looking elder. If so, automatically move next to someone who appears to have at least 100,000 air miles. Someone tapping away at a laptop, or engrossed in the Wall Street Journal.

Second. Recite the following.

"I'm not a very good flyer, and if you're not either, I'll be happy to find another seat."

If the response is, "Oh, I fly all the time," remain seated. If not, continue 'till you find that fearless one, provided there are seats available.

Check.

Exchange the usual pleasantries, in as calm a manner as possible, before dropping as quickly as possible - the bomb.

"I've been known to grab people during takeoff, turbulence and landing - and well, at other times as well, but I'm not trying to get fresh or anything, I just don't like to fly, well, I really hate to fly, well, to be honest, I'm terrified of flying, actually, I've fainted before so if that happens, just call the flight attendant and tell them to give me oxygen. Once I drew blood from the arm a man sitting next to me, but he was a really big man and it was really bad turbulence, But I've gotten better since then, and I cut my nails really short...

"... Anyway, I'd really appreciate your help."

Endure strange stares, laughter, and all types of helpful comments. Ignore those recommending getting drunk or use of illegal drugs.

Check.

Begin a helpful dialog starting with recently learned technical information about global positioning and early warning systems, designed to make flying safer, less fearful, easier on the nerves. Safer, less fearful, easier on the nerves. Safer, less fearful...