Paula Pratt introduced author Kathi Davis. Kathi discussed her memoir, The Closest Exit May Be Behind You: Memoir of a Fearful Flight Attendant, which chronicles her 35-year career with Delta Airlines while secretly managing a lifelong fear of flying.
Kathi explained that the title came from the familiar airline safety instruction reminding passengers that “the closest exit may be behind you” but can also mean to look back on our experiences in life, learn from them, and move forward.
Kathi shared the process of writing and self-publishing her memoir through Amazon. She wanted the book to combine humorous airline anecdotes with personal reflections, giving readers insight into the lives and experiences of people working in service roles.
Originally from northeastern Iowa, Kathi shared that her fear of flying began at age eight during a turbulent flight from Key West to Havana, Cuba. Despite that fear, she pursued a career with Delta after graduating college because she feared unemployment even more. She described the challenges of flight attendant training in 1970, particularly her anxiety during early observation flights and learning to serve passengers while overcoming fear in the air.
We enjoyed her honest and heartfelt stories about fear, resilience, and personal growth.
