Aviation Marketing Intelligence

The worst part about the 911 debacle (though this did benefit air charter / air taxi somewhat) is the fear. The Fear, as Oscar Acosta refers to it in various films and books, is a bit like “The Birds” in the famous Hitchcock film of the same name: Before you know it, they are all around you and you are swatting at stuff whether it is there or not. Since fear is the most primal emotion that governs our behavior, it is a mainline to manipulation. If you have someone afraid enough, you can make them do just about anything. While us marketing gurus like fear to some extent, I’d have to admit, it is no way to run a society… not if you want to belong to it much longer anyway.

When I read about the passengers turning the plane back 90 min. into the flight, I surmised that “the fear factor” has really hit an all time high in the UK, and is surely well on its way here.

You might also guess that the reason why we may appear to be losing “the war on terror” is that it just simply isn’t one you can win - it is more like one you must forget and let receed into the background, a bit like shark attacks or lightning on the golf course. I am terrified of both, but I still manage to get in some golf and even swim in stupid places in Florida. Why? Do I have God on my side?

Nope, it’s math. I have statistics working for me. Terrorists pull off their victory when you modify your behavior, not necessarily when you or your loved ones get blown to bits in the sky. Keeping you out of the sky in the first place is their goal. Once they pull that off, they’ve won.

Fly recklessly with your toothpaste and cell phones, and show them who you really are, a fearless agent of freedom and democracy! Ok, maybe you’ll have to check the toothpaste until this latest flap settles down, but think about it: Passengers on an airline flight lobbied the crew to turn the aircraft around, and won. Wowsers.

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