Broken Wings: A Flight Attendant's Journey [Paperback]

Nattanya Andersen (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 5, 1999

Nattanya Andersen's cherished career as a flight-attendant for one of the world's largest airlines careened to a halt when a jet-engine-explosion five feet away from her mid-air left her with post-traumatic-stress-disorder (PTSD). The mental health professions' apparent lack of knowledge concerning the treatment of PTSD-sufferers, and Nattanya's desire to help herself, lead her to search for empirical studies on PTSD and other health-issues and dangers facing air-crew--and by extension their passengers--on a daily basis.

In Broken Wings Nattanya documents the symptoms and repercussions of PTSD, and portrays the treatment an injured-at-work employee, in particular if ill with PTSD, can expect to receive from the employer, the Workers' Compensation Board, and the Union. Interwoven with her struggle against the system are chapters about air-rage, air-quantity and quality in aircraft-cabins; airplanes as illness-incubators; cosmic-radiation-exposure; turbulence; air-traffic-control; pilot-training; flight-phobia and anxiety, and air-crew-duty-times, all backed up by data from dozens of scientific studies. Nattanya also gives us insight into the air-crew-lifestyle, the role of flight-attendants, and passengers' on-board behavior.

But Broken Wings is not just about the aviation-industry, and it is not just dry facts and figures. It is a story about fear, betrayal and the phoenix-like rebirth of a soul from the moment of the accident to the time when Nattanya emerges as a complete - albeit scarred - person from a situation which came close to breaking her. It is an utterly compelling story, even for readers who have no interest in the airline-industry.

In light of the September 11, 2001 events and the regularly occurring aircraft-crashes and incidents worldwide leaving uncounted numbers of passengers and crew with PTSD, Broken Wings indeed makes timely and gripping reading.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Nattanya holds a Bachelor of Arts degree (1993) from Simon Fraser University (Burnaby, B.C., Canada). She lives in British Columbia, and is researching her next book Feathers will Fly.

Product Details

• Paperback: 319 pages
• Publisher: Avia Pub (April 5, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0968497608
• ISBN-13: 978-0968497609
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (38 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,898,850 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Globe reviewed it, I read it. So must you!, September 12, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Broken Wings: A Flight Attendant's Journey (Paperback)

Reading Broken Wings was an eye-opening experience. I was delighted to learn that a flight attendant had written a book, from a Globe and Mail review.

It's been a long time since "Cabin Pressure". But this is not as humorous. It deals with issues pertaining to our health and well being. Nattanya Andersen's (author) passion for flying reminded me about why I set out in pursuit of a flight attendant career. After nine years of flying, Nattanya has rejuvenated some of those long forgotten feelings I had within.

The issues of Air Rage, Aircraft Cabin Air Quality and other dangers involved in a flying career are all addressed in this "eye-opener" of a book. Until now, I hadn't thought of the long term effects of breathing recycled air in a confined environment 1200 hours per annum; now I know why I sometimes feel light headed while on duty. I also learned how reducing the intake of fresh outside air saves airlines mass amounts of money in fuel. A must-read for all flight attendants and for those considering a career in this field.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Something for Everyone, June 5, 2001

By 

Daria Lockwood (Gawler West, SA Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Broken Wings: A Flight Attendant's Journey (Paperback)

Except if purchased over the 'net, this book is not available in Australia. This is a definite shame, as Ms Andersen's story is one that needs to be told. I was lucky enough to be given a copy, and I found it absolutely gripping. If you're like me, you'll be pleasantly surprised at what this book is -not-....

This isn't just a book about the airline industry - don't make that mistake. It's much, much more. And it's not just dry facts and figures. Ms Andersen gives the reader a deep and clear glimpse into her soul as she chronicles her life leading up to the accident which changed her life, and her struggle with the union and her employers after the event.

It's also not a 'poor me' story. Throughout, the author is honest about her own mistakes and misjudgments, and her sincerity and honesty shine through clearly.

To me, this is a story about fear, betrayal and the phoenix-like rebirth of a soul. Ms Andersen emerges as a complete - albeit scarred - person from a situation which came close to breaking her. Even if you have no interest in the airline industry (although the statistics are quite amazing!) you will find Ms Andersen's story utterly compelling.

I would consider this to be a 'must read' book. Beware, though - once you get into this book, you won't rest until you've finished it!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars We are no longer in the dark !, October 3, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Broken Wings: A Flight Attendant's Journey (Paperback)

Boy is this book informative or what? It's shedding light on the airline industry like never before.

Although I adored the author's humor, I didn't quite believe her at first - so I checked things out! And she's right - it's scary...

I feel this determined story is shared with us so that something positive comes out of the mess the airline industry is shoving down our throat. Let's hope more people read this book and demand clarifications to their favorite airline. Thank you for your courage, Mrs. Andersen.