Why would someone choose a career that terrifies her? The smiling girl in the cover photo harbors a dark secret. A graduate of Delta Air Lines rigorous training program in August 1970, she is, in fact, terrified of flying. A traumatic flight from Key West, Florida, to Havana, Cuba, at age eight convinces her she will never take to the sky again. But her recently earned BA in psychology leaves few options for a career path without an advanced degree. She is broke and desperate to find a job. A friend convinces her to apply to be a stewardess, one of a few good-paying jobs available to women. Laughing at the suggestion, and not believing she can convince anyone she belongs on an airplane, she is simultaneously excited and appalled when she gets the job. At age twenty-one, she has, thus far, lived a sheltered life and is unprepared to feel like a fraud in a stewardess uniform. Gradually she meets the challenges that confront her: Quirky passengers and coworkers - Women's workplace issues - Surviving a toxic first marriage, complete with harrowing experiences on a sailboat - The loss of the man she chooses as a life partner Davis's breezy, easy-to-read writing style (reminiscent of Kelly Bishop's The Third Gilmore Girl ), is filled with tales of airline travel in the 70s, 80s, and 90s ranging from the absurd to the tragic, from memorable travel experiences to anecdotes no one could make up. This book offers encouragement to anyone who has ever faced fear and adversity while providing an inside look at airline travel in the last part of the twentieth century. Book clubs/groups have selected the book because it generates lively discussions. The author offers free discussion questions at www.kathidavis.com. The Closest Exit May Be Behind You chronicles the parallel growth of the author's career as a flight attendant and her personal life over three decades, spurred, ironically, by a childhood fear of flying. Her fascinating non-linear, yet easy-to-read, narrative explores the mystique of air travel and, along the way, offers important insights on living, such as turning anxiety to one's advantage. Kathi Davis is a versatile raconteur - playful and self-deprecating, yet serious when she has to be - and runs the gamut of emotions with ease. One does not have to be in the airline industry to appreciate the book; it relates to everyone - on or off the tarmac! John Capasso, educator and retired superintendant of schools If you're looking for a book in the saucy stewardess genre, with amusing anecdotes of highflown hijinks, this isn't the book for you. Kathi Davis's memoir offers a sensitive and brave account, often painfully honest, of a life lived with its - yes, pun intended - highs and lows, ups and downs. There is humour here, of course, but something much more. This is a book you will remember. Kate Charles, author of the Book of Psalms mysteries and the Callie Anson mysteries Kathi Davis's book did an amazing job of transporting me back to an era where flying was glamorous but being a flight attendant less so. I also enjoyed the personal journey that was so relatable to anyone who has struggled with relationships, balancing their dreams with the dreams of those they love, and the sacrifices made. Bravo for a compelling memoir that's an easy breezy read and a delightful trip worth taking! Coleen Reynolds, broadcaster and public relations specialist For thirty years, she flew the skies-not just as a stewardess, but as a witness to the ever-changing world of air travel. This candid, captivating memoir pulls back the curtain on the behind-the-scenes realities of life at 30,000 feet. From the chaos of the cabin to moments of unexpected connection, she shares stories of adventure, challenge, and personal growth. Through turbulence and triumph, her journey is one of resilience, transformation, and self-discovery. Marc Miller, author of Agent of the Imperium Kathi Davidson Davis is a debut author of the memoir, The Closest Exit May Be Behind You, Memoir of a Fearful Flight Attendant. She worked as a flight attendant for Delta Air Lines from 1970 to 2005, an era when flying was a more pleasant experience for many passengers and crew than it is today. Her book provides a nostalgic look-back for travelers of that era and a revelation to younger people who were not lucky enough to experience it. While she includes many humorous anecdotes, her content touches on cultural history, travel, and the psychology of phobias. She grew up in Waterloo, Iowa, and graduated from the University of Dubuque in Dubuque, Iowa. During her time as a flight attendant, she earned a Masters Degree in Mental Health Counseling from Florida Atlantic University while simultaneously caring for her husband who suffered from dementia. After his death and her retirement, she moved to Normal, Illinois, to be near family.